How to Make Sheer Panel Curtains for a Drawstring Curtain Rod

Making sheer curtain panels is a simple way to dress up a window. Typically used for window coverings in kitchens and living rooms, sheer curtain panels help add an extra layer of privacy, provide eye-catching style and mask unattractive views. Triple pinch-pleated curtains, which are fabric panels with multiple small pleats, are ideal for a drawstring curtain rod. Using a traverse curtain rod operated by a drawstring also saves curtain fabric from everyday wear and tear.

Measuring tape
Scissors
Iron
Sewing machine
Pleat tape
Triple pleat hooks
Drapery hooks
Traverse curtain rod

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the window’s dimensions with a measuring tape. Double the measurement for the window’s width; this allows extra room for the pleats. Add an additional 12 inches to the length and 10 inches to the width; this accommodates a double seam. Cut out two fabric panels to fit the calculated measurements.
- 2
  Lay out one of the fabric panels with the back side of the fabric facing upwards on a flat surface. Iron the panel smooth. Create the side hem by folding back 5 inches of fabric on one side. Iron the 5-inch hem. Fold back an additional 5 inches, and iron the hem again. Use the sewing machine to stitch along the top of the double hem. Repeat these steps on the opposite side. Use these steps for the bottom hem also, but replace the measurement with 6 inches instead of 5. Make side and bottom hems for the second panel.
- 3
  Measure the width of the pleat tape. Place a sheer curtain panel with the back side facing upward on a flat surface. Fold down the top edge of the panel to equal the width of the pleat tape. Take the pleat tape, and measure out two lengths that match the width of the sheer curtain panels. Add 1/2 inch extra for each end, and cut.
- 4
  Place the pleat tape over the top fold in the sheer panel, and line up the edge along the top of the curtain panel. Fold the extra 1/2 inch of pleat tape in at each end to finish the edges. Iron the pleat tape to the folded top edge of the sheer panel. Sew along all four sides of the pleat tape, stitching together the pleat tape and the folded edges. Repeat these steps for the second panel.
- 5
  Create the pinch-pleats by gathering the top of the sheer panels and making three even pleats. Insert a triple pleat hook into the pockets on the pleat tape. Decide the amount of space between each triple pleat, and repeat these steps until you run out of fabric. Make adjustments if necessary.
- 6
  Hang the curtains by attaching drapery hooks to the top of the sheer panels and hooking them through the eyelets on the traverse curtain rod.

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