DIY Linen Window Treatments

Adding window treatments is an inexpensive way to create a new look for your home or apartment. When you boil it down, you just need to measure the window, trim/cut the fabric and sew the hems on the top and bottom. This DIY project can quickly allow you to create color and dimension, to personalize any room, in your home.

1. Determine the size of your finished curtains by measuring the length of the window area. Start at the curtain rod and finish at the floor, or wherever you want the curtains to end. Add approximately 20" to this measurement, to allow for hemming at the top and bottom of the curtain panels.

2. Determine the width of the curtains by allowing 1 1/2 – 3 times the width of the window. Allowing more fabric gives your extra fullness to the curtains.

3. Wash and dry the curtain fabric to preshrink it before sewing. Iron out all creases and wrinkles.

4. Cut your fabric panels to size. To cut long lengths of fabric, you can fold the yardage in half (for two panels) or in quarters (if making 4 panels). The RazorEdge™ Fabric Shears for Tabletop Cutting works well for this task because the unique handle design keeps the fabric flat as you cut along the table. The blades are razor sharp on this tool and cut precisely all the way to the end.

Alternatively, you can cut each panel using the 6 x 24" rotary ruler. The rotary blade is connected to the ruler so it easier to manager for cutting long panels of fabric.

5. Sew two panels together lengthwise to make double width panels in order to achieve the desired fullness.

6. Hem the sides of each curtain panel by pressing the raw edge 1/2" to the wrong side. Fold over again by a further 1/2" and press. Pin, then stitch the hem down. Repeat for both side seams on each curtain panel.

7. To make the curtain rod pocket along the top edge of the curtains, fold over the top edge of each panel by 1" and press with an iron. Fold over the edge again by a further 4". Stitch down to secure, creating a pocket along the top edge of the curtain panel.

8.Hang the curtain panels on the curtain rod. Use pins to mark the bottom hem, ensuring that it is straight. Remove the panels from the curtain rod and press the hem along the pinned line. Press the raw edge of the curtain panels to the wrong side. Pin the hem in place and stitch.

9. Hang the curtains back on the curtain rod and enjoy your updated window treatment.

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