If your fabric window covering has no lining, it is a curtain. Adding lining makes it drapery. In addition to getting a new name, a lined curtain will hang better. The main fabric will last longer, and the combination will help prevent heat loss. Lining can also deaden street or neighbor noise, and if you use either black fabric or blackout lining, you create a room-darkening drape. Adding a lining takes a bit of planning and patience, but is well worth the effort if you need your new drape to do any of these things.
Does making your own lined curtain panels intimidate you? Does the thought of sewing your own lined curtains freak you out? Before a few weeks ago I answered YES to all three questions. However, now I can say that I’ve made my own lined curtains, and I survived! And now I’m going to show you how to make your own too.
1
Lay the curtain out, wrong side up, with the top of the curtain toward you.
2
Measure across the curtain from the left edge hem stitching to the right edge hem stitching.
3
Measure from the top facing bottom edge to the bottom of the curtain. The top facing edge is the bottom of the rod pocket, or the bottom edge of the pleated portion on pleated curtains You have just measured the area the lining will cover.
4
Add 3 1/2 inches to the width measurement and 3 inches to the length measurement and cut the lining to these measurements. (This allows 1/4-inch ease along the top of the lining.) Join sections of fabric together as necessary.
5
Turn each length edge over 3/4 inch twice and edge stitch this side hem. (Edge stitching is sewing as close to the fold as possible.)
6
Turn the bottom edge of the lining over 2 inches toward the wrong side and press. Turn the hem an additional 2 inches. Edge-stitch the hem in place.
7
Turn the top edge over to the wrong side 1/2 inch and press the fold.
8
Lay the lining on the curtain, wrong sides together. Overlap the top edge of the lining and the bottom edge of the curtain facing by 1/8 inch. Overlap the side seams at the outside seams 1/8 inch. Pin the lining in place across the top of the lining. Either hand-sew the lining to the curtain along the top edge if the curtain is pleated, or machine sew through all the layers if the curtain is flat.
9
Pin down the side edges. Either hand sew the lining to the curtain edge hem, or machine edge-stitch the lining in place. Realize that this machine-sewn seam will be visible from the front of the curtain. The lining length will be 3/8 inch shorter than the curtain. Note that the bottom edge of the lining is not attached to the bottom edge of the curtain.
10
Press all the sewn seams to complete the project.
Things You Will Need
- Lining fabric
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Iron
- Straight pins
- Hand-sewing needle
- Thread
- Sewing machine
Tips
- Drapery lining can be any fabric that meets your needs. Specific drapery lining is typically better suited to prolonged sun exposure, but you can use broadcloth, sheeting, or a decorative fabric if you wish. Choose fabric with a similar fiber content as the curtain to prevent uneven shrinkage later.
- If the curtains have been cleaned, prelaunder the lining fabric.
- Choose needles and thread appropriate to your chosen fabric. If you are unsure, look in your sewing machine manual or ask the fabric seller.
- It is helpful to practice hand-sewing on some scrap fabric if you need some skills updating. Use eight to 10 stitches per inch, and resist the temptation to use long stitches; short stitches will hold the lining in place more securely than long ones.
References (2)
About the Author
Linda Erlam started writing educational manuals in 1979. She also writes a biweekly newspaper column, 'Design Dilemmas,' in the 'Lakeshore News' and has been published in 'Design and Drapery Pro' magazine. Erlam is a graduate of the Sheffield School of Interior Design and is a practicing interior decorator and drapery workroom operator.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Erlam, Linda. 'How to Add a Lining to Ready-Made Curtains.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/add-lining-readymade-curtains-73351.html. Accessed 15 July 2019.
Erlam, Linda. (n.d.). How to Add a Lining to Ready-Made Curtains. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/add-lining-readymade-curtains-73351.html
Erlam, Linda. 'How to Add a Lining to Ready-Made Curtains' accessed July 15, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/add-lining-readymade-curtains-73351.html
Note: Depending on which text editor you're pasting into, you might have to add the italics to the site name.
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- 2 Make Scalloped Cafe Curtains
- 3 Add a Lining to Ready-Made Curtains
- 4 Line Drapes With Flannel
Once considered trendy, grommet curtain panels have become a mainstay in decorating. Found ready-made in a plethora of fabric weights and patterns, they are suitable for use in most decor styles. Adding lining to an unlined panel increases its insulation value, adds protection against sun-bleaching of floors and furniture and increases the drapability of the panels, elevating inexpensive panels to custom-made status.
1
Lay the panel flat, wrong side up. Measure the width as the distance from the left edge to the right edge. Measure across the top, middle and bottom. Add 3 inches to the smallest measurement for the lining cut width.
2
Draw a line across the width of the curtain panel 1/2 inch below the bottom of the grommets for the position of the top of the lining.
3
Measure from the drawn line to the bottom edge of the panel. Measure at the left edge, the center and the right edge. Add 4 inches to the smallest measurement for the lining cut length.
4
Cut the lining to the required cut width and length. Join widths of lining as necessary.
5
Fold the bottom edge of the lining up to the inside 2 inches and press the fold. Turn an additional 2 inches and press the fold. Sew closely to the second fold to secure the hem.
6
Turn the top of the lining over 1/2 inch and press the fold.
7
Turn each outside edge over 1 inch and press the fold. Turn an additional inch and press. Sew closely to the second fold to secure the side hems.
8
Position the wrong side of the lining to the wrong side of the curtain panel. Align the top fold of the lining to the drawn line. Center the lining on the panel, leaving 1/2 inch of panel exposed at each side and the bottom.
9
Pin the lining in place along the top and down each side. Place the pins perpendicular to the line of stitching.
10
Sew across the top hem either by machine or by hand, sewing as closely to the top lining fold as possible.
11
Sew down the side hems either by machine or by hand, sewing as closely to the outside edges of the lining as possible. The bottom hem remains free-hanging. Press all the seams and hems and rehang the panels to complete the project.
Things You Will Need
- Lining fabric
- Tape measure
- Fabric marking pencil
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Hand-sewing needle
- Thread
- Iron
Tips
- Use blackout lining for additional coverage. The U.S. Department of Energy states that proper lining in window coverings can save up to 25 percent in heating and cooling bills.
- A twin-sized flat sheet is often just the right size for lining one premade drapery panel.
References (3)
Resources (1)
About the Author
Linda Erlam started writing educational manuals in 1979. She also writes a biweekly newspaper column, 'Design Dilemmas,' in the 'Lakeshore News' and has been published in 'Design and Drapery Pro' magazine. Erlam is a graduate of the Sheffield School of Interior Design and is a practicing interior decorator and drapery workroom operator.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Erlam, Linda. 'How to Line a Grommet Curtain Panel.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/line-grommet-curtain-panel-35176.html. Accessed 15 July 2019.
Erlam, Linda. (n.d.). How to Line a Grommet Curtain Panel. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/line-grommet-curtain-panel-35176.html
Erlam, Linda. 'How to Line a Grommet Curtain Panel' accessed July 15, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/line-grommet-curtain-panel-35176.html
Note: Depending on which text editor you're pasting into, you might have to add the italics to the site name.