I hope I don't screw this up... wish me luck everyone.... my first attempted at making curtains... I bet they come out like the dress on I Love Lucy.... ha ha
@@ifferl8781 mine are going to cover the window above my front door because sometimes I want to block the light And I wanted something that would hide the curtain rod as much as possible
I just got a sewing machine and am working on making curtains for my little girls. You sold me at "if you can sew a straight line". Haha! Thanks so much for the info and keeping it simple! The back tab curtains are a bit of an ambitious project for me but I think this walks me through it just fine!
Now, I love the finish look, easy tutorial. You were in a cramp space, with the iron and sewing machine. Awkward! Love these curtains. Thanks for sharing.
I have a question on the measurements. You instruct to add 2" to the finished width of the curtain fabric, and the lining should be cut to the FINISHED width of your panel. Later, you say to pin the lining to the fabric and fold over 3/4", press, then foldover another 3/4". Should the instructions then be to add 3" to the finished width? With your instructions, i only have 1" on each side of my lining to fold over. Where did i go wrong?
mrscms831 You're right, it should be add 2" and fold over 1/2" twice (or add 3" and fold over 3/4" twice). Either way will look fine. Sorry about that!
Thanks for this great tutorial! I scaled it up to giant size and am making a drape for my sliding glass door. I'm So excited to throw away our ugly and broken vertical blinds.
Best simple tutorial I found so far. I'm not good at big steps and measurements I'm always off. The way she explain the video help me understand a lot more than using tape and doing a lot of folding. I like to know how much yards I need to make a curtain. I'm a novice and if the window is certain length do you need to get a little more material so the curtain won't be coming out short. I notice you folded the end how much more material i need to buy?.
You'll need to add 10 inches to your desired finished length to account for the hems. Also if you're working with a patterned fabric and want to match up the design, you'll need extra. We have written instructions and photos too, which can be helpful along with the video: www.onlinefabricstore.net/makersmill/how-to-sew-lined-back-tab-curtains/
This is a very well made instructional video. I've already made curtains for 4 windows and I love them! Is there any chance you can make a video for a pleated bed skirt?
I'm actually spacing mine about 4 inches apart on the tabs I hope that works otherwise I'll only have to use four tabs and hopefully having five they'll gather up more that's what I'm hoping for... thanks love this tutorial!
Correction: Add 3” (not 2 like the video instructs) to your desired finished width of each panel, per the written instructions. Love this pattern - it turned out great!!
Exactly I was just getting to that part where I was taking notes and thought wait a second first she said an inch on each side now it’s an inch and a half
I see this video was posted awhile ago, but I'm so glad it is available! I'm new to sewing and I just finished a pair of lined rod pocket curtains. I followed along with this video and the other (how to sew rod pocket curtains). The curtains are for my daughter's nursery, and they came out so well! Very easy to follow instructions. Thank you so much for the help! Lisa FL.
Absolutely brilliant tutorial. Bought the fabric and made pair of curtains for my Grandson's Nursery using your clear instructions. I am really pleased with them and everyone who sees them says how professional they look. Thank you for sharing this video.
Of course width is determined by the width of my window, but did you make your curtain with two times the width? one and a half? two and a half? More info is needed to replicate your project, otherwise a good video. Thanks.
Hi Dannie, these curtains are 1.5 times the width you want to cover. Two times the width also looks nice. Keep in mind the amount of space the curtain takes up is determined by the width of the tabs and the number of tabs. So if you have a lot of tabs, the open curtain will take up more space. In my situation, I could only extend the curtain rod a limited amount past the edge of the window so 1.5 times worked better. If I had more space, I may have opted for 2 times the width because I think it looks a little nicer when the curtains are closed.
