How to sew your own curtains
Create atmosphere with curtains
Curtains create atmosphere, soften the light, and bring the room together. If you dream of sewing your own, there are many good reasons to do it yourself.
Sew curtains in your own style
When you sew your own curtains, you can create a unique look that perfectly matches both your home and your windows. At the same time, it’s a cozy and affordable solution.
Get started with our curtain guide
In our curtain guide, we walk you through the process step by step, so you can easily sew your own curtains. It’s simpler than you might think.
Things to consider before you get started
There are many types of curtains and just as many ways to hang them. That’s why we’ve gathered the most important tips and questions to consider before you begin.
How would you like to hang your curtains?
What is the purpose of the curtain?
- If the curtain needs to darken the room, you can choose a blackout fabric that effectively blocks out light. If you want light to still come through, then voile and other light, transparent fabrics are a great choice.
- If you want the curtain to keep cold air from the window out, we recommend a heavy fabric such as upholstery fabric, which both insulates well and gives an exclusive look.
- If the curtain is mainly decorative, you can choose light fabrics such as lace, voile or thin cotton fabrics, which give the room a soft and decorative look.
- If the curtain is to be used for screening, for example in front of a bookcase or as a room divider, we recommend a durable fabric such as upholstery fabric or canvas. This creates a curtain that stays looking good and works well for everyday use.
Remember to allow for shrinkage
Get started with your curtains
Sew curtains with wave tape
Sew curtains with grommets
Sy gardiner med rynke bånd
Sew Roman and Lift Blinds
Sew curtains that complement your room
Whether you are sewing curtains for large or small windows, there are simple tricks that can give your room a more beautiful and harmonious look. For the best result, curtains should hang high above the window. If you choose a curtain track, we recommend one that is about 20% wider than the window and placed approximately 10 cm above the window or directly on the ceiling. This not only makes the curtains hang beautifully but also creates the illusion of a larger window.
Special tip for long curtains
Create space with optical illusions
How to sew curtains with large patterns
If you have chosen a fabric with large patterns or bold motifs, you may need to use a little extra fabric. This ensures that the pattern aligns neatly across the curtain panels so they hang beautifully next to each other.
The same applies if you are sewing an extra-wide curtain and need to join several fabric widths. Here, it is also important to consider the placement of the pattern so that the overall look is harmonious.
How much extra fabric you will need depends on the size of the pattern. If you need help, you are always welcome in your local Selfmade® store or to contact our customer service.
A few good tips when sewing curtains
Give your curtains a beautiful drape with lead tape
Insert lead tape into the bottom hem of the curtain if you want a neater and more elegant drape. This is especially a good idea for lightweight fabrics.
Use a pleated header for beautiful folds
The header is the part of the curtain that sits above the pleating tape. It helps the curtain keep its lovely folds so it hangs neatly.
Want to hide the curtain track?
Then sew the pleating tape at the same height as the width of the track plus approx. 1 cm. If the track is mounted close to the ceiling, you only need to sew the tape 1 cm from the top.
Curtains with grommets also need a header
Here we recommend approx. 2 cm from the grommet to the top edge of the curtain for the best result.
Få rådgivning til dit gardinprojekt
Besøg en af vores 9 butikker og få personlig rådgivning til dine gardiner. Fortæl os om dit projekt, så hjælper vi dig med at finde de helt rigtige metervarer og det rette tilbehør. I butikken kan du se og mærke materialerne, før du beslutter dig.
Du kan også bestille stofprøver online eller kontakte vores kundeservice, som står klar til at hjælpe dig godt i mål med dine nye gardiner
How to care for your curtains
If your curtains need freshening up, they can usually be machine washed.
- Use a gentle cycle with low spin speed, for example a wool program
- This reduces creasing and protects the fabric
Important: Not all fabrics are washable. Always follow the care instructions. If your curtains cannot be washed, you can shake them outside and hang them up to air.
Large curtains
We recommend washing each curtain panel separately. This gives a better result and protects both your curtains and your washing machine.
-
Plenty of space in the machine
The curtains have room to move, allowing water and detergent to circulate freely. -
Even cleaning
Each curtain is cleaned and rinsed evenly. -
Lower risk of damage
Wet curtains are heavy, and washing separately reduces the strain. -
High water level
More water helps dissolve the detergent and rinse the fabric thoroughly.
Hand washing and steaming
You can also hand wash your curtains and then gently wring them out or spin them at low speed.
If you just want to freshen them up, you can use a steam program in your washing machine or a handheld steamer.
Drying
- Hang the curtains up while they are still slightly damp
- Smooth them lightly with an iron if needed
- Fold them into their natural pleats
- Tie a ribbon around the bottom while they dry, if needed
