Home Gardening

MATERIALS

• Curtain fabric
• Heading stiffener, 9 cm wide
• Thick cord, about 10 mm in diameter
• Curtain pole 30 mm in diameter
• Machine thread to match

ESTIMATING THE FABRIC REQUIRED

The curtain is 1,5-2 times the finished width (see instruction for estimating fabric required on Making Curtain). When calculating the length, note the top of the curtain is 6 cm below the bottom of the pole. Allow 10,5 cm for the heading and a double 10 cm hem at the base.

SEWING THE CURTAINS

1. Cut out the fabric and join the widths. Sew double 2,5 cm side hems.
2. Sew the heading stiffener to the top edge of the curtain, placing it flat and 1,5 cm down on the wrong side of the fabric.
3. Fold the top of the curtain over twide (first 1,5 cm and then with the stiffener) to form the heading. Press and slip stitch the open sides by hand.

ADDING THE CORD

1. The cord will be attached at intervals of about  14 cm. Calculate the positions for the cord attachments by dividing the finished width by 14 cm. For example, if the finished width is 100 cm, divide by 14 to get 7,14. Any fraction (i.e. 0,14) will have to be divided equally so that the intervals in this case would be 14,2cm. Mark the positions along the top of the heading with pins.
2. To make each spiral you need 26 cm of cord, with 23 cm for each end loop. To work out how much cord to buy, multiply the number of full loops by 26 cm, add 46 cm for end loops and 6 cm, sewing to the side hem.
3. Attach the cord to the heading at the marked positions, applying it in the form of a spiral. Open up the lay of the cord and sew it firmly through into the top of the heading.
4. Cover each end of the cord with a small piece of fabric stitched onto the heading.

TO FINISH

Hang the curtains to check the hem lengths. Sew a double 10 cm hem; sew and press.

Serving as both decoration and suspension method, the cord spirals stitched to the top of this curtain are dual purpose. They’re easy to make, too.