One of the easiest yet striking additions to any room can be floor-length drapes. To be honest, it is best to buy store-made products, just because of the hemming. But, in case you need a specific length then DIY is the thing to opt for.
This is where sewing takes the lead. You can make drapes of any length you want and whatever print you like. Next, you may be wondering, is it cheaper? Well, it might not be. The cost of the fabric might be way too high. You might even be looking at $100 dollars for each set of full length draperies.
Floor-length drapes do not bear curtain tabs on top or hooks connecting the fabric to the curtain rod which is not lined. These are simple fabric panels, with casings at the top threaded on a curtain rod. But the ultimate result is just great. Now, we come to the making of these drapes.
Materials Needed:
Steps to Follow:
To start off, you will need to decide the kind of fabric that you are planning to use. The general tendency is choosing a fabric which is wide and has a bit of a drape. It is best to select a fabric that can block about 85% of the entire light in the room, while also having a width worth mentioning.
For the bedroom use a stiffer canvas type material. The only concern with these materials is that they do not open or close that easily. You may also opt for your home decorator’s fabric for all your needs.
Length – Measure the size of your wall and then add about 10 inches to it. If you want puddles, keep a few inches more. For e.g. If from curtain rod to floor the length is 96 inches, then one must leave at least 10 inches for seam and another 2 inches for puddles.
Width – For the perfect look, width of curtains must be 1.5 to 2 times wider than your window.
It’s best to not skip this step. Wash and dry the fabric before sewing as they will shrink on the first wash. Keeping this in mind, it is best to buy a little longer length than required.
The iron is your best friend in this case. There is no point using pins. Only when dealing with a lot of fabric it is best to pin everything down in place, rather than ironing it.
You can use a wide hem to help weigh the drapes at the bottom. In case you run out of fabric, the bottom hem can be sewed smaller and then you may consider sewing in a set of smaller weights. Most often the required length is 3 yards, though this length can be adjusted as and when needed.
Floor-length drapes add drama to any room. Making them yourself lets you choose exactly what fabric you want. This is a huge advantage compared to the limited section of drapes that you can find in the stores.
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