If you are currently in the process of decorating your homes interior, you already know that it can be an overwhelming and expensive task. In fact, most items for your new home will have to be pre-manufactured and installed by professionals. Wouldnt it be nice if there were certain things you could cut corners on? Well, youll be happy to know that if you are handy with a sewing machine, you can save big money by making your own window coverings. In this article, well give you the information you need in order to design and make your own window coverings.

The wonderful thing about making your own window coverings is that you control all aspects of the project, from patterns to lengths and everything in between. The first determination you will have to make is the pattern and color of fabric you intend to use. For starters, you will probably want to go with two coordinating colors that will provide a layered look. You can certainly go as bold as you like, but it is usually recommended that you keep your window coverings as plain as possible. Soft colors such as white and light blue match perfectly with nearly any valance you plan on using, and these colors also allow for sunlight to enter the room for a soothing glow. In comparison, dark colors such as forest green or black create an uninviting atmosphere

When you have selected all the necessary fabrics for your window coverings, you will have to make sure that you take the correct measurements before you start work. This is probably the most important step in making your own window coverings, as inaccurate measurements will lead to wasted time on the sewing machine. It is easiest to first measure the width and then measure the height of the window using a steel measuring tape. Record these measurements to the nearest eighth of an inch.

You will also have to decide if you are going to want an inside mount or an outside mount. Inside mounts will give your window a slimmer appearance, while outside mounts will make your window appear larger. Regardless of which mounting you prefer, it is crucial that you take measurements that are as accurate as possible.

With the preliminary work completed, it is now time to begin sewing and constructing your very own window coverings. The first step is to cut your fabrics to the measurements you have recorded. To be on the safe side, it isnt a bad idea to add an extra inch or two. Starting at the top edge of the fabrics, you will then use a straight stitch while affording a half inch allowance. Next, you will measure an inch and a half down from the top seam and stitch along one entire long side, moving along the bottom edge and straight up the other side. You will want to leave a six inch opening on either of the edges (to later turn right side out). To finish up stitching, continue until you come within an inch and a half of the top seam again.

The only thing left for you to do now is to pull and press the fabrics through your six inch opening, and stitch it closed by hand. There you have it; your very own window covering! You can then buy a standard curtain rod to hang your window covering on and you are finished. As you can see, it really is simple to design and make your own window coverings.