Skip to main content
EN AUEnglish
20% off BESTÅ storage range for IKEA Family members*

See how easy it is to make – and hang – your own curtains

Hobby project, personal expression, unusual measures – whatever the reason, making curtains is simple with the right tools and guidance. Here are two ways to do it, shown step by step.

A living room with a blue-and-white RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric displaying round white dots, alongside green plants and a sofa.

Know your tools

The first is the slightly more advanced way. While we recommend a sewing machine, you can get great results with hand-stitching. If you use metre fabric, a good tip is to wash it beforehand to avoid unwanted shrinkage later. Whether adjusting existing curtains or making new ones from scratch, here’s what you need to get started.

 

  • Fabric (we chose blue-and-white RAKLOSTA
  • Sewing machine
  • KRONILL pleating tape
  • RIKTIG curtain hooks
  • SYRLIG curtain rings
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Thread, pins
Shop all sewing accessories
A softly sunlit, wooden tabletop with a length of blue-and-white RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric and scattered sewing accessories.

Know your tools

The first is the slightly more advanced way. While we recommend a sewing machine, you can get great results with hand-stitching. If you use metre fabric, a good tip is to wash it beforehand to avoid unwanted shrinkage later. Whether adjusting existing curtains or making new ones from scratch, here’s what you need to get started.

 

  • Fabric (we chose blue-and-white RAKLOSTA
  • Sewing machine
  • KRONILL pleating tape
  • RIKTIG curtain hooks
  • SYRLIG curtain rings
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Thread, pins

Measure twice, cut once

Got all measures taken, including allowing for double folds and enough length to reach all the way. Careful measuring is an excellent way to minimise trial and error.

A pair of nail-polished hands using a measuring tape on a blue-and-white RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric with a circular pattern.

Measure twice, cut once

Got all measures taken, including allowing for double folds and enough length to reach all the way. Careful measuring is an excellent way to minimise trial and error.

Fold and fold again for a clean edge

Double-fold the side edges, then press with an iron for a nice finish.
Shop all fabrics
A hand with red nails pressing the folded hem of a blue-and-white RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric with a steam iron.

Fold and fold again for a clean edge

Double-fold the side edges, then press with an iron for a nice finish.

Pin and stitch the top of your curtain

Align pleating tape at the intended top edge, pin it in place, and sew (or stitch) along the sides.

Pinned-in-place KRONILL pleating tape being sewn with a sewing machine, showcasing detailed stitching on fabric.

Pin and stitch the top of your curtain

Align pleating tape at the intended top edge, pin it in place, and sew (or stitch) along the sides.

Insert curtain hooks

Distribute and fasten RIKTIG curtain hooks evenly along the pleating tape. The shorter the intervals, the smaller the pleats will be once your curtains are in place.
A nail-polished hand attaching a RIKTIG curtain hooks to KRONILL pleating tape, in turn attached to the edge of a curtain.

Insert curtain hooks

Distribute and fasten RIKTIG curtain hooks evenly along the pleating tape. The shorter the intervals, the smaller the pleats will be once your curtains are in place.

Hang proud

All done. Hook the fabric onto the rod or track – here we use a wall-mounted rod and SYRLIG curtain rings – step back and admire your handmade curtains.

Shop all curtain rods & rails
A living room with a person in light-coloured clothing pulling back blue polka dot curtains. A window shows greenery outside.

Hang proud

All done. Hook the fabric onto the rod or track – here we use a wall-mounted rod and SYRLIG curtain rings – step back and admire your handmade curtains.

Or – you can do like this

No machine? No worries! With SY iron-on hemming strip, you can achieve a quick, clean, no-stitch fold – perfect for light fabrics, quick makeovers, or temporary solutions. Apply hemming strip, fold, iron and voilà.

An iron pressing on a SY iron-on hemming strip placed in the folded hem of blue-and-white RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric.

Or – you can do like this

No machine? No worries! With SY iron-on hemming strip, you can achieve a quick, clean, no-stitch fold – perfect for light fabrics, quick makeovers, or temporary solutions. Apply hemming strip, fold, iron and voilà.

The results are in

That’s it! Once you have the folds done, SYRLIG curtain rings do the rest. Hang them, clip on to the fabric and take in the view. 

Shop all window treatments
A pair of nail-polished hands hanging a curtain, made from RAKLOSTA pre-cut fabric, on a rod using SYRLIG curtain rings.

The results are in

That’s it! Once you have the folds done, SYRLIG curtain rings do the rest. Hang them, clip on to the fabric and take in the view.