How to Make Grommets in Curtains

There are curtain styles available to fit any room decor and most are easy to make. Curtains may be used as purchased, altered to meet specifications, made from vintage textiles or newly purchased fabrics. Making grommets in curtains is an easy way to incorporate a simple piece of fabric without a lot of sewing and fuss. Shower curtains are best known for their grommets, but use of the grommet has also moved out into the kitchen and living spaces. They are simple to attach and the results look professional.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Curtain rod
• Hanging hardware
• Tools to hang hardware
• Fabric for curtains, determined by size of the window
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Ink pen
• Seam ripper
• Grommets, number determined by width of the window
• Grommet tool
• Hammer
• Wood cutting board
• Curtain rings or cording

1. Measure and hang your hardware and curtain rod. Keep in mind the curtain will be hanging from rings and the top of the curtain panel will be lower. Measure the width of the window and multiply by 2 1/2. Add 2 inches for side hems and divide the width in half for two panels. Measure the desired length and add 3 inches for top and bottom hems. Cut two pieces of fabric using the panel width measurement in the length.

2. Fold under the sides a 1/4 inch and iron. Fold under a 1/4 inch again, iron and pin. Top stitch the pinned edges. Repeat for the bottom of the panels. Fold under the top a 1/2 inch and iron. Fold the top under another 2 inches, iron and pin. Top stitch the pinned edge for the curtain header.

3. Make center marks in the 2 inch header. Start in the middle of the panel and mark every 3 inches. You may need to adjust the measurement at the sides, ending with marks 1 inch from the sides. Using the seam ripper, make small slits at each mark through all the thicknesses. Insert the grommet half that has the protruding center through a slit on the front of the curtain. Turn the curtain over and place the ring-shaped grommet half over the protruding center. Place the grommet on a wood cutting board and position the grommet tool over the back of the grommet. Hammer the grommet tool a few times to connect the grommet pieces together. Attach the remaining grommets along the top of the curtain header in the same way.

4. Attach curtain rings to each grommet or thread cording from front to back all the way across the panels. Insert the curtain rod through the rings or the cording and hang the panels.