Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew a light, pretty pair of curtains.
Here we go.
The fabric is the Aviva Floral Charm Ivory Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard, from Windham Fabrics.
Let us break that name down slow.
First, it is cotton. Quilting cotton. The width of fabric is 44"/45".
Second, it is from the Aviva collection. Made by Windham Fabrics by Whistler Studios.
Third, look at the print name. Floral Charm. Ivory.
Aviva blooms with life and elegance. This romantic floral collection has airy watercolor textures. Lush bouquets. Delicate sprigs. And graceful foliage.
The palette is soft pinks and lilacs. Sunshine yellows. And rich sangria.
Ivory is your ground here. The tags note beige, cream, and natural, too. So those blooms sit on a soft, light background. Like a blooming garden at golden hour. Timeless. Joyful. Full of grace.
Why a pair of curtains suits this fabric
A curtain panel is a big, simple rectangle. No tiny pieces. No fussy seams.
That is exactly what this print wants. Your bouquets stay whole. The watercolor texture can breathe. The sprigs and foliage show across the full panel.
Curtains also show fabric in soft folds. Light moves through those folds all day. This ivory ground will glow a little in morning light.
Our pair finishes at about 40 inches wide by 63 inches long, per panel. That is a sweet length for a bedroom or sewing room window.
You have options, too. Leave them unlined for soft, filtered light. Or add a light lining for more privacy. I like them unlined in my sewing room. Completely up to you.
Materials list
- 4 yards of this Aviva Floral Charm Ivory cotton — 2 yards per panel, each panel cut about 44 inches wide by 70 inches long before hemming
- Thread to blend with the ivory and soft pinks, and a fresh 80/12 needle, set to about 2.5 mm stitch length
- A curtain rod and brackets to fit your window, already hung or measured and ready
- Rotary cutter or scissors, a long ruler, pins or clips, chalk or a fabric marker, and a hot iron
- Optional: curtain rings with clips if you prefer rings over a rod pocket
Brief steps
Step 1: Measure, then cut. Measure your window first. Measure the width and the drop you want. Then press your fabric well. Trim the selvedges. Cut two panels, each about 44 inches wide by 70 inches long. Check where your favorite bouquets land before you cut.
Step 2: Hem the sides. On each long side, fold in 1/2 inch and press. Fold in 1/2 inch again. Sew close to the folded edge. Do both sides on both panels. Those double folds hide the raw edges, nice and clean.
Step 3: Hem the bottom. Fold the bottom up 1 inch and press. Fold up 2 inches more. Sew across close to the top folded edge. That deeper hem helps the curtain hang straight. Just like that.
Step 4: Make the top casing. Fold the top down 1/2 inch and press. Then fold down 3 inches more. Sew across close to that first fold. That makes a rod pocket with a small header above it. Leave both ends open so the rod slides through.
Step 5: Hang and adjust. Slide the rod through both pockets. Hang the rod back up. Spread the folds out even with your hands. Step back and look from across the room. Super duper cute, y'all.
Practical tips from my sewing room
Prewash this cotton first. Cotton can shrink a touch. Better to shrink the yardage now, not your finished curtains later.
Here is my honest mistake to save you one. I once hemmed my two panels on different days. One came out a half inch longer. Now I lay both panels together, match the hems, and pin before I sew. Lesson learned.
Slow down on those side hems, too. A long, straight seam will show every wobble. Drop your speed, guide gentle, and let the machine do the work.
Want longer curtains? Easy math. For an 84-inch finished length, cut each panel at 91 inches long. That is about 5 yards total for the pair. Measure your own window and add your hem and casing allowances the same way.
And please hear me on this one. It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic. Nobody visiting will measure your hems. They will see soft, handmade curtains, made by you.
Take your time. It is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thank you so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aviva Floral Charm Ivory Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
