Purchasing Fabric and Making Your Sheers

• 1). You will need to measure your window casings to determine the amount of fabric you will need to make your sheers. Some standard sizes are as follows:
  
  60 by 80-inch window = 65 by 84-inch sheers
  72 by 80-inch window = 80 by 84-inch sheers
  96 by 80-inch window = 103 by 84-inch sheers
  120 by 80-inch window = 128 by 84-inch sheers
  
  
• 2). To make window curtain sheers for a window casing with a measurement of 60-inch width by 80-inch height, you will need to purchase 6 yards of 36- or 45-inch wide fabric. Good fabric choices are batiste, organza, gauze or loosely woven muslin. There are also unlimited patterns and colors of lace fabric that make beautiful, fancy window curtain sheers, and are a wonderful pairing for silk or damask drapes.
  
  
• 3). For each pair of window curtain panels (and you may want to use three or four panels to one window for very full sheers), you will cut two lengths of fabric 94 inches long (2 yards plus 22 inches).
  
  Create the side seams first. Using a steam iron, begin on one side of a panel, folding the fabric over 1/2 inch and ironing it down the entire length of the fabric. Fold over again on the same side and repeat ironing. It will now be easy to stitch the seam down using a running stitch with your sewing machine. Repeat on the other side of the panel.
  
  
• 4). To complete the top of the window curtain sheer, fold down the top 1/2 inch of the fabric and iron down. Stitch in place using a running stitch. To create the casing for the curtain rod, fold the fabric down 3 inches and pin in place. Iron down to assist in stitching, and create a clean fold. Stitch in place across the bottom of the seam. Next, stitch across the panel 1 inch from the top of the panel, then stitch again 2 inches down from the top stitching. You have now formed your casing.
  
  
• 5). For your curtain hem, fold the bottom 1/2 inch of the panel and iron in place. Stitch. Measure a hem of 3 inches and pin in place. Iron to make a clean fold and stitch in place. You have completed one panel. Follow the steps to complete subsequent panels.