The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
For a first pair of lined drapes, choose a medium-weight decorator fabric—preferably cotton decorator fabric or a linen blend—pair it with blackout lining, square the cuts before sewing, and use ordinary all-purpose thread matched to the face fabric. Support every joined section of a wood pole with a bracket, and treat drapery weights as optional rather than essential. Those are Kristi’s practical recommendations in Addicted 2 Decorating’s March 12, 2014 follow-up, not universal industry rules.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This guide expands those answers into a workable sequence for selecting fabric, preparing the layers, sewing accurately, and hanging the finished panels. Retailers, product names, and prices in the 2014 article are historical references; current stock and pricing are not established here.
The short answer to the most common drapery questions
A beginner is more likely to get a predictable result with fabric that has enough body to fold, press, and stay in place while it is stitched. Kristi favors medium-weight decorator fabric, especially 100% cotton decorator fabric or a linen blend, and advises against beginning with very lightweight fabric, very heavy upholstery material, apparel fabric, quilting fabric, or canvas drop cloths.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
Her preferred lining is blackout lining. With a lightweight face fabric such as dupioni silk or silk-like polyester, she may add interlining for a softer hand and more body. She normally uses general-purpose thread in a color close to the dominant face-fabric color, does not routinely add drapery weights, and hangs panels from wood poles, brackets, and rings. A connection between two pole sections should sit over a supporting bracket.
The original source is Kristi’s “Drapery Tutorial Follow-Up: Your Questions Answered,” published March 12, 2014. The recommendations below are presented as her experience and preferences.
What kind of fabric should you use for draperies?
Start with medium-weight decorator fabric
Medium-weight decorator fabric is forgiving because it folds and presses without collapsing, holds a crease, and is less likely to shift as it passes under the presser foot. Those behaviors make it easier to keep long edges straight and to align a lining with the face fabric. Kristi’s preferred beginner option is 100% cotton decorator fabric. A linen blend is another workable choice when you want a linen-like appearance with enough structure for a first project.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Decorator fabric is made for home furnishings and is commonly wider than ordinary quilting or apparel fabric. Width varies by manufacturer and collection, however, so check the actual bolt before calculating how many lengths you need. The 2014 guidance should not be read as a guarantee about every fabric sold today.
Why very light or very heavy fabrics are harder
Very lightweight cloth can move, ripple, or stretch while you sew. It may also need interlining to achieve the body people expect from a lined panel. At the other extreme, heavy upholstery fabric can be difficult to fold, press, turn, and feed through a domestic sewing machine. Neither is impossible for an experienced sewist, but each adds handling problems that a beginner can avoid.
Apparel fabric and quilting fabric are not automatically wrong, but Kristi does not recommend them as a starting point for draperies. Their widths, drape, stability, and intended finishing methods differ from those of decorator textiles. Canvas drop cloths are another poor first choice in her view: they can be bulky and may not produce the controlled folds you want at a window.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
Compare the practical choices
| Face-fabric option | How Kristi treats it | Useful behavior | Beginner caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium-weight decorator fabric | Preferred starting point | Easier to fold, press, and keep from shifting | Verify the actual width and fiber content on the bolt |
| 100% cotton decorator fabric | Her preferred beginner choice | Usually has enough body to hold a crease | Specific performance depends on the individual fabric |
| Linen blend | Another workable choice | Provides a linen appearance with useful structure | Blend percentages and widths are not stated in the source |
| Very lightweight fabric | Better suited to experienced handling | Can create a soft, fluid panel | More prone to shifting; may benefit from interlining |
| Apparel or quilting fabric | Not her beginner recommendation | May be available in attractive prints | Width and stability may not suit a long drapery panel |
| Canvas drop cloth | Not her beginner recommendation | Inexpensive utility material in some markets | Can be bulky and difficult to shape cleanly |
| Heavy upholstery fabric | Not her beginner recommendation | Substantial body | Harder to fold, press, and sew on a household machine |
How to choose lining and interlining
Blackout lining as the default preference
Kristi identifies blackout lining as her go-to lining. Her reason is visual as much as functional: light passing through a lining can change the way the face fabric appears from inside the room. A blackout layer gives the face fabric a more consistent background in her experience.
She also pays attention to lining color when the back of the treatment is visible from outside. She often chooses a white-on-white version so windows in the same elevation have a consistent exterior appearance. The color that is appropriate for your house, building rules, or neighborhood view is a design decision; the article does not establish a universal exterior color requirement.
When interlining makes sense
Interlining is an additional layer placed between the face fabric and the lining. Kristi uses it with lightweight materials such as dupioni silk or silk-like polyester when she wants a softer hand and more body. It can make a delicate face fabric feel less insubstantial and can improve the way folds settle, but it also adds thickness and sewing bulk.
Think of the layers as solving different problems: the face fabric supplies color and pattern, blackout lining controls transmitted light and gives the back a finished surface, and interlining changes hand and body when the face fabric needs support. You do not need interlining simply because a panel is lined; use it when the chosen face fabric is too light for the look you want.