I'm a professional installer and one quick comment. When you install your drapes/panels, please hang the rod about halfway,or higher, between the top window molding and the ceiling or crown molding, and add a 6' to 8" off to the sides. This will add height to your treatment and the panels won't cover up the windows, creating a larger looking window as well. Rich kane
+Richard Kane Thanks, that's a good general rule of thumb. Of course there are many exceptions, like obstructions (radiators in this case), really high ceilings, or just personal taste.
Thanks for the easy to follow video. I made a set of curtains following your instructions today. This was my first-ever non-quilting sewing project and I'm so happy with the results. Thanks once again. :)
Thanks for this tutorial! I made lovely drapes with your instructions. I did also learn the blind hem stitch for the top and bottom -- definitely encourage others to try it! It's not bad once you figure it out.
Excellent video. My curtains turned out beautiful and you saved me a trip to the fabric store and some cash to buy curtain tabs and hardware. I was surprised how the massive amounts of fabric (I have a huge window) all folded neatly away.
Thank you for this excellent tutorial. I have no experience sewing but was able to make curtains. I watched and rewatched and rewatched again every step. There were a few mishaps, mainly due to my inexperience and the fact that the sewing machine is very old (such as the needle falling out midway, and the thread coming out of the needle when I had to pass over thick areas (tabs plus curtaiin). But overall the result was good. Thanks again!
hi! thank you for sharing .how to sew a curtain..that was really easy and informative..once im done with the curtains i will surely send you the pictures.. thanking you.. sheetal
Hi This is a great video! Very clear and concise. I was somewhat surprised that you didn't use buckram for the header. Would that help or hurt? I want the header to be crisp and not roll over the rod, but don't want it to be too stiff to open fully. I am going to be making wide drapes (two or two and a half widths of fabric per panel) if that makes any difference.
+Lorraine Harmon Hi Lorraine, I found that there were enough layers of fabric here that it didn't need buckram for stiffness. But I don't think it would hurt either. It might help to further define the pleats formed at the top when the curtain is open. The fabric used here is a medium weight, but if your fabric is a lighter weight, buckram may be a good idea.
Just what I was looking for. I have baseboard heaters but I didn't want more valances. I had to decide on a window length drape instead of the floor length my heart desired. I still wanted some fullness at the top but not pleats or gathers. The back tabs are a perfect solution.
Hi, How do we cut the fabric which is railroaded where the length( height) of the window is more than 100" (254cms). As we have windows which are around (137")..i.e.320cms
Excellent tutorial straight to the point with no going on and one like some. Never seen this type of curtain before so new to me in the UK. And teacher seems so not over the top. Thank you.
I didn't like trying to separate the talking and music but I did like your tutorial the best one I watched some I couldn't even watch for the annoying music.
I would love to see this as well. I wonder if you would consider also explaining how to insert drapery weights? You have explained and demonstrated the process for the tab backed draperies very well. Will be watching for further demos! Thank you!
We now have a curtain video that includes sewing in drapery weights if you're still interested! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5TZqZjZUGJI.html
I made my curtain panels exactly as directed. After they had been hanging for about 6 weeks, the decor fabric (not the lining) made a weird little pouf or “bag” at the bottom hem. Almost as if the outer fabric stretched out, but the lining didn’t. What did I do wrong?😕
Thanks and no problem. I simply cut the lining down a bit to use the 3/4" foldover measurements. They turned out great. Thanks for the tutorial, Lovely method and no hardware required.
Am totally in love with your way of explaining..very clear instructions...wish u cud help me with buttoned tabs as I have fixed railings which can't be taken off..tons love
Thanks Mona! Yes, you could easily modify these instructions to make them buttoned tabs. Instead of sewing the bottom of the tabs under the bottom of the header, you could add button holes to the bottom of the tabs and sew buttons at the bottom of the header.
Love this tutorial. I've seen others and it's like what?? This one is easy to understand. I'm making some curtains and am using this technique. Thanks again.
