DIY How to make Tab Curtains from Windows with Ease.

DIY How to make Tab Curtains from Windows with Ease. - Click to enlarge

Sewing Tab Curtains From Windows with Ease from Creative Publishing International

Materials

Decorator fabric
Carpenter's square
Rotary cutter, mat, and quilting ruler helpful for cutting tab strips
Thread

Iron and pressing surface
Paper-backed fusible adhesive, 3/4" wide
Drapery weights for floor-length curtains
Decorative curtain rod

Instructions

1. Measure for the finished length of the curtain; add the total bottom hem allowance and 3" upper hem allowance to find the cut length of each panel. Multiply the cut length by the number of fabric widths needed to determine the total amount required for the curtains. For the tabs, add 12" for every two fabric widths needed to determine the total length to buy.

2. Preshrink the fabric, if you intend to launder the finished curtains occasionally. Mark the cut lengths for the curtains along the selvage, and cut the pieces, using a carpenter's square to ensure the straight cuts. Trim away the selvages unless you are working with a loosely woven or sheer fabric.

3. Cut a full-width 12" strip for the tabs. Cut it into 3" strips on the lengthwise grain, using a rotary cutter, mat, and quilting ruler, if available.

4. Fuse a strip of paper-backed fusible adhesive down the center of each strip, following the manufacturer's directions. Remove the paper backing. Fold the edges into the center and fuse in place.

5. Seam fabric widths and half widths together as necessary for each curtain panel. Press under and stitch the lower double-fold hem.

6. Press under 1/2" on the upper edge. Then press 2" to the right side, forming a facing. At the outer corners, stitch the facing to the curtain 3" from the edges (arrow). Trim the facing to within 1/4" of the stitching; trim off the top 1" of the side hem allowance.

7. Mark the placement for the tabs, evenly spaced along the upper hem of the curtain, with the first and last tabs even with the outer edges. Fold the tabs in half and slide them under the facing with the raw edges in the fold; pin. Stitch across the curtain top, 1/2" from the fold.

8. Press under 1-1/2" double-fold side hems. Turn the facing to the curtain back; press. Stitch the side hems, encasing a drapery weight in the hem layers at the lower corners of floor-length curtains. At upper corners, the hem will disappear under the facing. Stitch along the lower fold of the facing.



DIY Home Decor Sewing Projects		Sewing, Sewing Notions, Fabric		DIY Projects

Save-on-crafts.com is a premier site for catering, special event planners and wedding planners for wedding and reception supplies."Best wedding supplies and decoration ideas" 2009. Including floralytes, fiberoptics, lights, stemware, preserved flowers, freeze dried petals, eco-friendly confetti and decorations. Also find feathers, millinery, baskets, vase lights, natural touch flowers, crystal trees, wedding trees, curtains, guest registry books, paper crafts, floral supplies, vases and party supplies. Appropriate descriptive keywords include: wedding supplies, special events, table top, tulle, favors, event lighting, reception, weddings.