How to: Curtains & Tapestries

Measurements

• If you want to make your own curtains, start by measuring the window. Measure the width of the curtain rod you will use as it hangs in the window, then divide by 2; add 2 inches to this and call it measurement A. Measure the height of the window from the rod to the sill (or the location where you want the curtains to hang); add 4 inches to this and call it measurement B. Cut two curtain fabric pieces that measure A by B. For tapestries, simply measure the size of the space on the wall where you will hang the tapestry; add 2 inches to the width and 4 inches to the height and cut the fabric to these dimensions.

Fabric Selection

• You can make curtains out of almost any fabric. Choose a lightweight gauze for sheer fabrics or a heavier home decor weight canvas or linen for darker curtains. Use quilting cotton for its ready availability and wide selection of colors and patterns, or use satin for something elegant. For your tapestry, choose a fabric that has a bold print and a lot of decoration to it so that it will be more like art on the wall and less like a big piece of plain fabric.

Hemming

• For your curtain or tapestry fabrics, fold in each side edge of the fabric toward the wrong side by 1/2 inch and then press with an iron. Repeat this step to fold by another 1/2 inch and press again. Sew a straight seam along this folded edge to create a side hem on the curtains or tapestry. Repeat this process on the top and bottom edges as well.

Rod Placement

• Fold down the top edge of the curtain or tapestry fabric by 2 inches and press in place. Sew a seam along the inner edge of this, creating a pocket at the top of the fabric. Sew another seam 1 inch up from the first one; slide a curtain rod or tapestry hanging rod into this pocket to hang the fabric in the window or on the wall.