Sew Your Own Window Treatments
Ranked #8,903 in Home & Garden, #109,869 overall
And save money
Do you want to make your own curtains? Are you tired of the same old look and you want to make your home look up to date and elegant without it costing an arm and a leg? Have you ever considered changing the window treatments in your home but didn't because of the cost of custom made treatments? You want something more than just a gathered-on-rod curtain, or one gotten by attaching clips to a length of fabric and hung on a rod.
The best and most economical solution is to sew your own. Plus, you'll also get the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself. "But," you say, "I don't even know where to start." Well, pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and we'll talk about it.
In this article I want to give you the confidence to sew your own window treatments which will help you save money. We'll talk about styles, type of fabric, colors, color combinations and how to measure your windows.
Buy a Notebook-----Make a Plan
Write it down
The first thing I would suggest is that you get a notebook to write down suggestions as we go along. Also it is a good place to glue pictures from magazines of the looks you like or think you like. At first, just page through magazines and cut out any and all pictures that you are really drawn to. We're talking decorator magazines, not PlayGirl. Since you'll be wanting to live with the window treatments that you make for some time to come, take your time to really know what is available and what you like, even if you only like it a little bit right now. Keep pictures of styles you like, colors you are drawn to and combinations of colors that you love. Who knows, before you make your curtains or valances, you may decide now is the time you want to put color on your walls. Keep an open mind ----if you find pictures you love by Googling "window treatments" and hitting images----print off the ones you like and glue them in your notebook. You're going to be surprised at what a great help this notebook will be.First Things First
write it down
Your first consideration when choosing new window treatments is to think about what is already in the room, what you plan on changing in the near future and what will be staying, the way it is, for a long time.
What is already in the room: the couch, chairs, carpet, lighting, direction of natural light, shades or blinds, pictures, mirrors, extra furniture,
What will be changed in the near future: couch, chairs, carpet, lighting?
What we have to live with and won't be changed: direction of natural lighting, carpet, furniture, etc.
Colors that won't be changed: Carpet, couch, chairs, wallpaper, woodwork color
Colors that will or could be changed: walls,
Style of furniture, floor coverings,
What is already in the room: the couch, chairs, carpet, lighting, direction of natural light, shades or blinds, pictures, mirrors, extra furniture,
What will be changed in the near future: couch, chairs, carpet, lighting?
What we have to live with and won't be changed: direction of natural lighting, carpet, furniture, etc.
Colors that won't be changed: Carpet, couch, chairs, wallpaper, woodwork color
Colors that will or could be changed: walls,
Style of furniture, floor coverings,
Would You Sew Your Own Curtains
or have you sewn them?
Have you ever tried to, or sewn, your own window treatments?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Lens Of The Day
a coveted honor
Sew Your Own Window Treatments was designated LotD on September 6, 2011.
"Thank You" to the Giant Squids, Bonnie, Robin and Kimberly, at Squidoo headquarters for this presigious designation.
"Thank You" to all my fellow Squids for recognizing the honor of this designation by their visits, comments and congratulations.
"Thank You" to the Giant Squids, Bonnie, Robin and Kimberly, at Squidoo headquarters for this presigious designation.
"Thank You" to all my fellow Squids for recognizing the honor of this designation by their visits, comments and congratulations.
Decorating Books
worth perusing
There are many decorating books available, some quite expensive, but here are a few that may be worth your money and time.
Color, Style and Fabric
Write it down
Your second step would be to decide on what colors, style and fabric to use that are suitable for use with the colors of the carpet and furniture that will be in the room.
How to decide on a color: If you have been writing down and gluing pictures in your notebook, you'll see what colors you are drawn to. Now, if the colors you love don't go with the color of your wall, consider re-painting. Painting a room is pretty inexpensive, you'll get a whole new look and you'll be able to make your window treatments in the color you really want.
How to decide on a style: Again, if you look at all the pictures you've been gluing in your notebook, you will see which styles you have picked out most often. There's your clue. Are most of them valances, swags with jabots, tabbed curtains, drapes with a swag or valance? Have you seen the large grommetted drape, that's a very easy and modern style. So now you know the style you'll be happy with.
How to decide on a fabric: The style helps determine the fabric. You have a lot of lee way with the fabric, but remember there are a few exceptions. One of them is that if you want a nice drape, in say your swag, then you don't want a heavy fabric because it won't drape well. And real light, sheer fabrics are harder to handle not only when cutting them out, but also when sewing.
Okay, see, you've now decided on a color, a style, and a fabric. Wooohoo, the hard part is out of the way...now on to the fun part.
How to decide on a color: If you have been writing down and gluing pictures in your notebook, you'll see what colors you are drawn to. Now, if the colors you love don't go with the color of your wall, consider re-painting. Painting a room is pretty inexpensive, you'll get a whole new look and you'll be able to make your window treatments in the color you really want.
