How to make curtains with eyelet heading tape: How to use Eyelet Header Tape
How to use Eyelet Header Tape
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9 February 2022
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Learn how to make use eyelet header tape to make your own eyelet curtains.
Making eyelet curtains is easy using our simple eyelet header tape! Let our talented maker Madeleine guide you through how to do it in this step by step tutorial. You can buy our eyelet header tape here. Our eyelet curtain tape comes ready to use, and you can choose the eyelet ring colour to best suit your curtain fabric.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sewing Machine (or hand stitch)
- Eyelet curtain tape
- Eyelet curtain rings
- Scissors
- Furnishing fabric
- Zipper foot
- Thread
- An iron
1
Choose your fabric
We have chosen this lovely fabric with a large-scale design of birch trees.
Eyelet curtains are particularly good for showing off a bold design of curtain fabric; with eyelet curtains, the fabric is gathered quite loosely and gently compared to pencil pleat curtains.
2
Iron the top hem
Fold a single 1cm hem at the top of your curtain fabric, and press it flat with an iron. if you have a directional design like ours, check that you’re making this hem at the top!
3
Place Eyelet Tape
Place your eyelet tape along the ironed-down hem, leaving tape without eyelets at each end to allow you to turn the side seams.
The tape needs to sit snuggly right at the top of your fabric, over your ironed down hem.
4
Sew the top of the tape
Now sew the eyelet tape in place at the top of the curtain – only sew the top line of the tape at this point..
We suggest using a zipper foot so your foot does not hit against the eyelet rings.
5
Marking the eyelets
With the tape secure, we now we need to mark the circle inside each eyelet.
Working on the wrong side of the fabric, mark the circle inside each of the eyelet rings, being careful not to pull the fabric out of shape as you do so.
6
Cut the eyelet holes
To make the eyelet openings, work from the back of the fabric. Fold the eyelet tape out of the way so that you can see the circles you have drawn.
Using small, sharp scissors, cut away the circles on your curtain fabric. Nice neat circles will give you the tidiest result, so if any of your circles don’t look round, replace the eyelet tape and draw again before you cut.
7
Pin lining in place (optional)
You don’t have to line your curtains but it does give them more weight and body for a more luxurious look and feel. if you’re not using a line, skip straight to step 9.
If you are using lining, tuck the top edge of the lining under the unsewn lower edge of the just under the tape, just under the rings and pin in place.
8
Stitch lining
Machine sew the lining in place along the bottom line of the eyelet tape.
Use a zipper foot and be careful not to clip the bottom of the rings as you sew.
Stitch the bottom hem of the lining, making sure the finished length will be 2.5 cm shorter than the finished drop of your show fabric.
9
Insert Eyelet rings
The eyelet rings give the finishing touch to your curtains, and also tidy up the edges of the holes you have just cut.
These are so simple to fit – working from the right side, just push the eyelet rings into the holes of the tape until they click into place.
10
Finish sides
Machine stitch the side seams of the header tape only; For a professional finish, hand stitch the sides; hand finishing means no ugly stitch line will show on the front.
press the seam allowance of the show fabric and the lining, and pin together, making sure the lining fabric is 2.5cm narrower than the show fabric on each side. Hand stitch the lining to the show fabric down each side.
11
Finish your eyelet curtains
Finally, turn up the bottom hem; again, we have hand finished this hem so that no stitching show on the front.
Press down the hem on the show fabric and hand stitch in place. Press down the hem on the lining, making sure it is 2.5 cm above show fabric, and hand stitch in place.
Your new eyelet curtains are ready to hang!
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CategoriesGuides and Tips, How-to guide
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Make eyelet curtains in three easy steps to transform your windows
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(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)
Looking to add a dash of modern-country style to your windows? Then follow our simple steps for creating your own eyelet curtain in must-have tartan. This classic design pretties up a space and lends a cosy cottage vibe. The eyelet heading creates a simple, modern edge and an eyelet curtain is easy to hang as it just slides on to the pole so you can shut out the bad weather in style.
YOU WILL NEED
Balmoral fabric in Mulberry, £19.99 per m, Terrys Fabrics
Tape measure
Scissors
Iron Sewing machine & thread
Pins
Eyelet tape, £4.90 for 3.25m, Terrys Fabrics
Fabric pen
Matt chrome eyelets, £8.58 for 26, Terrys Fabrics
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)
1) Measure the length from the curtain pole down to where you want the curtain to end. Add 16cm, to allow for the top and bottom hems, plus the distance from the top of the eyelet to the top edge.
Cut your fabric length. Fold 2cm under on each side of the panel, front to back, lightly iron then fold under again.
Pin into place and sew to secure the hems.
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)
2) Fold under 2cm at the top of the curtain panel and lightly iron. Pin the eyelet tape along the top edge of the fabric and sew into place. Draw around the inside of each ring with a fabric pen, then cut out these circles to create the eyelet holes.
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)
3) Press the eyelets into place at the front of the curtain. Fold the bottom 2cm of the panel under and lightly iron. Fold under a further 10cm, pin and machine stitch for the bottom hem. Finally, concertina the curtain to hang on the pole.
