How to Make Lined Tab Top Drapes

The right curtain fabric can add style, color, and texture to your decor.

Making curtains for your own home can be a simple and affordable way to add style to any room without paying a fortune. While there are any number of curtain, swag, and valance patterns available ranging from easy to complex, you can make lined tab top drapes quickly and without much skill. When selecting the fabric for your curtains try to find patterns and colors that match your existing decor for the best results as you complete the look of your room.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Patterned or solid fabric
• Solid color lining fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Coordinating 2-inch ribbon

Instructions

1. Measure your window's length and width. For the length of your curtains choose how long you want them to be in relation to your window's size and measure from the top of your curtain rod downward. Add a 1 1/2inches to the measurement to determine how long to cut your fabric.

2. Determine the width of your curtains by first multiplying your window width by 1.5 and then dividing that number by two. Add 4 inches to the measurement to find the width you need to cut from your fabric for each curtain panel.

3. Select a fabric to be your curtain fabric and a complementary solid to be your lining fabric. For each window you will need two panels of your main fabric and two panels of your lining fabric. Cut out your fabrics according to your length and width measurements.

4. Pair up a panel each of your curtain fabric and your lining with the right sides facing inward. Sew a 1/4-inch seam all the way around the edges of your curtain panels to connect the curtain fabric to the liner, but be sure to leave a 1-foot gap unsewn and open along one side of the curtain. Sew the other curtain panel together following the same steps.

5. Turn each curtain right-side out through the opening left in the side and press the seams flat to make the edges crisp. Fold the side edges to the back over the lining by an inch to create a hem. Pin and sew the hem 3/4-inch away from the folded edge. Sew both side edges and the bottom edge of each curtain panel in this manner.

6. Cut two 6-inch strips of 2 inch wide ribbon for every foot of width of your finished curtain panels plus one extra strip. Lay out your strips to run vertically on the back of your curtain spaced 4 inches apart all the way across the top.

7. Pin the tabs in place and sew them to the curtain at the top and bottom of each strip using a 1/2-inch seam. Slip your curtain rod through each ribbon tab and adjust the curtains as desired to make the fabric hang evenly along the rod.

Tips & Warnings

• Using pinking shears can help you keep the tabs from fraying, however, if you think the curtains will be opened and closed a lot then you may want to cut the strips to seven inches long and sew a 1/2-inch hem on both ends before attaching them to the back of your curtain.

References

• "Simply Window Treatments"; Linda J. Selden; 1998
• "Beautiful Home On a Budget"; Emilie Barnes & Yoli Brogger; 1998

Resources

• The Window Treatment Center: How to Measure Your Windows for Curtains