How to decide on a style: Again, if you look at all the pictures you've been gluing in your notebook, you will see which styles you have picked out most often. There's your clue. Are most of them valances, swags with jabots, tabbed curtains, drapes with a swag or valance? Have you seen the large grommetted drape, that's a very easy and modern style. So now you know the style you'll be happy with.
How to decide on a fabric: The style helps determine the fabric. You have a lot of lee way with the fabric, but remember there are a few exceptions. One of them is that if you want a nice drape, in say your swag, then you don't want a heavy fabric because it won't drape well. And real light, sheer fabrics are harder to handle not only when cutting them out, but also when sewing.
Okay, see, you've now decided on a color, a style, and a fabric. Wooohoo, the hard part is out of the way...now on to the fun part.
Sewing Essentials
basic needs
How to Measure Your Windows
write it down
In your notebook draw a sketch of your window, leaving wall space above and below it. Now, measure and write down the measurements:
1. Outside width (outside the frame)
2. Inside width (inside the frame)
3. Top of the frame to the sill.
4. Top of the frame to the bottom of the apron. (bottom board under the sill)
5. Top of the frame to the floor.
6. Distance from the left frame to any obstacle or wall to the left.
7. Distance from the right to a wall or obstacle to the right.
One reason for measurements 6 and 7 would be if you were making a kitchen treatment on a window between two cupboards.
Be sure that you measure and remeasure, then write the number down in your notebook and specify for which room and which window the measurements are for. All windows are not created (or built) equal, even if they are side by side and in the same room. Or even if they look like they are the same size. Measure. Write it down... you'll be happy you did.
There is a great page from Joann Fabrics that helps you calculate yardage for drapes.
1. Outside width (outside the frame)
2. Inside width (inside the frame)
3. Top of the frame to the sill.
4. Top of the frame to the bottom of the apron. (bottom board under the sill)
5. Top of the frame to the floor.
6. Distance from the left frame to any obstacle or wall to the left.
7. Distance from the right to a wall or obstacle to the right.
One reason for measurements 6 and 7 would be if you were making a kitchen treatment on a window between two cupboards.
Be sure that you measure and remeasure, then write the number down in your notebook and specify for which room and which window the measurements are for. All windows are not created (or built) equal, even if they are side by side and in the same room. Or even if they look like they are the same size. Measure. Write it down... you'll be happy you did.
There is a great page from Joann Fabrics that helps you calculate yardage for drapes.
When looking at window treatment pictures, remember that the color and print can be changed. Don't limit yourself, use your imagination and see the style in other colors and prints or solids.
Amazon Search
Use this handy Amazon Search to look for products you want or need.
Rods, Board, Tension Rod, Medallions
Write it down
You've chosen the style of your window treatment and measured your window, now you'll have to decide on how you are going to hang your treatment.
1. Will you be using a standard (usually 1" wide) or continental (usually 2"wide) rod? If you are using this type rod, what distance is the rod return (the distance from the rod to the wall). You'll need to keep the return measurement in mind when figuring the width of your curtain because it's the distance from the front of the rod back to the wall.
2. Will you be using a medal or wood rod with brackets, finials and rings? You can make a window look wider by attaching the rod brackets away from the window frame, any distance that you choose, but you'll have to add the extra width when figuring out how much fabric you'll need.
3. Another choice would be a tension rod. You'd use the tension rod to hang a curtain inside a window frame or where you have a window between two cabinets, like in a kitchen.
4. Some patterns have you attach the fabric to a board and hung with "L" brackets. This is an easy way to hang swags, valances and jabots. You do need a good staple gun for this method.
5. Decorative Medallions Holdbacks can be used to hang window treatments.
1. Will you be using a standard (usually 1" wide) or continental (usually 2"wide) rod? If you are using this type rod, what distance is the rod return (the distance from the rod to the wall). You'll need to keep the return measurement in mind when figuring the width of your curtain because it's the distance from the front of the rod back to the wall.
2. Will you be using a medal or wood rod with brackets, finials and rings? You can make a window look wider by attaching the rod brackets away from the window frame, any distance that you choose, but you'll have to add the extra width when figuring out how much fabric you'll need.
3. Another choice would be a tension rod. You'd use the tension rod to hang a curtain inside a window frame or where you have a window between two cabinets, like in a kitchen.
4. Some patterns have you attach the fabric to a board and hung with "L" brackets. This is an easy way to hang swags, valances and jabots. You do need a good staple gun for this method.
5. Decorative Medallions Holdbacks can be used to hang window treatments.
This Lens Has Been Blessed
by these SquidAngels
prosperity66 Great Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorating ideas.
Traveling Rae Lots of information on RV living and other subjects.
niicki Written by a writer on interesting experiences.
