How to Make Lined Curtains
Making your own lined curtains is a rewarding project that can dramatically elevate the look and feel of any room. You get to choose the perfect fabric, the ideal lining, and a style that precisely matches your decor. Plus, lined curtains offer fantastic benefits, from better insulation and light control to a more luxurious drape.
I’ve found that embarking on this DIY journey is often less daunting than it seems, especially with a clear, step-by-step approach. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to craft beautiful, high-quality lined curtains yourself.
Why Line Your Curtains?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s touch on the “why.” Lining your curtains isn’t just an extra step; it’s a crucial one for achieving professional results and maximizing the performance of your window treatments. The most obvious benefit of lined curtains is enhanced light control. Whether you’re trying to block out harsh morning sun or create a cozy, dim atmosphere in your living room, a good lining makes a significant difference.
Beyond light blocking, the lining adds a layer of insulation. This means your rooms will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, potentially leading to lower energy bills. It’s a win-win for comfort and economy!
Furthermore, the lining protects your decorative fabric from fading due to sun exposure, extending the lifespan of your beautiful curtains. Finally, and I think this is often overlooked, the lining gives curtains a much richer, more substantial appearance and a smoother, more elegant hang. That classic, tailored look you see in high-end home stores?
That’s often down to well-chosen lining.
Measuring for Your Lined Curtains
Accurate measurements are the bedrock of any successful sewing project, and curtains are no exception. Getting this right means your finished curtains will fit your windows perfectly and drape beautifully. You’ll need to measure your window’s width and height, but there are a few nuances to consider to ensure a professional finish.
First, decide how high you want your curtains to hang. For a classic look, curtains should typically extend from just above the window frame to the floor. Measure from the curtain rod or track location down to the desired finished length.
If you’re mounting the rod higher than the window frame, measure from that higher point. For the width, you’ll need to measure the width of your window opening and then add extra fabric for fullness. A good rule of thumb is to multiply your finished width by 1.5 to 2.5 times to create pleats or gathers.
This fullness makes the curtains look substantial when closed. I always recommend adding a few extra inches to your width and length measurements for seam allowances and any slight adjustments, just to be safe. It’s much easier to trim excess fabric than to add it later.
Choosing Your Fabrics: Main and Lining
The fabrics you select will dictate the final look, feel, and function of your lined curtains. You’ll need two types of fabric: your decorative main fabric and a lining fabric. Think about the overall style of your room when choosing your main fabric.
Is it a formal living room that calls for rich velvet or elegant silk? Or a casual bedroom that might suit a breezy linen or a cheerful cotton? Consider the weight of the main fabric too; very heavy fabrics might require a lighter lining for balance.
For the lining, there are several excellent options, each offering different benefits. Standard lining fabric, often a cotton blend, is a good all-rounder, providing opacity and a bit of insulation. Blackout lining is perfect for bedrooms or media rooms where complete darkness is desired.
It’s typically a denser fabric with a special coating that blocks light effectively. Thermal lining, as the name suggests, offers superior insulation properties, keeping rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer. When choosing your lining, ensure it’s compatible with your main fabric in terms of drape and weight.
I’ve found that a simple, opaque cotton blend lining offers a great balance of performance and affordability for most projects. You want the lining to hang smoothly behind the main fabric without adding excessive bulk.
Calculating Fabric Yardage
Once you have your measurements and have chosen your fabrics, you can calculate how much fabric you’ll need. This is where those measurements become crucial. For the main fabric, take your finished curtain width (including fullness multiplier) and your finished curtain length, and add seam allowances.
You’ll need to account for the fabric used at the top for the heading and at the bottom for the hem. I like to add about 6 inches to the length for this.
For the lining fabric, you’ll typically use the same finished length and width measurements as your main fabric, but often with slightly smaller seam allowances. If your main fabric has a pattern that needs matching, you’ll need to factor in extra yardage for that. Pattern matching can significantly increase the amount of fabric required, sometimes by an entire repeat or more.
Always check the fabric’s repeat measurement if applicable. I always advise buying a little extra fabric, maybe an extra half-yard or so, just in case of any cutting errors or unforeseen issues. It’s a small insurance policy against needing to make a second trip to the fabric store.
Cutting Your Fabric
With your measurements and calculations complete, it’s time to cut your fabric. Lay your main fabric flat on a large surface, like a clean floor or a big cutting table. Ensure it’s smooth and free of wrinkles.
Use your measuring tape and a good pair of fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and mat to carefully cut out your curtain panels according to your calculated dimensions. If you’re making multiple panels for one window, cut them all at this stage.
Next, repeat the process for your lining fabric. Again, lay it flat, smooth it out, and cut your lining panels precisely. It’s vital that the lining pieces are cut to the exact same dimensions as the main fabric panels for an even hang and a neat finish.
If your fabric has a definite right and wrong side, pay close attention to ensure you’re cutting them correctly. I’ve found that using fabric clips or tailor’s chalk to mark your cutting lines and grainlines really helps maintain accuracy, especially with larger pieces of fabric.
