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How To Make Curtains - Tie-Top Curtain Tutorial

Learn how to make curtains with this simple sewing tutorial. These beautiful, Pottery Barn inspired tie-top curtains are the perfect way to frame out your windows and add farmhouse charm.
Course Sewing
Cuisine American
Keyword diy curtains, tie top curtains
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 2 curtains
Author Lisa Bass
Cost 5

Equipment

  • Iron
  • Pins
  • Fabric scissors

Ingredients

  • 7 yards linen fabric for 104″ – 112″ in length curtains
  • 116″ for the main panels Cut 2
  • 14″ by 3.5″ for the tie tops Cut 24
  • sewing machine
  • Thread to match the color of your fabric

Instructions

Cut out the ties:

  • Cut out 24 pieces 3.5″ by 17″. When cutting the ties, make sure to go off of the width of the fabric. You don’t want cut down one of the long sides, because we are using the full 52″ width of the fabric. Cut from the bottom of the fabric, not one of the sides.

Cut out the main panel:

  • Measure your windows: I like to measure about 4 inches above the window trim, all the way down to the floor. I like to frame out the windows and make them appear larger.
  • Take the length that you want, then add 6″ for the bottom hem, 1″ for the top hem, and subtract 3″ to compensate for the length of the ties. For me I had 112″ total length + 6″ (3″ X 2 for the bottom hem) + 1″ (1/2″ X 2 for the top hem) – 3″ (length that the ties add) = cut 116″ length by 52″ width (the width of the linen).
  • So I cut out 2 panels at 116 inches long. The easiest way to cut the panels is to take your measuring tape and go down the length of the fabric, pulling it through until you get to 116 (or whatever length you need), then make a little notch. Do the same on the other side and make a little notch, fold it in half, and see if the notches line up. Then, cut to connect the two notches.
  • After you have gotten the first panel cut and made sure everything is correct, you can use that panel to create the second panel.

Sew the ties:

  • Fold one edge of the tie under about 1/2 inch, and then fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together, and then sew along the long edge, leaving both ends open. Make sure to backward and forward stitch at the beginning and the end.
  • Turn it out using a safety pin, so the raw edges are tucked inside. Press it flat with an iron, making sure the seam is pressed over nicely on the side.
  • Top stitch all the way around each tie, leaving one raw bottom edge left open (it will just be tucked into the curtain panel). A top stitch is just a stitch that goes around the edge of something to make it look nice and give it extra durability.
  • Repeat that with all the ties.

Sew the main piece:

  • Fold over the long sides about 1/2 inch and press it. Fold it over another half inch, and press so the raw edges are nicely tucked in and you are left with a clean edge. Do this on both long sides.
  • For the bottom hem, we want to make a nice, big hem, so fold over the bottom edge 3 inches and press. I like to do this just in case the curtains are moved to a different room, or they get washed wrong and shrink and I need to make the curtains a little longer. A large hem gives you a little wiggle room.
  • Fold that bottom over again 3 inches to hide the raw edge. Press.
  • Fold the top edge over about 1/2 inch and press. Fold over another 1/2 inch and press.

Sew the ties:

  • Place two ties underneath the top fold before hemming it down. The key to getting them evenly spaced is to first know we are doing 6 sets of ties. Start by placing one set of ties flush with one end, and another set of ties flush at the other end.
  • Space the remaining four inner ties evenly. I did this by measuring from the inner edge of the tie all the way to the inner edge of the other tie and divided by 5. Since my fabric was 52 inches wide, I placed my ties about 10 inches apart. You don’t have to be super exact as long as they are pretty evenly spaced.
  • Tuck the raw edge of the ties under the fold and pin.
  • Sew a hem all the way around the curtain panels. I like to sew it as close as possible to the bottom fold. I like to put my piece upside down so the bobbin thread is on top, which is not technically right, but this ensures I don’t miss the hem at all and then I make sure to get all 12 ties.
  • Once you have sewn a hem all the way around the curtain panel and sewed in the ties, you will want to pull the ties towards the top and put a top stitch on each tie.
  • Another option would be to serge all of the raw edges of the ties and then just sew them already facing up in place on the top hem. Then, you could bypass tucking them in, sewing, and then flipping them over and sewing.
  • Once you’ve sewn all the way around, hang and enjoy your curtains.
  • All finished!

Video

Notes

  • Treat your fabric how you plan to treat it. For example, if you plan to wash and dry your curtains, do that before sewing. I personally wash my linen on cold and hang to dry, so that would be the procedure I do before sewing.
  • Always double-check your measurements.
  • Use the first panel you cut as a template for the next panel.