• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Sonya Hamilton Designs

Tutorial – Cafe Curtain with Ruffled Cuff and Trim

By Sonya

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 1

Several years ago I made a collection of aqua & brown animal print pillows and window treatments for Laura’s master bedroom & bathroom.

Recently she sent the remnants from that project and asked if I could make a small cafe curtain for a tiny window in her bathroom.

Today I’m going to show you how I pieced the various remnants to create a coordinating cafe curtain. GETTING STARTEDCafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 2

Laura’s Window – 23″ wide x 42″ h
Finished Cafe Curtain – 2 panels 23″ wide x 30″ h

There was just enough left over fabric to make the body of the curtain from the aqua zebra print and the cuff from the aqua floral. I used the brown animal print as a contrasting facing and the trim and crinkle fabric to embellish the cuff.

Aqua Zebra – Body of curtain. Cut 2 panels 27″ wide x 38.5″ high. Hem each panel with a blind hem stitch to create a 4″ double hem. Panel will be 30.5″ long x 27″ wide at this point.
Brown Animal Print – Back facing. Cut 2 pieces 23″ wide x 4.5″ high.
*Normally the animal print would be cut the width of the lining but in this case I was working with tiny remnants so it’s only the width of the curtain.
Aqua Floral – Finished 5″ Cuff. Cut 2 pieces 26″ wide x 6″ high.
Cuff Lining – Cut 2 pieces 22″ wide x 6″ high.
Brown Crinkle – Finished 3″ Cuff ruffle. Cut 2 pieces 46″ wide x 7″ high.
Curtain Lining – Cut 2 pieces 26″ wide x 33″ high. Hem each panel with a 2″ double hem.
Lining will be 29″ long at the point.

CONTRAST FACING

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 3When creating a droop style curtain I often add a contrasting fabric to be seen within the droops. Since this curtain was all about mixing and matching it was definitely a good choice to include this contrast.
To achieve this you can use a contrasting fabric for your lining OR add a facing to the top upper back of the lining.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 4

Turn under a 1/2″ seam along the lower edge of the facing.

Aligning raw edges, topstitch facing in place along the upper portion of lining. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 5

This shot shows how the facing & lining will be positioned on the curtain.

THE RUFFLED CUFF

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 6
With right sides together sew cuff ends to lining using a 1/2″ seam.

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 7

This will give you a 1″ hem (where the face fabric is folded towards the back) on each side.
Be sure the hems are even in size and mark (with a pin) the bottom outer edge on each side.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 8

Create your ruffle by folding the 7″ in half lengthwise and hemming each end. You can use this method to gather your ruffle.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 9

Evenly space ruffle along lower bottom edge of cuff between pins. Gather ruffle evenly.Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 10

And stitch in place using a 3/8″ seam. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 11

Place lining over stitched ruffle…
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 12

and sew together using a 1/2″  seam. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 13

Turn cuff right sides out and iron.
*If you prefer, you can sew any trim on at this point. I prefer waiting until the curtain is finished. Especially if the trim is long and/or heavy. It just gets in the way. 

ATTACHING CUFF TO CURTAIN

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 15

Center cuff along the upper edge of curtain and pin in place. Right sides up for both.
The extra fabric on each side of the cuff will be your side hems. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 16

Center lining right sides together over curtain and pin in place. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 17

You will notice my lining is slightly narrower than the curtain.
I do this on purpose so I will have a bit less fabric when folding my side hems. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 18

Sew all layers together along the upper portion of curtain only using a 1/2″ seam. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 19

Ideally, this is what the bottom of your curtain should look like at this point. Right sides together.

OOOOOPS!Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 20The upper portion of my curtain looks exactly like it should.
Do you see what I did wrong?
When placing the cuff on the curtain the curtain was turned wrong side up.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 21

Time to pull out the seam ripper.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 22

Be sure to DOUBLE CHECK that you have all the pieces of your curtain going the correct direction and sew together…again.
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 24

Lay pieces out and iron seam flat.
Fold curtain together along seam and iron.

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 25 At the point lay the curtain face down and fold in the extra fabric on each side to create a 1.75″ to 2″ double side hem. Stitch in place using a blind hem stitch.
*You can also topstitch the side hem in place if you’re more comfortable using a straight stitch rather than the blind hem stitch. The blind hem gives the curtain a cleaner look. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 26

Here’s how the upper portion of the side hem will look. My blind hem stitch was acting up with the thicker fabrics and looks a tad wonky in places. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 27

Whip stitch closed the bottom on top portions of each side hem. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 28

I prefer to sew my trims in place. You can see the stitch lines above.
You can also use fabric glue if you prefer. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 29

Hint: Anytime I will be adding a tassel trim over a ruffle I make the ruffle 1/2″ to 3/4″ longer than the trim and no longer. I think the proportions look best at this length. Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 30

The combination of upholstery weight fabrics and a stiff tassel trim made this curtain have a mind of it’s own.
Once I had the droops how I wanted them I tied the cuff and hem on each curtain and left them hanging like this for several days to encourage the curtain to do what I wanted it to do.
*Use 4-5 rings per panel if don’t want a droop. 
Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 31

Some fabrics are more stubborn than others so this is a great trick to train your window treatments to hang the way you prefer.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished Cafe Curtain – 2 panels @ 23″ wide x 30″ long”
Finished Cuff – 5″ cuff + 3″ ruffle = 8″ total

Cafe Curtain with Cuff Tutorial 1

Tiny but oh. so. cute!
And literally made from scraps.

See the rest of Laura’s coordinating curtains and pillows here.
See more sewing tutorials here.

YOU MIGHT LIKE…

Aqua and Gold Tassel

Recently added new Twice Loved items to The Shop.

White Kitchen Aaron_Snow_Photography.AES_6158

My daughter Courtney, Violet & Rook and her adorable kitchen.

Pin112
Share
Tweet
112 Shares
Pillow Tutorial Playing with Stripes
My New Living Room Window Treatments Before & After

Follow Along

WELCOME


Hi, Everyone! I’m Sonya. Welcome!
My sincerest wish is for you to find inspiration for yourself, your home or your next project here at Sonya Hamilton Designs. THE GALLERY is a great place to begin. Thanks for visiting!

THE GALLERY

colorful cafe curtain and valance

Visit THE GALLERY for Inspiration! Curtains, pillows, sewing tutorials and more!

Categories

Search our site

Our Home

turquoise front door