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Tips & Ideas

How to Make Tab-Top Curtains (Lined)

Amount of fabric required:
The finished length of curtain + 18cm for hem & turnings + 20cm for 7 tabs
Lining: finished length of curtain + 12cm for hem
 

Method of making 7 pointed tabs:
Cut out tabs according to lay out plan.
 
  1. Fold long sides of tab fabric together R.S. to R.S. and machine down a 1.5cm seam.
  1. Press seam open. Pin and sew a point 3cm from bottom (as shown). Trim off surplus fabric.
  1. Turn to R.S. carefully making a good point. Press each tab.
Main Curtain Panel
  1. Trim off any selvedge which is too tight. Pin a double hem of 15cm in all, as shown. Hand sew or machine. Fold panel in half lengthways to establish centre top and mark with a small nick.
  1. Place 7 tabs evenly along top of curtain, starting and ending 7cm from edge W.S. of tab to R.S. of curtain fabric as shown. Machine across.
Lining
  1. Measure across lining width and cut it 10cm narrower than main fabric. Establish centre top by a nick in the centre. Turn under a double hem of 10cm in all. Pin and measure as shown.
  1. Pin lining to main panel R.S. to R.S. so that the lining is 3cm shorter than curtain. Machine a 1.5cm seam down both sides.
  1. Important. Now match centre markings of both lining and main fabric and take time to position edges evenly down each side of curtain. Pin and machine across top. Clip corners at top to reduce bulk.
  1. Turn to R.S. and neaten bottom edges (mitre) as shown.
  1. Sew down each tab and embellish with your choice of trims. Thread through pole (don't forget to leave one tab behind the finial!).
Ideas:
As an alternative to making tabs, use a Jacquard border instead.
The last picture shows some of the trimmings you can use to add a touch of class to your tab-topped curtains, such as a key tassel, a rosette or a chair tie.
Key:
R.S. = Right Side
W.S. = Wrong Side

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