How to Make Lined Tab Curtains

Tab-top curtains

Lined tab-top curtains are simple curtains. They have a clean and uncluttered appearance and work beautifully on almost any window in a home. In particular, kitchen windows and bathroom windows work well when they are dressed with tab curtains. Not only are these attractive curtains, but they are easy to make. When you make your own lined tab curtains you can choose decorator fabrics that match your existing décor perfectly.

Things You'll Need

• Curtain fabric Fabric for tabs (can be a matching or complementary fabric) Lining fabric Sewing machine Sewing notions Tape measure Curtain rod

Instructions

Making Lined Tab Curtains

1. Decide the desired length of the curtains. Place the curtain rod on the window and measure the distance from the rod to the point where the curtains will end. Add 1 inch for hemming and 6 inches for the tabs for a total of 7 inches to be added to the length measurement. Measure the desired width of the curtains and multiply this figure by 1.25. This figure is the width of the fabric to cover one window.

2. Determine the number of tabs desired for each curtain. Allow no more than 5 inches between tabs and plan at least 5 tabs per curtain. Measure the width of the curtain and figure the number of tabs needed.

3. Make the tabs. Cut the required number of tab pieces for each window from the tab fabric. Each tab piece should measure 3 inches by 10 inches. Fold each tab piece in half width-wise with right sides facing each other. Pin and sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance along both lengths of the tabs.Turn each tab right-side-out and press well, having the seam going down the center of the tab.

4. Measure and cut the curtain pieces into panels according to the measurements taken earlier. Cut one panel out of the curtain fabric and another matching panel out of the lining fabric.

5. Place the fabric panel and the lining panel together with right sides facing each other. Sew around each length and the bottom with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave the top edges open and raw. Fold down 1/4 inch along the top of the panel and press this fold well to keep it down. Turn the panel right side out and press well, taking the time to make each corner pointed and completely turned out.

6. Attach the tabs to the top of the lined panels. Fold each tab in half with the seam on the inside of the fold. Place each tab in between the lining and curtain layer and arrange them by measuring to make sure that they are placed evenly across the top of the panel. Extend each tab into the panel by at least one inch. More of the tabs can extend in to shorten the length of the tab, if desired, but make sure the tabs will still fit the curtain rod. Pin each tab in place to hold it securely. Sew along the top of the panel to secure the tabs into place.