How to Make Unlined Tab-Top Curtains

Tap-top curtains are suitable for use in any informal room. They are versatile because you can design your own tabs as deep or as wide as you desire. The tabs gullies can actually become scallops for a softer look to the curtains. Tab-top curtains slide directly onto the rod without the need for any additional hangers or hoops.

Things You'll Need

• Rod
• Fabric
• Stiffening fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Hand needle
• Thread

Instructions

Calculate Fabric

1. Calculate fabric length. Take the desired length of the curtain and add 4 1/2 inches for the top hem. Add 3 inches for a double 1 1/2-inch hem. This is the length of each panel.

2. Calculate fabric width. Multiply the length of the rod by 2 1/2 times the width and add 1 inch for each seam.

3. Add 2 1/4 inches for each side hem. This is the width of your panels.

Mark and Sew

1. Cut 4-inch wide strips of the stiffening fabric the width of the finished curtain.

2. Plan your scallop pattern on a piece of paper the width of the stiffening fabric. The scallop size can be whatever width you desire but all should be the same width.

3. Start the first scallop 2 inches from the edge of the fabric. Draw another scallop on the opposite edge of the pattern 2 inches from that edge. Evenly space additional scallops between these two.

4. Pin the stiffening strip to the wrong side of the curtain fabric at a distance of 4 1/2 inches from the top of the fabric. This is the heading.

5. Fold and pin the side hems toward the stiffening side. Stitch the side and bottom hems.

6. Turn the heading down to let the right sides touch each other. The top edge of the stiffening material will be on the fold line.

7. Put the stiffening fabric side up in your sewing machine. Stitch along the outline of the stiffening fabric.

8. Cut the outline of the stitches, leaving the 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip curves and clip corners.

9. Turn the heading right side out. Pull fabric through carefully, easing the curves and corners as you go. Press. Finish the raw edge with a narrow hand hem.

Make the Tabs

1. Measure the flat part of the curtain in between tabs. This is your tab width. Double and add 1/2 inch for seams.

2. Cut the quantity needed. Cut one for each scallop, 10 inches long.

3. Sew down the length of each tab. Turn. Press with the seam in the middle of the back.

4. Turn raw ends inward and top stitch all four sides of the tab.

5. Fold tabs in half to make a 5-inch folded tab. Place the flat areas of the curtains 1/2 inch between the folded tab. Attach, using a top stitch. Repeat until all the tabs are attached.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on a piece of old fabric if this is your first attempt.

• Do not choose thick fabric; it will not lay as neatly in the scallop.

References

• Tab Top Curtains