Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew a simple, homey pair of curtains for one window.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is Homespun Patriotic Eagles & Stars from Santee Printworks.
It is a 100% cotton quilting fabric.
It measures 44"/45" wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The brand is Santee Printworks, from TC Studio.
The collection is called Homespun Patriotic.
The color is listed as Multi.
The print is eagles and stars.
It has a homespun Americana style.
The product notes say it suits patriotic quilts.
It suits veterans' projects too.
And it works with other Homespun coordinates.
I love that homespun look, y'all.
It feels warm and lived-in, not stiff.
Those eagles give a room real character.
You do not have to center every eagle.
Cut your panels and let the print land naturally.
Completely up to you.
Why it suits a pair of curtains
We are making two simple rod-pocket panels.
Each finished panel is about 42" wide by 63" long.
That pair fits a standard window nicely.
Two panels give you nice, soft fullness.
Curtains are a perfect beginner project, folks.
They are mostly long, straight seams.
This fabric does the decorating for you.
One big panel shows off eagles and stars beautifully.
No piecing is needed to make it look special.
Quilting cotton hangs with a light, easy drape.
It presses well and it behaves under the needle.
It also filters light without darkening the room.
Super duper cute over a kitchen or porch window.
Materials list
- 4 yards of Homespun Patriotic Eagles & Stars — enough for two 42" by 63" panels with hems and rod pockets
- Thread to blend with your fabric
- A curtain rod, already hung, plus clips or a tape measure
- Rotary cutter, mat, and a clear ruler, or fabric scissors
- Pins or clips and a marking pencil
- Your sewing machine and an iron
- A large safety pin or bodkin, if you want a drawstring look — optional
Brief steps
First, measure your window before you cut.
Measure the width inside the rod.
Measure from the rod down to your sill.
My numbers here finish at 63" long.
Adjust your length to fit your own window.
Press your fabric well before you start.
Wrinkles will lie to your ruler, every time.
Cut two panels, each 44" wide by 72" long.
That extra length covers hems and the pocket.
Fold each side edge in 1/2", then another 1/2".
Press, pin, and stitch those side hems down.
Use a stitch length of about 2.5 millimeters.
That is roughly 10 even stitches per inch.
Next, make the bottom hem.
Fold the bottom up 1", then another 3".
Press it well and stitch close to the fold.
A deep hem helps the curtain hang straight.
Now make the rod pocket at the top.
Fold the top down 1/2" and press it.
Then fold it down another 3".
Stitch close to the lower fold, all the way across.
Leave both ends open for the rod.
Slow down at the corners, folks.
Go too fast and those thick layers can shift.
Slide the rod through the pocket.
Hang the panels and spread the gathers evenly.
If one eagle sits sideways, do not worry.
I have hung worse, and I fixed it with a tug.
Just like that, your curtains are done.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Practical tips from my sewing table
Hang your rod before you finalize your length.
Rods never sit exactly where you guessed.
Press every hem before you stitch it.
A good press makes simple curtains look store-bought.
Test your tension on a scrap first.
Check both panels side by side before hemming.
That helps your lengths match each other.
And here is your permission beat, folks.
It does not have to be perfect.
If one panel is a quarter inch longer, breathe.
You are your own worst critic.
Everybody else will just see a cozy, patriotic window.
Take your time.
It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Go hang those curtains and enjoy the light.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Homespun Patriotic Eagles & Stars Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
