Instructions on making scalloped cafe curtains

Making Cafe Curtains:

Cafe curtains are an economical way of screening the lower part of a window to give privacy and are ideal as kitchen curtains. They are hung from a rod, pole or curtain wire positioned halfway down the window or on a glazing bar. There is usually only one curtain at each window which can be flat or slightly gathered. Because they can be seen from outside, unlined cafe curtains look best made from fabrics with a colour woven pattern such as gingham. These are free illustrated instructions for sewing and making a cafe curtain with a scalloped heading for your windows.

	Requirements:
	Suitable cotton thread
	Curtain rings (one for each scallop)
	Cafe rod, pole or curtain wire to fit across window frame
	Matching thread
	Paper pattern for scalloped heading


Figure 1: Making paper pattern when space is in the centre of the curtain.	Figure 2: Making paper pattern when scallop is in the centre of the curtain.

	Making the paper pattern:
	Use a strip of graph paper half the width of the curtain and 3.5" (9cms) deep. Mark which end will be the centre point. The scallops must be evenly shaped and spaced so use a compass or a suitable object such as a cup or saucer to draw them. Approximate dimensions for the scallops are 2" (5cms) deep, 4" (10cms) wide and 1" (2.5cms) apart. Position the scallops so that either one falls in the centre of the curtain, or there is a space between the scallops in the centre ( in this case allow 0.5" (1.25cms) as the pattern is half the width of the curtain). See figures 1 and 2 above. Adjust the spacing and the scallops until they fit evenly across the width. Cut out the scallop shapes.

	Making an unlined Cafe curtain:
	Fix the rod or pole in place at the desired height, and slide on the curtain rings.
	For the length, measure from the bottom of the curtain rings to the window sill. Add 4" (10cms) to make a turned under facing at the top edge and 2" (5cms) for the bottom hem.
	The width of the curtain is equal to the width of the window plus 1.25" (3cms) seam allowance and an additional 4" (10cms) to add a little fullness.
	Cut the fabric to the required size.
	Turn under 3/8" (1cm) along top edge of curtain, press and stitch.
	Turn under 0.25" (5mm) and then a further 0.5" (1cm) down each side edge, press and stitch.
	Lay the curtain on a flat surface, right side facing and turn down 3.5" (9cms) along top edge across the width of the curtain and pin in place.
	Mark centre of curtain at top fold.
	Position centre of pattern on centre make, matching top edge of pattern to top fold. Pin in place.
	Draw round the curves of the scallops. Remove pattern and repeat for other half of curtain.
	Cut out the scallops 0.5" (1cm) inside the marked lines to allow for seams.
	Pin and machine stitch around each scallop.
	Clip seam allowance to ease round scallops. See figure 3 below.
	Turn right side out and press.
	Slipstitch edges of curtain and facing together at each end.
	Stitch a curtain ring to the top of each scallop.
	Turn up a double 1" (2.5cms) hem at bottom edge and pin.
	Slide curtain onto pole to check length and adjust if necessary. The hem should be just above the window sill.
	Slipstitch hem in place and press.
	Slide curtain onto pole.

Figure 3:
Stitching scallops on unlined cafe curtain.

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Making Cafe Curtains:

Requirements:

Making the paper pattern:

Making an unlined Cafe curtain:

Fix the rod or pole in place at the desired height, and slide on the curtain rings.

For the length, measure from the bottom of the curtain rings to the window sill. Add 4" (10cms) to make a turned under facing at the top edge and 2" (5cms) for the bottom hem.

The width of the curtain is equal to the width of the window plus 1.25" (3cms) seam allowance and an additional 4" (10cms) to add a little fullness.

Cut the fabric to the required size.

Turn under 3/8" (1cm) along top edge of curtain, press and stitch.

Turn under 0.25" (5mm) and then a further 0.5" (1cm) down each side edge, press and stitch.

Lay the curtain on a flat surface, right side facing and turn down 3.5" (9cms) along top edge across the width of the curtain and pin in place.

Mark centre of curtain at top fold.

Position centre of pattern on centre make, matching top edge of pattern to top fold. Pin in place.

Draw round the curves of the scallops. Remove pattern and repeat for other half of curtain.

Cut out the scallops 0.5" (1cm) inside the marked lines to allow for seams.

Pin and machine stitch around each scallop.

Clip seam allowance to ease round scallops. See figure 3 below.

Turn right side out and press.

Slipstitch edges of curtain and facing together at each end.

Stitch a curtain ring to the top of each scallop.

Turn up a double 1" (2.5cms) hem at bottom edge and pin.

Slide curtain onto pole to check length and adjust if necessary. The hem should be just above the window sill.

Slipstitch hem in place and press.

Slide curtain onto pole.