Banded Blackout Curtains

​I have learned that babies like to sleep in dark rooms – no, not just dark, pitch black, without even a sliver of light. For a while we had a sheet up over the window, (functional yes, stylish no) but I really like natural light when baby is not sleeping (I guess not so functional after all). Thus, the blackout curtain was a must.
 
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

​Made from some reused material and organic eco twill

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Materials

• Fabric for front (medium to heavy weight) – 2 or 3 coordinating colours
• Blackout Fabric (heavy weight) – the darker the better
• Thread
• Curtain rod

 
How to Guide
 
Measure up

• Width and Length: take measurements of your window from the outer edge of the frame.
• Adjusted Width: using your window width, multiply by 1.5. Then, divide by 2 (for 2 panels).
• Adjusted Front Length: using your window length, add 16 inches (this will result in about 2 inches above and 6 inches below window frame - not floor length).
• Adjusted Back Length: using your window length, add 8 inches.
• Top Band Length: using your Adjusted Front Length, multiply by 0.6 (or 60%).
• Mid Band Length: using your Adjusted Front Length, multiply by 0.2 (or 20%).
• Bottom Band Length: using your Adjusted Front Length, multiply by 0.2 (or 20%).

 
Example sizing:
Based on window size: 50” wide by 42” length. 

• Top Band: 37.5” wide by 35” length.
• Mid Band: 37.5” wide by 12” length.
• Bottom Band: 37.5” wide by 12” length.
• Backing: 37.5” wide by 50” length.

 
Cut it out

• Measure and cut out 2 top panels, Adjusted Width by Top Band Height.
• Measure and cut out 2 mid panels, Adjusted Width by Mid Band Height.
• Measure and cut out 2 bottom panels, Adjusted Width by Mid Band Height.
• Measure and cut out 2 back panels, Adjusted Width by Adjusted Back Height.

 
Press!

• Press all panels so that they are smooth and wrinkle free.

 
First Band

• Lay your top band out on a hard smooth surface right side up.
• Lay your mid band face down on your top band, lining up the widths edge and pin in place.
• Sew together along the width edge.
• Repeat for second panel. 

Press!

• Press out the seams so that they lay flat.

Second Band

• Lay your piece out again on a hard smooth surface right side up.
• Lay your bottom band face down on your mid band, lining up the widths edge and pin in place.
• Sew together along the width edge.
• Repeat for second panel. 

Press!

• Press out the seams so that they lay flat.
• Press full piece.

Back it up

• Lay your piece out on a hard smooth surface right side down.
• Place your blackout piece 1.5” from the bottom and line up the side edges.
• Smooth out any wrinkles. 
• Pin in place.
• Baste together along the length edge.
• Repeat for second panel. 

Bottom Hem

• Lay your piece out on an ironing board, blackout fabric side up.
• At the bottom edge where the front fabric hangs below blackout fabric, fold the front fabric over so that the salvage edge of the blackout sits in the crease.
• Press!
• Fold under the salvage edge of the front fabric so that you have a 1” hem.
• Pin and press.
• Sew hem closed.
• Repeat for second panel.

Side Hems

• Lay your piece out on an ironing board, blackout fabric side up.
• Starting with one side edge, fold the front fabric over 1.5”
• Press!
• Fold under the salvage edge of the front fabric so that you have a 1” hem.
• Pin and press.
• Sew hem closed.
• Repeat for second side.
• Repeat for second panel.

Double check!

• Measure the lengths and widths of you panels to make sure they are even.

Top Hem

• Lay your piece out on an ironing board, blackout fabric side up.
• At the top edge where the front fabric hangs above blackout fabric, fold the front fabric over so that it overlaps the salvage edge of the blackout by about 1”.
• Press!
• Fold under the salvage edge of the front fabric so that you have a 2.5” hem.
• Pin and press.
• Sew hem closed.
• Repeat for second panel.

*Tip - Measure the completed panel's length and use this as a guide when completing the top hem of your second so that they are finished at the same length. 

Prep for hanging

• Press panels so that they are smooth and wrinkle free.
• Feed the curtain rod through the top opening. 

​Hang it up!