Who knew it could be so easy to have your own custom curtains?! With the perfect fabric, just the right dimensions and even the amount of black out – there’s nothing more perfect than custom! You won’t believe how easily you can make your very own DIY custom lined curtains!
So, let me just start out by saying that my sewing skills leave A LOT to be desired, which is why I called in some reinforcements (thanks Mom!) to walk me through it all. That being said, once we’d come up with a plan, it turned out these curtains were so easy to make that even I could do it!
Making my own custom curtains wasn’t difficult at all. Really. But, I won’t sugar coat the time it took – it was probably about five hours of measuring, cutting and sewing of course to make these two lined panels, which was so much longer than the couple of hours I had expected (when will I learn?!). Here’s hoping your expectations are just a little more realistic. Regardless, it was all totally worth it to have these luxurious, custom made, blackout-lined drapes for our new Farmhouse Style Master Bedroom!
Materials
– the perfect curtain fabric (I found mine at Tonic Living)
– blackout fabric, or lining of your choosing (again, I found mine at Tonic Living)
– ribbon for back tabs, grommets or the easiest and most convenient of them all, curtain rings
Method
step one: Cut the curtain fabric.
Measure the length you’d like each curtain panel to be. Now, add 10 inches. This will allow for the extra that will be eaten up as you create a hem and attach it to the lining. Mark that length on your curtain fabric, then cut away. In the interest of keeping things as simple as possible, I chose to work with the width that my curtain fabric came in as it was plenty wide enough to cover my window.
For our new master bedroom, I chose a lovely oatmeal linen fabric from my very favourite fabric store, Tonic Living. With the perfect mix of beige and gray, there was no better choice for our Farmhouse Master Bedroom design!
step two: Cut the lining.
Because who doesn’t need a nice, thick blackout lining to block out those sunny mornings while we’re sleeping in until noon, am I right dreaming? Ha!
I chose this soft blackout lining from Tonic Living because it not only blocked out light, but it also had the most beautiful, soft drape to it.
Working from the length you’d like your finished panels to be, add 2.5 inches for your lining fabric.
Now, cut the width of your fabric to 6 inches less than your actual curtain fabric.
Here’s what you should be left with:
Getting everything cut to just the right length was the most time consuming part for sure. Things really started moving along once we had all of that fabric cut.
step three: Hem the bottom of the curtain fabric.
With your curtain fabric right side down, fold the bottom edge of your curtain fabric up four inches, iron the edge and then fold it up and over itself another four inches, pressing it with the iron again to create a nice neat edge.
I found that by running the iron along the entire edge of the hem, I could avoid pinning altogether, but, depending on the fabric you chose, you may need to pin it all in place before sewing.
Finally, simply run a quick stitch about 1/4 inch in from the top of your fold, all the way along that bottom hem of your curtain panel.
step four: Hem the bottom of your lining.
With your lining fabric right side down, fold the bottom edge up two inches, iron and then fold it up another two inches, ironing it all in place. Once again, you may need to pin this all in place before sewing, but if you’re like me, you’ll just wing it with the ironed edge.
Run a stitch all along this hem too about 1/4 inch in from the top edge.
step five: Attach the lining to the curtain fabric.
Start by laying your curtain fabric right side up. Then, lay your lining fabric on top right side down, bringing the bottom up 1.5 inches from the bottom of your curtain fabric. Right sides should be together here my friends.
You’ll notice right away that the edges on the sides of your curtain and lining do not match on both sides – that’s exactly what you want to happen. Match one side together, pin it in place and then run a stitch down the length of it with a 1/4″ seam.
Then, do your best to match up the other side, bunching up the curtain fabric underneath until both layers are all lined up down the edge. Then simply pin and sew again.
step six: Turn it right-side out and admire! You’re almost done my friend!
Lay it all out with the lining on top and then pull at each side until you’ve got an equal amount of curtain fabric on both sides. Once you’ve got it all in place, iron both sides to create a nice, neat edge.
step seven: Miter the bottom corners. This sounds so much harder than it is. Really. All you need to do is tuck the corner of your curtain fabric under and run a quick stitch along it to tack it in place. If you really want to get fancy you could use a blind-stitch to tack it down (sewing it to through just one layer of fabric only so the stitches don’t show through the front of the curtain), but I just used my sewing machine to run a regular old stitch across all of the layers and it and honestly, you’d never know it.
