how to make flat panel draperies.

I am going to explain how to make a simple, flat panel drapery for your bare windows!
You can use simple clip rings to hang this panel, which is so easy!


What you will need {besides your sewing machine} :
main drapery fabric, white/cream lining, thread, measuring tape, fabric marker, scissors, long ruler


It really is so simple and with a little math we will begin...
{skip to the words in BOLD to determine how much fabric to buy}


Step 1: {determining length to cut your main fabric}



To determine how long you would like your draperies, get out your measuring tape!


Just measure from where you would like your drapery to begin, to the floor.
{I like my rod to be about halfway between the ceiling and the top of the window}

 {here is an example of a rod halfway in between the ceiling and top of window}

Now take your drapery length measurement and add 1/2'' {for top seam} and add 4'' {for hem}



desired drapery length{DL} + 4.5'' = cut length for main drapery fabric {CDL, cut drapery length}


For example we will use a standard 84'' drapery length.
{84'' + 4.5'' = 88.5''}

If you would like your draperies to "puddle" on the floor... add another 3'' to the length.


**If you are doing one window you will need 2 panels, 
so multiply your drapery cut length {CDL} by two to get how much fabric you will need.  
For 2 windows CDL x 4... for 3 windows CDL x 6... etc...

{but for my example of one window 88.5'' x 2 = 177, which is amount of fabric needed}
I always buy 12'' extra to be safe.


**FOR FABRICS WITH A PRINT...
fabrics with prints are a little extra fabric, because you want to start the design in the same place....
The print has a "repeat" pattern... so measure the repeat and determine how much extra to buy.
Basically you want to start your top of the drapery in the same place, to get mirror images.
A sales associate can help  you if you get stuck!  



{the small cross on the side of the fabric, show where the pattern begins to repeat itself}



Step 2: {cut your main fabric}


Now we are going to cut your fabric...
Roll your fabric out flat.
First you need to make sure your fabric is straight across to begin with... use your long ruler to draw a straight line and cut.


Now that you have a straight line on the bottom, you are going to measure and mark.
You will do this in 3 places on your fabric and then draw a straight line across using your ruler.
{for example, I measured and cut a 88.5'' length piece of fabric}

I drew the picture b/c it is too big to take a photo!



Congratulations you just cut your first drapery!


For one window you will need 2 panels, so measure and cut a second piece.

**If you are using a print on your drapery...
When cutting the 2nd panel make sure that you start measuring at the same place on the print, as your first panel!
You want your prints to match!!


Step 3: {determine length to cut your lining}


Now we are going to figure the lining length...


take your cut length {CDL} measurement and subtract 2'' from that number.

CDL - 2'' = lining cut length {CLL} 
**remember to multiple accordingly for number of windows


This will make your lining 2'' shorter than your main drapery fabric.
{88.5'' - 2'' = 86.5''}


Step 4: {cut your lining}


Roll out your lining.
Make sure you have a straight line across the bottom to start with... if not mark and cut.
Now measure and cut your lining using the CLL measurement {ex. 86.5''}


Step 5: {hem your main drapery fabric and lining}


We will now hem both the main drapery fabric and lining.
Using your ruler, fold your fabric 4'' from the bottom and iron.
Now fold the edge under 0.5'' and iron.
This will create your hem and give you a deep 3.5'' hem, creating a very professional drapery look :)
Iron and create the hem for all of your main drapery fabric and lining panels.




{I serged the edge of my lining, but just turn under if you do not have a serger}

Now get ready to sit and begin sewing!
You will need to hem your draperies and you can do this in two different ways...
straight stitch across or blind hem stitch... this will all depend on your fabric and what will look best.
but for me... most days i just straight stitch :)

After hemming all of your drapery panels, we will begin to put them together.


Step 6: {connecting the top of the main drapery fabric to the lining}


Fold the panels in half width wise to find the center of each panel.
Usually I mark the center with a fabric marking pen or place a pin at the center point.


We will now match the CENTER top of one main drapery panel with CENTER top of one drapery lining at the top of the drapery {do NOT match the hems}



We will sew the top of the draperies together, with RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER!
Using a 0.5'' seam, sew the top of your main fabric and lining panels together.

At the bottom, the lining should be 2'' short from meeting the bottom of the main drapery fabric...
They should also be RIGHT SIDES together... have i already said that :)




{bottom of draperies should look something like this}

Now flip!!!
Get your iron out and iron the top of your drapery to create a pretty drapery top.
You are going to have the main drapery fabric come over the top of your drapery about a 0.25''.




 Step 7: {sewing the side seams of the drapery panel}


 Now we are going to sew together the sides of the drapery.

After you have flipped and ironed the top of the drapery...
Lay your drapery out on the floor with the lining facing up and the main drapery fabric facing down...
On the edge you will fold the main drapery fabric around and create a casing around the lining.
The best way to understand is to look at the picture.



Until you get good, I would pin into place all the way down the panel.
Do this on both sides.


