• Home
  • New? Start Here
  • About Diane
  • Contact
    • Advertise/Sponsors
    • Disclosure
  • FAQ’s
  • SHOP
  • Subscribe
  • Web Stories
  • SEARCH
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

In My Own Style

Top Budget DIY Home Decorating Blog + Creative Lifestyle Ideas + Tutorials.

  • Decorating
    • Spring & Easter Decorating
    • DIY Decorating Projects
    • Decorating Advice
    • Decorating Tips and Tricks
    • No-Sew Decorating Projects
    • Window Treatments
    • Home Improvement
    • Outdoor & Exterior
    • My Current Lake House
    • My Previous House
    • Summer & Patriotic Decorating
    • Fall Decorating Ideas
    • Christmas Decorating Projects & Ideas
  • Organizing
  • Room Makeovers
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Dining Rooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Closets
  • DIY & Crafts
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
    • Insta-Style
    • Free Fonts
    • Free Printables
    • DIY Projects With a Free Printable
  • Paint Anything
    • How to Paint Anything
    • How to Spray Paint FAQ’s
    • How to Paint FAQ’s Answered
    • Invaluable Painting Tips For the Home Decorator
    • Paint Recommendations for the DIY Decorator
  • Furniture Makeovers
    • DIY Faux Finishes
    • New to DIY Chalk Paint?
    • DIY Chalk Paint Recipes For Painting Furniture
    • DIY Chalk Painted Furniture Tutorials
    • Furniture Painting Tips
  • Lifestyle
    • Style Scouting
    • Travels
    • Entertaining
    • Table Settings
    • Recipes
    • Daily Life

How To Make No Sew Drapes

April 6, 2011 · By Diane Henkler · 17 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet

In my last post I showed you how I made an inexpensive curtain rod and finals. This post is the tutorial for how I made the no sew drapes and or curtains that are hanging from that rod and finials.  I used fabric yardage, but you can use flat sheets. You can find them sold separately for a few dollars a piece at Walmart.

Read the entire post first since there are options on how to make no sew drapes and curtains. After reading you can decide which way is best for you to proceed.

no-sew-drapes

Note:  The panels I made are not lined.  The fabric selvages were not marked with any manufacturer’s marks or pattern names so they already looked finished.  I left them alone and only made finished edges on the top and bottom of my panels. This made the whole process even easier. On patterned fabrics you will need to make a finished edge on all sides of your fabric.

For No Sew Drapes and Curtains panels there are a few options on how to hang them:

How-to-put-curtain-rods-rin

  1. Use drapery hooks attached to the back of the curtain and place the ends into with drapery rings. (above photo)
  2. Use clip-on drapery rings. This is the easiest way. (photo of rings below)
  3. Make a simple rod pocket by folding the top of your panel over the diameter of the rod, plus 2-inches for no-sew seaming. Least expensive way since you do not have to buy rings or hooks.

1260402621-20885-0027837617324

I used decorative metal rings along with basic drapery hooks to hang my panels from the rod. To make sure the top heading of my fabric panel was stable or had something to push drapery hooks into – I made a finished edge with a 1-1/2” ribbon encased in the hem. This gives the hooks something to grab onto and keeps the top of the panel looking crisp – not floppy.

If you want to use decorative rings and drapery hooks:

Follow the first set of directions below to make the top (heading) hem. The rest of your fabric edges will just be a simple finished edge hem where you fold over the fabric and use fabric glue or iron-on adhesive to bond fabric together.

If using clip-on drapery rings:

Follow the second set of directions.

Directions for using Decorative Rings and Drapery Hooks

Measure your window and figure out how long your panels need to be. Add 6-inches to the length needed to allow for heading and hem.

How-to-make-a-no-sew-header

1. Figure out how long your top hem/header should be by placing a hook and ring on the top of the fabric.

2.  Fold over the fabric the size needed and place a 1 1/2-inch ribbon along the top edge the total width of the panel of fabric.

3.  Fold fabric over so ribbon is under the fold. I rolled up sheets of Heat N’ Bond and cut wide strips the size of the fold over and ribbon. Press this onto the top of the folded over fabric and let cool.  Remove paper backing from adhesive.

4.  Fold fabric over again and press, creating a finished edge with stabilization (ribbon). To make sure you are creating a good bond, turn panel over to right side and press again.

5.  Tuck in or cut excess ribbon into folds.

6.  Attach drapery hooks evenly across the top of panel. My fabric was 58” wide and I placed a hook every 8”.

7.  Place hooks on rod and then hook the hooks into each ring.

Hook-to-place-drapery-hooks

Directions for Using Clip-On Drapery Hooks

Read the directions below to create the top finished edge and side edges for your panel and then hang your panel before creating the bottom hem. This allows you to find exactly where you need to hem the bottom of the fabric – no second guessing. No matter how well I measure, I always leave the hem for last to make sure I don’t make the panels too short.  :-)

  1. Measure the length of fabric needed and add 4- 6 inches for top and bottom hem.
  2.  Fold over the fabric 1-inch and then again another inch. Place fabric glue or Heat n Bond under the folds and press with a hot iron. Let cool. Remove paper from backing if using Heat n Bond.

  3. Repeat this step on the sides if they need to be finished, but only fold over 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch.
  4. Clip a ring to the top of the drape every 8 inches or so depending on the width of your panel.
  5. Hang on rod.
  6. Hem bottom edge.

