If you’re looking for a quick and easy tie curtains tutorial, you’ve come to the right place! Join me as I show you how I sewed these curtains for our guest bathroom, and how to customize them for any space. All you need to know to create these curtains is how to sew a straight stitch! This is a great beginner project and will make you feel like a master seamstress in no time. 

Bathroom Curtain Update

Our bathroom needed an update. We had been using old curtains I had sewn to hide our dog crate as our window dressing! They worked, but as one of my first sewing projects a couple of years ago, they certainly weren’t high quality. Not to mention I hadn’t bothered to properly match my thread. I ended up with cream thread set against stark white cotton – yikes! Along with the mediocre craftsmanship, I also didn’t love the color scheme. I wanted to create a light, natural feel in the guest bathroom. The stark black and white strips just weren’t fitting the vibe. 

So, after nearly a full year of living here, I decided to dive into my fabric stash and create a fresh set of curtains to refresh the bathroom for autumn. 

I attempted to sew a tiered ruffled maxi skirt from this fabric but ended up measuring my hips improperly and never getting around to working out the maths. So, I decided it would receive a new life as curtains. Still stripes, but a light linen fabric with a relatively loose weave. Also, the sage green and soft white complement the wooden impressions on the walls rather than compete for the spotlight. 

I chose a complementary, thin white cotton that was on hand for the ties.

About 1 yard of this fabric was available. I wanted the stripes to be oriented vertically rather than horizontally. So, I decided to create half curtains or a (makeshift) valance. I’m too impatient to wait to get a chance to go to the store to purchase more fabric. Not to mention we are on a mission to use what we have and save some money! I am thrilled with how these quick and easy tie curtains turned out!

Quick and Easy Tie Curtains Tutorial

This quick and easy tie curtains tutorial is perfect for beginners. You only need a straight stitch to master sewing your own curtains!

Supplies

• Fabric scissors
• Scissors or rotary cutter & mat
• Fabric (1+ yard) for curtain panels
• Complementary fabric for ties (¼ + yard)
• Complementary thread 
• Sewing machine or hand sewing needles 
• Pins 
• Iron 
• Ironing board
• Measuring tape 

Measuring Panels

I measured the width of the window to determine how wide the finished panels needed to be. About 2-3” are added to each panel in order to account for seam allowances and create a gathered look rather than a flat sheet. I think it looks best to have a few extra inches of width on your curtains. Extra width allows for a flowy, natural fold to occur when hanging.

Next, I measured the length of where I wanted my curtains to fall. There is a bit more wiggle room here since with the addition of the ties you can adjust the height an inch or two. I wanted my ties fairly close to the curtain rod. I measured about halfway down the window box to get my length measurement. Remember to add about 1” for seam allowances. 

I cut out two identical rectangles from my fabric, about 22” wide by 34” long. Lightly steam the wrinkles from the fabric and press ¼ seam allowances along the entire outside edge of each panel. Do this by folding the raw edge of the fabric to the back (dull side) of the fabric. Fold over once more to encase the raw edge inside of the seam. Lastly, lightly press the fabric using an iron to keep your folded seam in place. I like to place pins about every 2-3 inches into my seam to ensure it stays put while I sew. 

Curtain Ties

Once I pressed each panel, I began the ties. I knew I wanted 4 ties on each curtain panel. Each tie requires 2 pieces, so 8 tie pieces per panel or 16 in total.

How long or wide you would like your ties is a completely personal preference. I find that I prefer thinner, longer tie pieces on my projects. In order to achieve this look, I cut 16 strips of white fabric 2.5” wide by 18” long. I find this easiest to do by cutting 5 strips that are 5”x18” and then cutting down the center with my rotary cutter and ruler. 

Next, you will want to press your tie strips in half “hot-dog” style, that is, fold in half along the length in order to create a long, thin strip. Next, sew a straight stitch along one short side and one long side at about ⅛” allowance, leaving one short side open. Do not forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitch. 

After sewing all 16 pieces, turn them inside out. Do this by working the fabric through the open seam. I tend to do this by using a chopstick to push the fabric through the channel and straighten out the corners. Iron the strips flat and keep them free from wrinkles. 

If you would like, you can straight stitch along the border of the tie-pieces to create a more finished look, but I personally didn’t find it necessary. 

Curtain Panel Assembly

Now lay each curtain panel flat, one at a time, and determine where you want the ties to be. I spaced two about 1” in from the edges and then the other two equal distances from each other in the center of the panel. Take two tie pieces, with the raw edges together, and hide the raw edges inside the unsewn seam of the curtain panel. Pin together. Continue with the remaining ties. 

Once everything is pinned and pressed, sew your panels. I found it easiest to sew the top of the curtains first to prevent the ties from shifting too much while completing the rest of the seam. Do not forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. I recommend double-stitching overtop the tie pieces to reinforce them as well. When I say double stitching I mean to backstitch over the entirety of the tie then continue sewing the seam, being sure to maintain a straight line. I used an approximately ⅛-¼” seam allowance. 

How to tie the Curtains

Once you sew around the entire perimeter of each curtain panel, remove all pins and iron or steam if needed. This next part is so fun! Now determine how you want your ties on the curtain rod. I found the easiest way to do this was to lay the curtain rod on my kitchen table (or the floor) and visually line up the knots for each tie as I secure them. I used a simple square knot (learn how to do that in this video!) to tie these ribbons. 

After you have tied your curtains to the rod, the last step is to hang them back up! Stare at your work of art and give yourself a high-five. Way to go! In no time at all, you were able to create your very own, custom curtains. You can adapt this loose pattern to any width or length of window covering you would like. I’m thinking about making these for my kitchen or laundry room next, once I find the right fabric!

All of the fabric I used is from Hobby Lobby several seasons ago. I cannot find the sage green and cream fabric anymore, but here is a similar option. The white fabric can be found here!

If you give these quick and easy tie curtains a go, I would love to hear about it! Tag me on Instagram @makeshifthomestead and leave a comment below.

Happy Sewing!