{"id":124704,"date":"2015-03-02T04:00:32","date_gmt":"2015-03-02T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.craftsy.com\/blog\/?p=124704"},"modified":"2020-08-14T15:31:49","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T20:31:49","slug":"how-to-sew-lined-curtains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/post\/how-to-sew-lined-curtains\/","title":{"rendered":"Sew These Lined Curtains and You\u2019ll Never Lose a Wink of Sleep Again"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"\n

A major reason to fully line your curtains: lined drapes block out way more light than their unlined counterparts, meaning your room stays nice and dark \u2014 and you (or your kids!) get plenty of zzzs. But that\u2019s not all: lining also protects the main fabric of your curtains from fading in the sunshine, and adds an extra touch of elegance that makes the whole curtain look more polished.<\/p>\n

This how-to covers standard, single-fabric curtains, plus an easy adaptation to achieve the color-blocked effect in our photo. Make sure to read all the way through the cutting instructions and determine your approach before cutting into your fabric!<\/p>\n

Simple (or Color-Blocked!) Lined Grommet Curtains<\/h2>\n

Level:<\/strong> Easy<\/p>\n

What You Need<\/h2>\n
  • Area large enough to lay out your entire curtain (this can be your floor or a large dining table)<\/li>\n
  • Curtain fabric (we used Boundless Solids Fabric in Jewel for the top and Periwinkle for the bottom)<\/li>\n
  • Lining fabric (we used Kona Cotton Fabric in Bone)<\/li>\n
  • Iron and board (a small, portable pressing board can be helpful, so you can bring it to the fabric and keep your materials flat on your work surface)<\/li>\n
  • Curtain grommets (we used 1- 9\/16\u201d grommets in Pewter)<\/li>\n
  • Seam gauge, quilting ruler or measuring tape<\/li>\n
  • Scissors<\/li>\n
  • Tailor\u2019s chalk <\/li>\n
  • Pins<\/li>\n
  • Pencil<\/li>\n

    Prep Work<\/h2>\n

    1. Calculate Your Width Measurement<\/h3>\n

    Measure the width of your window from side to side. A traditional curtain is 1.5 times the width of the window itself, so multiply your measurement by 1.5. This will be measurement A.<\/p>\n

    Figure out how much extra fabric you would like on the left side of the window, and add that amount twice (for both the left and right sides) to measurement A.<\/p>\n

    Determine the hem allowance you would like on the left side of the window and add that amount four times (for the left and right side of each panel) to measurement A.<\/p>\n

    Divide measurement A in half. Now you have the width of your two panels.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

    Window width = 30\u201d<\/p>\n

    Multiplied by 1.5 = 45\u201d <\/p>\n

    Add 3\u2033 to the left side, multiplied by two = 6\u2033<\/p>\n

    Add 2\u2033 to the left hem, multiplied by four = 8\u2033<\/p>\n

    45 + 6 + 8 = 59\u2033 total width<\/p>\n

    Divide 59\u2033 by 2 = 29.5\u2033 width per panel<\/p>\n

    2. Calculate Your Length Measurement<\/h3>\n

    Measure the length of your window from top to bottom. This will be measurement B.<\/p>\n

    Measure how long you want your curtain to hang below the window frame. This can be just a bit to cover the molding, or extended to the floor. Add that amount to measurement B.<\/p>\n

    Add 4\u2033 for the bottom hem, and 1\u201d for the fold on the bottom hem.<\/p>\n

    Determine how far above the window frame you want the curtains to hang. Add that amount to measurement B.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re making a grommet curtain (like we did), add 4\u2033 for the top hem, plus a 1\u201d fold. Now you have the total length you\u2019ll need per panel.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n

    Window length = 50\u2033<\/p>\n

    Length below window frame = 20\u201d <\/p>\n

    Add 4\u2033 for the bottom hem<\/p>\n

    Add 1\u2033 for the bottom hem fold<\/p>\n

    Add 3\u2033 for height above the window<\/p>\n

    Add 4\u2033 for the top hemAdd 1\u2033 for the top hem fold<\/p>\n

    50 + 20 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 4 + 1 = 83\u2033 length per panel<\/p>\n

    Instructions<\/h2>\n

    1. Cut Your Curtain and Lining Fabrics<\/h3>\n

    Cut your curtain fabric(s) according to the final measurements in your prep work.<\/p>\n

    Pro Tip:<\/strong> We color-blocked our curtains, meaning two different curtain fabrics were sewn within each panel. To do this, divide the panel length measurement into thirds. (This can change based on where you want the color break to be \u2014 we used one color for the top \u2154 of the curtain, and another for the bottom \u2153.) Add a \u00bd\u201d seam allowance to each side, then cut. Place your two fabrics right sides together and pin. Stitch using a \u00bd\u201d seam allowance. Press the seams open. Repeat for each panel piece, then continue with the instructions as written.<\/p>\n

    Cut your lining fabric to the same measurements as your curtain fabric(s). Once it’s cut, trim off 2\u201d in length and 4\u201d in width.<\/p>\n

