Tie Tab Curtain Panel How-To

Tie-tab curtains are a great beginner sewing project if you’re just getting started out there in the world of DIY decorating. I lost count a long time ago of the number of curtain panels I’ve sewn on my super-basic sewing machine (not to mention countless other sewing projects) and my machine is still going strong.

You don’t have to have a high-end sewing machine to make great things for your home. In fact, this project is so simple, you could sew it by hand if you don’t have a machine!

I wanted a basic white, airy treatment for my daughter’s room that I recently made over (you can read about it here), so I went with this good ol’ stand-by for windows, and you can make them, too!

Here’s all you need to make one of these panels:

• A basic twin size flat sheet (This one came from Walmart & cost only $5)

• 2 pkgs (3 yards each) of matching wide bias tape, found near buttons & zippers in most craft stores.

Most flat twin sheets are 96 inches long, and the tabs will add a few more inches in length, so if that’s too long for your window, you may need to cut the excess length from the bottom edge of the sheet & re-hem. If the length is fine, you don’t need to do anything at all to the sheet.

To make the ties, cut your bias tape into 8 equal lengths of 27 inches each.

Then, just fold over the ends of each of the ties & sew a hem. The bias tape is permanently folded, so it’s not necessary to sew up the entire length of the tie. The fold will give it a finished edge.

After the ends of each tie are hemmed, evenly space them & pin them in place onto the bottom edge of the sheet. The top edge of the sheet with the wider hem will become the bottom hem of the curtain.

Then, just sew the ties on & you’re done!

The great thing about tie tab panels is that you can adjust the length of the curtain when you hang it, just by tying the ties longer or shorter!

Hope this inspires some of you to rev up your sewing machine & give this a try. And if you’re looking for a unique rod to hang them on, read about my tree branch rod here.

More tutorials on things in Lily’s room coming up!