Curtain-making

Curtain-Making

This curtain-making class will give you the skills and confidence to make your own professional-looking curtains.

Course description

It’s extremely useful to be able to make your own curtains.  Ready-made curtains come in standard sizes and usually don’t usually fit very well.  And the colours, patterns and heading types available can be restrictive. So you may not be able to find them in a specific colour or pattern to match your other decor.

Custom-made curtains are extremely expensive but they are actually quite easy to make yourself. You’ll be able to coordinate your soft furnishings in future at a fraction of the price of having them made.  Once you can make your own, you’ll be able to alter ready-made curtains too.  Curtain-making is also immensely satisfying but you do need to take accurate measurements and understand how to match patterns. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know how to make your own curtains.

Who is curtain-making aimed at?

Intermediate sewists. You should have confident sewing skills and be able to sew straight accurate seams and hems.

What will I learn?

• • How to measure your windows
  • Calculating fabric quantities
  • Understand pattern repeats
  • Cutting lengths and matching patterns
  • Hemming techniques
  • Header treatments (pencil pleat, eyelet, tab-top and variations)
  • Attaching lining

Due to time and space restrictions, you not be able to make an entire pair of curtains. But you will make samples of the techniques to take home and will have extensive notes from the class. So you will be equipped with the knowledge to confidently make your own curtains at home.

Course arrangements

Fabric for the sample techniques is provided. Sewing machines are provided or you can bring your own. You will need your basic sewing kit:  Fabric shears, small embroidery-type trimming scissors, ruler, pins, large set-square if you have one, and of course your notebook and pen.

If you want to make coordinating soft furnishings, then you may also enjoy my class to learn how to make cushions with zips and piping.