Lined curtains tutorial

On a mission to find cute curtains for my goddaughters room, I decided to put my sewing skills to the test. Sewing curtains, how hard can it be really? Well, turns out it's not that hard (my first one did turn out better than the second), it's just dealing with the large pieces of fabric that makes it all the more complicated.

Materials used:

3m curtain tape
3m Lining fabric (100% blackout lining)
3m Curtain fabric
2,30m Curtain rod
25 clips

A few weekends ago I had some time to spare before taking the bus home so I decided to put it to good use and take a look in a fabric store I had long wanted to visit. Well, there was lots of great fabrics, and I immediately fell in love with this cotton fabric with colorful cats printed on it. I called my sister and that afternoon after measuring the windows we went back to get it.

Lining and curtain tape: check!

Getting the measurements:

Well, since I'd never sewn curtains or anything like that and it was kind of a spur of the moment decision thank god for the lady who helped us figure out the right measurements. As a novice I think she must have thought I was a little bit crazy because she started asking me all these questions and I was only like What?? No idea about that, never heard of that technique.... Yep, for a moment having second thoughts, but when I get something in my head I just want to try it so with her help we bought all the materials. She told us the easiest way would be to use curtain tape. For the measurements, she advised to use double the width of the window and the length was up to us. So for our windows which were 80cmx110cm (31x43inches), we ended up getting 145x150cm of fabric (145cm was the width of the fabric anyway and adding an extra piece would be hard and unnecessary).

Step 1:

Cutting all the  fabrics in the right size.

I think this part took me about the longest, especially for the first curtain. Unfortunately the cats on the fabric didn't run straight so I couldn't use them to make sure I had straight lines. After some measuring I decided just to cut both fabrics (lining and curtain) and go for it. It is a home-made project so even if it's a bit wonky, who cares?
The lining fabric I cut about 5cm shorter at each side (left, right, top and bottom) so my measurements ended up being 145x150cm curtain and 135x140cm lining.

Curtain fabric cut.

Now the lining...

Step 2:

Adding the lining to the fabric.

Since the curtains are for my goddaughters bedroom, we opted for a 100% blackout lining.
After cutting both fabrics to the right size, put the fabrics right sides together, with the lining and the curtain fabric lining up on one side (see photo). Make sure on the top and bottom you have the same difference between lining and curtain fabric. Now pin when your satisfied.

Line up curtain and lining, leaving 5cm on top and bottom.

Find a large table or space to start sewing and stitch the lining to the curtain fabric (I used 1,5cm seam allowance).

Start sewing!

Now line up the other side of the lining with the curtain fabric, this is a bit tricky because the fabrics aren't the same width, but that will become clear in the next step. Pin and stitch the fabric after you make sure the distance on top and bottom is again spread evenly.

Line up and sew the other side.

Step 3:

Finishing the sides.

Turn your curtain right side out. Now you notice the lining fabric is shorter than the curtain fabric, this is to make the sides look better. Make sure that the curtain fabric side on the back had the same width on both ends. (This is rather difficult to explain, but you can look at the pictures to get a better idea, it's also easier if someone can lend you a hand doing this.)
When pleased with the result iron the sides so you get a nice crease. Finish the sides by stitching them once more to make sure they stay the way you want (this time I use a seam allowance of about 2,5cm).

Turn the fabric, making sure each side has approx. the same width.

Press and stitch.

Frontview after stitching.

Sides are done!

Step 4:

Finish the bottom.

Next step: the bottom. Fold over your curtain fabric once (about 0,5cm) and press. Fold it over again (this time about 4,5cm so the bottom of the lining lines up with the bottom of your curtain fabric) and again press your fabric to make it easier to sew. In the corners, I cut away some fabric so they wouldn't become big blobs when sewn. Now stitch your bottom with a seam allowance of about 3 tot 4cm.

Fold and press.

Second fold and press.

Fold the cornerd, press and stitch.

Stitch along the bottom.

Bottom finished!

Step 5:

Finish the top.

This is almost exactly the same as the top, only I decided to take an easier route (and I didn't want to many sewing lines showing on the top of the curtains), so I only folded them over once for about 3cm (so they touched an covered the lining about 0,5cm) and pressed. I did stitch the corners before adding the curtain tape.
Adding the tape:
 I added the curtain tape, stitching it about 1,5cm from the top of my curtain fabric. I stitched both top and bottom to make sure it could hold the weight of the curtains.

Stitch the corners.

Now stitch the top and bottom of the curtain tape to your curtains.

Front view looking good.

Back looking good as well.

Step 6:

Hang your curtains!

All that's left to do is adding clips to the curtains ( I used about 12 per curtain but it depends on the weight and length of your fabric, mine was pretty heavy), and pull the strings of the curtain tape so your curtain becomes pleated. To see how much you need to pull the strings, it's easier if you do it next to your window and use some trial and error.

Still need to take a picture of them hanging up, I will add this when I get the chance.

Done!
They turned out pretty good, just in time for the little one to sleep in her own bed!