How to Sew Ruffled Cape Code Style Curtains
- 1). Measure from the top of your window casing to the bottom to get the measurement for your curtain panels. Add 6 inches. Cut out the panels to these dimensions.
- 2). Turn under the raw edges at the bottom of both curtain panels 1/2 inch and again another 1/2 inch. Pin the fabric in place. Sew it from the bottom hem.
- 3). Cut out four pieces of fabric to the current length and 3 inches wide for the ruffles. Sew two of the ruffle lengths end to end for one curtain panel and repeat with the other two lengths for the other curtain panel.
- 4). Turn under the raw edges on one side of the ruffle lengths 1/4 inch and again another 1/4 inch. Pin it in place. Sew down the length of the ruffle to form the hem. Repeat with the other ruffle length.
- 5). Repeat the process to hem both short ends of the ruffle lengths.
- 6). Adjust your sewing machine to make a gathering stitch. Sew the gathering stitch into the remaining long side of both of the ruffle lengths. Leave 8 inches of extra thread to use to form the actual ruffles.
- 7). Pin one ruffle length to one side of the curtain panel. Move the ruffle down 6 inches from the top of the curtain to allow for the rod casing later. Make sure the right sides are together and the raw edges line up.
- 8). Find the middle of both the curtain panel and the ruffle and pin them together. Pull the gathering threads for one half of the ruffle at a time. Use plenty of pins to hold your ruffle in place while you sew. Repeat with the other curtain panel and ruffle. Hem the remaining long side of the curtain panel.
- 9). Fold down the top of the curtain panels 6 inches or down to the ruffle. Fold under the raw edge 1/2 inch. Pin it and sew it in place. Sew another seam 2 inches down from the top of the curtain to make the rod casing and complete the curtain panels.
- 10
Cut a piece of fabric that is double the width of the window and 15 inches long. Sew a hem in the two short sides and the bottom. Form a rod casing as in Step 11, but fold the top down only 4 inches.
