Simple Shower Curtains: How to Sew this Project

Sewing an easy shower curtain is quicker and less tiring to make from decorative fabric than to shop around looking for a ready made shower curtain that compliments your existing bathroom tiles and fixtures. Here you will learn how to sew shower curtains that has a professional finish. All you have to do is hang a purchased plastic liner behind your brand new shower curtain.

Shower Curtain Guidelines:

The shower curtain will require piecing to obtain the proper width. (see Choosing Fabric: Matching pattern fabric) For a standard 72” x 72” curtain, cut and/or piece fabric to buy a 74 1/2” wide by 75 ¼” long panel of fabric. If the fabric has a large repeat pattern, buy extra yardage to match the pattern.

• Wash to preshrink fabric before cutting. Press fabric.
• For odd-size shower curtain, measure shower rod, add 1 ¼” for each side hem, and allow extra half width for curtain fullness. For length, measure from curtain rod to at least 8” inside bathtub or almost to floor; add 3 ¼” for top and bottom hems.
• If piecing two panels, cut one panel in half along the length, sew each half to either side of the full panel, using French seams.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installing grommets.

Supplies Needed:

4 ½ yd of fabric of 45” wide fabric and matching thread.

Dritz Tape measure

Dressmakers Pins

Steam Iron

Dressmakers Shears

Tailors Chalk

Grommet Kit

Seam Sealant (optional)

Shower Curtain Rings and Shower Curtain Liner

Sew It Up:

1. Cut and piece fabric so panel is 74 ½” wide and 75 ¼” long. Fold under and press ½” each side edge, fold under and pin ¾” to wrong side; press. Stitch close to inner fold.
2. Fold and stitch bottom hem in same manner as sides. Press under ½” along top edge. Fold top edge down 2” for hem. Pin in place. Press.
3. Stitch close to inner fold. If using plastic sheeting, no hemming is needed. If using laminated or waterproof fabric, do not pin, which leaves holes; stitch carefully as removing stitches will leave holes.
4. Using a marking pen, mark grommet placement about 1” from top edge, beginning ¾” from each side, and about 6” apart. If liner is being used, align with top of shower curtain and mark through liner ring holes.
5. With sharp scissors, cut scant ½” vertical slit at each marking through all fabric layers. (Some grommet kits contain a hole puncher). IF slit frays, spray seam sealant over threads to prevent further unraveling.
6. Once all markings are cut, insert front grommet section through slit so shaft extends to wrong side of curtain.
7. Lay curtain wrong side up on protected surface. Place grommet back over grommet front. Insert grommet tool in center of grommet. Hammer tool so front shaft flattens and folds over grommet back.
8. Repeat grommet insertion in all remaining openings. Lay liner over wrong side of curtain so holes align. Slip curtain rings through holes in both curtain and liner and hang from curtain rod.

Tip:

Use artist’s acrylic paints and a paintbrush to transform a clear plastic shower curtain into an exciting, custom creation. Lay the curtain out flat on the floor. Starting at the bottom, paint large geometric shapes-circles, squares, diamonds and triangles in vibrant colors on the outside of the curtain. Make shapes smaller as you proceed up the shower curtain. Use cardboard templates to trace the shape outlines or use masking tape to mark the straight-sided shapes, then paint inside the shapes lines. Let the paint dry.

Crafters Tip:

For a quick shower curtain, use a flat sheet. There is no piecing and the hems are already made, although you will have to cut the length and remake the bottom hem. Use a twin or flat sheet for this project.

 

Using Grommets:

1. You can use grommets to make shower curtains and other simple drapes. Lay the panel wrong side up.
2. Push the front of the grommet up through the hole in the fabric.
3. Place the grommet back over the front shaft.
4. Insert the grommet tool, and hammer the tool to flatten the front shaft.

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Filed Under: Home Decor Sewing Projects • Sewing Projects

Tags: curtain • curtains • home decor • Shower curtain