How to Connect Curtain Panels Without Sewing

As a busy mom, you might not have the extra time or sewing skills to sew curtain panels together. But you can still connect individual panels together with the help of a handheld fabric stapler. Fabric staplers shaped like pliers with fine wire staples provide enough support to seam two or more panels together without snagging the fabric. As an alternative, visit a fabric store or hobby shop to purchase iron-on fusible strips that bonds overlapping side edges for a sew-free finish. Your connected panels bring continuity and a field of color or texture to your family's home decor.

Fabric Stapler

Step 1

Place one panel face up on a large flat surface. Set a second panel face down over this first panel. Align the side edges and headers you want to connect. You will see only one panel wrong side up on this surface.

Step 2

Draw a line with a washable fabric marker and a straight edge that is 1/2 inch from the side edge of the top panel. This line marks a 1/2 inch seam line allowance from the header to the bottom hem on the curtain panel's side edge.

Step 3

Load a fabric stapler with staples and then staple the two panel layers together along this one seam.

Step 4

Bring the connected panels with the right sides still together to your ironing board. Set a chair or table in front of the ironing to keep the panel above the floor, if necessary.

Step 5

Position a cloth over the seam allowance. Instead of ironing the curtain panels directly, the cloth protects the iron from the staples. Iron the connected panels atop the cloth with the preheated iron set to the match the fabric’s contents. Spread the panel's wrong side up on the ironing board and then press open the seams. Let the curtain cool on the ironing board before moving.

Step 6

Hang your connected curtain panels on the drapery hardware.

Iron-on Fusible Strips

Step 1

Keep a chair or small table close to your ironing board to help support the bulk of the curtain panels above the floor.

Step 2

Set one panel face up on the ironing board. Make certain that one side edge of the panel is closest to you. The side edge forms the seam allowance for the overlapping panel. Insert straight pins into the panel and ironing board to help keep the panels in place.

Step 3

Draw with tailor’s chalk along a ruler a long line 1/2 inch from the panel's side edge. A seam allowance that extends from the header to the bottom hem marks the placement of the fusible strips.

Step 4

Measure and cut the iron-on fusible strip with scissors to fit within the 1/2 inch wide seam allowance. If the strip includes a paper liner, remove this backing following the instructions on the package.

Step 5

Lay the iron-on fusible strip atop the first panel within the 1/2 seam allowance area.

Step 6

Position the second panel face up over the first panel and fusible material to create a 1/2 inch overlap. The 1/2 inch overlap hides the fusible material. Pin down the fabric with straight pins pushed into the ironing board to position the second panel. Leave enough room between the pins for ironing, or remove them as you iron that area.

Step 7

Cover the overlapping panels with a cloth. Press with a preheated iron set to the fusible material instructions for heat, moisture and ironing time. For example, some iron-on strips require dry heat and a damp press cloth, but others may require a steam setting and a dry press cloth for a secure bond. Let the joined panels and fusible strips cool before fusing the next set of curtain panels.

Step 8

Remove the straight pins. Hang the connected curtain panels on the hardware.