How to Make Drapery Panels Using Clip-on Rings
- 1). Measure your window to determine the width of your drapery panels. For full, flowing curtains, use the window measurement as the finished width of each of the two drapery panels for your window.
- 2). Calculate the height of your curtains by measuring from the curtain rod to the floor, or to the desired final length of your curtain. Add 2 inches for the bottom hem. If you want curtains that create a puddling effect, so extra fabric bunches on the floor, you will need to add additional length, up to 8 inches. There is no need to add extra length for the top hem, however, since the length of the clip-on rings will compensate for the top seam allowance.
- 3). Purchase the necessary amount of fabric for all of your windows. Clip-on rings are designed to hold lighter-weight curtains, so you may want to avoid very heavy upholstery fabrics.
- 4). Cut your drapery panels out of your curtain fabric, being sure to cut all edges straight. You may want to use a straight edge or a yardstick for this process.
- 5). Lay a drapery panel with the right side down on your working surface. Fold the side edges under ½ inch to the wrong side of the fabric. Fold them under ½ inch again and pin. This makes a ½-inch side seam, with the raw edges enclosed in the seam. Sew the side edge folds with a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sewing close to the edge of the fold.
- 6). Sew the top of the curtain panels by folding the top edge under 1 inch to the wrong side of the fabric, then folding under 1 inch again. Sew this seam down, using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.
- 7). Attach the clip-on rings to the top hem of the curtain, placing the first and last rings 1 inch from the side edge of the curtain, and spacing the rest evenly across the top hem. Spacing of 5 to 7 inches between each ring allows for good fabric draping, but does not permit the curtain panels to droop. Slip the rings over the curtain rod.
- 8). Hang the drapery panels on the curtain rod. Pin the bottom hem of the curtain panels by folding the bottom edge under 1 inch to the wrong side of the fabric, then folding under 1 inch again. Be sure the hem falls parallel with the floor, since any unevenness in the curtain rod or floor will be evident if the curtain hangs higher in one spot than another. Adjust the hem if necessary.
- 9). Sew the hem, using a straight stitch on your sewing machine. Place the drapery panels back on the curtain rod.
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