How to Make Tab Curtains With Ribbons
Not only do draperies and curtains create a privacy barrier, they are the jewelry that adorns your window openings. Purchasing custom draperies for your windows can cost hundreds of dollars. Making your own tab top window treatments is an economical option for finishing your windows. However, sewing and hemming each individual tab can be a very tedious and time-consuming job. Using ribbon is a much easier way to create a custom look and design your own tab top curtains. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Fabric
- Ribbon (at least 2 inches wide)
- Straight pins
- Sewing marking pen
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of window opening and double that measurement to determine the fabric width. Measure the length of the window and add 3 to 4 inches to this measurement.
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2
Wash the fabric in warm water and machine dry. This will prevent the curtains from shrinking during future washings.
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3
Iron the fabric and cut to the size that was determined when you measured the window.
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4
Fold each edge of the fabric over about 1/4 inch. Iron each edge in place. This will form the hems of the panel.
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5
Use a sewing machine to sew a straight stitch down the side and bottom hems, about 1/8 inch from the edge.
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6
Cut the ribbon to match the width of your curtain panel.
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7
Determine the number of tabs you would like on your curtain panels. Mark tab locations on the top edge of the panel with a sewing marking pen.
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8
Cut 6-inch strips of ribbon in the quantity determined in Step 7.
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9
Loop the ribbons in half and attach to the marks on the curtain panels using straight pins.
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10
Pin the longer pre-cut ribbon to the upper edge of the curtain. The ribbon will cover the ironed hem and the ribbon ends.
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11
Sew a straight stitch across the top and bottom edge of the ribbon that covers the width of the curtain panel. This will secure the hem as well as the ribbon tabs that have been pinned into place.
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12
Remove all the straight pins from the panel.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be sure to use thread that matches the curtain and ribbon color(s). Attach the pins to the inside of the panel so they are easy to access for removal once the loops have been sewn into place.