Handling blackout lining
Blackout materials can retain hard creases. Kristi cautions against folding blackout lining for storage because those folds may be difficult to remove. Roll or drape it in a way that avoids sharp storage creases, and follow the care instructions supplied with the particular lining. The 2014 article names RocLon Budget Blackout lining as the product she used, but its present-day availability, specifications, and price are not established here.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPrepare the fabric before cutting
Inspect every length before you cut. Look for weaving distortion, stains, visible flaws, and a pattern repeat that must be positioned consistently. Lay out enough floor or table space to support the full length rather than allowing the cloth to hang from the edge and pull itself out of alignment.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Iron the face fabric before construction. Pressing first removes temporary wrinkles that can make a measured line appear straight while the cloth is actually buckled. Kristi irons before sewing but does not hang the fabric in advance to “relax” it. That is her workflow, not a claim that every fiber behaves identically.
How do you square the fabric?
Squaring means creating a cut edge that is truly perpendicular to the selvages. A squared edge gives the hem and side seams a reliable reference. Kristi recommends squaring the bottom edge where the hem will be made rather than spending time perfecting the top edge that will later be trimmed during construction.
- Fold lengthwise. Bring the selvages together along the full length of the fabric. Do not rely on a quick fold at one end; align the selvages from end to end.
- Flatten the fold. Smooth the fabric until the fold lies flat without bubbles, diagonal pulls, or trapped wrinkles. If the fold is distorted, the line you mark will also be distorted.
- Secure the layers. Place pins as needed to prevent the two layers from shifting while you mark. Use a fabric-safe marking tool that is appropriate for the textile and test it on a scrap or hidden area first.
- Set a square across the fabric. Position a T-square or framing square with its long edge aligned to the selvages and its crosspiece establishing a right angle. Mark the line across the width where the hem edge should fall.
- Cut on the marked line. Keep the fabric supported as you cut so its weight does not pull the edge off the mark. Recheck the selvage alignment if the line seems to drift.
- Repeat for additional lengths. Match the position of a printed or woven pattern repeat before cutting each panel. A mathematically square edge is not enough if adjacent panels begin at visibly different points in the design.
Kristi warns that tearing most face fabric is a poor substitute for squaring. Tearing can stretch the cloth and leave an uneven edge, even when the torn line initially appears straight. A framing square or T-square is therefore a genuinely useful tool for this project.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How to decide on thread type and color
For drapery and other non-upholstered home-decor sewing, Kristi uses general-purpose thread. Match the thread to the main color of the face fabric rather than trying to match every minor accent in a print. A close color keeps small variations in stitching inconspicuous on hems and seams.
She reserves upholstery thread for upholstery projects. Upholstery thread is heavier and can create unnecessary bulk or tension problems in a domestic machine when used for ordinary drapery seams. She also notes that clear nylon thread can be finicky on some household sewing machines. Unless you have a specific reason to use it and your machine handles it reliably, ordinary color-matched thread is the less troublesome choice.
Thread decisions at a glance
| Thread choice | Kristi’s practice | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| General-purpose thread | Used for drapery and similar home-decor projects | Appropriate for ordinary seams and easier to manage on a household machine |
| Color close to the main face fabric | Preferred | Helps stitching blend into the finished panel |
| Upholstery thread | Reserved for upholstery work | Heavier thread is unnecessary for her drapery seams |
| Clear nylon thread | Used cautiously | Can be finicky on some household sewing machines |
Assemble the layers with the correct sides facing
Before sewing, identify the right and wrong sides of both fabrics. From the room, the right side of the face fabric should be visible. From the back of the treatment, the right side of the lining should be visible. The wrong sides are enclosed against each other between those finished surfaces.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Lay the layers out on a clean, sufficiently large surface and smooth them before pinning. Keep the grain and pattern direction consistent. If the face fabric has a directional motif, mark the “top” of every length so one panel cannot accidentally be turned upside down. When a lining is narrower than the face fabric, center it according to the construction plan and keep its edges clear of the finished side hems; the exact allowance depends on your pattern and is not specified in the source.
Recommended Free Tools
Press as you construct rather than waiting until the entire panel is complete. A controlled press after each major seam makes it easier to keep long edges flat. Use the heat, steam, and pressing cloth appropriate for the fiber and lining you purchased, because the 2014 guidance does not establish one setting for every material.
Do you need drapery weights?
Kristi generally skips drapery weights, even when working with lightweight fabric. She says she might consider them for a very lightweight material, but she does not treat weights as a standard requirement for every lined panel.
Weights can be a reasonable design choice when the bottom edge needs help settling, yet they also add concentrated weight at the hem and introduce another item to secure. Decide after evaluating the fabric’s behavior in a sample or partially finished section. If the panel already hangs cleanly, adding weights may solve a problem you do not have.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Constructing the panel without losing alignment
Keep the pattern repeat consistent
For multiple widths or adjoining windows, choose a reference point in the print or weave and place it at the same height on each panel. Pin through the reference points before joining lengths. Pattern matching is separate from squaring: a panel can have a perfectly perpendicular hem and still look mismatched if the repeat begins at a different location.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Keep the top edge practical
Because the top edge may be trimmed during construction, Kristi recommends concentrating squaring effort on the bottom hem edge. Trim the top only after the panel’s intended finished height and hanging method are clear. This avoids spending time perfecting material that will be removed.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
Check the front and back before final stitching
Lay a panel face up and then face down before committing to long seams. Confirm that the face fabric’s right side will face the room and the lining’s right side will face the window or exterior. Correcting an orientation error after a long seam is sewn is much harder than rotating a loose layer.
