Did you know that curtains also need lining? It may not seem necessary to you if you haven’t ordered custom curtains before, but curtain linings have a special place in the world of draperies.
This article will explore the importance of lining your curtains and ways to do so.
What is Curtain Lining?
Curtain lining is a plain or patterned fabric attached to the back of the curtain. It protects your curtain from sunlight and reduces fading. It also helps give shape to the curtain and helps to protect the front-facing fabric.
Why are Curtain Linings Essential?
01. Extends the Life of Your Curtain Fabric
One of the most important reasons to line your curtains is to help them last longer. It slows down the fading of your draperies from prolonged exposure to the sun. With the help of the appropriate curtain lining fabric, the inner side of your curtains is protected from the harsh sun, allowing them to have a longer life.
02. Boosts Privacy
Curtain linings make your draperies less transparent or translucent, protecting your privacy, especially at night. Privacy is another crucial reason to line your curtains. Adding a lining to a slightly transparent fabric will boost its opacity and ensure that the private rooms of your house, like the bathroom and bedroom, are safe from prying eyes.
03. Makes Your Curtains Look Uniform
Linings make your window treatments less wimpy and give them a more uniform look when seen from the exterior of your house if your curtains vary in colour and pattern.
04. Enhances Vibrancy
Without a lining, curtain fabrics look see-through and washed out during the day. Adding a lining to your curtains will make them appear more vibrant.
05. Insulation
Curtain linings add more fabric to curtains, therefore making them thicker. The lining is an additional layer of insulation at the window, which helps you cut your heating and cooling expenses. If you live in a colder region, thermal curtain lining fabrics will help you even more.
06. Basic Light and Soundproofing
Adding blackout curtain linings to curtains in bedrooms and media rooms will help block out all light and most sounds. It will help you get a good night’s rest.
07. Overall Better Look
Lining valances and other top window treatments may not contribute much to privacy or light control, but they improve the life and look of the final product.
Ways to Add Liners to Your Curtains
Method 1: Pick and Buy the Curtain Liner That Meets Your Needs
You can hang these liners on a second curtain rod or pass one rod through the rings of the curtain and liner alternately. These curtain linings are ready-made and can be found online or at curtain shops.
Here are some things you should keep in mind when buying curtain liners:
- If you have drafty or thin windows and want to insulate them, pick a thermal curtain lining. Most thermal curtain liners are either cotton, polyester, or a blend of the two.
- If you are looking to blackout your room, you will need to pick an appropriate fabric. Blackout curtain liners are usually made with stiff and thick fabric as they completely block out the sunlight.
- If you live in an area that sees mild to heavy rainfall during the year or if you frequently have condensation on your windows, you can opt for water-resistant curtain liners. It will stop your curtains from soaking up moisture and losing their lustre. Water-resistant linings can also be used in kitchen and bathroom curtains.
- If you only want to add some weight or body to your thin curtains, you can add a standard cotton fabric. Additional weight will make your curtains hang better. Remember that pure cotton fabrics may shrink when you wash them; a polyester-cotton blend won’t.
Method 2: Attach the Lining Fabric with a Hook to the Curtain Header Tape
Here, you make your own curtain liner and attach it to your curtain by passing a hook through the curtain header tape and the liner header tape.
Steps to Make a Curtain Liner
- With a measuring tape, measure the length of your curtains from the bottom of the curtain header tape to the bottom of the curtain fabric. Then, measure the width of your curtains across the bottom of the fabric.
- Minus 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) from the measured length of the curtain and 1.6 inches (4 cm) from the width. It will give you the size of your curtain liner. Add 0.8 inches (2 cm) to the measured length if you will hem the curtain lining.
- Lay the lining fabric on a clean, flat surface, and use fabric scissors to cut the material according to the measurements.
- Ensure that your header tape is as wide as your lining before sewing the lining onto the curtain. Add 2.4 inches (6 cm), so you have enough room to fold over the edges at the ends. Cut the header tape and place it over the coated lining fabric, so it runs along the top edge of the curtain. Keep the tape in place with pins, and fold 1.2 inches (3 cm) of its fabric under at both ends. In the case of non-coated lining fabric, fold over 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) at the top before you pin the tape in place.
- Sew the lining to the curtain header tape with a sewing machine. Stitch the top and bottom edges to secure the lining.
- Pull both ends of the header tape so it is the same width as the curtain.
- Hook your curtain liner to the curtain header tape with the help of a hook. Leave some space of about 6 to 7 inches (15 to 20 cm) between each hook.
Method 3: Sew a Liner Directly onto the Curtains
A curtain lining fabric is stitched directly onto the curtain in this method. It makes the curtain and the liner one fabric.
Steps to Sew a Curtain Liner
- Remove the hems of your curtains on the top and sides. Leave the bottom as it is.
- Measure your curtain from top to bottom and across the bottom of the fabric.
- Add 8 inches (20 cm) to the measured length (for hemming). Don’t add the extra length if you are using coated fabric. Cut your lining material with fabric scissors according to the measurements.
- Lay your lining material on top of the curtain on a flat surface, fold the bottom of the liner by 2 inches (5 cm), and pin it in place.
- Fold the previously opened sides of the curtain towards the liner and sew the fabrics together with a sewing machine.
- Fold 2 inches (5 cm) of the top of the curtain towards the liner and sew across the top. Your liner should now be secure.
Conclusion
Curtain liners are as important as washing and maintaining your curtains. You could even say that they reduce the number of times you have to clean your draperies. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of curtain liners and the different ways you can line your curtains. Pick what suits your style and needs the best.
We have also written another article related to this blog. You may refer following link:
Hassel-Free DIY No-Sew Curtains
Image Courtesy: Image 5
Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.