Constructing the Curtain Panels: Sewing the Main Fabric
Now the sewing begins! We’ll start with the main decorative fabric. If you’re using multiple panels to achieve your desired width, you’ll need to sew them together first.
Place two panels right sides together, aligning the selvages or cut edges. Stitch them together with your chosen seam allowance, typically 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Press the seam open or to one side.
Repeat until all panels are joined.
Next, prepare the side hems. Fold the raw edge of each side seam over by about 1/2 inch, then fold again by 1 inch (or your desired hem width). Press these folds firmly.
Stitch along the inner folded edge to secure the hem. This double fold creates a clean, professional-looking hem that won’t fray. Do the same for the bottom hem; fold up by your intended hem depth, then fold again by the same amount.
For a standard curtain, a bottom hem of 4-6 inches is common, creating a nice weight at the bottom. Remember to press every seam and hem as you go; it makes a world of difference to the final appearance.
Attaching the Lining
With your main curtain panels fully constructed and pressed, it’s time to attach the lining. Lay your main curtain panel flat, right side facing DOWN. Then, place the corresponding lining panel on top of it, right side facing UP.
The two right sides of the fabric should be facing each other, with the selvage edges of both fabrics aligned.
Now, you’ll sew the top edge of the lining to the top edge of the main fabric. You’ll typically leave the side hems of the lining unsewn for now, and the bottom hem of the lining will be slightly shorter than the main fabric’s hem. This allows the main fabric to create a clean, finished edge when viewed from the front.
Stitch along the top edge, again using your chosen seam allowance. If you’re adding a rod pocket or heading tape, this is usually sewn to the top edge at this stage. I like to secure the lining to the main fabric along the sides as well, about 1-2 inches in from the side hem, to prevent it from shifting.
You can do this with a few hand stitches or by machine stitching at intervals.
Creating the Hem and Finishing Touches
The next step is to create the bottom hem for your lined curtains. Turn the entire curtain panel over so the right side of the main fabric is facing you. At the bottom, you’ll have your main fabric hem and the lining fabric edge.
Fold up the main fabric hem as you did for the sides, pressing it neatly. This fold should encompass the bottom edge of the lining fabric. Stitch this hem in place.
You’ll be stitching through the main fabric and the lining together, effectively creating a deep, integrated hem that encloses all raw edges.
For the sides, you can either leave the lining hemmed separately at the top and just allow it to hang freely, or you can finish it more neatly. A common and professional method is to create a narrow hem on the lining sides and then hand-stitch or machine-stitch it to the main fabric’s side hem. To do this, fold the side edge of the lining over by 1/4 inch, then fold over again by 1/2 inch to create a small, neat hem.
Press this and stitch it down. Then, carefully slip-stitch or blind-hem this edge to the inside of your main fabric’s side hem for a truly finished look. I find using a blind hem stitch on a sewing machine is a real time-saver here.
Adding the Heading and Hanging Hardware
Your curtains are almost ready to hang! The heading is what you’ll use to attach the curtains to your curtain rod or track. The most common methods are using a curtain rod pocket, sewn directly into the top of the curtain, or attaching curtain heading tape (also known as gathering tape).
If you’re creating a rod pocket, you’ll have a channel sewn into the top of the curtain where the rod can slide through. If using heading tape, stitch it securely across the top edge of your curtain. This tape has cords that you pull to gather the fabric and create pleats, and also loops for attaching curtain hooks.
The type of heading you choose often depends on the hardware you plan to use. When attaching hooks, make sure they are evenly spaced on the heading tape for smooth pleats. I always double-check that the rod pocket opening is wide enough for my curtain rod to pass through easily.
Installing Your New Lined Curtains
Finally, the moment of truth! Install your curtain rod or track according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure it’s securely fastened into the wall, especially for heavier fabrics.
Once the hardware is in place, it’s time to hang your beautiful, handmade lined curtains.
Carefully slide your rod through the rod pocket, or attach your curtain hooks to the heading tape and then hang them on the track. If you’ve used pleating tape, pull the cords to gather the fabric into even pleats. I always recommend gathering them evenly, step by step, to avoid tangles.
Once hung, step back and admire your handiwork. The fullness, the perfect drape, the light control, it’s all there, thanks to your efforts in making lined curtains.
Caring for Your Lined Curtains
To keep your lovely lined curtains looking their best for years to come, proper care is essential. Most decorative fabrics and linings have care instructions; always check these first. For many cotton blends, a gentle hand wash or a cool, delicate cycle on your washing machine followed by air drying is best.
Avoid direct sunlight when drying, as this can cause fading.
If your curtains are made from delicate materials like silk or velvet, dry cleaning is usually recommended. For routine cleaning, regular dusting or vacuuming with a soft brush attachment can help keep them free of dust and allergens. I’ve learned that ironing lined curtains requires care; use a pressing cloth and iron on the wrong side of the fabric, or the lining side, on a low heat setting.
Taking these simple steps will ensure your curtains maintain their beauty and functionality. What a satisfying feeling it is to have created something so functional and beautiful with your own hands.
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