Indian Curtains

Rita Hill showed how to create your own colourful, soft, shimmery curtains using beautiful sari fabrics from India. Sari fabrics make fantastic flowing curtains for any bare window. They're also perfect if you're renting because you can easily take them with you when you next move house!

You'll need

• sari fabric
• coloured thread (to match the fabric)
• curtain rod, ends and brackets
• Easy Clip curtain rings
• sewing machine
• pins

Step by step instructions

1. Select the window or doorway and fix the curtain rod to the wall using the brackets (if a curtain rod is not already attached).
2. Thread the Easy Clip curtain rings along the certain rod and attach the ends of the curtain rod.
3. Measure the length from the bottom of the curtain clip to the floor. Allow an extra 5cm top and bottom for seams. (If you like your curtains draping onto the floor, add some extra length.)
4. If your window or doorway is wide you may need more than one length of fabric on either side. Sew two or more lengths together. For a different look, sew two or three different but colour-coordinated fabrics together. Simply pin them together and sew a seam. (Tip: when sewing lengths together take care not to sew over gold embroidery, as this will spoil the feature of the fabric in a seam.)
5. Hem the top and bottom of the fabric. To make it easier and to avoid the need to use pins, fold the hem down and then iron it using a cool iron and fold it over again and iron it again. Then simply sew along the hem. (Tip: if you are using different coloured fabrics, change the thread colour to match the material as you sew.)
6. Once everything is hemmed, simply clip the curtain onto the evenly spaced Easy Clip curtain rings - and there you have easy-hanging curtains that you made yourself! (Tip: with any leftover material, make some cushions or table runners to match.)

Cost

Sari fabric is $12.99 per metre from Lincraft stores. Silver mirrored fabric is $14.18 from Spotlight stores (buy matching thread at the same time).
Curtain rod, ends and bracket are available from most craft and furnishing stores.
Easy Clip curtain rings cost about $7.25 for a pack of seven clips, from Spotlight stores.

Further reading

Don't miss Rita Hill's DIY section in the November 2000 edition of the Burke's Backyard magazine.

Copyright CTC Productions 2000