Sewing Patterns for Curtains

Jazz up your home with colorful new curtains.

Sewing patterns for curtains can help you make over your home in a hurry. With colorful patterns and lush textures, new window treatments can infuse a room with a unique sense of style.

Why Sew Curtains?

Curtains are widely available at department and discount stores, as well as from several online retailers. However, there are many reasons why you may want to consider making your own window treatments. For example:

Sewing curtains is often a very frugal alternative to purchasing curtains.
Making curtains allows you to customize the look of your window treatments.
Sewing basic curtains is a simple project that can help build your confidence to tackle other more ambitious home décor designs.
If you live in an older house with oddly sized windows, sewing your own curtains may be your only option for window treatments.

Finding Fabric

Selecting fabric for your curtains is one of the most enjoyable parts of the project. Curtains can be sheer to let in the light or made from a heavier fabric to provide shade and privacy. Some curtains have delicate patterns, while others are more plain in appearance. Consider picking up a few interior design magazines at your local library if you're not sure what type of curtains would look best in your home. Simply Furnishings also has an article titled "Getting Started with Curtains" that provides several useful tips for designing your own window treatments.If you're on a tight budget, consider the following affordable sources of fabric for curtains:

A large tablecloth
An old flat bed sheet
A lightweight blanket
Fabric remnants from your local craft store
A patchwork cloth made from scraps of old clothing

Free Sewing Patterns for Curtains

The easiest way to make your own curtains is to simply sew a hem around a large piece of fabric and make a pocket at the top for a curtain rod. However, sometimes a room requires more elaborate window treatments. If you're looking for free sewing patterns for curtains, LoveToKnow Crafts recommends visiting the following links:

Savvy Seems has a tutorial called "curtains in an evening" that's perfect for the impatient crafter.
All Free Crafts has a pattern for simple curtains and a valance for your windows. These curtains would be adorable in your kitchen.
Denver Fabrics explains how to sew curtains with shirred headers that can give your room a more elegant look.
Craft Zine has a tutorial that explains how to sew lined curtains for times when privacy is a concern.
How to Me has a pattern for making tabbed curtains. The demonstrated project is for a child's room, but choosing a different fabric would make it more appropriate for other areas of the home.
Mormon Chic has instructions for a box pleat gathered window valance and café curtains that provide an upscale look at a much more affordable price.
Craft and Fabric Links offers a creative solution for designing window treatments for tricky corner windows.
Essortment describes how to sew curtains for any size window.

If none of the patterns above seem to fit your needs or your sewing skills, our article on Ideas for No Sew Window Treatments may be helpful.

Creative Curtain Tie-Backs

Many sewing patterns for curtains simply state that you should sew tie-backs out of the same fabric as the window treatment. There are several other creative options to consider, however.

Cut a piece of coordinating ribbon to use as your tie-back.
Make a braided cord and tassel for your curtains using several different colors of embroidery floss.
Thread beads on stretchy jewelry cord to make an ornamental tie-back for your curtains.
Sew tie backs from contrasting fabric, then use an old pair of clip-on earrings to finish the look.