Adding Cafe Curtains to a Bay Window

  • 4-6 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 75-500
What You'll Need
curtain rods
fabric
sewing machine/needle
pins
fabric cutter/scissors
screws
drill
What You'll Need
curtain rods
fabric
sewing machine/needle
pins
fabric cutter/scissors
screws
drill

Cafe curtains look great on a bay window. The following instructions should help you install your own.

Step 1 - Measuring Windows

If you are installing from a pre-assembled kit, skip to step 4. However, if you are interested in making your own cafe curtains, read on.

To start off, you will have to measure the sizes of your window panes. Measure the width of a window pane, giving yourself 1 inch extra. Repeat for as many window sections as you have. Next, measure half of the height, giving yourself six extra inches.

Step 2 - Cutting Cloth

Go to your local fabric store and select a variety that you like and think would look good on your bay window as a cafe curtain. Keep in mind how much you will need based on your previous measurements, making sure to leave yourself a little bit of extra room.

After you bring your fabric home, measure it according to the dimensions you determined and mark it. Once you have done this, you can cut it.

Step 3 - Making Curtains

In order to actually hang the cloth you have selected for your cafe curtains, you will have to give it a loop to hang from. Fortunately, this is quite simple. You can use the extra six inches of height you measured in the first step and cut in the second step. Take the top section of the fabric you have cut and fold it back on itself, making sure to not use more than the extra six inches you measured and cut.

This will make a loop that you will be able to place your curtain rod inside once you attach it permanently. Pin the loop in place using your pins, and then proceed to sew it closed. A sewing machine is very useful for this step, but there is no reason why you cannot do this by hand if you desire.

Repeat this for all of your curtains, making sure to use the same amount of fabric for each loop.

Step 4 - Hanging the Curtains

For this step, you will need appropriately sized curtain rods for each window. Luckily, you should be able to purchase adjustable curtain rods easily and simply adjust them to the appropriate size once you bring them home.

Match up your curtains, curtain rods, and windows. Use the loop of fabric at the top of your curtains to attach them to the appropriate curtain rod.

At this point, you will have to decide whether you want your cafe curtains to cover the top or bottom half of your windows, as both are viable options. If you decide to cover the top half, use your drill to make holes for your screws at the top of your windows, measuring carefully using the curtain rod as a guide. If you decide to cover the bottom half, do the same thing, but measure to find the middle of your window and start there instead. Use your screwdriver to attach the curtain rods.

If using screws is not possible due to the design of your bay windows, you will have to attach them with either adhesives or magnets, as curtain rods that use both of them exist.