If you're looking to update your window curtains and you're handy with a sewing machine, you might want to make some eyelet-headed curtains. Eyelet curtains are a classic design that are really simple to make and easy to hang, with no danger of the curtains snagging on the rail or sticking when you close or open them. Here's how to do it.
What you'll need
You'll find everything that you need for this project in good sewing shops or in the haberdashery department of a large department store.
- fabric – heavier fabrics such as damask, linen or cotton work well with this style of curtain heading
- matching thread
- tape measure
- scissors
- iron and ironing board
- sewing machine
- pins
- eyelet tape
- chrome eyelets
- a fabric pen
How to do it
- Your first job is to work out the drop of your curtains. To do this, measure from the curtain pole down to where you want the curtains to hang. Remember to allow approximately 16cm for the top and bottom hems and the distance from the top edge of the curtains to the top of the eyelets.
- Now cut the fabric to the correct length as per your measurements. Fold under approximately 2cm on each side of the curtain panel, working from the front of the fabric to the back.
- Run a warm iron over the fold to hold it in place, and then fold the hems over again, securing them with pins.
- Stitch the hems into place with a plain, running stitch.
- Next, fold under 2cm at the top of each panel and press with a warm iron.
- Take the eyelet tape and pin it along the top of the fabric. Sew the tape into place.
- Take the fabric marker pen and draw around the inside of each ring to mark-out circles. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut out the circles to form the eyelet holes.
- Take the eyelets and press them into place at the front side of the curtain.
- Now fold up 2cm of fabric from the bottom of the curtain panel to form a hem and press with a warm iron to hold it in place. Fold a further 10cm under and secure with pins. Now run a line of running stitch along the secure the hem.
- To finish the job, simply draw the top of the curtain together concertina-style so that you can slide it onto the curtain pole.
You can quickly and simply create a pair of stylish, eyelet-headed curtains by following the guidelines set out above.
