How to make a wall hanging

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one hanging, standard size)

• Fabric (linen or a large print) — about 70 × 120 cm
• Dowel, 1.2 cm diameter — 62 cm × 2
• Cord — about 80 cm
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Wall hanging” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the width, the height, the rod casing width and whether there is a lower rod. Presets cover small, standard, large and top-only.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   One rectangle. You can rule it straight onto the fabric.
2. Cut the piece
   Cut one. Decide where the print falls before cutting.
3. Transfer the notches
   Mark the fold lines top and bottom.

4. Sewing

4-1. Hem the sides

1. Turn each side under by 1 cm, then 1.5 cm, and stitch.
2. Press the folds first and the stitching runs straight.

4-2. Make the top casing

1. Turn the top edge under by 1 cm, then to the notch.
2. Stitch close to the fold, from edge to edge. That is the casing.
3. Check the dowel actually passes through before you sew.

4-3. The bottom the same

1. If you are using a lower rod, make the same casing at the bottom.
2. A rod at the bottom keeps it hanging straight.
3. For a top-only version, simply hem the bottom.

4-4. Thread and hang

1. Thread the dowels top and bottom.
2. Tie the cord to each end of the top dowel and hang it.
3. Trim the dowels if they stick out too far.

✏️ Test the dowel against the casing before you sew it. Even folded to the calculation, a thick fabric can leave the casing too tight. Finding out after the casing is stitched means unpicking it.

5. Tips & variations

• Use a lower rod: the weight keeps it flat and it does not lift in a draught.
• Change it with the seasons: a few of them make the room easy to refresh.
• One big print: large prints look best uncut, used as a single panel.