Sew Easy Cafe Curtains

I've always wanted to sew up some cute little cafe curtains, and I finally got the chance to make some for our laundry room a few weeks ago! I think that cafe curtains are so understated and country chic. They look right at home with the new vintage-inspired decor in our laundry room. These guys are SO easy to make - they would make a great beginning sewing project if you're just starting out. All that's required to sew these easy DIY cafe curtains is a bit of measuring, some pressing, and some machine hemming. Simple!

I chose to make these curtains extra easy by using curtain clips to attach them to my cafe rod. I think they also add a nice variation in texture to the curtains - I like the hardness of the metal against the softness of the fabric.

I also chose to edge these with some vintage looking crochet cotton lace trim, but you could leave the edge plain instead.

These curtains tie in with my ironing board cover - I used this gorgeous Waverly print from OnlineFabricStore.net for both.

Here's how to sew some easy DIY cafe curtains:

Materials:

1 yard fabric (I used this home decor weight print)
hard ruler & scissors
sewing machine & thread
iron
curtain clips and rod
cotton lace trim (optional) - I found mine locally, but here is something similar

Directions: (For Two Panels)

Install your cafe rod onto your window frame. I chose to install mine halfway down the frame and directly onto the outer side of the window trim.

Measure from the rod to where you want the curtains tohang. Mine falls just below the bottom trim. Add 2 inches to get the height of your panels (3 inches for the top and bottom hem minus one inch for the drop of the curtain clips).

The width of each of your panels will be the width between your curtain rod brackets plus 2 inches (to account for the side hems). I like to make my curtains 2x the width of my windows so that they have a lot of body even when closed.

Cut two panels that are the height and width that you've calculated out of your fabric. Use a straight edge to ensure the panels are nice and square and make sure you watch for fabric grain and/or pattern direction before you cut.

Fold all of the sides of your panels over ½" and press. Fold them over another ½" and press to create the side hems. Sew about ⅛" from the fold.

Fold the tops and bottoms of the panels over ½" and press. Fold them over another 1" and press to create the top and bottom hems. I like these ones a little more substantial to add some weight to the panels so that they hang nicely.

If you wish, you can then add some trim to the bottom hems by stitching some over the lower hem. I hung my lace over the hem so that you could see its detail.

Clip the curtain rings onto your panels by measuring the panels to make sure the clips are evenly spaced. Thread the rings onto your curtain rod and you're done!