Instructions on how to make lined curtains

Making Lined Curtains:

By adding a lining to curtains not only enhances the look of them but can protect the face fabric from sunlight. There are a number of linings which can be used including cotton and man made which come in a range of colours. To aid insulation thermal linings can be used. Blackout linings are useful in children's rooms as they cut out 99% of light, also handy for night workers.
These free illustrated sewing instructions will enable you to make your own lined curtains as your window treatments.

	Requirements:	Figure 1: Attaching the heading tape.
	Fabric and lining as already calculated.
	Curtain heading tape if required.
	Matching thread, synthetic is best in most circumstances.
	Sharp pair of scissors.
	If possible use a large area on which to cut out fabric/lining. I use a piece of chipboard 8' by 4', cut in half and hinged, covered in an old sheet, which I place on top of the kitchen table.

	Cutting Out:
	Take time to check all measurements before cutting, and check fabric for faults before it is cut as cut lengths cannot normally be exchanged.
	Measure the first length carefully and cut at a right angle to the selvedge.
	If you are using a plain fabric or one with vertical stripes you can start cutting from the end of the fabric ( providing it is straight).
	If you are using a fabric with a very large pattern, check where the main part of the pattern will fall. It will look better if the main part of the pattern is just above the bottom hem ( don't forget to allow for a 6" (15cms) hem allowance at the bottom, 2" (2.5cms) at the top for curtains with tape and 4" (10)cms at the top for curtains with a cased heading).
	Cut the first length which can then be used as a template on top of the remaining fabric.
	Cut further lengths always checking that the pattern is matching.
	Mark the top right right side and centre bottom with a pin.
	Cut out lengths of lining fabric.

	Making Up:
	If you require more than one width of fabric in each curtain join together using a flat seam.
	For patterned fabrics place right sides together and pin every 3" (7.5 cms) matching the pattern as you go.
	To do this place one width of fabric right side up on the table and another right side down on top of it.
	Fold back the seam allowance of the top layer until you can match up the pattern.
	Work your way along the length pinning as you go
	Before stitching check the pattern is matched on the right side. Stitch and press the seam allowance open.
	Join all seams on fabric and lining, noting that half widths are added to the outside edge of each curtain.
	Join linings with a 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance.
	Press and pin a double hem at the lower edge of the lining.
	Machine stitch close to the top fold of the hem, this is to avoid dust getting trapped.
	Press and pin double 3" (7.5cms) hem at lower edge of curtain. DO NOT STITCH.
	To attach the lining to the curtains place with right sides together matching up any seams.
	Place the top folds of the hems together so that the lining is 1" (2.5cms) shorter than the curtain.
	Trim the side seam allowance of the lining so that the curtain is 2" (5cms) wider than the lining ( 1" (2.5cms) each side ).
	Line up the edges of the curtain and lining at each side and stitch together 1" (2.5cms) up from the hem to the top on each side, making sure not to catch the curtain hem allowance in the stitches.
	Turn right sides out and press 1" (2.5cms) of curtain fabric onto the wrong side at each edge and seam allowance towards the centre of the curtain.
	Slip stitch hem of curtain, mitring corners and leaving the lining to hang outside the hem of the curtain.
	For curtains with a cased heading turn down and press 1" (2.5cms) at the top of the curtain and then another 3" (7.5cms).Check the length at this stage and adjust if necessary. Sew a line of stitches 1" (2.5cms) down from the fold and another line along the bottom of the hem, leaving the ends open.
	For curtains with taped headings, turn 2" (5cms) down at top edge onto wrong side and press. Check length at this stage and adjust if necessary
	Place heading tape onto the back of the fabric and, overlapping by at least 1" (2.5cms) at each end, pin in place.
	Fasten the tape cords at the inside edge of the curtain by knotting together, turn under end of tape and pin.
	Free the cords at the outside edge and turn under the excess tape.(See Figure 1 above).
	Stitch the tape along the top and bottom edges with the two rows of stitching running in the same direction and securing the cords at the inside edge.
	Pull up the cords until the curtain is the desired width ( approximately half the track width ).
	Tie the cords together but do not cut off the surplus. Either form them into a roll and tuck them into the end of the tape or wind them onto a cord tidy and hang at the back of the curtain.
Tip:	For a 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance mark a pencil line on your sewing machine 1" (2.5cms) to the right of the needle. Line edge of fabric with pencil line and sew.

