Choosing the right drapery panels can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of windows at home. But I’m going to show you how you can make your own curtains without a sewing machine!
This step-by-step guide to making no-sew drapery panels will quickly transform your home interior. Even newbies in the DIY world can complete this tutorial within a few hours!
Step One: Prepare the Materials
You don’t need complicated supplies for this no-sew activity. Here are the only materials you should prepare for making your drapery panels:
- 98” x 51” fabric.
- Measuring Tape.
- Drapery clips.
- Scissors.
- Craft glue.
- Iron.
Step Two: Measure the Space for Fabric
If you’ve tried doing a fabric project before, you already know that the first step is to measure the fabric yardage. Measuring ensures that you’ll be getting the exact drapery fabric you need so the curtains will look perfect.
Calculate the windows or space to hang the drapery panels with a tape measure. Add a few inches on the width and height to make sure you’re covering the entire area.
The typical height for window curtains is 95”, while the standard width is 48”. Add about three inches on both height and width measurements for the bottom and side hems. If you’re following these dimensions, get a fabric that measures 98” x 51”.
For curtains with two panels, add six inches to the width instead of three. So your dimensions for fabric will be 98” x 56”. That’s because you’ll make a total of six inches of hem, half an inch each for four sides.
Step Three: Choose Your Drapery Fabric
Once you know how much fabric to get, choose a fabric for drapery panels of your preferred color and type. Remember that drapery fabrics are different from upholstery fabrics because they are more lightweight and flowy.
If you’re making sheer curtains, voile, lace, and muslin are fantastic. These materials breathe well while providing elegance and airflow.
Try cotton, canvas, velvet, or poplin for thicker window treatments. Some of these fabrics do not need lining anymore because they are already solid and opaque on their own. Linen is also excellent if you want the light to enter your room.
Step Four: Cut and Iron the Fabrics
Lay your drapery panels on a wide surface, such as a large table or the floor. Make sure the opposite side is showing to make the right folds. If your fabric is still too large, cut it to be 98” x 51”.
Iron each panel to remove any wrinkles once you get the exact length and height. Make sure the fabric is iron-friendly. Otherwise, it will burn and ruin the design.
Stretch the fabric so that it spreads out and straightens quickly. Press the fabric from top to bottom, keeping the pressure light on thin materials.
Then, fold one and a half inches on every side for the hem and iron it. For the bottom panel, fold three inches and press with an iron.
Step Five: Use Craft Glue for the Hems
Because this is a no-sew project, you will use a strong craft glue rather than your sewing machine for the hem. Pick one that quickly dries so you can pre-align and stick the cloth right away.
Another factor to consider when sticking the fabric is flexibility. The glue should not stiffen on the hems so that the drapery panels stay flowy. It should be flexible as if there is no thick fold or heavy portion on the edges.
Apply the glue to the pre-folded hem on all three sides of each panel. Press the hem as you apply to secure the fabric glue. Leave it for a few minutes to dry before hanging.
Step Six: Flip the Fabric Right-Side Out
Now that you have glued all the hems, hold the corner of the fabric and flip it right side out. You’ll finally see how your drapery panels will look. Remove any loose thread and re-iron the panels to be crisp and free from wrinkles.
Step Seven: Use Drapery Clips
Drapery clips are a better alternative to grommets because you don’t need to poke holes in the fabric anymore. The ring where the rod will pass through connects to an easy-to-use clip.
Clip each item to the top of the drapery panels using intervals of three to four inches. That means you will need about 14 to 16 drapery clips for the project.
The only downside to using drapery clips is the untidy pleats. Keep the spacing even so that they flow neatly by your window. Also, the ring might be too big for the rod, leaving a vast gap between the rod and the curtain.
Step Eight: Hang Your Drapery
Insert the curtain rod through the rings of the drapery clips. Attach them to your wall, and your drapery panels project is done!
This curtain does not have a lining, but they’re perfect for living rooms and dining rooms that need enough sunlight. The curtains also look fantastic when you open them, making the room feel fresher and airier.
Create Beautiful Drapery Panels
Who would have known you could create drapery panels without touching a needle? As long as you have strong craft glue and some drapery clips, then you can cover your windows with DIY curtains. Just fake the hem and clip the curtains to the rod!
Did you enjoy reading this tutorial? Have you tried this no-sew fabric project already? Share your experiences in the comments, and feel free to ask more fabric-related questions!