How to Make a No-Sew Finished Edge or Hem:

How-to-make-a-no-sew-hem-on

1.  Hang your panels and pin bottom to length needed.

2.  Remove and then press fabric as you pinned it.

3. Add Heat N’ Bond or fabric and press. Let cool.

4. Remove paper strip.

5. Fold fabric over again and press to adhere.

How-to-make-no-sew-drapes-f

If you would like more ideas on how to make drapes, curtains and more no – sew window treatments, click here to go to my Window Treatment Project Gallery

Look at these very clever rod and ring ideas:

Check out the curtain panels Michael over at Inspired by Charm made.  He broke apart the links from chain for his rings. Wait to you see how he hung them. Very clever. I love what he did.

And when you want an extra long curtain rod and need options check out what Mary at The Tall Chick made using electrical tubing.

 How to make no sew curtain panels 2 different ways. Budget decorating window treatment with step-by-step photo tutorial | In My Own Style

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, DIY Decorating Projects, Easy Window Treatments, Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Window Treatments, Window Treatments Sew & No Sew

Subscribe
Inspiration In Your Inbox

Inspiration In Your Inbox!

Get my latest posts, insider tips and more by email.

And don't worry, no spam and you can unsubscribe anytime.


« How To Make A Curtain Rod and Finials with a Tennis Ball
Bloggers Home Tours InMyOwnStyle 2011 »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Brenda Taylor says

    01/19/2012 at 1:29 pm

    I am interested in trying to make a window treatment sorta like a small droop swag with a tailored look kind of round look, simple could I do it with 5 1/2 yds.

    Reply
  2. darice says

    11/09/2011 at 6:45 pm

    i love the post i am starting to do all my own things i have great ideas but dont no where to start and this help alot thank you so much for sharing

    Reply
  3. Emily says

    09/07/2011 at 4:16 pm

    Hey! I got an email with your new post abt the planner… I don’t know were to respond tho… Plz put me in the draw!!! If u get this in time!!! Thx much!!!:)

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    04/12/2011 at 4:49 pm

    I love it! This and the rod is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your creative how-tos, I’ll be linking.

    Reply
  5. Connie says

    04/10/2011 at 11:22 pm

    Good ideas about no-sew curtain options. But I do want to advise that the “glue on” style tape applied with an iron does not always work on every fabric..sigh (:

    Try it first on a small section. If it works, fantastic! If not, you might try ironing on double “lines” of it. If that doesn’t work, you may have to find a person to sew the curtain panels after all.

    As a decorator I’m always excited to find a client willing and able to sew simple projects I have in mind for their room(s) design. It saves them money, they have a vested interest in their room and I don’t have to sew it for them…again, saving them money :)

    Reply
    • Diane says

      04/13/2011 at 1:17 pm

      Hi Connie-

      Thanks for the tip about the double line of tape. I have found a few heavier fabrics sometimes don’t adhere well. I then like to use some fabric glue – Beacon and Aleene’s both work well, but they need to be brushed on so they don’t leave ridges. I once helped a big name designer at a decorator showhouse hot glue wood tassel trim to his drapery for his room. He was thrilled. I have even hot glued hems on, but only did this as a last resort.

      Since I have a sewing machine – I can sew my treatments – but as you stated it is nice to have options available.

      Reply
  6. Brandy J. says

    04/08/2011 at 10:12 am

    I just found your blog and am your newest follower! You are one talented woman who has left me completely inspired. Thanks for the great blog and no-sew tips!! The curtains are fab!

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    04/07/2011 at 7:32 pm

    All of these are great options for people who do not sew. Thanks for the great tutorials.

    Reply
  8. Ashlyn says

    04/06/2011 at 10:58 pm

    Maybe even I could handle this?!
    You come up with great ideas…I don’t know how you do it!
    xo
    Ashlyn

    Reply
  9. Christine says

    04/06/2011 at 10:53 pm

    I love this idea! I have used the clippies before but never drapery hooks, love it.
    :)
    Christine
    greatoakcircle.com

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    04/06/2011 at 7:28 pm

    LOVE! I cannot sew at all, so this is a perfect project idea for me!

    Reply
  11. Krystine says

    04/06/2011 at 4:42 pm

    They turned out really good! I just found those clips for the curtain too and they work great! Thanks for the tutorial!
    Lucyluvinyl.blogspot.com

    Reply
  12. beachhouseliving says

    04/06/2011 at 4:11 pm

    This is genius! I was using sheets and cutting slits to slide the rod into. I like the clips though.

    Reply
  13. www.classiccasualhome.com says

    04/06/2011 at 3:35 pm

    Nice job. These are drapes even I could make! Thanks.

    Reply
  14. Wanda Collier says

    04/06/2011 at 3:09 pm

    How Creative you are….thank you for tutorial…because I am working on my oldest son’s house. I need some good ideas without breaking the budget. Wanda

    Reply
  15. Sherry says

    04/06/2011 at 1:22 pm

    Hi Diane,
    As always, so creative! I have a curtains in my daughter’s room that still needs a hem, I think I will use your no-sew finished hem method. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!

    Reply
  16. Jane's Junk and Treasures says

    04/06/2011 at 11:54 am

    Hey what a great idea!!!
    Thanks!!!!

    Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

search

my shop page

Search

Categories

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. InMyOwnStyle.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. InMyOwnStyle.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 In My Own Style, Diane Henkler