Sew a Pair of Easy Sag-Top Curtains
Create a custom window treatment on the cheap with this simple DIY curtain panel project
Houzz Contributor. Meg is a budget-minded DIY lifestyle blogger at Revamp Homegoods (http://www.revamphomegoods.com). Her design philosophy is based on the concept that combining thrifty finds with a little blood, sweat and (sometimes) tears a stylish home can be achieved without breaking the bank
Houzz Contributor. Meg is a budget-minded DIY lifestyle blogger at Revamp... More »
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Paint may be the easiest way to update the look and feel of a room, but textiles come in a close second. Textiles add color, sophistication and texture to a room and can quickly change the style and feel with minimal effort.
I've been on the hunt for the perfect fabric for our living room for months. I wanted something that complemented the soft blue-gray walls but also added pattern and color. I stumbled upon Covington's Wilmington Multi Fabric and knew it would be the perfect addition. While the paisley pattern can be too traditional for some, it can feel quite modern when you pair it with the right decor and accessories.
I've been on the hunt for the perfect fabric for our living room for months. I wanted something that complemented the soft blue-gray walls but also added pattern and color. I stumbled upon Covington's Wilmington Multi Fabric and knew it would be the perfect addition. While the paisley pattern can be too traditional for some, it can feel quite modern when you pair it with the right decor and accessories.
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by Meg Padgett
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| Before you make a single cut on fabric for new window treatments, consider the many styles and customization options. What height will you mount the curtain rod at? How wide will the curtains span? What style curtain top is right for your room's style? Is there a repeat on the fabric's pattern to take into account? I created simple sag-top panels to flank our window using Covington's Wilmington Multi Fabric and clip-on curtain rings. To utilize the fabric best and stay on budget, I created narrow curtain panels to flank a basic white curtain by cutting the fabric in half lengthwise. This gave me two panels that were 25 inches wide when finished. Materials and supplies:
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by Meg Padgett
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When you have a solid plan, have taken measurements and have inspected your fabric, you're ready to cut the fabric to the proper length and width.
Note: Add a few inches to each measurement to allow for hemming. Since I was creating sag-top curtains to flank the window, I added 5 inches to the length and 2 inches to the width. Be sure to take the curtain top into account, as the style of top will either add or take away length from the final dimensions.
Typically, panels should look ample and should drape when closed, so they should have a combined width that is two to two and a half times the width of the window. If you’re hanging curtains just to frame a window, like I did, you can go down to one and a half times the width.
Note: Add a few inches to each measurement to allow for hemming. Since I was creating sag-top curtains to flank the window, I added 5 inches to the length and 2 inches to the width. Be sure to take the curtain top into account, as the style of top will either add or take away length from the final dimensions.
Typically, panels should look ample and should drape when closed, so they should have a combined width that is two to two and a half times the width of the window. If you’re hanging curtains just to frame a window, like I did, you can go down to one and a half times the width.
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by Meg Padgett
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| To keep the fabric edges from fraying and to give you a clean hem, begin by folding each edge over by 1/2 inch. Fold it over onto itself another 1/2 inch and pin in place — this will take up 1 inch of fabric total on each edge. |
by Meg Padgett
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Using your sewing machine, sew a straight stitch to hold each edge in place, about 1/8 inch from the inside edge. Don't have a sewing machine? Use no-sew hemming tape, like Stitch Witchery, to create the same finished look.
by Meg Padgett
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Repeat the same process with the top and bottom. I created a 1 1/2-inch top hem — 3 inches of fabric total — and a 1/2-inch bottom hem. The specific hem measurements will depend on the curtain-top style you have chosen.
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by Meg Padgett
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| Here's a shot of the finished top hem. |
by Meg Padgett
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Attach the curtain rings equal distance apart, starting from the outer edge.
by Meg Padgett
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These simple curtains are just the right touch of color and pattern to make our room more sophisticated but still look young and vibrant.
Have extra fabric left over? Use it to make coordinating pillows or tiebacks.
Have extra fabric left over? Use it to make coordinating pillows or tiebacks.
Ideabook published on Jan. 23, 2013.
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If you do not mind I am going to offer a suggestion regarding the hemming of them. Pin up first (place your pins vertically) and let your drapes hang for a few days. Re-adjust length if necessary as some fabrics have a tendency to relax .... then stitch into place.
@ltwentz: Perhaps this is an idea you might wish to consider. If you have electric heating, what I did for a sister of mine was I applied tiny o- rings (the type often used for Roman Shades) to the inside (wrong side) of the hem with just a few hand stitches, spacing them 'about' 10" apart. Then I attached small cup hooks to the wall vertically aligning them and high enough to clear the heating unit, so the hemline could be temporarily tacked up when the heating system was in use and let down when it wasn't during the warmer months. (Hope my instructions make sense.)