How to Make a Shift Curtain

Measure the vertical and horizontal distances you want the curtain to cover, at least a foot on the side of each window and floor to ceiling height, ideally. Cut the outer fabric and liner fabric at least six inches longer than the vertical distance to allow for enough overhang to make curtain rod loops, and twice the width of the horizontal distance so the curtain bunches appropriately on the rod.

Fold up the bottom of the outer fabric one-fourth of an inch behind itself so the folded piece shows on the wrong side of the fabric. Sew the entire edge with that 1/4-inch band, keeping the stitching neat and straight. Repeat for all sides of the fabric. Hem the liner in the same way.

Set the iron temperature for the type of fabric and iron all the hems. Use slow, steady pressure to make the edge of the fabric neat and sharp along each hemmed side. Allow the fabric to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange the outer fabric so the wrong side faces up. Place the liner on top of it with its wrong side facing down, so the wrong sides touch and the right side of the liner faces up.

Fold the top edge of both fabrics down about three inches. Pin them in place along the fold, keeping the pins near the original edge and away from the new top of the fabric. Iron the top edge of the fabrics.

Sew a basic straight stitch across the entire curtain, about one-half inch up from the old edge and through both layers of fabric, making a 2 1/2-inch pocket at the top of the curtain.

Flip the curtain over so the pocket side and liner face the window. Slide the curtain onto the rod.