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"From see-through blouses to layered maxi dresses, sheer fabrics are a huge trend in apparel and home d\u00E9cor is taking a cue from this fashion statement with sheer curtains. Adding a transparent layer can soften a room but custom window treatments can cost a fortune. While sewing sheer fabrics can be tricky, if you follow these steps and tips you can easily make your own layered sheer curtains. 1. Take Measurements Length: Measure the window from top to bottom. If your curtain rod is above your window, measure from the top of the rod. Width: Take the measurement across one window, which will give you the width of one panel. You&amp;#039;ll need a total of two. 2. Add Inches for Hemming Top Hem: Measure the diameter of the rod and add 1 \u00BDinches if you want the fabric to be tight around the rod; if you want the fabric to hang looser around the rod add more. Bottom Hem: The width of the bottom hem can vary depending on your preference but for a lighter fabric you need a large hem so that the fabric will hang nicely. To calculate how much extra fabric you need for the bottom, double the size of the desired hem. For example a 4 inch wide hem will require 8 inches in length. Side Hems: Add 2\u00BD inches to the width. 3. Figure Out How Much Fabric You Need  Length: Add the top hem and bottom hem to your window measurement to get the length of fabric needed. Width: Multiply the measurement across one window by 1 \u00BD (or 2 for fuller curtains). This will give you the width with gathers and add an additional 2 \u00BD inches to for hemming. 4. Deal with Fraying If your fabric is fraying, use Fray Check along the edges to keep it from fraying further. Let the Fray Check dry before sewing your fabric. 5. Make the hems    Sides: Sew the sides of the fabric by turning the edge up a \u00BC inch and ironing it flat. Then turn the fabric over again an inch and iron flat. Sew along the edge of the fabric making sure to sew where the quarter inch turn is located. Note: If your sheer fabric has a pattern repeat like the one in the photo, you may want to consider using a 1/8 inch hem along the side as the pattern will show through and won&amp;#039;t look as nice; just be aware that it tends to be a little trickier to sew such a small area with the fabric slipping. Repeat for the other side. Tip:   Sheer fabric can be very tricky to work with because of its tendency to slip so it&amp;#039;s best to experiment with a few pieces of scrap fabric first. It may help to increase the pressure on the presser foot. If you find that the fabric is still slipping try pinning tissue paper underneath, which you can rip away after you&amp;#039;re finished sewing or use a stabilizer which helps keep the fabric in place while sewing. Turn the fabric up 4 inches, iron flat, then turn the fabric up another 4 inches and sew. Turn the fabric up a \u00BC inch and iron flat. Turn the fabric up the diameter of the rod plus 1 \u00BC inches (or whatever length you decided on for the top hem measurement). Pin across the entire width and sew.   Bottom: Turn the fabric up 4 inches, iron flat, then turn the fabric up another 4 inches and sew. Top: Turn the fabric up a \u00BC inch and iron flat. Turn the fabric up the diameter of the rod plus 1 \u00BC inches (or whatever length you decided on for the top hem measurement). Pin across the entire width and sew. The Fun Part   Complete the layered sheer look by using a double rod curtain rod set to hang the sheer curtain over another layer and you&amp;#039;re ready to go! Want to know how to keep your curtains clean? Check out Shape Up Your Drapes To schedule a visit to the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and see how and where we test hundreds of products every year, please go to www.goodhousekeeping.com/ghritours. Want to be a product tester for a day in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute? Enter our video contest and explain why you&amp;#039;re the perfect person to work with our lab scientists In New York City to comprehensively and creatively evaluate everything from mascaras to microwaves. Please note: contest entries are due by September 1. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a21470/diy-layered-sheer-curtains/>