Are you ready to bring some personality and style into your bathroom while also adding a bit of practicality?
Why not have a go at making your own custom shower curtain.
One of the most asked questions from my bathroom remodel is about the shower curtain.
At the time I made my custom shower curtain, I didn’t even think it would be so popular and I didn’t take any photos of the process.
I had fallen in love with this fabric and wanted to use it somewhere in my home and in my opinion the perfect place was the bathroom.
This summer we’ve been designing spaces for a few clients and one of them happens to be a bathroom.
We’d already remodeled her bedroom and thought it would be beautiful to add the same accent fabric into the bathroom.
And that meant making a pretty custom shower curtain.
With just a few simple seams, you too can create an eye-catching showpiece for your bathroom!
We’ll guide you through the process step-by-step so even if you’re a beginner you too can have a gorgeous handmade shower curtain to admire.
Read on for more information about how to get started designing and sewing up your custom shower curtain!
What Fabric is Best for a Custom Shower Curtain?
When it comes to fabric selection for a custom shower curtain, you want something that’s going to be both durable and washable.
Look for fabrics like cotton canvas, cotton, a cotton polyester blend or polyester…
…Or you can even use a flat sheet.
You can also choose from a variety of prints – go wild with florals, stripes, geometric shapes or trendy prints!
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How to Measure for a Custom Shower Curtain?
When you’re ready to start making your own custom shower curtain, it’s important to get the measurements right.
Take out your measuring tape and measure the width of your shower stall from wall-to-wall and then the height you’d like your shower curtain to be.
Write these measurements down and add an additional 16″ to the length, 8″ for the header and 8″ for the hem.
While your finished shower curtain can just be the total width of your shower stall, I like my shower curtain to be full.
It just feels more luxurious that way!
So I like to take the width and times it by 1 1/2 or 2.
For this custom shower curtain I used two widths of 54″ fabric, so with the seams, the finished width is a little less than two times the width.
Gather Your Materials
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To make your own custom shower curtain, you’ll need a few basic materials such as fabric, a sewing machine, and thread.
Don’t forget to measure your shower area to ensure that you’ve purchased enough fabric.
To make this shower curtain I used:
Once you have selected your fabric and gathered your supplies, it’s time to start sewing.
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Measure and Mark Fabric
Creating a custom shower curtain can be a fun and rewarding DIY project.
First you’ll want to determine how high you want your shower curtain to hang and then add 16″ to that amount, 8″ for the header and 8″ for the hem.
I like to do a double fold hem and header to add some weight and stability to the shower curtain.
To me it just hangs better with the added weight at the bottom and is more durable at the top for placing the hooks.
Then lay out your fabric and mark the length you want to cut your fabric.
I cut two pieces to my desired length, this will make my custom shower curtain nice and full.
I like to use a quilting ruler and fabric marker to measure and mark the fabric to the desired size.
You’ll also want to remove the selvage edge from both sides of the fabric, if you don’t when you go to stitch the sides it will pucker.
Taking the time to measure accurately is key to ensuring your final product looks polished and professional.
Once you have cut the fabric, it’s time to sew it together.
Match and Align Fabric Pattern
If you’re using a patterned fabric you’ll want to take the time to carefully match your fabric.
Align the fabric pattern, right sides together and pin.
Then take your fabric to the sewing machine and stitch a straight seam about 1/2″ wide.
Once stitched together press the seam open.
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Header and Hem
Creating a custom shower curtain can add a unique touch to any bathroom, and one important aspect to consider is the header and hem.
The header is the top part of the shower curtain where the curtain rings or hooks will go, and the hem is the bottom part that is often weighted to keep the curtain in place.
For the header and hem I like to make a double fold 4″ hem.
To begin mark and fold your fabric 4″ up from the cut edge for the header.
Then press along the fold with a hot steam iron.
Finally fold the fabric up another 4″, pin in place and press.
Repeat the same process for the hem.
And finally stitch the header and hem in place.
If you’re a beginner, go slow and keep the edge of your presser foot near the edge of the fabric.
This will help you sew a straight line.
And if it’s not perfect, no one will know.
Side Seams
When it comes to creating a custom shower curtain, the side seams create a polished finish edge.
Just like the header and hem, we’re going to create a double fold seam.
Before you get started make sure you’ve cut off the selvage edge from both sides of the fabric.
First fold over the side fabric 1″ and press with a hot steam iron.
Repeat and fold over again, pin in place and steam with the iron.
Now you’re ready to take your fabric to the sewing machine and stitch the side seam.
Repeat for the opposite side.
Don’t be intimidated by the process – with a little practice, you’ll be able to sew side seams with ease and confidence.
Stitch Buttonholes in Header
Creating a custom shower curtain can be a fun and rewarding project, but it can also be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with sewing techniques.
One essential step in making your own shower curtain is stitching buttonholes in the header.
This might seem intimidating, but with just a few basic skills, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and functional curtain.
First you’ll want to measure and mark the placement of your buttonholes.
Mine are spaced 6″ apart and are 1″ long.
If your machine has a buttonhole attachment or a buttonhole setting, you can follow the instructions in your sewing machine manual.
I’m using an old Kenmore sewing machine and I don’t have a “buttonhole” setting that will create them for me.
But basically a button hole is a series of zigzag stitches that will keep the fabric from fraying when the hole is cut.
I first begin with a wider zigzag stitch and set the stitch length to 0.
Allow the needle to make 2-3 stitches at this position.
Then set your sewing machine to a narrow zigzag and adjust the length to 1 and create a zigzag stitch for 1″.
Now set your machine back to the wider zigzag stitch, with the stitch length set to 0 and make 4-5 stitches.
With you needle in the down position, turn your fabric 180°.
Again set your machine to make a narrow zigzag, adjust the length to 1, and then stitch to where you began.
Finally set your machine back to the wide zigzag stitch, set stitch length to 0 and make 2-3 stitches.
Once you’ve stitched all of your buttonholes, use a seam ripper to cut open the hole.
With a bit of practice and patience, anyone can learn how to sew buttonholes.
Before you start sewing the buttonholes on your shower curtain, practice on scrap fabric until you get the hang of it.
If this seems too intimidating, instead of making buttonholes, you can attach grommets.
Hang Custom Shower Curtain
You can easily add some style and character to your bathroom with a custom shower curtain made right at home.
Now that you have all the materials and instructions on how to make one, it’s time to get creative!
Put your new found knowledge into practice and begin today!
Don’t forget to add decorative trim or embellishments, craft a truly unique piece for your bathroom.
Hang it up with a liner and some shower curtain rings and you can sit back and enjoy your handiwork!
Other final touches you may want to consider are ribbon tie-backs or a coordinating valance will definitely give the room more character.
Do you feel confident to make a custom shower curtain for your bathroom now?
We hope this tutorial has inspired you to unleash your creativity and create a custom shower curtain for your bathroom.
Thanks for spending some time with us today, we hope you’ve been inspired!
Drop us a comment, we love to hear from you.
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Retailers We Love
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You will also find our video tutorials on our YouTube channel.
- How to Build a Simple and Affordable Shower Niche
- Add Character with an Easy Shiplap Bathroom Ceiling
- How to Install a Prefab Shower Pan in Your Bathroom
- Sensational Master Bathroom Design Plans to Spark your Creativity
Hello, I’m new and this is actually the first project I’ve watched you start and finish. If this is an indication of what your projects are going to be like, I can’t wait.
Sincerely (with great expectations),
Gray.
Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.
Such a beautiful transformation. Well done, my friends.
Thank you Renae, so much fun to do.