How to Make Tab-Top Curtains

Tab-top curtains have fabric loops sewn in the upper edge to showcase a decorator curtain rod or pole. They can be window size or simply a valance atop another type of treatment, like rod pocket curtains.

Supplies

•  Fabric (see measuring instructions to determine the amount)

•  Thread

Measuring Up

Mount the curtain rod in the desired position at least 1" above the window

Adjust the length of the fabric tabs according to your preference. To determine the best length, wrap a fabric scrap around the mounted rod and measure the desired distance from the rod to the curtain top, then add 1" for seams. The curtain top should be at least 2" below the rod.

Use 1 1/2 times the desired finished width for each panel's cut size to allow for gentle folds.

For a window treatment that opens in the middle like a café curtain, divide the desired width by two to create two panels that open to each side of the window. For a window treatment that does not open, such as a valance, piece together fabric panels to obtain the desired width.

The featured curtain uses 2"-wide tabs positioned approximately 6" apart. The tabs are held in place with a self-fabric facing.

General Instructions

Preshrink all fabrics before cutting if they are washable and you intend to launder the curtains later. If you plan to dry clean the curtains, no pre-treatment is needed. Trim all fabric selvages to avoid puckering.

Cutting

For each curtain panel size determined above, add 4" to the finished width to allow for a 1" double hem on each side.

To the desired length, add 2 1/2" for a 1" double hem on the lower panel and a 1/2" seam allowance on the upper edge.

Each panel also needs an upper self-fabric facing cut the same width as the finished curtain panel plus 1" and 4" deep.

Tab calculations

The cut width of each tab is 5" with a finished sewn width of 2." The tab length was determined above using a fabric scrap and adding 1" for seams.

To determine the number of tabs needed, divide the hemmed width of the panel by the width of the tab, plus the desired distance between tabs. Add one extra tab. Multiply the number of tabs by the number of panels. Add the total tab length together and cut all in one strip, then cut apart later.

Using the panel, tabs and facing measurements, determine the amount of fabric needed, piecing the widths as necessary to create the panels.

Making the Curtain Panels

Press under a 1" double hem at the curtain lower edge and topstitch near the upper fold.

Press under 1/2" on short sides and one long edge of the facing strip.

To prepare the tabs, fold the fabric lengthwise right sides together and stitch a 1/2" seam. Press the seam open and turn the tab strip(s) right side out. Center the seam and press (4). Cut the strip into tabs of the determined length.

Fold the tabs in half matching seamlines, and pin them evenly spaced on the curtain panel right side upper, matching the raw edges. Place one tab at each end, aligning the side of the tab with side hem pressed foldline.

Baste the tabs in place across the curtain upper edge. With right sides together and the tabs sandwiched between, pin the facing to the curtain panel upper edge with the side hems extended and facing side hems pressed to wrong side. Stitch 1/2" from the raw edge through all layers.

Press the facing to the wrong side with tabs extended. Fold and press the curtain side hems under the facing and trim seam allowances. Topstitch the curtain side hems and hand stitch the facing lower edge to the curtain.

Insert the curtain rod through tabs and hang.

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How to Make Rod Pocket Curtains

The clean, uncluttered lines of rod pocket curtains make them winning choices for almost any window, used alone or with another treatment. Valances and café curtains often have rod pockets for a decorative curtain rod or pole.

Supplies

•  Fabric (see measuring instructions to determine the amount)

•  Thread

General Instructions

Preshrink all fabrics before cutting if fabrics are washable and you intend to launder the curtains later. If you plan to dry clean the curtains, no pre-treatment is needed. Install the curtain rod and measure the window for either an inside or outside mounted curtain.

Use twice the window width measurement as the multiplier for the cut fabric width. This allows sufficient fullness and generous folds.

For a window treatment that opens in the middle, like a café curtain, divide the desired finished width by two to create separate panels. For a window treatment that doesn't open, like a valance, piece together fabric panels to the desired width.

Cutting Panels

To the desired finished panel width (including twice the fullness), add 4" to allow for double hems on each side.

To the desired finished panel length, add the following amounts: 3" for the header, the rod circumference + 1" for the rod pocket opening, 1/2" for finishing the casing, and 2" for the lower panel hem. Put more simply, add 6 1/2" plus the rod circumference.

A header is the amount of fabric extending above the rod itself forming a small ruffle

Once you've determined the cut panel sizes, figure the amount of yardage needed to make those sizes. It may be necessary to piece together multiple fabric pieces, depending on the panel and the fabric widths. Trim both fabric selvages to avoid puckering when stitching widths together. Join the fabric widths, matching any patterning needed; finish the seams, then cut the required panel sizes from the pieced fabric lengths.

Making the Curtain Panels

Press both sides of each panel 1" to the wrong side twice, forming a double hem. Repeat for the lower edge. Topstitch along the folded edges of each side first, and then repeat for the lower hem.

Press 1/2" to the wrong side along the curtain upper edge. Then press under the remaining amount determined above at the panel upper edge (rod pocket circumference, plus 4 "). Stitch along the lower folded edge. Stitch again 1 1/2" from the upper edge to create the rod pocket opening.

Insert the curtain rod through the casing, hang the curtain and distribute the fullness so the panel hangs evenly.

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How Drapes and Curtains Can Change a Room

Are you ready to do some repair homes and make a change in your home? A great place to start and see significant improvements quickly is to start with shish. It’s better to know what you want to do with your windows like changing the curtains or blinds, or go even further and add a curtain. Don’t worry about making any embarrassing mistakes because we’re going to help at the moment.

If you want to add life to any room, and the use of color is essential in an effective manner. Depending on the mood that you are looking for you can use bright colors to create more space to activate which is likely to leave you in a better mood, but you can use a darker toned earth colors to create a warm comfortable feeling.

Amazingly, the type of fabric that you use to create a texture in the room is very important as well. And the way non-woven fabric will give you the difference in texture, thus creating a different mood. If you feel inclined, you can play around and mix fabrics bit will stir interest and set the tone for a whole new operating system of your Windows. Some of the fabrics that you have available are silk, linen, velvet, lace, satin, gauze, cloth, and so much more. I wouldn’t advise more than 2-3 mixing fabrics However, unless you’ll end up with a shape that is very busy and confusing.

It can also be mixed styles. This pattern can be used to liven up the windows as well as the entire room. you’ll want to be sure to measure patterns so that patterns are used more on large surfaces such as curtains or blinds , and vice versa , and the patterns used on smaller surfaces such as curtains.

Different types of geometric patterns can be mixed together as well. Stripes with a mark in a smaller box that can be used together or even dots and plaid patterns. When mixing , but the patterns of use of color to denote the common patterns was supposed to be mixed together and not just thrown together without reason.

If you have Windows on the form and then you can use the identical blinds and curtains, along with curtains to make the window bigger and smaller as well as smaller windows appear larger. Small windows can be easily made ​​to look bigger by using the curtain at the top of the window, as well as using the curtain rod to spread out window to make it look much wider. If you’re looking to make a broader look smaller window then you can use curtains or blinds and put in a series to break the space up.

Pile on the benefits of your window treatments with the development of your interior decorating. The job comes first and foremost, so using blinds and shades to provide protection from the sun, and weather elements abroad as well, as well as to provide privacy. Then you can add blinds and curtains for decorative features, and give your home an atmosphere that you want to achieve them.

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