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DIY Blackout Curtains-How To Add Blackout Lining To Existing Curtains

Blackout curtains are always a way better idea than regular curtains. However, investing in new ones might not always be a very feasible option. That’s where a little bit of smartness kicks in when you can simply upgrade your regular curtains and can easily enjoy the comfort of blackout window drapes.

This proves specifically helpful when you’ve got way too thin-profiled or essentially see-through wall curtains and want to improve them without excessive involvement of money or effort.

Besides, while you might not succeed in getting blackout curtains in your required colors, you can always make the desired ones by adding the blackout lining and a little creativity!

Here’s How To Do This Easy Way

Ahead is a simple yet effective method of adding blackout lining to any of the store-bought or, in other words, existing curtains. You can do this even if you aren’t a pro at operating a sewing machine or simply dealing with thread.

What You’ll Need

  • Curtains (or any fabric)
  • A few pins
  • Matching thread (alternatively, you can also make use of the iron-on adhesive)
  • Blackout curtain lining (of course!)

Before You Start

Before You Start
Take care of these few aspects:
  • If you’re using existing curtains, make sure that you clean and dry them well. You’ll also need to wash both the curtain and the attached lining afterward, once you’ve sewn them together. This is essential to make them softer.
  • Ensure getting as precise curtain measurements as possible. This goes the same in case you need to cut your blackout lining, as well. Also, as for the lining, make sure that you leave at least half an extra inch of fabric on each side, so as to avoid any troubles, later on.
 
  • If you need to mark the blackout lining, only use that marking tool or chalk that is easy to wash later.
  • You might as well, need to iron the curtain and/or the lining during or after the procedure, so as to get rid of any wrinkles and achieve a smooth canvas to work on.
  • Ensure carrying out the entire process on a clean flat surface, as this will avoid any misconduct in the measurements or sewing.

Steps To Follow

How To Add Blackout Lining To Existing Curtains 1
  • Start by laying your curtain(s) on the flat surface with the front side facing downwards.
  • Unpack the lining and if it’s wrinkled, make sure to clear it out by ironing the lining.
  • Place the lining atop the curtains and pin them together securely. The lining seam should be closer to the top stitching of the curtain.
  • Simply stitch the curtain and the lining together with a single line. Also, this needs to be done on all four sides. Alternatively, you can also place the iron-on adhesive between the two fabrics and attach them together by ironing.
  •  Flip the curtain over and check all the sides to see if there’s any uneven or non-presentable spot visible.

Read More: New Decoration Designs for Curtain Trends 2023

If things don’t go bad, you should be able to achieve your desired outcome at this point, i.e, your curtains with a nice heavy and comforting blackout lining attached to them!

What’s The Point Of Attaching Blackout Lining?

What’s The Point Of Attaching Blackout Lining curtains
Because we’re into DIYs and we prefer finding solutions to the concerns instead of spending money! Aside from the fun side, this actually turns out to be quite helpful and cost-effective. And here are a few reasons why you should consider doing this:
  • Adding blackout lining to the existing curtains ensures maximum light blockage, noise absorption, and coverage. This kind of curtain setting can even outperform the actual blackout curtains.
  • This of course saves money and proves particularly helpful if you’ve been struggling with your sleep or want to work in non-disruptive environments.
  • Enhancing the profile and functionality of your curtains is essentially easy, even with the basic knowledge of sewing. You can go for the iron-on adhesive method as well. However, that’s not a very effective idea, in the first place, since sewing brings about a nice-looking curtain fall.

Read More: How to Hang Curtains In a Corner Window

  • Apart from the addition of blackout lining, this method can also be used to add other fabrics to the curtains for both decorative and functional purposes. The addition can be done to the front side too, instead of just the back one.

To Sew Up (To Sum Up)

This was our time with a practically easy method of how to add blackout lining to existing curtains, which is a super money-saving and cost-effective project. Besides offering the foremost advantage of a blackout window treatment, this useful hack does increase the working and look of the existing curtains. You can also do this procedure for your newly bought curtains in case you aren’t satisfied with the profile or functionality. Good luck with your project and we hope that you come up with optimum consequences on the first attempt!
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FAQS (Frequently Asked Questioned)

Blackout Lining addition works similar to the actual functionality of blackout curtains, keeping direct sunlight away and making the rooms more comfortable. This also prevents heat loss during winter and is a great way to reduce energy expenses, as well.

Blackout lining can be easily attached to curtains without sewing and you’ll need an iron on adhesive for this purpose. You’ll need to set your iron in accordance with the iron-on adhesive directions, which is usually the “wool” setting. Once you’ve placed the curtain fabric and blackout lining together, place it on the back side of the blackout lining and press to have the two attached together.

When choosing materials for making Blackout curtains, try to get a more opaque fabric which will provide for the light blocking purpose effectively. This will boost the functionality of the lining and will also prevent any leakage of light from any point.

In case you haven’t got an iron at hand or simply don’t want to do that, you can still easily make your blackout curtains fabric or lining crease-free. Steaming is the best alternative to ironing and it also works as a revival of the fabric. In addition to that, you can just go for washing the fabric(s) and hang them to dry, so that all the creasing is gone.