{this is what the top will look like}

Now you will straight stitch {or blind hem} all the way down the side of the panel...
Do this on both sides!


Congratulations!!! You have just finished your first flat panel drapery.
Use clip rings to hang on your drapery rod!


Adding pleats is a little more math, but I plan on sharing those details soon!!


Until then... here's a post for pretty windows :)

how to gather fabric. {from 3-tiered skirt post}

Now we are going to create a gathering stitch to ruffle the top portion of the tier #2

Adjust your sewing machine to a stitch length of 5.

Top stitch along the edge of tier #2. I am using different color thread so you can see what I am doing.

Now you are going to ruffle the top of tier #2 to the length of tier #1.

You do this by pulling on the bottom thread and holding the fabric. As you pull the thread the fabric should ruffle.

How to make a pillow.

Who doesn't need a pillow here or there?
I will say this is the simplest and most basic way to begin sewing!
I put a monogram and ruffle around the pillow, but that is optional.

So let's get started...

First you are going to cut out your fabric.
Determine what size you would like your pillow to be... {mine is 20''x12''}
If you don't know what size, just find a pillow you like and measure it!



I cut out my fabric and did a monogram on the front, but you can skip that step!

Next I am going to create a ruffle, but this is OPTIONAL!
Just skip down if you want to do a basic pillow...

To determine how much ruffle you are going to need...

Circumference of the pillow x 2.5 = length of strip for ruffle
{64 x 2.5 = 160}
since my fabric is 54'' wide, I am going to cut 3 strip of my fabric length

Cut a piece of paper 6''.  This will give us about a 2.5'' ruffle after folding and seam allowance.
Place the paper on the fabric, as a guide and cut your strip.



Once you get started, you can also fold the fabric and use it as a guide to cut your strip... {trick from my mom}



Now fold and iron the strip of fabric in half.
{make sure your seams connecting each strip are inside the fold}




We will now ruffle the fabric strip.
I have a ruffle foot for my machine that does the work for me.
If you do not have one, it is a wonderful investment, especially for fabrics that will not gather easily!

If not then you can do two different things...
1.  For thicker fabric, I suggest folding the fabric and sewing to create your own ruffle.
2.  Thinner fabrics, using a basting stitch {length 5} and sew at the top of the ruffle. Make sure you catch both edges of the fabric.  Then gather by pulling the bottom thread.  {i explain how to gather in this post, making a 3 tiered skirt}

Your ruffle should look something like this...



Now we are going to put our pillow together...
If you didn't do a ruffle, then pick up the tutorial right here!

Place the first piece of fabric on the floor with RIGHT SIDE facing you.
If you have a ruffle, place the ruffle on top meeting the edges of the fabric, with the ruffle inside the pillow.
Pin your ruffle in place. 



Sew around the pillow and attach the ruffle.
You will come now need to attach the two raw ends of the ruffle together to make a circle.
You can do this after you pin and determine, where they will meet...
But I like to sew around to determine where they are going to meet exactly...
So if you do this, make sure to stop sewing about 2 inches from where they are going to meet.



Estimate and cut your ruffle to the length you will need...
Now separate the seam to give you room to sew the two ends together



Sew the two ends together, fold, and iron.
You should get something like this...



Finish attaching the ruffle to the pillow edge.
If you have extra, don't worry... just gather some more as you sew to attach the end of the ruffle!

You should end up with something like this...



Now place the other piece of fabric on top of the ruffle, wrong side down.
The ruffle should be INSIDE the two fabric squares.
Pin into place.



Now sew around the edges of the pillow, but...
Leave an opening on the bottom of the pillow!!! {about 3 inches}
You will turn and stuff through this opening.



Now turn your pillow ride side out!



Grab your help and begin stuffing your pillow... I just used a bag of stuffing from Hancocks.


{Asher loves helping!}

After stuffing, you will need to put out your needle and thread.
You will hand stitch the opening closed!
I forgot to take a picture of this step, but I bet you can do this by yourself!!!
Just fold the seam of the pillow under and tack it down to the ruffle.
You will not see this often, because it is at the bottom, back of the pillow.
I used a blind stitch, but any stitch will do... just get them connected!!!  :)

You should end up with something like this...

how to sew a french seam.

I can remember first learning how to sew a french seam.  My sister-law taught me and it is something I have used ever since, especially when making baby gowns!

Some of you may be wondering, "What is a French Seam?"

So let me start by introducing this simple seam!

The french seam is a great way to create flawless insides to your garments.  If you do not have a serger and want to eliminate frayed edges, this is a perfect seam to use.  It take a little more time, but creates beautiful results!

So let's begin...