Bottom done!
step eight: Sew the top edge.
It’s time to take care of that extra fabric at the top. Fold down the top edge one inch, iron, then fold it down another inch and iron again. Pin it all in place (if you’d like) and run a stitch 1/4 inch in from the edge all the way along.
step nine: Prepare to hang.
So, this is where you need to add a way to hang it all. You could choose to add grommets like this, or maybe add some back-tabs like this. Or you could go the easiest route of all and just clip them onto some simple rings like I did and call it a day. Not only is this the fastest and easiest option, but honestly, it makes our heavy lined curtains so much easier to open and close. Seriously, these little rings slide like butter across the rod!
step ten: Hang your beautiful custom curtains!
However you chose to finish the top, it’s finally time to hang your DIY custom curtains and admire! You did it!!!
There’s really no better way to create a luxurious space than adding some custom curtains. Custom drapes allow for the the most perfect fabric, perfect lining and a perfect fit – now what could be better than that?
I want to say a great big thank you to Tonic Living for providing the gorgeous fabric and lining to make these curtains for our farmhouse bedroom as part of the One Room Challenge. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect fabric to make your own DIY Custom Curtains, Tonic Living is the place to find it! They have a fantastic selection of fabrics and carry everything you need to make your own drapes. And, if you’re just not feeling the DIY part, they’ll even sew up a custom set of curtains or a roman blind for you (find all the info here)!
Find tutorials for all of our Farmhouse Master Bedroom Projects below:
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
PS. You can find me sharing here.
These look awesome!! Great job!
Thank you SO, SO much Shawnna! I’m really happy with how they turned out!
They look perfect in your bedroom! Thank you so much for the tutorial! Definitely pinning for the day when I’ll have the courage to try lining curtains – hopefully sooner than later ๐
Awwww, thank you Brandi! I swear, if I can do it, anyone can!
Kristi, they look gorgeous. I really like the texture of the material you used. And of course they look perfect in your fabby farmhouse bedroom. Enjoy the dreamy atmosphere!
Awwwww, well thank you SO much Mary! That linen couldn’t be any more perfect for the space and I’m really so happy with how they turned out! Thanks again!
BEAUTIFUL! Not only is this an awesome DIY, but that fabric… wow. Totally swooning ๐
Thank you SO much LZ! I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out!
Kristi,
LOVE these DIY curtains that you shared at my SHOW and SHARE party (beautiful fabric). Please be sure to have a link back to my blog on your post, so I feature these pretties.
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you Linda! I’m so sorry I forgot to include my link-back – all set now ๐ Thanks so much!
My goodness girl, you are just amazing!! You inspired me so much each week <3 Thanks for sharing with us!!
Awwwww, you’re just the sweetest! Thank you SO much Fotini!
Your curtains are beautiful! Very nice job. Sometime I have a have a hard time justifying the price of the fabric to make curtains, but it’s a fraction of the cost of custom curtains. And, like yours, they look so much nicer than any curtain panel you could buy.
Thank you SO much Rebecca! I couldn’t agree more – it’s definitely hard to make yourself spend money on good fabric and then still have to sew them, but there’s nothing more perfect and luxurious than custom drapes! Thanks again!
I love the fabric you chose for your curtains! They look fantastic! I made the curtains for our house, and it really makes a difference being able to customize your own fabric, length, etc. for your home.
Thank you Celeste! I totally agree! There’s nothing more perfect than custom!!! Good for you – I’m sure that was a ton of work, but totally worth it to have exactly what you wanted!
These are so beautiful, Kristi! I love the color and texture of the fabric. It goes so perfectly with your gorgeous bedroom. And that little bit of lace peeking out from behind is perfection! I may have to pay you to make me some. ๐
Hahahaha! Anytime my friend! Thank you SO much Sarah!!!
Gorgeous, Kristi! So many little details! You make it look so easy – I may have to give it a try!
