Learn what it takes to sew your own curtains from what size to make them to what fabric to buy, and what supplies you need. Discover the ins and outs of sewing drapery from someone who has actually done it.
If you want to sew curtains you need to talk to someone who has actually done it. That’s me. I’ve made dozens of curtains in my lifetime as a professional seamstress, and as a hobbyist at home for myself.
I have experience with measuring and helping people find the right material for their drapes, as well as helping them decipher what is needed for drapery supplies from the pattern they choose.
I’ve worked as an assistant manager at a fabric store and spent a lot of time in the drapery department to know a few tips and tricks that will help you.
This isn’t a step-by-step how-to guide for making curtains, but rather a generalized guide if you are on the fence with sewing drapery. Hopefully this will help you decide what you want to do.
A lot of home sewers are intimidated when it comes to sewing drapery. Either they don’t know how to figure out what amount of fabric to buy, or they don’t even know where to start.
Here is where you need to start.
Deciding What You Want
When considering whether you want to take on the task of sewing your own curtains, you need to first figure out what type of curtain you are going to sew.
Drapery fashion has changed over the years, especially since I first learned how to sew them. In the 80’s, drapery fashion was big and poofy.
I spent endless hours sewing pleated drapes, and making balloon type valances. Now depending on what style you are going for, you may want a vintage look.
There are many beautiful vintage patterns or vintage look patterns to choose from.
But if you want modern, the look is simple. Take a trip to Walmart and see what type of simple drapery is available. You will find single and double panels with sunblock to keep the light out.
You will find curtains that slide over a simple rod pocket, with nothing much to them. This is fine if you are looking for modern, but perhaps you want a combination of modern looking drapes and vintage.
Perhaps you want just a valence. A valence is a block of fabric lining only the top of the window. They can look quite elegant if your window is large and you don’t want to cover it up.
Valences are meant to just decorate the top. I call them toppers.
So, decide what kind of look you are going for, or whether you want to cover your entire window, block the sun completely, or cover over them with a hint of sheer.
Do you want the neighbors looking in?
Do you want the heat to stay out?
What is your purpose for hanging the curtain? And all curtains have a purpose.
Find out what yours is before heading to the fabric store or buying online.
Window Size
The size of your window matters a great deal when you sew your own curtains. If you have a widow that is the entire size of your 8 ft wall, you may want to reconsider making them if you’ve never sewn drapes before.
But that’s not the rule.
If you want to sew curtains for a large wall size window, then do it in sections and make sure you buy enough material. It’s easy to mess up on a window that size.
Measure twice, cut once.
Fullness ratio for any window is usually about 3 times the width of the window. Now that is just a generalization because every window is different and every style of curtain is different.
But if you want your curtain to be full, you will want at least 3 times the width of your window for fabric.
I’m not going to go through exact measurements here in this blog. Perhaps in one of my books, where I show a step-by-step in how to make 4ft curtains for a baby room window, I’ll go into detail, but not here.
It’s nonsense to give exact measurements on how much fabric you’ll need for a window if you don’t know what your really want to do yet.
Not only that, but every window is different. Perhaps you want to hang a curtain from inside the window frame and you don’t want any overhang. Well then, that is up to you. The amount you will need is according to the size of your window and your purpose.
So measure measure measure.
Be clear on what style you are doing first BEFORE measuring.
Be brave, and just measure your window and dream up what your want. If you don’t want to do that and would like a specific pattern, then go buy one. Turn it over, and read the directions on how to measure your window for that EXACT pattern and style.
Once you decide that, you can actually ask for help at the fabric store. Yes, the staff are trained to help you figure out how much material you will need for your project.
A lot of people don’t know this, but it’s true. I spent a lot of hours training staff to help customers figure out how much drapery fabric to buy for their size of window.
The best advice I can give you is buy extra. It’s far better to buy more than you need, than to run out half way through a project and then not be able to find the same drapery fabric to match it with.
So, measure your window and bring the dimensions into the fabric store so the staff can help you figure out how much material you need to sew your drapes.
Remember, fullness ratio means how full you want your drapes to look. Approx three times the size of your window will drape well.
Be sure to add extra for the side overhang and the top or the bottom. It depends on the style of your curtain, so be aware of that.
If anyone says you need 50 yards of fabric to sew a pair of drapes for a 6 ft window, they are giving your false information. Sewing drapes is not an exact science. There are determining factors.
Find out what those factors are first. Size, style, fabric, texture, how you want it to look. These are the things you must consider first.
There are also many drapery calculators online that will help you to figure out how much fabric you need, but beware, the calculator doesn’t know YOUR deciding factors either.
Only YOU do!
