Sew Curtains For Your Patio Door

Making curtains for your patio door will give you extra privacy and a softer look and the added bonus is that this is a beginner-friendly sewing project.

Seven Steps For Sewing Curtains For Your Patio Door

Choose your method of hanging step 1- rail or pole.
Choose your method of hanging step 2 – tab-top, channel, header tape or eyelets.
Measure to see how much fabric you will need.
Choose your fabric.
Buy your fabric and pre-wash and dry it.
Cut and sew your curtains.
Hang your curtains and admire.

Choose Your Method Of Hanging – Rail Or Pole?

You can choose a curtain rail or curtain pole, but be aware that some types of curtain work much better on one or the other. See the table below for more information.

When you are choosing your pole, you might think that adjustable metal poles seem a good idea (because you don’t need to choose them to fit exactly), but you will have a ridge part way along the pole and this can make the curtains, especially tab top curtains, awkward to open and close. (See this post on how to mount a rail or post)

You can avoid difficulties with opening curtains by tying back the curtains approximately three quarters of the way down with white ribbon or rope to hold the curtains open without moving the curtain on the pole.

For a sliding patio door, you may prefer to have one large curtain that you can pull out of the way as you open the door. Alternatively use a narrower curtain on the side where the door opens.

Choose Your Method Of Hanging – Tab-top, Channel, Header Tape or Eyelet holes?

Choosing the method of hanging depends on personal choice, amount of fabric required and your confidence with sewing.

Curtain Type	Pole or rail?	Top of curtain starts above, on or below rail?	Level of difficulty
Channel	Pole	On	Very Easy
Hidden tab-top	Pole	Above	Easy
Tab- top	Pole	Below	Medium
Tied Tab-top	Pole	Below	Medium
Header Tape	Pole with rings or rail	Above	Medium
Eyelet Hole	Pole	Above	Difficult

How Much Fabric Will You Need?

If you are making cotton curtains on a budget , you need to be especially careful that you do not scrimp too much on fabric requirements to allow a little extra for shrinkage in washing.

Vertical seams on curtains are not that visible, but horizontal seams, apart from hems and fixings, are to be avoided. Tab – top curtains are a great way to save the day if your curtains end up a bit too short , especially as you can use any white fabric or even wide satin ribbon to make the tabs.

You may prefer to add extra length so that the curtain pools on the floor for a touch of luxury, but remember that white curtains will get dirty on a patio door, especially if they touch the floor.

Choose Your Fabric

If you want a matt finish for your curtain, try muslin which is a fairly sheer and inexpensive cotton fabric or buy cotton sheeting which is less sheer but is sold as wider fabric, meaning less seams. Prewash your fabric before you cut it as cotton is prone to shrink. Tumble-drying will increase shrinkage.

Polyester fabrics including voile will have a shiny finish.

Whilst choosing fabric, price will obviously play a part. Bear in mind that you will need several meters, perhaps 13 m or 14 yards for a typical patio door.

Importantly, make a note of the width of the fabric, since you will need it for the calculation below.

How To Calculate Fabric Needs For Patio Door Curtains

You will need to know the width of the fabric for the calculation.
Since the curtain will extend beyond the frame, ensure that you measure the length of the curtain pole or rail rather than the width of the door or window.
Measure the length of the drop required and add 15 cm or 6 inches for hems and another 5 cm or 3 inches for shrinkage if using cotton. (Note that for tab top curtains you can add 5 cm or 3 inches, rather than 15-20 cm or 6-9 inches, but you will then need to add fabric for the tabs themselves)
This will be the adjusted drop length.
Decide how gathered you would like your curtain. 1.5 times the width is a general guide for door curtains, whereas you would normally use at least twice the width for a window curtain.
The number of drops you will need is calculated by this sum: length of pole x 1.5 / width of fabric
Round the number of drops up to the next whole number (unless the number is extremely close to the lower whole number) e.g. round 2.3 to 3.0 but 2.1 to 2.0
If this number is odd, unless you are making one large curtain for a sliding door, you will need to split one drop top to bottom to make the two curtains even.
This number is the adjusted number of drops
The length of fabric you will need is calculated by multiplying the adjusted number of drops by the adjusted drop length.

General Instructions For All Types Of Curtain

Read this checklist before you start:

Decide if you will join multiple panels or hang them separately.
To join panels: Pin the two lengths together, along their length, and sew as straight a line as you can, approximately 1cm or half an inch from the edge (or slightly wider to hide the selvedge).
Hem the sides (or leave as selvedge- this will give you extra width without fraying)
Hem the top and bottom. ( Note that you may prefer to leave pressing and sewing the bottom hem until you have hung the curtain since if you find that the curtain is going to be just a little too short, you can make the bottom hem a bit narrower.) Some people prefer a hand sewn hem.

Making A Curtain With A Channel

This is probably the easiest type of curtain. Make the top hem wide enough to thread the pole through.

Measure from the top of the pole to the floor and add at least 13 cm or 5 inches for top and bottom hems.
Cut your pre-washed and dried fabric.
Sew panels together if required.
Start the top channel by turning over 1 cm or half an inch at the top and press.
Continue with the top channel by measuring a further 6 cm or 2.5 inches and turn over and press.
Turn over and press 1 cm or half an inch for the bottom hem.
Repeat the turn and press for the bottom hem.

Sew the top and bottom hems close to each fold line.
Thread the curtain pole through the top hem to give a gathered effect.
Add an extra seam across the top of the curtain if you prefer the curtain to sit slightly higher on the pole.

Making Three Types Of Tab-Top Curtain

Tab-top curtains use small strips of fabric doubled over and attached to the top of the curtain. These strips go over the curtain pole and suspend the curtains and can be hidden or visible.

See this post for a detailed guide on making this type of curtain.

Making A Curtain With A Header Tape

A very sheer curtain will show a header tape, but header tapes give the most control on gathering the top of a curtain. Make sure that you buy hooks that match your rail because they are not universal and it is annoying if your hooks frequently fall off or don’t glide well.

Measure the length of the drop from the top of the pole to the floor and add 15 cm or 6 inches for top and bottom hems.
Turn over 1 cm or half an inch at the top and press
Turn over a further 9 cm or 3.5 inches ( or more for a very wide tape. Measure and check your tape will be hidden in the hem) and press
Turn over and press 1 cm or half an inch for the bottom hem
Repeat the turn and press for the bottom hem.
Sew the top and bottom hems close to each fold line.

Measure the width of the curtain and add 2 cm or 1 inch to calculate the length of header tape required for each curtain.
Fold 1cm or half an inch of tape back at each end as a hem. This does not need to be sewn as the top and bottom seams will keep it tidy.
Pin the tape across the top hem, without puckering, ensuring that you do not pull the strings out.
Sew the top and bottom of the tape to the curtain, making sure the seams do not go over the strings.
Gently ease the strings out of one side and tie together so that they do not get lost.
Then, pull the other ends of the strings evenly until the curtain is the desired width, tie in a secure bow or knot and tuck the ends under the edge of the tape.

Making A Curtain With Eyelet Holes

Eyelet hole top is really beyond the scope of all but the most accomplished home sewists and I think it’s much easier to buy them ready-made.