TUTORIAL: Simple Cafe Curtains in Under an Hour

I have three windows in my basement.  I don’t know about you, but I think that curtains and blinds are extremely overpriced.  I am a huge fan of cellular blinds and have them all over my house, but after spending a lot of money on the remodel, I need to cut costs somewhere, and when you can sew, what better way than to make your own window treatments?  OK, so I can’t make cellular blinds but I can make curtains and if you can sew a straight line, you can make these too!
I didn’t want to get crazy with fancy curtains – I wanted to keep this project as simple as possible since my time is so limited and here is how I did it.  These cute curtains took me less than an hour to do and cost me a total of about $30 in hardware and perhaps another $15 in fabric (that is for two windows).  It is easy to customize these curtains to your own window specifications.
What You Will Need:
> Enough fabric to cover your window (See Step 1 for measuring instructions
> Cafe Curtain Rod (You can purchase at any home goods store – I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20% coupon)
> Cafe Curtain Hooks (You’ll find these with the rods)
> Coordinating Thread

STEP 1
1.  Decide what you want:
> Do you want one or two panels on the window?
> How long do you want them to extend past the bottom of the window?  Be sure to account for the length of the hook!
2.  Measure your windows:
> Length (Mine was 22”)
> Width (Mine was 26”)

3. Determine how much fabric you will need:
> The width will need to be 1.5 - 2x  the width of the window (Mine was 22” so I used 45” )
> Add 6” to the desired length for seam allowances plus a little for adjustments (I wanted 24” curtains, so I cut 30”)

4.  If you are making two panels for one window, cut the fabric in half length-wise like this:

STEP 2
1.  Start by hemming the sides of the panels.   You will want to use a double-fold technique (fold the seam over twice so there are no frayed edges).  I made my hem 5/8”.   Iron.

2.  Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew each side.

STEP 3
1.  Create the top hem next using the same double-fold technique.  This time create a 3/4” hem. 
2.  To create a clean corner, open the ironed hem and clip the corner off each end":

Fold the hem back over: 

3.  Sew using a 5/8” seam allowance.
STEP 4
1.  Lay the panel out on a table and measure / mark your desired length.  Using a marking pencil, draw a line across the panel where you want it to end.

2.  Measure 3” down from that line and draw another.  This 3” will become your bottom hem.  Cut off the excess fabric.
 
Tip:  Be sure to compare all the panels length before sewing.  If you mis-measured or are off just a tiny bit you can make the needed adjustment.  You don’t want to find out after hanging them that one is longer than the other!
STEP 5
1.  Create a double fold hem using the 3” of fabric you just measured.  The first fold will meet the line.  The second fold should fold right on that line bringing the fabric to your desired length.
2.  Just like you did in Step 3, clip the inner fold’s corner to create a clean corner and refold.

3.  Topstitch the hem (closest to the raw edge) using a 1/2” seam allowance.

STEP 6
1.  Attach your cafe hooks at even intervals along the top panel and place them on your rods.
 
Congratulations!  You’re finished!  Simple curtains in under an hour!