How to Make Sheer Curtains

Co-authored by Donna Serino

Last Updated: November 25, 2021

Sheer curtains add a touch of elegance to a room, while still letting in natural light. Sewing your own sheer curtains allows you to tailor them specifically to your décor and style. Follow these directions to learn how to sew sheer curtains.

Steps

1
Use measuring tape to measure window height from the point where the curtain rod will be to the bottom of the window.
2
Decide how much longer you want your curtains to be than the window.

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3
Measure length of the curtain rod.
4
Measure circumference of the curtain rod and add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to allow for a seam.
- How full your curtains are is a matter of taste. The average fullness is calculated by taking the total length of the curtain rod (sized to fit your window) and multiplying that number by 1.5. You can multiply by 2 for fuller curtains.
5
Divide the total width (with fullness factored in) by 2. This gives you the size of each of the 2 curtain panels you need.
- Again, this is a matter of taste. Two panels are normal, but, if you want more, just divide the total width by the number of panels you want to hang.
- You need to add 2 inches (5 cm) for each panel to the width of the curtain panels for seams and finishing.
6
Determine the length you want for each panel.
- Add the length plus 4 inches (10 cm) plus the circumference of the curtain rod.
7
Purchase your material.
- Take your measurements with you so you know how much material to purchase.
- Be aware that material on bolts comes in 2 widths - 45 inches (1.125 m) and 60 inches (1.5 m). Home decorating fabric is mostly found in just the 60-inch (1.5 m) size.
- Convert your measurements into yards (meters), since raw material is sold by the yard (meter). To do this, divide your total width and length by 36 (100 for metric).
8
Purchase thread to match the material.
9
Lay out your material at home and measure each panel.
10
Cut each curtain panel out.
- Be aware that sheer material can be hard to cut. Make sure your scissors are sharp and you will want to stabilize the material on each side of the cut line with something heavy such as a book.
11
Sew your side seams down the length of each side of each sheer curtain panel.
- Fold over 1/8 inch (3 mm) and press with a warm iron. Fold the remaining 7/8 inches (2.2 cm) and press and then stitch it to make a 1-inch (2.5 cm)side seam on each side of each panel.
12
Hem the bottom of each panel.
- Fold over 1 inch (2.5 cm) and press. Fold over 2 inches (5 cm) more and press and then stitch the seam for a hem. This will leave you with the circumference of the curtain rod, plus 1 inch (2.5 cm) for top sleeve and seam allowance.
13
Make the sleeve for the curtain rod on each panel.
- Fold over 1/8 inches (3mm) and press. Fold over 7/8 inches (2.2 cm) plus the circumference of the curtain rod, press and sew the curtain sleeve seam.
14
Press the curtain panels lightly to remove any wrinkles in the fabric.
15
Slip the curtain rod through the sleeve at the top of the sheer curtain panels and hang your curtains.
16
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How do Iu keep the sheer fabric from snagging and bunching up while sewing?

C. M. Yocom

Community Answer

First, make sure the tension is correct on your machine. You can try sandwiching the fabric between pieces of tissue paper, which can easily be removed after sewing.