Making Curtain Panels for Small Windows

We recently moved to an older house with lots of quirky features. Apparently the previous resident could not figure out what to do with the two slender windows flanking the front door, so she took some lace curtain panels from JCPenney, cut them shorter, and tacked them up with thumb tacks. Yikes!

I wanted to change them right away, but I refrained myself as I knew some unpacking was in order. As soon as I got a free moment, however, I was off to JoAnns' to get some new fabric for those windows. I wanted the curtain panels to be flat, not gathered.

So here's how to make your own flat curtain panels for any window in your home.

1) Measure your window. My windows were 6" wide and 36" long. You will need an inch more for each dimension in your fabric for seam allowance.
2) Choose your fabric. I did not want lace or any kind of sheer fabric; therefore I knew I would need enough fabric to make my curtain panels double-sided. I chose this gorgeous chocolate/blue damask because it complements our blue front door. Note: If you choose a directional fabric like I did, make sure you have enough fabric to keep the pattern going in the right direction. I went ahead and purchased two yards, as I am planning on making some other items with the remaining fabric.
3) Cut your fabric. I was making two curtain panels - double-sided - so I cut the fabric into four 7" by 37" pieces.
4) Lay the fabric pieces back to back (make sure your fabric design is going in the same direction!) and sew the long sides together, leaving about two inches from the top for hanging the curtain panel later. I hand-stitched mine, only because I have yet to find my sewing machine in the piles of boxes...
5) Next, iron side seams open and turn right side out.
6) Fold bottom seams up a half-inch, iron, and then stitch closed.
7) Stitch any trim you like to the bottom of your curtain panel. I used a tiny brown pom-pom trim to accent the little brown dots in the damask pattern.
8) Fold down top seams a half-inch, iron, and then stitch closed. Insert a small wood dowel through the opening on each side of the panel and use small hooks to mount just above the window.

And, voila! You have perfect flat curtain panels that can be viewed inside and out. They are a welcoming touch in our home, which is still a little chaotic from the move. :)