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• Part 2 of 2: Sewing curtains

1 Decide how many curtains you need. For a small window, one curtain may be sufficient. However, if the window is quite large, you can make two curtains for it so that you can move them apart from the middle. When it comes to a particularly wide window, you might consider making several separate curtains for it at once.

• When measuring the width, do not forget to divide the final result by the number of curtains required for the window before proceeding with the cutting. For example, if the total width of the space near the window, which should be closed by a curtain, is 9 meters, and you want to use three separate curtains, then the width of each of them should be equal to three meters (9 m ÷ 3 = 3 m).

2 Choose the right fabric. When it comes to the selection of fabric for curtains, the choice is wide enough, but it must be taken into account what effect you want to achieve. Possible options are presented below.

• To hide a little from prying eyes outside, but not too much block the sunlight with curtains, opt for lighter and more transparent materials such as curtain veils and not very dense fabric.
• To block light or drafts, choose thicker curtains such as velvet, corduroy, tapestry, or damask.
• For especially airy curtains where you don't need to hide anything from anyone, try tulle, chiffon, or organza.

3 Measure and calculate the width of the curtains. Measure the width of the window you want to cover with the curtain, starting from one edge of the window opening and ending at the other. Multiply the result by 2 or 2.5 (depending on how fluffy the curtain should be when closed). Add another 10 cm for side hemming.

• If you are sewing multiple curtains, add 10 centimeters for each curtain for the side hem.

4 Measure the distance from the curtain rod to the window opening. You need to measure the distance from the curtain rod to the top edge of the window opening.It is important to do this so that later the main curtain fabric completely covers the window opening, and does not sag on the hinges below its upper edge. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the height of the curtain hinges is less than this measurement.

5 Measure the height and length of the curtains. First measure the distance from the top edge of the curtain rod to where the curtains should end. Add 21.5 cm to the seams and hem, then subtract 10 cm from the result to account for the height of the fabric buttonholes. In general, there are four options for the length of the curtains:

• floor-length suitable for formal or elegant rooms;
• floor length plus an extra 15 cm (or at your discretion), which creates a stylish romantic effect;
• length to the sill, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms;
• shortened length to cover only a small portion of the window, ideal for practical spaces such as kitchens.

6 Calculate the number of fabric stitches you will need. It is necessary to fasten one loop from the edges of the curtain, and in the intervals arrange them in increments of 12.5 to 20 cm.To understand how many fabric loops you need, divide the width of the curtain in the finished state (without hemming allowances) by the required frequency of the loops , and then add one more.

• For example, if the finished curtain should be 75 cm wide, and you want to arrange the loops in 12.5 cm increments, you will need seven curtain loops in total (75 cm ÷ 12.5 cm + 1 = 7).

7 Calculate the size of the piping for the top edge of the shade. After sewing on the loops, the upper edge of the curtain will remain untreated; it will need to be closed with a welt. To do this, you will need to cut out a strip of fabric 10 cm wide and equal to the final width of the curtain plus an additional 5 cm.

8 Mark the fabric and cut out the details of the curtains. As soon as you have the necessary measurements and calculations in your hands, you can cut out the fabric and start sewing. Do not forget to cut out the curtain itself, fabric hinges and edging.

• To design standard fabric loops, cut out rectangles from the fabric measuring 13 cm by 23 cm.In finished form, the curtain loops will have a width of 5 cm and a total length of 20 cm, and when bent - 10 cm.

Part 2 of 2: Sewing curtains

1. 1 Sew fabric loops. Fold all buttonholes in half lengthways with the right side inward. Pin the parts together with pins to secure them in position, and sew along the edge of the seam with a 1.5 cm allowance. Remember to tie at the beginning and end of each stitch.
   • Iron the seam allowances with an iron, then turn the buttonholes out to the right side. Straighten the parts so that the seam is centered and iron.
2. 2 Sew side hemming seams on the shade. On each side, fold the edge of the curtain (on the wrong side) an inch and a half and iron. Then tuck the edges again an additional 2.5 cm and iron as well. Place a hemmed seam 2 cm from the edge of the shade and iron the hem again when finished.
3. 3 Sew the loops to the curtain. Mark the frequency of all buttonholes by marking the center attachment point for each buttonhole with a fabric marker or chalk. Fold the buttonholes in half (seams inward) and apply them upside down to the top of the shade, right-side up, aligning the raw fabric sections. Secure the buttonholes with tailor's pins.
   • Sew all loops to the curtain with a 1.5 cm seam allowance.
4. 4 Prepare the edging. Fold the side (narrow) edges of the piping over to the wrong side by 2.5 cm and press iron. Then fold the bottom edge of the piping (long side) by 1.5 cm and iron it as well.
5. 5 Sew the piping to the curtain. Place the hem right over the fabric over the fabric buttonholes, and line up the raw fabric sections. Pin the seam with pins and stitch along the top edge with a 1.5 cm (1/4 inch) seam allowance.
   • Turn the piping back to the side of the seam and press the top edge of the shade so that the fabric loops are facing up.Then fold the piping over to the wrong side of the curtain and iron it again. Secure the seam with pins and stitch it onto the curtain around all edges.
6. 6 Hang up a curtain for testing. At this stage, it will not be superfluous to hang the curtain to check if the size of the lower hemming seam needs to be adjusted. When finished checking, remove the curtain.
7. 7 Hem the curtain. Tuck the bottom edge of the shade over to the wrong side 10 cm and iron. Tuck the shade in again 10 cm and iron it again. Align the edge of the sewing machine foot with the fold from the first fold, and sew a hem along it.
8. 8 Hang up the curtain. Once you tidy up the finished product and are happy with it, the curtain can be finally hung up to decorate the window with it!