How to cut, prepare, and pattern match your fabric- Part 1

Project 4 - Lined Curtain with Pencil Pleat Heading - Part 1

In this final lesson, you will be learning how to add lining to a pencil pleat curtain. So far you have only used a sewing machine to construct your curtain, but this project will introduce you to the craft of hand sewing.

You Will Need:

• Fabric
• Lining
• Needle
• Thread for hand sewing
• Measuring tape
• Clamps (desirable)
• Iron
• Pins
• Pencil
• Fabric scissors
• Threaded sewing machine
• Pencil pleat tape
• Lead penny weight

Step One

Measure your window and work out the size of your curtains.

• Refer back to the 'Guide to measuring' lesson to help you take the correct measurements you need accurately. The formulas are also detailed at the front of the workbook.
• In case you find it helpful, I have detailed my own measurements and fabric quantities for this project as an example overleaf.

Measuring for a Window Curtain

From the bottom of the ring to floor + any extra = final curtain length

Width of your window + 20cm either side x 2 = final curtain width

For example

262cm + 0cm = 262cm = final curtain length

140cm + 20cm + 20cm x 2 = 360cm = final curtain width

Working Out Quantity of Fabric Required

Final curtain width ÷ desired fabric width = drops required

Round up for final number of drops

30cm x number of drops = hem allowance

Final curtain length x number of drops + hem allowance = amount of fabric you need to buy

For example

Final curtain length = 262cm

Final curtain width = 360cm

Desired fabric width = 140cm

360cm ÷ 140cm = 2.57

Round up for final number of drops = 3 drops of fabric required

30cm x 3 = 90cm hem allowance

262cm x 3 + 90cm = 876cm of fabric to buy

Working Out Quantity of Fabric Required for a Pattern Match

Final curtain length + 30cm allowance for hems = amount of fabric for each drop

Amount of fabric for each drop ÷ length of pattern repeat = per amount of pattern repeats required

Round up to next full repeat

Number of pattern repeats required x length of pattern repeat = amount of fabric needed to achieve a pattern match

For example

Final curtain length = 262cm

Pattern repeat = 20cm

262cm + 30cm = 292cm

292cm ÷ 20cm = 14.6

Round up to next full repeat = 15 pattern repeats required

15 x 20cm = 300cm of fabric per drop to achieve pattern match

A total of 900cm of fabric to buy, cut into 3 drops at 300cm each.

Step Two

Measure and cut your fabric into the number of drops required at the correct length.

• Chances are, your table won't be large enough to do this in one go - don't worry, this is to be expected and there are ways to get around it.
• Begin by laying your fabric out as flat as you can, with at least one of the bottom corners sitting neatly into the corner of your table and the rest of the bottom lining up straight to the edge of the table. It's worth noting that not all fabric you buy will be cut straight, so you may need to address this first.
• Clamp your tape measure to the bottom corner. Measure up as far as you can go and pin horizontally - in my case, I can measure up to 2m.
• Work your way across the width of the fabric, measuring and marking up to this exact same point. You might need to pull your fabric across if your table isn't wide enough.
• Now, pull your fabric down so that your line of pins sits in line with the edge of your table.
• Repeat the process, this time just making up whatever you require to reach your length. In my case, I was able to measure 2m but I require 3m, so I am measuring an extra 1m.
• Once you have a clear line representing your required length, you can now cut across. As my fabric is linen, I am using the 'pulling a thread' method to achieve a straight cut. To do this, snip the edge of your fabric at the required point. Find a loose thread within this snip and pull it as far as you can without snapping it. This will show you a straight line to cut along.
• If you are using a different fabric, simply join up your pins with a pencil to create a straight line that you can cut across.
• It's well worth marking the back of your fabric in the bottom corners to remind you which way the fabric goes.
• Repeat this process until you have the correct number of drops all at the required length.

Step Three

If you are making a pair of curtains and have an odd number of drops, you will need to half one of them.

• Lay the length of fabric face down and clamp the bottom corner neatly into the corner of the table.
• Fold the other corner to meet the clamped corner so your fabric is now in half with the face up, then clamp together.
• Repeat this towards the top of your fabric.
• Ensure everything is neatly lined up and straight before you cut. If your fabric is patterned, you can use the design to check the fold line is straight. Once you're happy, press the fold.
• Cut along the fold - you may need to pull your fabric down and repeat the process to finish the cut if your fabric is long.

Step Four

Now, you will need to join together one half width and one full width to create your first curtain.

• When working out which piece joins to which, remember, it's better to have the full width as your leading edge. It's also worth using the crosses you marked to be certain of the bottom of your fabric and to help keep everything the same way up.
• If your fabric is patterned, you will need to pattern match.
• To do this, lay out your full width of fabric face up, flat and straight on the table and about a foot in from the edge.
• Take your half width and, folding over as little as possible, start to work your way up using your eye to match the pattern - it will take a bit of trial and error. Remember to keep everything straight, and the pattern should match at the same point all the way up.
• To hold the pattern match in place and achieve a neat final finish, you need to pin frequently.
• This process is a little fiddly - but one that I find enjoyably cathartic - so really take your time to get it right.