These simple ruffled curtains are the perfect beginner DIY! Any room will get an instant facelift with beautifully handcrafted curtains with the perfect fabric picked by you! I made these 5 curtains for less than 25 dollars in under 3 hours. Keep reading below to hear my tips and tricks to make your own custom curtains for your home. 

Time: 2-3 hours

Supplies: Fabric scissors, sewing machine, 5-7 yards of fabric (varies depending on the project), coordinating thread, iron, ironing board, pins, measuring tape

Measure for the curtains:

My measurements and fabric measurements will be described below in bold italics as an example.

First, measure the width and length of the area the curtains will cover. Include any space above the curtain rod, below the window frame, or to the left/right of the window box that you would like covered. I recommend multiplying this width by 1.5 if the curtains will remain open most of the time or 2 if you will primarily keep them closed. It is up to your preference. I prefer to mark out on the window where each panel will lay to visualize.  See the note* if you want the ruffle at the top.

Take care to consider how much light you would like to enter the window when the curtains are open, and how much space is available to push the curtains open to either side. Some windows will look a bit overdressed with 2 times the fabric.

Divide this number by the number of curtain panels you want. I think that typically an even number of panels looks best. Consider your pattern, and determine the amount of fabric you will need. I did this by deciding to keep the width of each panel the same as the fabric bolt to reduce waste. The typical fabric is 45” wide. 

In order to determine the length of the fabric you need, take the finished desired length plus 2” for the finished seam (I like to add a little extra grace to account for any miscalculations later).

I purchased 6.5 yards of fabric. I cut 5 panels of fabric 45 inches wide and 57 inches in length. Next, I cut the backing for my ruffle, 5 panels of fabric 45” wide x 7” tall. This fabric will run the width of the curtain panel and be attached at the top.

Now, multiply that by the number of curtain panels. Convert that number into yards and purchase fabric that is x yards long and 45” wide. 

Note*

In order to create the ruffle at the top of the curtain panel, measure the total length you want the curtain to be. Then add on the number of inches desired for the ruffle height. For example, if you want to have a 36” finished curtain, with 6” of ruffle at the top, add 36+6=42”. Depending on the price of your fabric, you can also add the additional inches of fabric with a complimentary fabric. Either way, allow approximately 1” for seam allowances. This fabric will run the width of the curtain panel and be attached at the top, as shown in the photo below. 

Cut the fabric

Cut out your curtain panels, making sure to have the extra length if desired for the ruffle. If using an alternative fabric for the ruffle, include that piece in your cutting process. 

Press and sew the curtains

First, press a ¼” seam on the two long sides of each curtain panel. Pin or clip in place. Next, press the hem for the bottom of the curtain. I prefer this to be a thicker seam, closer to 1 inch. I typically just fold the raw edge in ¼ inch then over again to complete the 1-inch seam with less fabric usage/waste. 

Sew a straight stitch along all 3 edges of the curtain panel, leaving the top edge raw. This will be dealt with later.

Finalizing length

In order to ensure the curtains are exactly the length I would like, I pin them to the curtain rod using safety pins. I do this to measure exactly where each panel will need to be hemmed at the top. This helps account for variations in seam allowances and human-sewing errors. After you have decided where the panel should fall, mark the bottom edge of the top seam with pins. 

Then, take down the curtain and press the fabric over to meet the pinned outline, hiding the raw edge. Depending on the width of your curtain rod, mark 2-3 inches above this seam with pins. You will sew two straight lines. One will hem the fabric and the other will be a row 2-3 inches above it. 

This will create a pocket for the curtain rod. If you would like a ruffle, make sure the appropriate amount of fabric is protruding above the second stitch line. To create without a ruffle, stitch only the seam, and the fold of the top of the curtain will act as the second stitch. Make sure to press the seam so that there is adequate space for the curtain rod and it looks uniform for each panel. 

Continue to repeat for each panel. 

Once this has been done, snip any remaining threads and press your fabric.

Lastly, hang and admire your hard work!

Curtains truly are the simplest thing to sew, and a fantastic beginner project. I highly recommend choosing a patterned fabric to hide any mistakes or uneven stitching. Curtains in particular are extremely forgiving due to their ruffled, bunched nature. 

Let me know if you have any questions, and best of luck with your sewing endeavors! I would love to see your progress and any finished projects over on Instagram @makeshifthomestead. 

Until next time!