Curtains are a great way to add style, privacy, and comfort to your home. They can also help you save energy by blocking out heat and cold from your windows. But curtains can be quite expensive, especially if you need custom sizes, lengths, or fabrics. So you might be wondering: is it cheaper to make curtains?
The short answer is: yes, it is usually cheaper to make curtains than to buy them from a store. However, the cost of making curtains depends on several factors, such as the type and quality of fabric, the size and number of windows, the lining and accessories, and your sewing skills and tools.
In this post, we’ll break down the costs of making curtains versus buying them from a store. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make your own curtains easily and affordably. Let’s get started!
The Cost of Making Curtains
The cost of making curtains varies depending on the materials and methods you use. Here are some of the main factors that affect the cost of making curtains:
- Fabric: The fabric is the most important and expensive part of making curtains. The type and quality of fabric you choose will determine how your curtains look, feel, and function. Fabric prices range from $10 to $200 per yard, depending on the material, design, and brand. You’ll need at least 3 yards of fabric per panel, depending on the width and length of your window. You can save money by choosing cheaper fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, or drop cloth. You can also use alternative fabrics, such as shower curtains, flat sheets, or tablecloths.
- Lining: The lining is the fabric that goes behind the main fabric to add insulation, privacy, and durability to your curtains. Lining prices range from $5 to $50 per yard, depending on the type and quality of lining. You’ll need about the same amount of lining as fabric per panel. You can save money by choosing cheaper linings, such as muslin, cotton, or blackout fabric. You can also skip the lining altogether if you don’t need extra insulation or privacy.
- Accessories: The accessories are the items that help you hang and operate your curtains, such as rods, rings, hooks, clips, grommets, or tiebacks. Accessories prices range from $10 to $100 per window, depending on the type and quality of accessories. You can save money by choosing cheaper accessories, such as PVC pipes for rods, binder clips for rings, or ribbon for tiebacks. You can also use existing accessories that you already have in your home.
To give you an idea of how much it costs to make curtains versus buying them from a store, let’s compare some examples for a standard window size of 36 inches wide by 60 inches long.
Example 1: Cotton Curtains with Muslin Lining
- Fabric: Cotton fabric ($15 per yard) x 3 yards per panel x 2 panels = $90
- Lining: Muslin fabric ($5 per yard) x 3 yards per panel x 2 panels = $30
- Accessories: PVC pipe rod ($5), binder clips ($5), ribbon tiebacks ($5) = $15
- Total cost of making curtains: $135
- Total cost of buying similar curtains from a store: $200
- Savings: $65
Example 2: Shower Curtains with Blackout Lining
- Fabric: Shower curtain ($20) x 2 panels = $40
- Lining: Blackout fabric ($10 per yard) x 3 yards per panel x 2 panels = $60
- Accessories: Metal rod ($20), metal rings ($10), metal tiebacks ($10) = $40
- Total cost of making curtains: $140
- Total cost of buying similar curtains from a store: $250
- Savings: $110
Example 3: Drop Cloth Curtains with No Lining
- Fabric: Drop cloth ($20) x 2 panels = $40
- Lining: None = $0
- Accessories: Wooden rod ($10), wooden clips ($5), rope tiebacks ($5) = $20
- Total cost of making curtains: $60
- Total cost of buying similar curtains from a store: $150
- Savings: $90
As you can see from these examples, making curtains can be cheaper than buying them from a store, depending on the materials and methods you use. You can also customize your curtains to fit your style, preferences, and needs.
How To Make Curtains
Making curtains is not as hard as it may seem. You don’t need to be an expert seamstress or have a fancy sewing machine to make your own curtains. You can use simple tools and techniques to create beautiful and functional curtains for your home. Here are some basic steps on how to make curtains:
- Measure your window: You need to measure the width and length of your window, as well as the distance from the rod to the floor. You also need to decide how much extra fabric you want for the hem, header, and overlap. A general rule of thumb is to add 4 inches for the hem, 4 inches for the header, and 6 inches for the overlap. You also need to multiply the width by 1.5 or 2 to get the fullness you want for your curtains.
- Cut your fabric and lining: You need to cut your fabric and lining according to your measurements. You can use scissors, a rotary cutter, or a fabric cutter to cut your fabric and lining. You can also use a ruler, a tape measure, or a cutting mat to mark and cut your fabric and lining.
- Sew your fabric and lining: You need to sew your fabric and lining together along the sides and bottom edges, leaving the top edge open. You can use a sewing machine, a needle and thread, or a no-sew adhesive tape to sew your fabric and lining. You can also use pins, clips, or iron-on hem tape to hold your fabric and lining together while sewing.
- Create your header: You need to create your header by folding the top edge of your fabric and lining over by 4 inches and sewing it in place. You can also create a rod pocket by folding the top edge over by 2 inches, sewing it in place, and then folding it over again by another 2 inches and sewing it in place. Alternatively, you can create grommets by using a grommet kit to punch holes along the top edge of your fabric and lining and inserting metal rings into them.
- Hang your curtains: You need to hang your curtains by sliding them onto the rod through the rod pocket or the grommets. You can also use rings, hooks, or clips to attach your curtains to the rod. You can also use tiebacks to hold your curtains open when you want more light.
Conclusion
Is it cheaper to make curtains? Yes, it is usually cheaper to make curtains than to buy them from a store. However, the cost of making curtains depends on several factors, such as the type and quality of fabric, the size and number of windows, the lining and accessories, and your sewing skills and tools.
Making curtains can also be fun and rewarding, as you can customize your curtains to fit your style, preferences, and needs. You can use simple tools and techniques to create beautiful and functional curtains for your home.
If you’re looking for some inspiration and ideas for making curtains, check out our blog posts on how to make drop cloth curtains, how to make shower curtain valances, how to make no-sew curtains, and more.
Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.
