Preparation/Hemming

• 1). Measure your window. Start with the width of the top interior border. Round up to the nearest 1/2 inch. Write it down. Measure the height of the interior side border. Round up to the nearest 1/2 inch. Write it down.
  
  
• 2). Estimate how much fabric you need. Get your calculator. Multiply the width of the window by 2. Add 5/8 inch to each side of window for seam allowance and hem. Add 1 1/4 inches to the height for your seam allowance at top and bottom, plus 2 1/2 inches for a folded casing. So if you had a window that was 30 inches wide and 60 inches tall, you would need material 61 1/4 inches wide and 63 3/4 inches long.
  
  
• 3). Buy your fabric based on your measurements. Note that fabrics come in widths of 45 or 60 inches; upholstery fabrics are 70 inches wide. Remember that if you are going to wash your fabric beforehand, fabric shrinks--especially if it's made of cotton. Consider using a heavier fabric, which is more common for drapes.
  
  
• 4). Cut your fabric according to your measurements for each window.
  
  
• 5). Hem the bottom edge of the drape. Fold 1/4-inch hem, using an iron to make a nice crease. Pin the hem in place. Stitch with a needle and thread (or use a sewing machine, if you wish) close to the bottom edge of hem. Do this to all sides of each panel.
  
  

Casing/Tiebacks

• 1). Make a casing at the top of each drape panel. Fold up a 1/4-inch hem. Fold and iron 2 inches more. Pin it in place, and stitch close to the pressed edge. If you have a 1-inch curtain rod, fold only 1 inch in addition to the 1/4 inch. (For a double casing, fold over those 2 inches and make a parallel seam halfway between fold and first seam.)
  
  
• 2). Cut a rectangular piece of fabric--approximately 8 inches long by 5 inches wide. Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew two raw edges together. Leave an opening so you can turn it right side out. Turn it right side out. Sew opening closed by topstitching near the edge. (Note that tieback measurements are just suggestions for leftover fabric. Otherwise, you can work tiebacks into your calculations when you're buying fabric to be sure you have leftover fabric.)
  
  
• 3). Hang your curtains, and tie them back using your tieback.