I cannot tell you how blown away I was with how easy it actually was to make these drapes for my boys room. Let me tell you up front, I am no professional here! I actually just began my sewing journey several months ago. After tackling several projects, I felt pretty confident making these. I spent hours reading my sewing books and looking at pictures of different styles, but knew I wanted to use ring clips to hang my curtains. And black out lining was a necessity for me.
This is an easy, 15 step tutorial for how I made my lined panel drapes. If you are a professional sewer, you may have a “correct” way that is different from “my” way, as I’m sure you do. But this way worked perfect for me, and I love how they turned out.
If you do not want to use a lining for your drapes, you don’t have to. My room gets a lot of direct sunlight, however yours may not. You can still use this tutorial, just omit the steps for the lining.
Let’s get started:
Measure & Cut Fabric. You want to measure how long your panels need to be. (Because I used rings with clips, I measured from the bottom of the clip to right above the floor.) Then add 10 inches to that number : 8″ for the bottom hem and 2″ for the top hem. (My measurement was 86.5″ + 10″ = 96.5″ for final cut) After you have your correct length, cut your fabric to that length.
Double Fold Bottom Hem. Once your fabric has been cut to length, turn it over to the wrong side. Then you will turn down 4″, and iron this seem across.
Then turn down another 4″ and iron again. This will give you a pressed seem for your hem. After you have pressed the double fold, pin it in place
Stitch The Double Fold Hem. You want to sew this close to the edge of the pinned fabric, about 1/8″. It may seem like a pretty wide hem, but proportionately, this will give a nice look at the bottom of the curtain from the front when it’s hanging. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Measure & Cut Lining (Length & Width). To measure the lining, take the length of the curtain panels and add 2.5″. (For mine, 86.5″ + 2.5″ = 89″) Cut your lining to this length. The width of your lining should be 6″ less then the width of your fabric. Measure the width and cut.
Double Fold Bottom Hem For Lining. Turn up 2″ from the bottom, and press. Turn up another 2″ and press. Pin in place.
Stitch Bottom Hem. Again, you will want to stitch close to the edge of your pinned fabric, about 1/8″. Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Placement of the Lining Onto Fabric. Alright, now it’s time for pinning the two pieces together. Let’s start with the bottom. First, lay your fabric right side up. Then lay your lining on top of your fabric, right side down. So – we want right sides together here. (This is important to remember, because after everything is all sewed up, you are going to turn them inside out.)
Lay the bottom edge of your lining out 1.5″ from the bottom edge of your fabric. Line up the sides and pin.
Continue lining the side and pin all the way to the top of the panel. You should have 2″ more of fabric at the top then you will lining. This is good. We want this.
Now you need to pin the other side of the panel. Remember, the lining is narrower then the fabric, so you will have to pull and maneuver it into place.
Attach Lining to Fabric. Using a straight stitch, sew the lining to the fabric. This is easy. You will just have lots of fabric to handle here. But you can do it. Don’t forget, back stitch and back stitch again.
Turn Fabric and Iron. Oh my goodness, we are almost done. Can you believe it? After you have sewed the sides together, pull through the bottom and turn the curtain inside out, which will actually be the right side. Pull the sides until you have an equal amount of fabric on both sides. Again, this will take some pulling and maneuvering, but it’s really pretty easy. Iron the sides as you pull it into place.
Miter Bottom Corners. When I read I was going to have to miter the corners, I was pretty nervous. But again, it was so easy. Just fold the corner underneath, iron, and use a needle to blind stitch the fabric in place. Crazy easy!
The bottom of the panel is now all done.
Double Fold Hem Top. Remember the 2″ of extra fabric hanging around at the top? Let’s get rid of that now. Turn down 1″ and press. Turn down another 1″ and press. Pin this in place. (Does this sound familiar? Same process we used for the bottom hem.)
Stitch the Top Double Fold Hem. Sew the hem close to the edge of your pinned fabric. Again, about 1/8″. Remember to back stitch at the beginning and end.
Guess what…
You have just made a lined curtain panel. So incredibly easy, right? Now all you have to do is hang them from your ring clips, and enjoy!
Those are beautiful! Just curious, where did you find your fabric?
Hi Laine, I either got this fabric from http://www.fabrics.com or http://www.buyfabrics.com. I buy from several online sources and can’t really keep up w/ what I ordered where. Thanks for asking.
I’m like you, I don’t follow the “right” way when it comes to sewing. I just do what I can to reach my desired result. I learned a great tip on another blog for using those clip rings. I did a post about it here: http://rindymae.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekend-warriors.html
It really makes them hang nice.
The nursery is adorable. Looking forward to poking around your blog.
Thanks so much for this great tutorial. I have sewn for many years, but the thought of doing blackout lining for my kids’ curtains seemed a little daunting. But now I feel ready to tackle this project! Or maybe I’ll wait ’til next week. First I have to read the rest of your blog!
These instructions are genius! I just made a mini pair for my back door .. I was scared at first but just followed the instructions and they turned out so cute! Thankyou!
