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Today I wanted to share with you a review of another Craftsy class that I have taken – Sewing Custom Curtains & Draperies. This is Susan Woodcock’s second Craftsy class. You may remember I did a review of her first class a couple of months ago – Sewing Custom Roman Shades. You can read that review here.
Be sure to check out our Decorating With Window Treatments page for more ideas, tips and techniques for your windows!
Susan Woodcock has been in the drapery business for a long time. In fact, her mother also had a drapery business while she was growing up. Susan blogs at Home Dec Gal.
I’ve had the pleasure of having Susan as an instructor for two or three drapery conference classes that I’ve taken in the past. Just like with her first Craftsy class, Susan doesn’t disappoint with this one. She does a wonderful job teaching the different drapery techniques shown in this class.
You might be wondering why I would want to take a class about making draperies since I’ve been sewing draperies for my clients for almost 15 years. Over the years I’ve realized that there are many ways to sew window treatments, and I love seeing how other drapery professionals make them. I love to learn, and I’m always searching for new techniques and tips.
Sewing Custom Curtains & Draperies
Susan gives very clear step-by-step instructions in this class, so don’t be intimidated by the thought of making drapery panels. She walks you through the whole process.
In this class, Susan makes recommendations of fabrics that are suitable for draperies, and which are not. She shows how to take the correct measurements of your windows, how to figure the correct size of drapery, and also how to match pattern motifs if you have a patterned fabric.
This class covers the basics of how to cut out your fabric and lining, and sew your bottom and sides hems. From there, Susan teaches how to sew three different styles of drapery panels.
1) Grommet Panels – I have to be honest, I’ve never made grommet panels, and only one grommet valance, so I was very interested in watching this section of the class. Susan makes the process very easy and straightforward, and gives some great tips for inserting the grommets.
2) Gathered Panels – I’ve made lots of gathered panels over the years, but I’ve never used the technique that Susan uses for making a gathered panels. In fact, I’ve never thought of making gathered panels and hanging them on rings before. My gathered panels are usually shirred onto the rod or pole. Like I said, I love learning how other drapery professionals sew draperies!
3) Pleated Panels – Susan shows how to make panels with French pleats, and she also shows a few more styles of pleats. These panels are made out of a beautiful silk fabric, and Susan shares how to add a layer of interlining to give the fabric more body.
This is a great class for those of you who would like to make your own draperies. So often it’s hard to find ready-made draperies in the fabrics you like, or the size you need for your windows. Susan makes it easy to make your own draperies, and shares so much information in this class.
Craftsy is such a wonderful company. I love that you can watch their classes whenever you want, and as many times as you’d like. Any questions are answered quickly by the instructors, and Craftsy is very good at showing the close-up details of each lesson on the videos.
It looks like other students are enjoying the class as much as I am. To read the reviews of the class so far – click here.
I’m thrilled to be able to offer you this class at a discount price!
Click here to purchase Sewing Custom Curtains & Draperies
I’m very excited to be able to offer special discount prices for many of the Craftsy classes for my readers! You can find a list and links for all of the discounted classes on my Craftsy Class Discounts page.
You might enjoy these great Craftsy classes too! (Both at discounted prices)
Thanks for sharing these Jann! I love the shirred curtains with the rings! I would have never thought of that either! Isn’t the internet great?! I love how we can share ideas with each other!
Thanks Laura! Isn’t the shirred curtains on rings a great idea? Love it!
I took this class and made curtains for my living room, well worth the money!
Anabelle, I’m so glad it was helpful to you!