A caravan is an attached trailer that is pulled behind another vehicle to the campground, lake or grandparents' home on holiday. Often caravans have small windows that slide open and closed. The caravan may be fitted with small metal curtain rods or it may use a cable and hook system. In the UK, it is common for caravans to use net-type curtains for privacy and light.

Measure the width of your window. If you are using a net-type fabric (sheer or lace bottom), triple your measurement for a nice gather. If you want your curtain to open in the middle, then divide this amount in half and sew two individual panels. If your windows have angled sides, you will want to calculate from the widest part of the window.

  • A caravan is an attached trailer that is pulled behind another vehicle to the campground, lake or grandparents' home on holiday.
  • If you are using a net-type fabric (sheer or lace bottom), triple your measurement for a nice gather.

Measure the height of the window and add 6.2 cm (2 1/2 inches) for seams. Cut your fabric. Cut Rufflette header tape the width of your curtain panel plus 2.5 cm (1 inch).

Sew a 6 mm (1/4 inch) double hem along each side of the curtain. If your fabric has an edge (such as lace), then you do not need to hem the bottom. If the fabric is not edged, then sew a 6 mm (1/4 inch) double hem along the bottom and top. After you sew your hem at the top, fold the fabric down 5 cm (2 inches) and pin to the back.

  • Measure the height of the window and add 6.2 cm (2 1/2 inches) for seams.
  • If the fabric is not edged, then sew a 6 mm (1/4 inch) double hem along the bottom and top.

Fit Rufflette header tape 6 mm (1/4 inch) from the top back edge of the curtain. Turn 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) under on each side. Knot the cords on one end of the header tape. Loosen the cords on the other end so that you don't sew over them.

  • Fit Rufflette header tape 6 mm (1/4 inch) from the top back edge of the curtain.
  • Loosen the cords on the other end so that you don't sew over them.

Pin and sew the header tape to the back of the curtain. Sew along the top edge and do not sew over the cords. Move your curtain back to where you started and sew in between each cord; again, don't sew over the cords. Repeat between each cord and along the bottom of the header tape. When you sew all in one direction, you prevent unwanted puckering.

Pull the Rufflette cords to gather the curtain to the width you want. Once you reach that width, knot each cord. Wrap the cords around two of your fingers into a small bundle and safety pin the cords out of the way. This will allow you to launder and make adjustments later. Hang your curtains using curtain hooks.

TIP

Nonedged curtains can be dressed up by adding a ribbon above the bottom edge of the fabric. Press-studs can be sewn to the top and bottom to hold curtains in a fixed position. Press-studs, Rufflette and cording are available in material shops and online.