So I want to make these curtains...

[nadia105]

but I have no idea where to start. I bought blackout fabric from Joann's to make curtains for the kids' bedroom b/c the sun is making it hard for them to go to sleep at night since the time change, but I am kind of at a loss as to where to start. I have my window measurements, but how much bigger do I want to make the curtains? I have 3 windows all the same height, but different widths, so if there is any rule of thumb as to how much I should add for ease, that would be great!

[she]

Curtains are anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 X fullness - depends on the look you want from loose/casual to very full/formal.

Is it blackout lining or fabric?
If it is fabric, the easiest thing to do is hem all sides and make a casing at the top to fit onto a rod.
If it is lining, the easiest thing is to sew it right sides together, around all sides - like a big pillow , leaving an opening to turn right side out. Then fold down and stitch the casing to fit a rod.

[JanB]

If you can, I would look at the library for a book called "Curtains for Beginners" in the Seams Sew Easy series. It has really good, really basic instructions about how to construct curtains, including how much fabric to buy, how to measure, etc.

In general I usually use about 2x width for curtains, but it depends on how full you want them to look.

[nadia105]

Thanks ladies! The fabric I got is just lining, I have to go find cute fabric to go over it (the sewing and turning sounds amazingly easy, much easier than the way I was envisioning it!). I was thinking of doing tab curtains, but will those block out as much light as if I just left a pocket for the curtain rod? They might not stay as close to the window, huh?

[rubelin]

when I do blackout curtains, I make them seperate from the main curtains and found rods that hang inside the windowsill to keep them as close to the window as possible. My kids will stare at the 1/4" of light coming in and that is enough to keep them awake, so I have to make sure that they are really shoved in around the corners of the window. You only need to make them a few inches wider than the glass part of the window and a teeny bit longer. Then you can hang your pretty curtains on regular rods on the outside of the sill.

[mamarhu]

Originally Posted by rubelin

when I do blackout curtains, I make them seperate from the main curtains and found rods that hang inside the windowsill to keep them as close to the window as possible. My kids will stare at the 1/4" of light coming in and that is enough to keep them awake, so I have to make sure that they are really shoved in around the corners of the window. You only need to make them a few inches wider than the glass part of the window and a teeny bit longer. Then you can hang your pretty curtains on regular rods on the outside of the sill.

That works. Or plan on 3-4 inches bigger than the window in all directions, and mount the rod well outside the window frame. I also use double the window width for the fabric. They make double curtain rods, so you could put the blackouts on the inside, and prettier ones over.

[she]

Tab curtains are just an amazing PITA to make, I don't recommend them for anyone

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by JanB

In general I usually use about 2x width for curtains, but it depends on how full you want them to look.

Yes! This is how I do it/make them too.

Would love to see the finished curtains!

[nadia105]

Okay, it makes sense to have them mounted inside the window, so how about roman shades? The sewing would be easy, just the looping through the back would be something that might take some time. Any thoughts?

[rubelin]

oh, yeah, roman's would be pretty easy. I have some very simple ones from Ikea and they made little (1/4" or less) tucks about every 6" or so to reinforce the area where the lacing went through. The lacing is just thin cord and it seems they just used a needle to pull it through in various spots. Oh, and there's a metal rod at the bottom to hold it flat when you pull it up.

[nadia105]

Okay, I think I will try the romans. I have always loved how those look, and it seems like they will do the necessary function too. My mom has a homemade example somewhere in her garage that she is going to try and dig up for me too. I need curtains in the kitchen too, so if these go well I can start there next!

[lightheart]

They make a cloth tape with plastic rings on it, may be even called Roman Shade something or other. It a flat belting that has plastic rings already sewn on to it every 6 inches or so. You buy it by length off spools.

Decide where you want the cords to draw up and sew the tape down on each side in position and ta da you are done! Might have to remove 1 or 2 of the rings and resew them by hand to get the right placement depending on the length of your curtains.

Something to think about with roman shades is just like mini blinds, there is cording and when you do draw them up you will have strings dangling that kids can get wrapped up in, so be careful. I spend the extra time and wrap the whole length of cord every time just in case, also have to buy a bigger bracket to wrap all the cord around.

Suggestion, if your going roman shades and want the blackout material and pretty material, sew the 2 fabrics right sides together, kinda like a pillowcase and leave an opening to turn right side out then stitch up the opening and you have both curtains in one! Something you would have to decide is if you don't want the stitching from the ring tape to show on the pretty fabric you will have to figure measurements a little more and sew it down first to the black fabric as your 1st step.

[nadia105]

Thanks for the tip on that cloth tape! Talk about making it so much easier!

We currently have miniblinds in the kids room, so I am used to tying up the cords and putting them over the trim of the window. The kids are 4 and 2, but just young enough that I don't completely trust them to leave the cords alone!