Skip to main content

Tag: adding trim on curtains

A Simple Idea for Customizing Store Bought Curtain Panels

After more work this past weekend on the master bedroom, I can say it’s almost done and I couldn’t be happier with the overall refresh.

Everything in the space has been upcycled, repurposed, or DIYed, so essentially little $$$ (money) has been spent on jazzing it up – that’s my favorite kind of room makeover.

Today, I’m going to share the details on the new window curtain panels.  Now, you know I went darker with the focal wall, so that meant the layers in the space needed to go lighter to create balance and contrast.

I found pretty, but basic cream-colored solid velvet rod pocket curtain panels at Lowes and thought they’d be a perfect base for the room.  Of course, I couldn’t just leave them as-is and had to customize them to give them a designer, custom look.

This is the result…

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

I forgot to snap a picture of the packaging, but believe me the ‘before’ was a simple cream-colored curtain. AND each of them were a wrinkled mess. Here is a peak at what they looked like.

Store Bought curtains 'before'

Plain Jane.

Now the ‘How-To‘ on  jazzing them up to give a custom, designer-look…

Materials Used:

  • Store Bought curtain panel(s)
  • Fabric for leading edge – 1 yd. was enough for 3 panels
  • Matching thread for leading edge fabric
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron
  • Measuring tape
  • Misc / typical sewing materials + supplies

When shopping for a leading edge fabric, I found a deep plum colored material that coordinated perfectly with some of the other accents in the room.  I purchased 1.5 yds, but only used about 1 yd.

Once I determined that I wanted to have a 3″ leading edge, I layed out the fabric and marked off, then cut every 4-1/2″.

Here is the breakdown: 3″ finished leading edge + 1/2″ seam on side edge + 1″ seam on the other edge = 4-1/2″

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

I used chalk to make the 4-1/2″ line, but a straight edge could also be used.  Then using the same straight edge or a scissor, cut the line.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

One strip of fabric won’t be enough length needed to create the leading edge, so two strips will need to be sewn together to create one long strip (then depending on your panel length, you should have a longer strip than panel).

For my 3 panels, I cut 6 strips that were each 4-1/2″ wide, then put 2 of the ends together and sewed them.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

Once the longer 3 strips were made, it was time to iron the edges to create (1) side that has a 1/2″ seam and (1) side that has a 1″ seam.

I used a tape measure to make sure my 3″ was consistent throughout the entire strip.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

Once the 3 strips were ironed, it was time to attach them to the curtain panel.

I started off by placing the curtain panel and the leading edge fabric face down, leaving extra contrast fabric at the top and bottom.  Then I tucked the edge of the curtain panel into the 1″ folded side of the leading edge fabric and pinned it in place.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

It was time to sew.

I started by sewing the edge of the curtain to the edge of the contrast fabric.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

Then I sewed the other edge.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

Once each side was done, I was ready to deal with the 2 ends at the top and bottom of the curtain.  At each end, I folded over the extra fabric and sewed.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

Once the top and bottom were sewed, I trimmed the extra threads, and the panel was complete!

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

Instead of using the rod pocket, I used rings with clips to hang the panels.

Here is a good closeup view and you can see how the leading edge fabric is sewed all the way around onto the edge of the curtain panel.

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, www.sasinteriors.net

The windows in my bedroom are large and here is a peak at how the space is all coming together…

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

Add a leading edge to customize any store bought window curtain panel - Tutorial by @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

It feels great to have this space almost complete – Finally after almost 2 years!

If you want to see some more ideas and inspiration on creating / embellishing curtain panels, take a look at these past posts:
How-To Make a Simple Lined Window Panel
Drop Cloth Curtain Panel with Leading Edge Detail
How To Add Decorative Trim to Curtains {for cheap}
How-To Hem Curtains
Adding Stripes to Curtains using Paint
The Right (and Wrong) Way to Hang a Curtain
10 Online Resources for Affordable Curtains

Have you ever jazzed up typical curtain panels? Or do you stick with the store-bought style? Have you had window panels custom made?  Was it worth the cost for custom? It really is amazing what can be done with a little fabric and/or trim!