How to Sew an Oilcloth Shower Curtain

Measure the shower curtain rod. Check both the length of the rod and the height from the rod to the shower floor or the inside of the tub. The curtain should be an inch or two shorter, so that it doesn’t rest directly on the floor. The average shower curtain is 72 inches long by 72 inches wide, but you may want to adjust this to give yours a fuller look or if you need something bigger or smaller than average.

Lay two lengths of fabric together face to face. Pin one seam together, then sew it the full length, to create a piece of material wide enough to use as a shower curtain. This step is necessary because oilcloth fabric is not made wide enough for a shower curtain.

Unfold the material so that it lays flat, and measure it for cutting. Add an extra 3 inches to the overall length of your original measurements to allow for a top hem. Since this is oilcloth you don’t need to hem the bottom and sides, since it won’t unravel when cut.

Cut across the bottom of the oilcloth with pinking shears or other decorative scissors. You don’t need to hem this edge. Do the same on the sides. Cut some fabric from both sides so that all three un-hemmed edges share the same decorative cut.

Fold the top 3 inches of the oilcloth over to back and sew it securely. Make sure that it lays flat. This is your top hem, and it provides extra support to hold the weight of the shower curtain.

Make 12 buttonholes 1 inch down from the top of the fold. Space them evenly down the length of the shower curtain. These are for the shower curtain rings.

Iron any wrinkled places or folds, working from the back of the fabric to flatten them. Set the iron on low steam and put a pressing cloth between the iron and the oilcloth so that the iron doesn’t actually touch the oilcloth. Your shower curtain is now ready to hang.