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Making Lined Curtains:

Requirements:

Fabric and lining as already calculated.

Curtain heading tape if required.

Matching thread, synthetic is best in most circumstances.

Sharp pair of scissors.

If possible use a large area on which to cut out fabric/lining. I use a piece of chipboard 8' by 4', cut in half and hinged, covered in an old sheet, which I place on top of the kitchen table.

Cutting Out:

Take time to check all measurements before cutting, and check fabric for faults before it is cut as cut lengths cannot normally be exchanged.

Measure the first length carefully and cut at a right angle to the selvedge.

If you are using a plain fabric or one with vertical stripes you can start cutting from the end of the fabric ( providing it is straight).

Cut the first length which can then be used as a template on top of the remaining fabric.

Cut further lengths always checking that the pattern is matching.

Mark the top right right side and centre bottom with a pin.

Cut out lengths of lining fabric.

Making Up:

If you require more than one width of fabric in each curtain join together using a flat seam.

For patterned fabrics place right sides together and pin every 3" (7.5 cms) matching the pattern as you go.

To do this place one width of fabric right side up on the table and another right side down on top of it.

Fold back the seam allowance of the top layer until you can match up the pattern.

Work your way along the length pinning as you go

Before stitching check the pattern is matched on the right side. Stitch and press the seam allowance open.

Join all seams on fabric and lining, noting that half widths are added to the outside edge of each curtain.

Join linings with a 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance.

Press and pin a double hem at the lower edge of the lining.

Machine stitch close to the top fold of the hem, this is to avoid dust getting trapped.

Press and pin double 3" (7.5cms) hem at lower edge of curtain. DO NOT STITCH.

To attach the lining to the curtains place with right sides together matching up any seams.

Place the top folds of the hems together so that the lining is 1" (2.5cms) shorter than the curtain.

Trim the side seam allowance of the lining so that the curtain is 2" (5cms) wider than the lining ( 1" (2.5cms) each side ).

Line up the edges of the curtain and lining at each side and stitch together 1" (2.5cms) up from the hem to the top on each side, making sure not to catch the curtain hem allowance in the stitches.

Turn right sides out and press 1" (2.5cms) of curtain fabric onto the wrong side at each edge and seam allowance towards the centre of the curtain.

Slip stitch hem of curtain, mitring corners and leaving the lining to hang outside the hem of the curtain.

For curtains with a cased heading turn down and press 1" (2.5cms) at the top of the curtain and then another 3" (7.5cms).Check the length at this stage and adjust if necessary. Sew a line of stitches 1" (2.5cms) down from the fold and another line along the bottom of the hem, leaving the ends open.

For curtains with taped headings, turn 2" (5cms) down at top edge onto wrong side and press. Check length at this stage and adjust if necessary

Place heading tape onto the back of the fabric and, overlapping by at least 1" (2.5cms) at each end, pin in place.

Fasten the tape cords at the inside edge of the curtain by knotting together, turn under end of tape and pin.

Free the cords at the outside edge and turn under the excess tape.(See Figure 1 above).

Stitch the tape along the top and bottom edges with the two rows of stitching running in the same direction and securing the cords at the inside edge.

Pull up the cords until the curtain is the desired width ( approximately half the track width ).

Tie the cords together but do not cut off the surplus. Either form them into a roll and tuck them into the end of the tape or wind them onto a cord tidy and hang at the back of the curtain.

For a 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance mark a pencil line on your sewing machine 1" (2.5cms) to the right of the needle. Line edge of fabric with pencil line and sew.