Heather426 Food supplements, vitamins and herbs are some of the subjects covered here.
nDee She shares a variety of her interests, expertise and curiosities.
teriann Beading is just one of the many interests she shares with us.
KimGiancaterino Carol Burnett, Farrah Fawcett, Adam Sandler, etc...
TheLifestyleChanger Articles about celebrities, fashion, jewelry and so much more. Be sure to visit her articles.
Traveling Rae Lots of information on RV living and other subjects.
niicki Written by a writer on interesting experiences.
Heather426 Food supplements, vitamins and herbs are some of the subjects covered here.
nDee She shares a variety of her interests, expertise and curiosities.
teriann Beading is just one of the many interests she shares with us.
KimGiancaterino Carol Burnett, Farrah Fawcett, Adam Sandler, etc...
TheLifestyleChanger Articles about celebrities, fashion, jewelry and so much more. Be sure to visit her articles.
Keep swatches of your fabrics and wall colors in your purse so you aren't guessing when buying accessories for your home.
Choose a Pattern and a Fabric
Take your notebook with you when you go to select a pattern and the fabric. You'll be able to find a pattern or two that will allow you to make the style of window covering that you have chosen. If this is the first time you are sewing a valance, swag or curtain, choose a Simplicity or McCalls pattern. They are easier to follow. Utilize the help that you can recieve at the fabric store.
My favorite fabric store is Hancock Fabrics, but other stores that have nice decorator fabrics are Joanns and Hobby Lobby. Hancocks has recurring 40% off decorator fabric sales. This can be a big savings if you wait for their sales. A good on-line store is Warehouse Fabrics. They also carry a nice selection of beaded trims. I love the elegant look of the embroidered fabrics. A very simple valance can look very expensive when made with an embroidered fabric with beads along the edge.
Don't forget to line your window treatment. This is very important, You can use plain RocLan white or ivory lining if the lining won't show. Where you have jabots and trumpets you'll need a fabric that contrasts or matches the main fabric, because you'll see it from the front. You can line the whole thing with the contrasting fabric, and you may want to, if you'll see it from the outside of the house. (A window directly in the wallway to your front door or a patio curtain or valance.) Window treatments look better and hold their shape better if you add the lining.
My favorite fabric store is Hancock Fabrics, but other stores that have nice decorator fabrics are Joanns and Hobby Lobby. Hancocks has recurring 40% off decorator fabric sales. This can be a big savings if you wait for their sales. A good on-line store is Warehouse Fabrics. They also carry a nice selection of beaded trims. I love the elegant look of the embroidered fabrics. A very simple valance can look very expensive when made with an embroidered fabric with beads along the edge.
Don't forget to line your window treatment. This is very important, You can use plain RocLan white or ivory lining if the lining won't show. Where you have jabots and trumpets you'll need a fabric that contrasts or matches the main fabric, because you'll see it from the front. You can line the whole thing with the contrasting fabric, and you may want to, if you'll see it from the outside of the house. (A window directly in the wallway to your front door or a patio curtain or valance.) Window treatments look better and hold their shape better if you add the lining.
Sewing Aids
These are products that are needed to make your window treatments or to do any of the other sewing projects that you may want to try.
Don't pre-wash your decorator fabric---it will take the body out of the fabric.
Adjusting and Cutting the Pattern
notions and such
Patterns will give you instructions for how to adjust the pattern to fit your window. If you aren't comfortable with cutting directly into your new fabric, make a trial run by using an old sheet to see if you've adjusted right. I've done that on an occasion or two (or three) I hate taking things apart, so I try to avoid mistakes.
I always cut the extra tissue away from around the pattern pieces before I begin. Then to adjust the pattern I can fold and pin the pattern. If the pattern needs to be made bigger, I always cut the pattern and tape a width of tissue to make the pattern the size I need. Remember that when you adjust to cut the main fabric, that you need to make the same adjustments when cutting the lining pieces. I prefer to cut out the fabric with a pinking shears, mainly because it prevents the fabric from raveling.
I don't wash my fabric when I make window treatments. Washing takes all the body out and, in my estimation, ruins the custom look. You won't be washing them anyway----if they need cleaning, you'll take them to the cleaners. Swags or valances on a board need only to be vacuumed occasionally.
Besides the adjusted pattern, notions that will assist you in cutting your fabric are: straight pins, 18" ruler, pinking shears and a chalk pencil. Notions: Colored thread to match the fabric, sewing machine needles for the type fabric you are sewing, extra bobbins and needles for hand sewing
Basic Needs: Sewing machine, ironing board, steam iron and a press cloth.