Thank you Kelsey Griffith! Weights do tend to enhance the drape of curtains but they'd look nice without as well. Here are a few options if you're interested :) www.onlinefabricstore.net/type-supplies/product-group-weights/use-drapery.htm Let me know if you have any other questions! -Abbey
This was a great tutorial! Thanks so much! One thing I learned in making mine - my measurements were off by a small amount and the finished length was about 1" too short so I'll need to rip the seam out of the bottom hem and re-adjust (so glad the bottom hem is is so generous!). If I make these again (and I definitely will), I'll make the following slight changes: Create the sides hems, then the top hem with tabs, and finish with the bottom hem. When folding/ironing the bottom hem, check your work - measure the "finished" length NOW before sewing. This way, the 4" fold can be adjusted to ensure the perfect length if needed. Oh - and next time, I'll cut my fabric properly. :-) Thanks again, OFS!
Hi Abby, thanks for the suggestion! We appreciate feedback and are always trying to make our videos the best they can be. In other curtain tutorials we started doing the bottom hem last for the exact same reason you suggest. (This was our first curtain tutorial!) I'm glad you were able to fix the length and good luck on future curtains!
For the width, at the fabric store the woman asked why I wasn't adding extra width for gathering when the curtains will be closed? She suggested I multiply my width by 1.5 so that the finished looked when curtains are closed has a bit more gathering. What do you think ?
I know this video is ancient now, but do you have any tips for using insulated blackout lining? How heavy would the base fabric need to be to make that work? Thanks.
any medium weight drapery fabric would work. Most lightweight fabrics would work too, as long as it is not at all see through, you will get that black out effect.
I think that this is all very clear, with precise instructions in all parts, except I was wondering why you do not sew some of your seam work with a blind hem stitch which would give your lovely fabrics a more streamlined neater look. None of the stitching would appear on the top surfaces and they will be super. Thanks
Debbie Walkeden That would look nice! We wanted to gear this tutorial toward beginner sewers who may be intimidated by curtains, so I wanted to make it as accessible as possible. But the blind hem stitch would be great for a future tutorial. Thanks for the suggestion!
Jun Ryu No, they were made to fit specific windows (about 28" wide and 72" tall), so you would alter the dimensions to fit your own window. When measuring and cutting the fabric, add 10" to how long you want the curtain to be when finished. Add 3" to how wide you want the curtain panel to be when finished. To figure out how wide you want the curtain to be, measure the width of the window and multiply that number by 1.5 or 2 so the curtain will look full. If you want two curtain panels, then divide that number in half and that would be the finished width of one curtain panel. I hope that's clear enough! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Do you think this style would be okay for a sliding glass door (one wide panel) or would the grommet or pinch pleated version be better? I want something that will slide open easily.
Hi Ms Luv 2 Bead, All three would slide easily, but something to consider with the back tab curtains is a panel usually can't be opened as wide as the others. When open, the tabs will prevent the curtain from being pushed to the side past a certain point (the combined width of all the tabs). You can make the tabs narrower, like 1" instead of 2" and this won't be as much of an issue. While I think all 3 types could work well, the grommet curtains would slide the easiest and not take up as much space when open as the others, if that's something that is important.
Thank you! Just what I needed! Great instructions, clear and easy to understand. Hadn't considered back tabs for my new curtains until I saw this. I can see many advantages, the nice drape being a big plus! Wonderful...
What kind of sewing machine is good for sewing curtains? what number needles? I have a singer machine, the thread or the needle break ever time i want to sew the fabric with linings. Need advice. Thanks
You may need to adjust your tension. I also was running into this problem because the inside of my machine had a lot of pieces of thread and dust jammed up in it so I would also try cleaning the machine out. You should be able to use a regular sewing needle for this so I would say those two things are your best bet!
I've made these blackout curtains before for my grandsons and they turned out great! Getting ready to make some more because my grandsons are finally old enough that they want separate rooms. Note to self: remember to take into consideration the repeating pattern to match the panels! (Last ones were vertical stripes, so I didn't have to worry about it).
