Hey everyone! Today you will learn to make a light, airy pair of curtains that lets the fabric do the pretty work.
Meet the Fabric
Here we go. This one is calm and cheerful.
It is Stitched Hexie, pattern 53296-3, in Ivory. It comes from the Indigo Stitches collection. Whistler Studios designed it for Windham Fabrics.
The fabric stitches hexagon motifs in indigo across soft ivory. The description calls it a sashiko-style geometric. That hand-quilted charm is exactly right.
This is a quilting cotton, 45 inches wide, sold by the yard. It comes from High Country Quilts through Linda's Electric Quilters.
It is described as a versatile geometric. It works for quilts, backgrounds, and coordinates. Today, we are giving it a window to shine in.
That ivory ground keeps a room bright. Those indigo hexies add pattern without shouting. Super duper pretty, y'all.
Why It Works for a Pair of Curtains
A pair of curtains is a wonderful first home project. The sewing is mostly straight lines. The payoff is big and immediate.
We are aiming for two simple rod-pocket panels. Each one will finish about 40 inches wide by 63 inches long. Together, they suit a window up to about 60 inches wide.
This fabric suits curtains for a simple reason. A geometric reads beautifully in soft folds. The hexies repeat gently as the fabric hangs.
You also get to see a nice, large area of print. No tiny piecing. No matching motifs at lots of seams.
I learned that lesson the easy way and the hard way. My first curtains were cut too short. Oh my goodness. Measure twice, folks. Really.
You have options here, too. Hang them full length, or shorten them into cafe curtains. My preference is the 63-inch length for most rooms. But it is completely up to you.
What You Will Need
- 4 1/2 yards of Stitched Hexie in Ivory for two panels
- 50-weight cotton thread in ivory or a soft color that blends
- An 80/12 quilting or universal needle
- A curtain rod, brackets, and a tape measure for your window
- Rotary cutter or scissors, long ruler, mat, pins or clips, and your iron
- Optional: clip rings, if you prefer them to a rod pocket
We are not reinventing the wheel here.
Brief Steps to Make Them
Step 1: Measure your window. Measure the width inside your brackets. Measure from the rod down to your finished length. Write both numbers down before you cut anything.
Step 2: Cut the panels. Cut two panels, each 44 inches wide by 74 inches long. That extra length gives you room for the header, rod pocket, and bottom hem.
Step 3: Finish the sides. Fold each long side in 1/2 inch, then again 1/2 inch, and press. Topstitch close to the folded edge. Set your stitch length to about 2.5, roughly 10 to 12 stitches per inch.
Step 4: Make the rod pocket. At the top, fold down 1/2 inch and press. Then fold down 3 inches and press again. Stitch across, close to that lower fold. Leave both ends open for the rod.
Step 5: Hem the bottom. Try the panel on the rod first. Mark your finished 63-inch length. Fold the bottom up 1/2 inch, then 4 inches, press well, and stitch across.
Step 6: Repeat and hang. Make the second panel exactly the same way. Give both a final press, slide them onto the rod, and spread the folds evenly. Just like that, the room feels finished.
Practical Tips From My Sewing Room
First, press as you go. Curtains show every wavy edge. A crisp fold sews straighter and hangs better.
Second, check the hexies before you cut. Lay the fabric out flat. Make sure the rows run the way you want them to run.
Third, go slow on the long hems. Slow down or the needle snaps is real advice. Guide the fabric gently, and do not pull it through.
Fourth, wash and press your fabric first if you plan to wash the curtains later. Cotton can shrink a little. Better to know before that final hem.
And here is your permission beat. It does not have to be perfect. If one panel hangs a quarter inch longer, fix it if it bugs you. Or leave it. You are your own worst critic. Most guests will only see pretty curtains.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Take your time. It is not a race. Make a pair for the kitchen, the sewing room, or wherever needs a little softness.
Thanks so much for sewing with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 53296-3 Ivory Stitched Hexie Indigo Stitches-Whistler Studios 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
