Making Curtains With Eyelets

Consider sewing your own eyelet curtains.

Adding your personal touch to your windows can give your room a unique look. Searching for the perfect curtain can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. Making your own curtains may be the answer. Eyelet top curtains give a modern look to a window and are an alternative to traditional gathered curtains. They can be easily pulled to the side to give a soft drape with ready-made pleating. Using purchased eyelet tape makes the project achievable.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape Drapery pole Fabric Scissors Iron Pins Thread Sewing machine Sewing needle Eyelet tape Back rings

Instructions

Preparing

1. Mount the drapery pole above the window according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The pole should extend 2 inches on either side of the window opening to cover the window.

2. Measure the width of the pole to determine the width of curtain panels. Add 1 inch for each side hem. Double the width to provide for pleating of the finished curtain. This is the width of the fabric for one curtain panel. If you plan to make a pair of panels for your window, divide the final width in half.

3. Measure the length for your curtain panel. Measure from the top of your drapery rod to the floor. Add 6 inches to the length to allow for top and bottom hems. These curtains should just skim the floor.

4. Lay the eyelet tape along the top edge of your curtain panel to determine the position of the eyelets. Adjust the width of the panels before cutting to fit the length and positioning of the eyelets as this cannot be adjusted after cutting and sewing the fabric. Cut fabric to your dimensions with adjustments as necessary. If more than one width of fabric is required for each panel cut additional widths and join them together with a seam.

Sewing

1. Lay the fabric on a table with the wrong side facing up. Fold over ½ inch along one side toward the back of the fabric. Press. Fold over again and pin the seam in place. Machine stitch along the folded hem. Repeat for the other side.

2. Fold up the bottom edge of the panel 2 ½ inches and press. Fold up another 3 inches and pin in place. Hand stitch the bottom hem.

3. Finish the top edge. Fold under ½ inch and press. Machine stitch.

4. Sew eyelet tape to the wrong side of the curtain panel along the top edge. If the tape has an adjustable plastic spacing strip, it should face up.

Finishing

1. Cut fabric from the inside of the eyelet holes. Use small scissors or a rotary cutter to make a clean cut.

2. Clip eyelet rings in place around the openings.

3. Adjust the folds using the adjustable plastic spacing strip. This provides permanent spacing of folds when the curtain is pushed to the side.

4. Repeat the procedures to make additional panels.

5. Thread the drapery rod through the eyelets. Position the drapery rod above the window. Adjust the folds.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not sew over pins with your sewing machine as the needle may break.

References

• Curtain Corner: How To Use Eyelet Tape and Rings
• UKTV: How To Make Eyelet Curtains