{First put your wrong sides of your fabric together.  I will be doing the sleeves of a daygown}

 {It may seem backwards, but sew the wrong sides of your fabric together}

{You should get something like this}

{or something like this}

{using your scissors, trim the raw edge close to the stitching}

{you should get something like this after trimming}

{now fold the fabric back over the raw edges, flipping the fabric}

 {can you see that the raw edge is now inside the fold?}
{iron your edge}

{sew a small seam, about the size of your edge}

{this will enclose the raw edges}

{your inside seam should look like this}

{a beautiful french seam}

{your outside seam should look like this}

 {do not worry if your french seam is not as small as mine}

 You will get better each time you practice!!!

Happy Sewing

buying a sewing machine.

I thought that I would include some advice on purchasing a machine.

I am so excited that you are even considering buying a sewing machine!
I am going to explain the basics of sewing machines and how you can purchase the best machine for you.

Let's start with the basics...

A sewing machine can be very basic to extremely complicated.
Very basic machines are simply mechanical, while other are electronic {computerized}.
While the type does not matter, they will perform different functions.

When looking for beginner machine I would encourage you to find one with the following features...
1.  Automatic button hole... usually this is a 1,2,3,4 step function found on the front of the machine.
2.  Adjustable needle position, which will allow you to move the needle to the left and right.
3.  A machine that performs a zigzag stitch that is adjustable in stitch width and length.
4.  A machine with a back-stitch function to finish your stitches {older machines do not have this}.
5.  A machine with a thread cutter and light!

These are basic functions that I used every time I am sewing!
There are lots of other features that are wonderful but not necessary for a beginner.

You will need presser feet attachments such as...
basic presser foot, button hole foot, zipper foot, and blind hem stitch foot

Other attachments that arw wonderful...
Rolled hem foot {give you a nice rolled edge} and ruffler foot {actually creates a ruffle} are just a few.
Specialized feet cater to what you are specially sewing.

When shopping for a machine I would suggest going to a dealer and letting them show you the different functions of their machines.  You are not necessarily going to purchase one, but you will become more educated on their functions and what you would like in a machine.

You can purchase machines from Walmart, Target, etc.  However, beware that you are not going to get the customer service or care that a sewing machine dealer will offer.
Most shops offer free classes, when you purchased a machine and they are worth it!!!
They will teach you the functions of your machine and you will begin learning how to sew.

Good basic brand machines are Singer, Brother, Janome, Bernina, and Baby Lock.

I have a Bernina 220, but remember that I started off on a much more basic machine {Kenmore}!
My Bernina machine was purchased 4 years after I sewed my first machine to death :)
Literally the technician just told me throw it away!!!  Not bad considering how much I used it!

I know buying a machine is intimidating, but enjoy the process of learning along the way!
Email me please if you have any questions!  {jamaketcham@gmail.com}

why do i sew?

 

 

Why do I sew???  Great question!

I first began sewing with my grandmother {Mawmaw}.

When I was a little girl, she taught me how to sew a pillow.  It was fun spending time with her and I had no idea the life skill she was teaching me.  My Mom sewed too.  She learned from her mother {Mawamw}, as well.  Mom loved to sew and even earned sewing honors in 4-H, as a little girl.  I watched her sew costumes, decorations, and other stuff we needed while growing up at home.  I was never patient enough to learn from her though!  It was definitely "not cool" to learn to sew as a teenager.

However, I learned more from her by just watching her sew on the floor.  She would set up shop on the floor and use her knee to press the foot, making the needle go up and down.  I never understood why she sewed on the floor and when I got my first machine I also sewed on the floor!  After a few days of backaches I realized a table was much better!

I asked for a sewing machine {a Kenmore from Sears} Christmas of my Junior year in college.  My family thought I was crazy, since I had did not show interest in sewing while at home.  I can remember my first project trying to hem a skirt and calling my mom for advice.

After I married my true love, Mr. G, I really starting using my machine to sew pillows and decorations for our first apartment.  I then attempted to make a t-shirt quilt.  It is funny to look at those projects and see how much I have improved.

February of 2006, we had our first child.  After about 4 months at home I decided to pull the sewing machine out of the closet and begin working.  I sewed draperies, pillows, and even put together my first Jon Jon.  Since then, I have been learning to sew and boy has it been a ride!  I can not tell you how many times I have used my seam ripper or just thrown the project in the trash with tears.  And Yes, my machine and I have exchanged a few words.

It takes mistakes to learn and you have to be patient!

I never imagined loving to sew!  There is something special about taking a piece of fabric and turning it into something beautiful and practical.  With the hum of the machine, I enter into a place of solitude from life.  My problems disappear and I find comfort in creating.

So do you want to sew?  Are you ready to begin a journey that you will regret at times, but fall in love with over and over?

I encourage you to do it!

It will be hard at first, but it is a life skill that is so worth it!  You will use it over and over again in creating a beautiful home, cute clothes, and much much more.  You will have to get over the mess it creates and learn to just shut the door or push it aside, sometimes coming back to it when you calm down :)

So I encourage you to join me on the journey of sewing!

I love to help and can't wait to answer questions if you have any!  {jamaketcham@gmail.com}