I always cut the extra tissue away from around the pattern pieces before I begin. Then to adjust the pattern I can fold and pin the pattern. If the pattern needs to be made bigger, I always cut the pattern and tape a width of tissue to make the pattern the size I need. Remember that when you adjust to cut the main fabric, that you need to make the same adjustments when cutting the lining pieces. I prefer to cut out the fabric with a pinking shears, mainly because it prevents the fabric from raveling.
I don't wash my fabric when I make window treatments. Washing takes all the body out and, in my estimation, ruins the custom look. You won't be washing them anyway----if they need cleaning, you'll take them to the cleaners. Swags or valances on a board need only to be vacuumed occasionally.
Besides the adjusted pattern, notions that will assist you in cutting your fabric are: straight pins, 18" ruler, pinking shears and a chalk pencil. Notions: Colored thread to match the fabric, sewing machine needles for the type fabric you are sewing, extra bobbins and needles for hand sewing
Basic Needs: Sewing machine, ironing board, steam iron and a press cloth.
Always press your seams, this is an essential step to great looking window treatments
Cutting and Sewing Your Window Treatment
finished to perfection
Now that the pieces are all cut out, all we have left is to sew and show off. The pattern directions, when read (sometimes a time or two), will tell you step by step how to assemble the treatment. You'll gain confidence as you go along. Some of the pointers that I think really make a difference in how your project turns out are:
1. Always press the seams, the pattern will explain how to do that for each step.
2. Trim the seams and clip curves as suggested by the pattern directions.
3 Use a press cloth, especially if the fabric shows press marks and if the fabric is light weight. This is a good habit to get into.
4. When sewing trims between the main fabric and lining, use a zipper foot and sew the trim on the main fabric. Then lay the lining on your table, face up and the main fabric face down matching the edges of the lining. (When sewing trim between the fabrics, the beads or fringe needs to be toward the inside of the piece)
5. With beads or fringe that is on a decorative trim, you just sew them on last, after your window treatment is finished.
You Did It-----Oh, Yes You Did!!
1. Always press the seams, the pattern will explain how to do that for each step.
2. Trim the seams and clip curves as suggested by the pattern directions.
3 Use a press cloth, especially if the fabric shows press marks and if the fabric is light weight. This is a good habit to get into.
4. When sewing trims between the main fabric and lining, use a zipper foot and sew the trim on the main fabric. Then lay the lining on your table, face up and the main fabric face down matching the edges of the lining. (When sewing trim between the fabrics, the beads or fringe needs to be toward the inside of the piece)
5. With beads or fringe that is on a decorative trim, you just sew them on last, after your window treatment is finished.
You Did It-----Oh, Yes You Did!!
Sewing Supplies from Stuff4
check this out, you'll be glad you did.
Stuff4Sewing - online sewing supply store with sewing accessories, sewing machines, needles, thread, fabric and sewing patterns!
Hang Around For Awhile
Let me know if this was helpful
-
-
Lauriej1
Apr 3, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete
- Beautiful lens!
-
-
-
TheLifestyleChanger
Mar 5, 2012 @ 3:41 am | delete
- Congratulations on your Lens of the Day moment. I have also send blessings.
-
-
-
JaguarJulie Feb 23, 2012 @ 5:13 pm | delete
- A long time ago, in my first home in Eastlake, Ohio, I actually sewed the curtains for the home office. I sure do love the idea of sewing and creating our own window treatments ... my grandfather too loved to do that and also build decorative valances.
-
-
-
Retro_Loco
Nov 14, 2011 @ 8:28 pm | delete
- Your "Sew Your Own Window Treatments" lens is very helpful and thorough! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and all the great sewing tips. I have fabric waiting for me to turn it into curtains for my new sun room and office. I just can't seem to get started!
-
-
-
RusticShabbyChic
Oct 8, 2011 @ 7:22 am | delete
- Lots of great info on sewing drapes and curtains.
-
- Load More
by lbrummer
For a number of years, and occasionally yet, I sew custom window treatments as a home based business. I started by making valances, drapes and curta... more »
- 113 featured lenses
- Winner of 39 trophies!
- Top lens » Patriotic Crafts: 4th of July and Memorial Day
- This lens » Selected as Lens of the Day
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Stained Glass Window Clings Stained Glass Window Clings
- Color Blind Test Color Blind Test
- Cephalopod Craft Patterns Cephalopod Craft Patterns
- Buying Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors Buying Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Doors
- All About The Window Blind All About The Window Blind
- Stained Glass Crafts Stained Glass Crafts
Home Decorating
and Nebraska lenses
RSS: Kids & Glitter
art and crafts blog
Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
an exceptional machine
Singer CG590 Commercial Grade Sewing Machine
Amazon Price: $299.94 (as of 06/03/2012)
The body of this Singer machine is solid metal and heavy and the motor is extremely powerful. It has great speed and It's very easy to use. The self adjusting tension is great, as I hate messing around with tension. Heavy duty for the big jobs.