    2. Prepare the Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    With measuring tape, a quilting ruler or seam gauge, fold the hem of the curtain fabric down 1\u201d and press. (Make sure your iron is set to the appropriate heat for your fabric.)<\/p>\n\"\"\n

    Fold the hem 4\u201d and press. Pin the hems in place as shown, with the heads of the pins facing away from the edge.<\/p>\n

    Pro Tip:<\/strong> As you move your work to your machine to start sewing, make sure the excess fabric is to the left of your needle, not all bunched up in the throat of your machine.<\/p>\n

    3. Sew the Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Edgestitch the hem of the curtain, sewing close to the fold. (Remember, you\u2019ll see these seams on the right side of the curtain \u2014 if you want an invisible hem, hand sew this step<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

    Pro Tip:<\/strong> The easiest way to edgestitch the hem is to align the needle \u215b\u201d away from the seam ditch. Lower the needle into the fabric, and find a spot on the presser foot to follow. As you stitch the seam, keep your eye on this spot \u2014 it\u2019ll help keep the stitches straight and even.<\/p>\n

    Repeat steps 1-3 for the second curtain panel and your lining fabric.<\/p>\n

    4. Prepare the Panel Pieces<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Place one panel of curtain fabric on a flat surface, right side facing up. Lay the lining fabric on top of it, right side down, so the fabric panels are facing each other. Line up the top edges and one of the side edges. (The opposite side and hems won\u2019t line up, since the lining is narrower than the main fabric.)<\/p>\n

    Pin along the side seam that\u2019s lined up. (Include a pin along the top and bottom edges to help secure the lining.)<\/p>\n

    5. Sew the Side Seam<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Stitch along the pinned side seam with a \u00bd\u201d seam allowance, removing pins as you go. Backstitch at the bottom of the lining hem; do not continue onto the main curtain fabric.<\/p>\n

    6. Pin and Sew the Other Side Seam<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Lay the curtain flat again, this time lining up the fabric and lining on the opposite side. (Because the lining is narrower than the curtain, this step will pull the sewn seam beyond the stitch line.) Pin, then stitch using a \u00bd\u201d seam allowance.<\/p>\n

    7. Press and Flip<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Press the side seams. Turn the tube of fabric right side out, so the wrong sides of the lining and curtain fabrics are facing each other. The lining will naturally roll 1\u201d of the curtain fabric to the wrong side, keeping the lining away from the edge. Press that 1\u201d of fabric into place.<\/p>\n

    Repeat steps 4-7 with your second curtain panel. At this point, you should have two curtain panels, each with their right sides facing out.<\/p>\n

    8. Prepare the Top Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Place one curtain panel on your work surface; finger press any wrinkles out. Make sure the raw edges of the curtain and lining fabrics match along the entire top edge. Fold the top hem of the curtain fabric under 1\u201d and press.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

    Turn and fold the top hem 4\u201d and press. Pin in place.<\/p>\n

    9. Sew the Top Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Edgestitch along the top hem, sewing close to the fold.<\/p>\n

    10. Prepare the Grommets<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Measure 2\u201d down from the top edge and \u00bd\u201d in from the side seam. With a pencil, mark a small +. This will be the center of the grommet. Repeat along the top edge, marking all the grommet centers.<\/p>\n

    Pro Tip:<\/strong> Read the package instructions for your curtain grommets, as it will expand on grommet installation and give additional information for how to measure for placement.<\/p>\n

    11. Trace the Grommet Guide<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Place the grommet guide (that comes with your grommets) on top of the + and trace around the guide with a pencil. Continue along the entire top edge.<\/p>\n

    12. Cut the Grommet Holes<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Cut a hole in the center of the circle \u2014 either fold the fabric and cut with scissors, or use a small rotary cutter and mat to cut an X in the center. Slowly work your way around the pencil circle. Repeat for all grommet placements.<\/p>\n

    13. Insert the Grommets<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Place one side of the grommet under the cut circle, then the other on top. Carefully snap into place. Repeat for all of your grommets.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

    Once your first panel has all of its grommets placed, repeat steps 8-13 on the second curtain panel.<\/p>\n

    14. Prepare the Lining Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Lay one curtain panel on your work station. At the bottom corner of the main fabric, turn and fold under the raw side seam edges, tucking them inside and underneath the fold. Press the fold.<\/p>\n

    15. Hand Sew the Lining Hem<\/h3>\n\"\"\n

    Hand sew the fold in place with an invisible stitch. Repeat steps 14 and 15 on the other corner of the hem.<\/p>\n

    Lay the second curtain panel on your work station. Repeat steps 14 and 15.<\/p>\n

    Voila! You now have gorgeous lined curtains that are ready to hang!<\/p>\n

    Photos by Marni Weaver<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Fully lined curtains are elegant, block double the light of unlined curtains and protect the fabric from fading in the sunshine. Learn how to make them in just a few simple steps!<\/p>\n

    \n\t\t\t\tRead more \u00bb<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1418,"featured_media":300887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[922,65],"tags":[3460,3456,3473],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1418"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/300887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2023.craftsy.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}