5 Easy DIY on How to Make Ruffled Curtains

Ruffled curtains may seem out of the option for some folks, but they are pretty awesome. They add some elegant touch to the home and can give it a facelift without much cost.

If you’ve decided to make some ruffled curtain for your windows, it would be great if you accomplish such desire. So, you can follow the details in this article on how to make ruffled curtains.

How to Make Ruffled Curtains

Steps on How to Make Ruffled Curtains

If you are keen on creating this pure decoration for your home, you can follow the steps below to make your ruffled curtains.

Step #1: Measure the Area

The first step on how to make ruffled curtains is measuring your area. Kindly get the measurement of your window or other areas where you want to install the ruffled curtains.

Ensure you take the length and width measurement, as they come in handy in making the right size of curtain.

However, you should know that the width of your ruffled curtains would be according to the design you have in mind. It can be anything from ½ inch to 8 or 10-inch wide, except you have something different in mind.

Step #2: Cutting the Fabric

By now, you already have your fabrics at hand, choosing the suitable material that comes in a matching color. Then, cut the fabric, ensuring you get multiple times the measured length of the area. When cutting for the width, ensure you cut two times the measured width of the area.

Suppose your measurements for the area come in as 50 inches for the length and 2 inches for the width. Then, you would plan on cutting your curtain material to be 150 inches long and 4 inches wide.

But before you cut, you should add 1 ½ inch to the length and 2 ¾ inches for the fabric’s seam allowances. In essence, the material would be 152 inches in length and 5 ½ inches in width.

Step #3: Fold and Stitch

Get the short ends of the fabric and fold an inch towards the wrong side. Then, press the fold while you also get the ruffle folded into half its length and press.

Continue by getting both layers stitched from ½-inch the raw end, and finish off with a serged edge or zig-zag. Kindly note that your sewing machine should run on roughly eight stitches for an inch. 

So, set up your machine and get the top tension loosened by ½ turn. For the first gathering line, stitch through the line – 5/8 inches from the fabric’s serged line. Create a lock at the line stitching’s beginning by sewing a few stitches backward.

Then, let 6-inch threads appear loose and repeat the stitching. But this time, it should be 7/8 inches from the fabric’s serged line.

Step #4: Registration Line

Registration marks would work well in bisecting the stitching lines on the fabric at ¼, ½, and ¾. Then, calculate based on your curtain’s measurement and place the registration marks on the panel section that needs the ruffle.

Then, get the ruffle pinned to the panel’s right side, ensuring that you note the registration marks. You can place the pins perpendicularly and try to look out for the gathering lines, as you don’t want a cut on any of the stitches.

Step #5: Stitching Gathering Lines

Before you start stitching both gathering lines, get in the tip of your straight pin through the last stitch and the fabric’s wrong side.

Then, lift the bottom threads, leaving only the top two threads. As you pull, the materials get forced into a ruffle and continue till you find the ruffles lying flat on the fabric.

An adjustment would be recommendable to get the gathers around the registration marks even. You can now stitch through both gathering lines and ultimately add the ruffle to the panel by removing the fabric’s gathering threads.

DIY Ruffled No-Sew Curtains

Before you think of how to make ruffled curtains, you should also consider the no-sew type. For some folks, sewing curtains may seem like a daunting task.

You can get your ruffled curtains without sewing. Still not convinced? Well, you can achieve the desired results by gathering the fabric and stapling beneath.

How Do You Make a Ruffled Valance?

Sewing a ruffled valance follows almost the same steps explained above. However, you have to cut your fabric in two halves after the first measurements of your area. Then, prepare the edges you would be sewing for both pieces and join both with a stitch. 

Hem the edges to make them appear clean, and determine how large the ruffles come out based on the rod’s circumference.

Get your registration mark done, fold the fabric along that line, and stitch. You can now make those ruffles with the idea explained above.

 

Is it Cheaper to Make Your Curtain?

One of the excellent advantages of making your curtains is the cost-effectiveness. If you sew curtains yourself, you are sure to save some pennies. You can even sew one and end up spending only $20. 

Nevertheless, the cost varies based on the curtain type, type of fabric, and more factors. So, while you search how to make ruffled curtains, you can put up the cost together after making a list of the materials involved.

Conclusion

Ruffled curtains are great, and making one is a fun-filled project that you should try. Do you find it challenging to make your ruffled curtains? You can peek through this guide on how to make ruffled curtains and get started today.