These instructions are great. You say you don’t know if this is how a professional would do it. Well, I am a professional. I do sew for people and get paid for it. But I had never done panels before. I used your site to make 12 panels, installed them last week for a client and she loved them. I loved them. The only thing I did different was use hooks and rings instead of the clips. All my fabric was just too heavy for the clips but that was an easy change. And 4 of the panels had inverted pleats. Again, easy to modify your instructions for that. You explained it wonderfully and had great pictures. Well done.
Thanks so much Laura! I appreciate that, and so glad yours turned out great.
This is great!
But I’m curious- why do you make the lining smaller?
Thanks!
Ok, another question. How do you figure out the width of the fabric? How much do you need to compensate for the side seams?
Thanks!
Hey just jumped over from Inspired Room and I LOVE this tutorial! I have a sewing machine that scares me! Yikes….I need to refresh my memory on how to use it
Thanks…this will help with some drapes I’m about to tackle!
It took me a while to visualize how this works…with the liner more narrow than the fabric. Now that I get it…genius!!! So simple! I have my fabric and my liner ready to go and I can’t wait to
see the results. Thank you for sharing this pattern!
Did You have to use a special needle since the lining fabric is so heavy?
Your tutorial is gorgeous! I also have started sewing just a couple of months ago but this does look like even I can handle it! Thank you very much. Only one question – don’t you have to pre-wash the fabric before making curtains? It would make life MUICH easier not to do this as its easier to cut fabric straight if you dont wash it. But from what I read pre-wash is a must as the fabric can shrink in wash and you’ll end up with short curtains! What’re your thoughts on the subject?
I just did this for my dining room and I have to say – yours look FABULOUS and so neat and clean. Mine are a total wreck in comparison.
http://www.1creativemomma.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-professionally-lined-curtains.html
Jen
Thanks for the great tutorial. I’ve been searching all over for a simple one to understand. I’m off to go measure my fabric and see if I can make these! I’ll post a picture on my blog when I get them done.
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I’ve had my fabric for 3 years and have been totally intimidated to do this. I’ve read books, asked, watched video’s and only your tutorial made it all click! I can do this. All my supplies are out and they will be completed by the weekend. Thanks so much and God bless.
Wow! This is great! I love to sew and have sewed almost everything, but not lined drapes. But, I am making some for our church, and I was so excited to come across this tutorial that makes it look so easy and professional – especially since they won’t just be at my house – other people will see them too! I sure hope the cranky little old ladies will approve!
That is so great to hear. I am sure everyone will love them. Post a picture of the finished windows on the Midwest Magnolia Facebook wall for us all to see how great you did!
Thanks for your tutorial! I’m a new sewer…..and tackling lined curtains for my kitchen and living/dining area. I made the kitchen curtains to start, and they turned out great! The tutorial is so easy to follow, and thanks for all the pictures (don’t think I could have done it without the pics!)
I’ve also enjoyed reading your blog after finding your sewing tutorial. Thanks for sharing how God is working in your life. It’s always encouraging to hear others stories.
Lois, so glad you found the tutorial easy and it was able to help you in making your curtains for your home. Thanks for the kind encouragement and for taking the time to look around the blog. ~MM
I saw this on Pinterest and made them today for a sliding patio door. Love the tutorial–using the clips made it so easy! Thanks for the great instructions!
Anytime Jenny:)
i bought the exact same fabric for my living room drapes!! great minds think alike. yours look great – i’m tackling mine AFTER easter.
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Ooh Jen, I bet that fabric will look great in your living room. When you finish, be sure to share a completed picture with us on the Midwest Magnolia Facebook page. I know I would love to see the outcome. Happy Easter!
I found your tutorial yesterday and used it to make curtains for my daughter’s room. They turned out great! Thank you! And your nursery looks adorable!
just made my first pair of lined drapes. great directions!!
Hi Melissa,
I too have been sewing for many years. I just have never tackled making lined curtains until my daughter-in-law wanted them for the new baby’s room. I was reading your tutorial to be sure I was doing the correct process. What a great and descriptive tutorial.
I too had put this project off due to the uncertainty of the process. Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial.
On another note, it is such a blessing to see young women on blogs speaking of their Savior and their faith in God. You are an encouragement to us all for your willingness to stand for Christ.
I do believe that this is the first blog that I have visited for sewing of a person that is from Memphis. I feel like we are neighbors. (I live in Olive Branch)
I look forward to following your blog and seeing your other tutorials.
Hey Cathy, so nice to hear from you. I am very familiar with Olive Branch. My Off The Wall studio was in Olive Branch and I drove their from my home in Memphis every day of the week. So glad your curtains turned out great! And thanks so much for the very sweet words.
~MM
Hi! I found your post through Pinterest. I am so happy to have found this. You wont believe that my husband has been against me making my own curtains because I couldn’t figure out a way to add a liner! We have store-bought black out curtains now that are so ugly! It gets 110 degrees in the summer where I live and blackout curtains are a must!!