The name for these curtains is derived from their shape. Hourglass curtains are held taut between rods at the top and bottom and are drawn in at the centre with a tieback, exposing some of the window glass. Often used on French doors, hourglass curtains rest close to the glass, allowing free movement of the door.
How to measure:
Install rods. Tape a strip of ribbon to door or window, outlining desired shape of curtain. Begin at lower outside corner of rod, angling in desired distance to centre, and then out to upper outside corner at bottom rod. Repeat for opposite side.
Measure width of curtain across top or bottom; this is Measurement A. Measure width of curtain across centre; this is Measurement B. Subtract Measurement B from A, record the difference.
Measure the length of the ribbon down one angled side; this is Measurement C. Measure the length of the curtain down the centre, measuring from the lower edge of the top rod to the upper edge of the bottom rod; this is Measurement D. Subtract Measurement D from C; record the difference.
You will need:
- Ribbon
- Sheer to lightweight fabric
- (2) Sash rods, or spring-tension rods
- White heavyweight sew-in interfacing
Cutting instructions:
Cut the fabric with the length equal to Measurement C plus (4) times the rod-pocket depth and (4) times the desired heading depth, plus 2.5cm for turn-under. The cut width of the fabric is equal to (3) times Measurement A, depending on the desired fullness, plus 10cm for 2.5cm double-fold side hems.
Cut a strip of fabric for the tieback, with the length equal to (2) times Measurement B, plus 3.8cm. The cut width of the fabric strip is equal to twice the desired finished width of the tieback plus 2.5cm.
Here's how:
1. Press under 2.5cm twice on sides of curtain panel; stitch to make double-fold hems, using straight stitch or blindstitch (or No-Sew).
2. Press under 1.3cm on upper edge. Then press under an amount equal to the rod-pocket depth plus the heading depth; pin.
Stitch close to the first fold. Stitch again at the depth of the heading.
3. Repeat steps for lower edge of curtain panel. Fold curtain in half crosswise; right sides together, matching top and bottom rod pockets and headings. Press foldline across centre of curtain.
4. Divide the difference between Measurement A and Measurement B in half. Then multiply this number by the amount of fullness allowed for the curtain. Measure this distance along pressed fold from one side toward the centre; pin mark. Repeat for opposite side.
5. Press under 1.3cm on one short end of the tieback. Fold the tieback in half lengthwise, right sides together; pin.
Sew a 1.3cm seam along the length of the tieback; press seam open.
6. Turn tieback right side out, using a safety pin. Centre the seam on back of tieback; press. Insert interfacing strip into tieback (optional).
Insert unfinished end of tieback into pressed end, overlapping 1.3cm. Slipstitch ends together, making a circular tieback.
7. Install curtain; check fit. Adjust stitching of dart, if necessary. Trim fabric 1.3cm from stitched dart; finish seam and press. Reinstall curtain.
8. Remove rods from brackets; insert top rod into top rod pocket. Mount top rod in brackets.
Place curtain through tieback. Insert bottom rod into bottom rod pocket. Distribute gathers evenly on rods. Position tieback at centre of curtain. Mount bottom rod in brackets, pulling curtain taut.
9. Secure tieback to centre of curtain, using concealed safety pin.
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