Easy Kitchen Curtains

Printed or woven patterns may repeat both horizontally and vertically. When sewing curtains, the exact length and width of each repeat is essential information.

Vertical should typically be aligned on adjoining panels in a curtain. Start at the same place on the fabric for every cut when sewing curtain hems so that a recurring design isn’t jumping arbitrarily around your windows unless you are intentionally trying for that feel.

Watch out for the half-drop repeat. Because the pattern is positioned at the same place at each selvage, a horizontal repeat allows you to match the pattern straight across the piece of fabric to the next piece at the same place. The half-drop pattern is half of a vertical repeat up or down from one selvage to the other for the purpose of making the repeats more interesting. This means you will have to buy extra fabric and cut very carefully, because every other cut will begin at the half-repeat.

Many of the beautiful fabrics out there are made with the half-drop repeat, so try them out but be careful! Check both selvages at the same point to be sure the patterns will match easily across the full width for any patterned fabrics you choose. Checking carefully will also reveal a half-drop repeat.