Organza Curtains. Supplies needed for the curtain panels:

Transcription

1 Organza Curtains Organza sheers will let the sunshine filter in to every corner of a room. I liked the idea of brightening my dining room with this airy harbinger of spring and matching the blue of my table linens. From Embroidery Library's Dining Decor Packs, I chose the iris designs, to add just a touch of spring flowers to these otherwise simple, but elegant, curtains and tiebacks. Supplies needed for the curtain panels: Organza fabric determine amount by measuring your window(s) 1 1/2" wide ribbon amount equal to the combined width of the curtain panels 5/8" wide ribbon amount equal to the combined width of the curtain panels Heavy-weight, watersoluble stabilizer Embroidery design from Embroidery Library: Iris - curved corner file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (1 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

2 Instructions: Measure the width and length of your window(s). Multiply the width of each window by 2 to 2.5, depending on how full you want the curtains to be. (The curtain panels in our example are twice the width of the window.) Use the window length measurement to determine how long you want the curtain panels to be, then add 1" for the top and bottom seam allowances. When you have determined the size each panel needs to be, add up the amount of fabric needed for all the panels, and head to the fabric store. If you need help determining the amount that you need, bring your measurements along. An experienced associate at the cutting counter should be able to help you. Mark out your panel sections on the organza. Place and sew the designs using watersoluble stabilizer. The designs in our example were placed 5" up from the hem of the panel, and 12" apart. After embroidering, cut out each panel and trim away the excess water soluble stabilizer. file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (2 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

3 Hem the sides of each panel using a narrow hem. To put the ribbon on the top and bottom of each panel, overlap the wrong side of the organza 1/2" over the wrong side of the ribbon. Stitch the organza to the ribbon using a straight stitch. Stitching should be 1/8" away from the edge of the ribbon. file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (3 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

4 Fold the organza panel over the wrong side of the ribbon, and press with a cool iron to crease the organza at the stitching line. Flip the panel over, and stitch along both edges of the ribbon. This will make 2 lines of stitching along the outer edge of the ribbon, and one along the inner edge of the ribbon. On the top of the panel, the ribbon serves as the rod pocket. On the bottom of the panel, the ribbon is purely decorative. Repeat the previous three steps on each panel. The wider ribbon on the top of the panels and the narrower ribbon on the bottom. file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (4 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

5 Tiebacks Supplies needed for three curtain tiebacks: 1/4 yard of outer fabric 1/4 yard of backing fabric 4 plastic rings, 3/4" size Large napkin ring template - Click to download this zipped embroidery file in your format. Cut out the napkin ring template, and, using an airerase marking pen, trace around the template 3 times on your outer fabric. On one tracing, extend the tabs 1" on each side (This is the center tieback). On the other 2 tracings, extend the tab on the left side 3" (for the side tiebacks). Sew out your embroidery designs in the center circle of each tracing. (Note that I inverted one sewout. The side tiebacks face each other, so if I had left all 3 designs right-sideup, one of the side tiebacks would have been upside down on my finished curtains.) file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (5 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

6 Spray the back of the outer fabric lightly with spray adhesive and lay it on top of the backing fabric with wrong sides together. Cut out both layers of fabric along the traced lines. Using the spray adhesive again, stick the back of each cut-out to a scrap piece of tear-away stabilizer. Using a satin stitch, sew all the way around the outer edges to make a finished edge. Tear the stabilizer away from the outer edges and from the backing fabric. Attach a plastic ring to each end of the side tiebacks. file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (6 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM

7 Hang the curtain panels on your curtain rods, and use the tiebacks to gather the panels into place. Fasten the side tiebacks by the plastic rings to a hook or nail in the woodwork. For the center tieback, overlap the tabs in the back, and fasten with a safety pin or Velcro. Click here for a printable version of these project instructions. You ll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below. file:///f /Source/ELProjects/html/PR1105.html (7 of 7)8/29/2006 6:30:26 AM