Patchwork isn’t only for quilts. It can also be used for curtains and other home furnishings. This is a great way to use up leftover fabric from those home decorating projects.
Here’s how to make simple patchwork curtains. Start by measuring the window. In many cases, it is preferable to have the curtain reach the floor. For each window, you’ll need two panels. In order to add enough fullness, each individual panel should be equal to the width of the window. To this measurement, add hem allowances on the sides and bottom. For the top hem, add several additional inches for the rod pocket or casing.
Now comes the fun part—choosing your fabrics. For best results, all of the pieces should be the same weight. In other words, don’t mix decorator cottons with sheer materials. Also, they should require the same care when it comes to laundry instructions. So far as colors and prints are concerned, mix and match fabrics that repeat some element in the room. For example, you might have some of the original fabrics left over from pillows or slipcovers you made for the living room.
Once you’ve selected your fabrics, the next step is to decide whether you want a crazy quilt design or ordinary squares/rectangles of equal size. The former is definitely more informal, and adds visual interest to an otherwise subdued room.
For an ordinary pieced look, you have two options. Cut each individual block separately, and sew them together to form the rows of blocks. Or, use a strip piecing method, which is fast and easy. If you haven’t tried strip quilting, get one of the books by Eleanor Burns, founder of Quilt-in-a-Day, as she explains how to do this step-by-step.
A crazy quilt arrangement with irregularly shaped pieces will require more time since you’re using all different shapes and sizes of fabric.
Whichever method you use, the panels are constructed the same way. Sew all the completed blocks into rows until you have two completed panels. Trim all edges so they’re even.
Now, you’re ready to hem the sides and bottom. The easiest way to do this is to start with the bottom, and press one-fourth inch to the wrong side. Next, fold one more time to form the hem. Stitch, and proceed to do both sides on each panel.
The final step is to hem the top, adding extra allowance for the rod pocket. This casing is formed by sewing two parallel rows of stitching. The first row should be about 1½ inches down for the top. Place the next row of stitching about one to two inches below the first, depending on the thickness of your curtain rod. When this is done, give the curtains a final pressing, and they’re ready to hang.
