Hey everyone. Today you are going to learn how to sew a simple pair of curtains that lets a bold navy star print dress up a whole window.
Here we go.
Meet the Fabric First
This one is American Freedom #37 Navy Stars from Marshall Dry Goods.
It is 100% cotton. It is 45 inches wide. It is sold by the yard.
The name tells the story here. Deep navy. Clear stars. That is a strong, classic look.
You do not need tiny piecing here. You do not need applique. Cut it big. Let those stars spread across each panel. Just like that.
The Project: A Pair of Curtains
We are making two curtain panels. Each finished panel is about 42 inches wide by 63 inches long.
That length works well for many kitchen and bedroom windows. Measure your window first, though. Your window always gets the final say.
Why does this fabric suit curtains? Three good reasons.
First, 100% cotton presses beautifully. Crisp hems and a crisp rod pocket matter on curtains. Cotton gives you those clean edges.
Second, the 45-inch width works perfectly. One width of fabric makes one panel. No piecing panels together. No seam down the middle.
Third, those stars need room to show. A curtain panel is one big, flat display. The print stays whole. We are not reinventing the wheel here.
Materials List
- 4 yards of American Freedom #37 Navy Stars for two panels
- All-purpose thread to blend with the navy background
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, or good fabric scissors
- Pins or clips
- Iron and pressing surface
- Tape measure for your window
- Sewing machine with a standard presser foot
- Curtain rod, already hung if you can
Four yards gives you two panels plus your hems and rod pockets. Want longer curtains? Add a yard. Completely up to you.
Cutting the Pieces
Cut two panels at 44 inches wide by 71 inches long. That includes side hems, a bottom hem, and the rod pocket.
Check your star direction before you cut. Make sure the stars sit upright on both panels. Ask me how I know to check twice. Yep. I have hung a panel upside down.
Cut the second panel the same way. Try to start both panels at a similar place in the print. They do not have to match perfectly. Close feels calm, though.
Brief Steps
Step 1: Hem the sides. On each long edge, fold under 1/2 inch, press, then fold another 1/2 inch. Stitch close to the folded edge, about 10 to 12 stitches per inch.
Step 2: Make the rod pocket. At the top, fold under 1/2 inch and press. Then fold down another 3 inches and press. Stitch close to the lower folded edge. That tunnel is where your rod slides through.
Step 3: Hem the bottom. Hang the panel first if you can. Mark your finished length at 63 inches. Fold under 1/2 inch, then fold up a 3-inch hem. Press and stitch.
Step 4: Repeat for panel two. Use the first panel as your guide. Measure it, not just your notes. That keeps both panels the same length.
Step 5: Final press and hang. Press both panels flat. Slide them onto the rod. Step back and enjoy. Just like that.
Practical Tips From My Window
Measure your window twice. Write the numbers down. Width, length, and where the rod sits. Guessing here costs fabric. Really really simple to avoid, y'all.
Press before you sew. I know. Pressing feels slow. But a pressed hem sews straight. A wavy hem fights you the whole way.
Slow down on those long side hems. Long seams love to wander. Guide the fabric gently. Do not pull it through the machine.
Want a little more fullness? Make your panels wider than the window. Flat panels look fine. Gathered panels look softer. Completely up to you.
And here is your permission beat, friends. One panel may hang a hair longer. One seam may wobble just a bit.
It does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. Nobody visiting your home is measuring your curtains.
Take your time. It is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the American Freedom #37 Navy Stars 45" wide Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
