Understanding the process - Part 1

Project 1- An Unlined Rod Pocket Curtain - Part 1

You Will Need:

• Fabric
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Clamps (desirable)
• Iron
• Pins
• Pencil
• Fabric scissors
• Threaded sewing machine
• Lead weight tape - 25g for shorter curtain, or 50g for longer curtain
• Piping foot for sewing machine (desirable)

Step One

Cut your fabric to the required width.

• Lay your fabric out on the table flat and straight; you can use clamps to keep it in place.
• Pull your tape measure out to your curtain width measurement. It can be really helpful to clamp the tape measure so it stays in position.
• Use a pin or pencil to mark your curtain width on the fabric.
• As I am using a striped fabric, I can use the pattern to cut a straight line. If you're using a plain fabric, measure your curtain width at 10-15cm increments up the fabric using a pin or pencil to mark each time. Then you can join up these marks with a pencil to cut a straight line with your fabric scissors.

Step Two

Cut your fabric to the required length.

• Remember, this will be your curtain length + 30cm.
• Make sure your fabric is still flat and straight on the table - you may need to adjust its position depending on the size of your table.
• Use the same method as above to measure the length, and cut.

Step Three

Add your side hems.

• Adjust your fabric again so it is flat and straight, using the edge of your table as a guide and clamping if desired.
• I use the four show two method (described below) to add side hems.
• Fold 4cm along the entirety of one side of your fabric and press for a crisp line using either a ruler or an iron.
• Unfold, and fold 2cm into the pressed 4cm line, so the very edge of your fabric is in the fold line you've just made, and then press.
• Finally, double fold this along the already pressed 4cm line, so the 4cm fold line is now the edge of your curtain.
• Add some pins to secure the hem.
• Straight stitch as close to the edge of the hem as possible, i.e. not the edge of the fabric.
• Repeat this on the other side of your fabric to create your second side hem. Make sure the hems are folded the same way - you want the bulk of all your hems to be on the back of your curtain.

Step Four

Add your lead weight tape to the bottom of your curtain - this will help it to hang well.

• Place the lead weight tape roughly 1.5cm from the bottom of the curtain.
• Fold the fabric around it.
• Use a piping foot to stitch as tightly as you can against the lead weight to hold it in place.
• Trim away the excess of the tape.