How to hang lined drapery panels
Wood poles, brackets, and rings
Kristi describes a straightforward system of wood poles, brackets, and rings. The rings provide attachment points for the panels, while the brackets carry the pole. Select hardware that is compatible with the pole diameter and the panel’s attachment method; the original article does not establish a current retailer, price, load rating, or universal spacing schedule.
Support every joined pole connection
If a pole is assembled from two sections, place the connection over a supporting bracket. A joint left between brackets can sag or work loose under the load of lined panels. Treat the bracket at the joint as structural support, not merely as a decorative end point.
Position the return-side pin
At the return side of a panel—the edge that turns back toward the wall—Kristi attaches the pin behind the eye rather than through it. That placement pulls the return closer to the wall and reduces the visible gap at the side. Test the position with the panel hanging before making every attachment identical.
Should you hang fabric before sewing to relax it?
Kristi irons the fabric before construction but does not hang it in advance to relax. This is a personal workflow preference. If your fabric’s care label or the seller’s instructions call for preconditioning, follow those instructions; do not assume that one handling method applies to every fiber, coating, or lining.
Can adjoining rooms use different fabrics?
Yes. Kristi says adjoining rooms can use different coordinating fabrics. Coordination can come from a shared color, scale, texture, or neutral background rather than from repeating the identical print. Keep the practical behavior of each fabric in mind: two fabrics can coordinate visually while requiring different amounts of interlining or different pressing precautions.
Troubleshooting common problems
The cut edge is wavy or not perpendicular
- Refold the length and realign the selvages.
- Smooth the fold before marking; do not mark over a bubble or diagonal pull.
- Use a T-square or framing square and support the fabric while cutting.
- Avoid tearing the face fabric, which can stretch it and create an uneven edge.
The face fabric shifts while sewing
- Check that the fabric is supported rather than hanging from the table.
- Use additional pins or temporary securing methods appropriate for the textile.
- Press both layers before assembly and work in manageable sections.
- If the cloth is very lightweight, consider whether interlining would provide the body you need.
The finished panel looks different in daylight
- Inspect the lining color from outside the window as well as from inside.
- Consider whether transmitted light is changing the face fabric’s appearance.
- Blackout lining may provide a more consistent background, while the exact result depends on the face fabric and light conditions.
The bottom edge does not settle
- Confirm that the hem was squared before it was sewn.
- Check that the panel is not twisted between the rings and the hem.
- Consider a drapery weight only if the fabric is exceptionally light and the problem remains; Kristi normally omits weights.
The pole sags at the middle
- Locate any connection between pole sections.
- Move or add a bracket so the connection sits directly over support.
- Verify that the hardware is suitable for the pole and lined-panel load; no universal load rating is supplied in the source.
A practical decision sequence for your first project
- Choose a manageable face fabric. Start with medium-weight decorator fabric, preferably cotton decorator fabric or a linen blend, unless you already have experience with more difficult textiles.
- Decide whether the face fabric needs support. Use blackout lining as the default preference, and add interlining when a lightweight face fabric needs more softness and body.
- Plan the visible sides. Mark the top of directional fabric, decide which lining color should be visible from outside, and identify the return side of each panel.
- Prepare and square. Iron the material, fold lengthwise, align the selvages, flatten the fold, mark a perpendicular line with a square, and cut the bottom edge.
- Match repeats before joining. Align the same print or weave reference across neighboring lengths, then pin to prevent movement.
- Sew with ordinary thread. Use general-purpose thread close to the main face-fabric color. Avoid upholstery thread and be cautious with clear nylon on a household machine.
- Press during construction. Keep the layers smooth and oriented correctly, with the face fabric’s right side toward the room and the lining’s right side toward the back.
- Hang with supported hardware. Use compatible wood poles, brackets, and rings, and put a bracket beneath every joined pole connection.
- Finish the return. Place the return-side pin behind the eye to draw that edge closer to the wall.
- Evaluate before adding weights. If the panel hangs well without them, follow Kristi’s usual practice and leave them out.
What this advice does—and does not—establish
The guidance is a DIY sewist’s account of what worked for her. It does not provide a formal textile standard, controlled comparison, universal fabric-width rule, current product availability, current pricing, machine-specific settings, or a required drapery-weight specification. Fiber content, coatings, pattern scale, lining construction, window size, and hardware design all affect the final result.
Use the recommendations as a decision framework: choose a stable fabric while learning, use lining to control light and appearance, square the edge mechanically instead of tearing, match ordinary thread to the face fabric, and support the hardware where sections meet. Confirm the care and installation instructions for the exact materials you purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
