Lined Curtains Instructions

Adding a lining to curtains not only enhances the look but also can extend the life of them by protecting the face fabric from sunlight.

There are a number of linings to choose from depending on the location of the window. For example blackout lining for bedrooms and thermal lining for living rooms.

Most curtain headings are suitable for lined curtains including tapes and handmade headings.

Lined curtains should be dry cleaned as the face fabric and lining can shrink at different rates if they are washed.

The following instructions are for bag lined curtains (this is where the lining is attached at the top and sides of the face fabric, with the bottom hems worked separately) with pencil pleat heading tape and a fullness ratio of 2 (double the width of the window).

Requirements:

Fabric for the curtains.

Lining for the curtains.

Matching thread.

Pencil pleat heading tape, enough for the flat width of both curtains.

Measuring and Estimating Fabric Quantities:

• Measure the track or pole and multiply by the fullness ratio. Divide this figure by the width of the fabric to be used and round up to the next whole number. This is the number of widths of fabric required.
• The number of widths of lining will be the same as the fabric.
• Measure the finished length required.
• To calculate the cut length, add 8" (20 cms) to the finished length for hem allowances. If patterned fabric is used, extra will be needed for pattern matching.
• The length of the lining will be the same as the fabric minus any extra for pattern matching.
• To calculate the amount of fabric and lining required for the curtains, multiply the number of widths by the cut length.

Making Lined Curtains:

• Cut the fabric to the required size for each curtain. If more than 1 width is required, join widths together with a flat seam making sure to add any half widths at the outside edges.
• Cut the lining 4" (10 cms) narrower and 3" (7.5 cms) shorter than the fabric. If more than 1 width is required, join widths together with a flat seam making sure to add any half widths at the outside edges.
• Turn up a double 2" (5 cms) hem at the bottom edge of the lining and stitch.
• Turn up a double 3" (7.5 cms) hem at the bottom edge of the fabric and pin.
• Lay the fabric on a flat surface, right side up, and lay the lining on top, wrong side up, so that the top folds of the hems are aligned.
• Pin the side edges together matching the raw edges. Stitch down each side edge, 0.5" (12mm) in from the raw edges. Stitch down the length of the lining but do not stitch through the hem allowance on the fabric.
• Turn right side out, rolling 1" (2.5 cms) of fabric to the wrong side at each side edge.
• Mitre the corners of the hem on the fabric and slipstitch the hem in place.
• Turn down 1" (2.5 cms) along the top edge and press.
• Knot the cords at one end of the heading tape, to the wrong side, and free them, to the right side, at the other end.
• Place the heading tape along the top edge, close to the fold, on the wrong side. Turn under 1" (2.5cms) at each end to neaten and pin. Make sure the free ends of the cord are at the outside edge of the curtain.
• Place a cord tidy bag under the bottom edge of the heading tape, 2" (5cms) in from the outside edge.
• Stitch the heading tape along both edges, through all thicknesses. Work both lines of stitches in the same direction to avoid puckering, attaching the cord tidy bag.
• Repeat for the other curtain, making sure to position any half widths, the free ends of the cords and the cord tidy bag at the opposite edge.
• Pull up the cords on the heading tapes to the required width and secure them with sliding loops. Roll up the excess cords, place them into the cord tidy bags and adjust the gathers evenly.
• Insert curtain hooks into the heading tape and hang.

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