Thank you Amy! It really was easy!!! A bit time consuming for sure, but so much easier than I’d imagined!!!
Kristi! Another inspiring project! I too struggle with sewing, but I’m slowly getting better and better at it. And Tonic Living is my favourite fabric shop, I love the fabric you chose. So pretty. Thank you for sharing at Create โข Share โข Inspire! I hope to see you back tonight!
Alicia xo
Thank you SO, SO much Alicia! I absolutely adore Tonic Living too – I had the hardest time in the world choosing from their incredible selection! Thanks again girl, see you tonight!
I am wanting to do this to save some money on curtains for our nursery. About what was the cost compared to purchasing curtains?
The cost would be entirely dependant on the fabric you chose Allison. I’m sure you could find some inexpensive options that are already made, but making your own would definitely be most cost effective way to have CUSTOM curtains (size, fabric, blackout, etc.) for your space.
Gorgeous!! Also, I am totally digging the sheers behind your custom drapes! The bit of lace peeking out is very sweet. Would you mind sharing your sources for those? Thanks!
Thanks so much Karen! I actually picked up those pretty lace sheers at IKEA!
I’m following along then I hit a snag…when you start to sew the top of the curtains how do you blend the lining with the outer fabric and what are the steps? First time drape sewer with lining! Any help is greatly appreciated.
I hear ya Sandy, I was so grateful to have my Mom there to help me figure this all out! So, the lining would get folded into and then sewn within the hem along the top in step eight, becoming totally attached together as one. Hope this helps!
Working on them this morning…I’ve reread step 8 so hopefully I can “get” what you mean. Stay tuned and thank you so much!
Good luck Sandy!!!
Have you ever top stitched the sides once you ironed them into place?
I haven’t tried that Sandy.
Any tips on getting your curtains to hang straight at the bottom instead of flairing out?
Hmmmmm, I’m not sure – ours are quite heavy so maybe that helps.
Love the simplicity! I want to make similar drapes from some lovely silk I bought in Shanghai last year, but Iโm procrastinating because Iโm scared Iโll ruin it. Youโve given me courage to try! One question: how much narrower than the original fabric does each curtain come out? I brought home 20 yds, but am finding Iโll need to conserveโsix big windows in LR of my Victorian โcottageโ! I might skimp on the side hems a bit so I donโt have to double the panels. If I made lining a bit wider, curtain would correspond. Comments?
And, what mountains are you in? Iโm from Seattle orig, so a big Cascades/Olympics fan. Sadly, now in New York State, where the Catskills are considered mtns! Sigh.
Thanks again!
Judy
That beautiful fabric should be on display for you to enjoy every day! I’m SO happy to hear that you’re feeling inspired to put it to work! You could definitely make the side hems narrower to conserve your fabric, even cutting the lining and the curtain fabric to be the same size.
We lived in the Kootenays in southern BC for 5 years, but are now back in Alberta, though we’re still near the Rocky Mountains at least. We very much miss living in the mountains, so I know just how you feel. I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle – I’ve heard such amazing things! Well, and New York for that matter too.
Thank you SO much Judy!
hi there, love the curtains. can you tell me if you washed the linen prior to making the curtains? thanks so much
Thank you SO much Caroline! I washed and ironed all the fabric before sewing with it, so that it would be pre-shrunk.
Your instructions for curtain panels lined with blackout fabric worked so beautifully! Wow. Iโve made lots of curtains, but decided to Google this – I want to thank you for clear info and great results, including mitered corners, in less than 3 hours. The design was genius and simple, and your shortcuts and tips on just ironing hems worked great. Thank you so much! I made these in the Adirondacks. – which mountains are yours?! Thanks again!
Oh, this makes me SO happy to hear! I’m thrilled that you loved this tutorial so much Cyndee! We live near the Rocky Mountains now, but lived in the Kootenays when I first started this blog. I’ve never visited the Adirondacks, but have always wanted to! Thanks again for taking the time to share such kind words!
I like to work on DIY projects on weekends. Yesterday, I made lined curtains for my clinic quickly after reading your detailed guide. I wish I could share the image here of how beautiful they’re looking on my clinic window. Thank you Kristi