Project

Sheer Drapes

When a room gets beautiful natural light, the sparest of window treatments will suffice. These quick-sew curtains are hemmed on three sides, with a channel on top for the rod.

Photography: Lennart Weibull

Source: Martha Stewart Living, July/August 2020

Introduction

Learn how to sew sheer drapes. When a room gets beautiful natural light, the sparest of window treatments will suffice. For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of sheer fabric projects and other sewing projects for the home.

materials

Measuring tape

Pencil or tailors' chalk

Sheer cotton fabric (yardage depends on size of your window) (B&J Fabrics Indian-Cotton Sheer Plaid #76052172, 42" wide, $27 a yd., bandjfabrics.com)

Clothing iron

Sewing machine and supplies

Twill tape, 3/4 inch wide (Purl Soho Cotton Twill Tape, 3/4", $1.25 a yd., purlsoho.com)

steps

Measure height and width of the inside frame of your window. Add 1 1⁄2 inches to width (to allow for side hems) and 3 inches to height (to allow for top and bottom hems and curtain-rod channel). Measure, mark, and cut out fabric.
Fold sides and bottom edge of fabric under by 3/8 inch; press with iron. Fold under by 3/8 inch again; pin and edge-stitch (stitch around the three sides, close to edge of fold). Fold top edge of fabric under by 3/8 inch; press. Fold under by another 1 1⁄2 inches (to create channel) and edge-stitch.
Cut an 18-inch length of twill tape. Fold in half, to a 9-inch length. Pin at fold at bottom inner corner of curtain. Stitch in place by hand.