Type Of Fabric
There are many types of fabric that you can use for drapery, not just those classed as ‘drapery’ material. You can literally use anything.
If it looks nice, use it.
I’ve seen beautiful bridal satins and organzas used for curtains. Why not! YOU are the sewer so YOU can use whatever you want. You can also DO whatever you want.
When it comes to sewing your own curtains, the sky’s the limit. You’re in control of your project. Don’t be afraid to create the look you are going for.
The only thing you have to consider is the width of your fabric. If you’re buying dressmaking organza, it will be narrow. Most likely 45″ wide and that isn’t going to make a very big panel. UNLESS you don’t want or need wide panels.
Maybe you’re sewing a small nursery window. You won’t need really wide fabric so you can get away with it. Use whatever you want, but consider the width and how that will factor into the look of your drapes.
If you’re going for the panel look, you might not care about the width of your fabric.
You can even buy material classed as upholstery fabric and use it for drapery. Perhaps you’re wanting to sew drapes for your camper. You could use a beautiful upholstery cotton. Maybe a jacquard or even a velvet for a retro look.
Traditional drapery fabrics come in an extra wide width. They will be folded and double folded on a bolt at the fabric store, and that’s because it’s extra wide for single panel windows.
Maybe you’re wanting to sew a single or double panel curtain for a 8ft window at the lake. It overlooks the bay and you don’t want the curtain to cover up the view. All you’re looking for is a very light sheer overtop the window.
You don’t want a gazillion panels and seams showing, so you need to go for the traditional extra wide drapery sheer.
You can find traditional extra wide drapery panel at fabric stores, or online. Depending on the store, you can look at samples and have them special order.
Most good brick-and-mortar fabric stores will do that for you, but it’s getting harder and harder to find fabric stores that actually carry drapery. So many don’t these days because not many people venture into sewing them.
But it’s well worth sewing drapery. Economically it just makes sense. You also get the look you want, and a perfect fit.
I’ve purchased already-made curtains at Walmart in a moment of weakness, and had to alter them to fit anyway. I had wished I would have just sewed them from scratch.
So, when determining what kind of fabric to buy for your window treatment, figure out what look you are going for. If it’s a small window, go for regular 45″ fabric. If it’s a larger window, go for traditional extra wide drapery fabric.
Special order, or better yet, order it yourself from any online fabric store. You’ll probably get a better deal if you order it yourself because all fabric stores do ‘markup’ when placing special orders.
Trust me, I know.
Check out some drapery fabric on Amazon below.
By the way, Crunchy Menopause is a review site that receives compensation from ShareASale, Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, eBay, and other affiliate networks whose products I review. That means if you purchase something through one of my affiliate links, I get a little bit of money.
Blackout Drapery Lining White Fabric by The Yard
100 Yard Roll of 60″ Wide Crystal Organza Sheer Fabric – White
120″ Wide Sheer Voile Chiffon Fire Retardant Resistant Drapery Fabric
Aqua Suede Upholstery Drapery Fabric Per Yard
Drapery Patterns
When it comes to drapery patterns. Stick with the BIG FIVE patterns companies I call them. Don’t purchase drapery patterns from little known places.
Be sure the pattern you choose has good reviews and are reputable. The worst thing is buying all the material, spending endless hours to sew your drapes, only to find out the pattern stinks.
Always do your research, and make sure you buy from a reputable company.
I stick with Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, Vogue, and Burda.
McCall’s Patterns Window Essentials (Valances and Panels)
McCall’s Patterns 2 Hour Valance Classics
BUTTERICK PATTERNS Fast & Easy Reversible Valances
Simplicity Patterns Window Treatments
Drapery Hardware
Drapery hardware has changed so much over the years, it’s hard to keep up.
Fashionable drapery rods have made their way into the market and they are beautiful. Traditional rods are still available and preferred by many.
I’ll post an assortment for you to consider.
1″ Curtain Rod with Round Finials
Telescoping Double Drapery Rod Set
Twilight Double Rod Room-Darkening
Decorative Curtain/Drapery Holdback
Conclusion
In conclusion, I just want to say, BE BRAVE! Sewing curtains should not be as intimidating as it is. So many home sewers shy away from it.
I don’t know why.
Sewing curtains is easy. It’s basically sewing a straight line over and over.
The hardest part is the measuring and calculations. And even that’s not that hard. Most people can use a measuring tape. And most people can do math.
So do a little math.
The easy part is the actual sewing.
And once you’re done, you’ll be proud of your accomplishment. Your new drapes will be the center of conversation. People will say, “WOW! Are these ever beautiful! I can’t believe you sewed them!”
It will give you a smile that lasts a lifetime.
That’s why we sew drapes!
HAPPY SEWING!