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Tamara was Ideal Home’s Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022.
She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she’s honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
Curtains on the eyelets with your own hands, how to make with a photo
Curtains on the eyelets are magnificent in themselves, and can make the surrounding interior stylish.
Contents
This is always a good solution for the design of the window area, and the attention to the design is attracted not only by the quality of textiles, but also by the traditional way of attaching the canvases to the cornice. Many housewives dream of getting a similar model of curtains for use. And why not try to sew curtains on the grommets with your own hands?
Benefits of choosing
1.
Reliability.
Hanging on the eyelets, the curtains are almost impossible to break even with a good pull or a sharp pull. The cornice will not withstand the load rather than the mount.
Eyelet curtains are safe and secure
2. Aesthetics.
Neat, even waves formed by curtains look spectacular in interior design of any stylistic direction. The mounts themselves will also decorate the interior. Today, eyelets are offered in a wide variety of shades and shapes, which makes it easy to select them for decorating rooms of a wide variety of functionality and design. It remains only to solve the question of how to install the eyelets on the curtains with your own hands.
Curtains with grommets fit any interior style
3. Durability.
Since the fasteners do not have sharp teeth that can deform the fabric and leave unsightly puffs on it, the curtains will last for decades.
Grommets will extend the life of curtains
4.
Ease of operation and maintenance.
Curtains are easy to put on and take off. When washed, they do not lose their shape. The reliability of the fasteners and the ease of their movement along the eaves will make it easy to curtain the window even for a child.
Curtains on eyelets are easy to hang and take off
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What is an eyelet
Before looking for master classes and figuring out how to put eyelets on curtains with your own hands, you need to understand what it is all about. An eyelet is a special fitting for sewing textile products, which has the shape of a ring and is installed directly on the canvas. Such elements are in demand not only in tailoring curtains. They are used in the manufacture of tents, sails, leather goods, shoes, awnings. Ease of installation, functionality and durability of fittings saddled the scope of its application is almost unlimited.
Species diversity
Any step-by-step instruction on how to make curtains on eyelets with your own hands begins with the choice of accessories.
According to the material of manufacture, eyelets can be:
- metal;
- plastic;
- wooden.
Plastic fasteners are considered the most practical. They are not afraid of corrosion, so the curtains can be washed without removing the fasteners.
Plastic eyelets
Plastic eyelets slide quietly along the curtain rod with a pleasant rustle.
With good quality plastic parts will last a long time and without excesses.
Such an important question as how to put eyelets on curtains with your own hands will also be solved in a jiffy.
Eyelets are easy to install yourself
The next category in which eyelets are chosen is design. Accessories can be transparent, have a pattern or be plain, represent an imitation of natural textures and other materials. For sewing curtains on metal eyelets with your own hands, you can choose models in bronze, in gilding, with chrome plating. For greater decorativeness, products may contain rhinestones or other decorations.
Metal eyelets for curtains
When it comes to form, there is plenty to choose from. In addition to traditional round options, you can buy eyelets in the form of:
- triangles;
- squares;
- oval.
Square eyelets
There are also shaped fittings depicting, for example, a fish, a frog, a cloud, a flower, a ship’s steering wheel. Master classes offer curtains with such eyelets to sew with your own hands for children.
How to choose the right eyelet
“Step-by-step instructions for installing eyelets on curtains with your own hands focus on one more point – the role of details in interior design”
There are several indicators by which accessories for curtains are selected. The first and main parameter is the diameter of the eyelet. Curtains should slide easily along the cornice, and this will be possible only if the diameter of the inner part of the grommet is at least a centimeter larger than the diameter of the cornice.
The second parameter that is taken into account when purchasing accessories for sewing curtains on eyelets with your own hands is the type of fabric. If it is a light organza or tulle, then they will look organically on small fasteners, while for heavy materials you will need massive holders.
Light organza or tulle looks great on small fasteners
Usually eyelets are used for window decor, with a diameter of the inner ring up to 5 cm.
Step-by-step instructions for installing eyelets on curtains with your own hands focus on one more point – the role of details in interior design. If you want to draw attention to an unusual option for attaching curtains, you should use bright or curly eyelets. In thematic interiors, it is worth using decorative models. So in a room decorated in a sea direction, fasteners for curtains in the form of dolphins or anchors will be relevant, and in a nursery stylized as a green lawn, frog eyelets will be an excellent addition to the interior idea.
Eyelets for curtains in a contrasting color
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Eyelets in stylish interiors
There are a lot of living space design options. If you are afraid that do-it-yourself curtains on eyelets made in accordance with the master class may not fit into the situation, calculate in advance where such designs will be absolutely relevant.
You can design windows in a similar spirit in all minimalist directions, loft, Scandinavian style, madder.
Eyelet curtains in a modern interior
Wooden eyelets will harmoniously fit into ethno-decor, rustic interiors.
The modernity of the situation will be emphasized by metal fittings, but how to make curtains on the eyelets with your own hands for modern and art nouveau, it is better to ask the experts.
Metal fittings emphasize the style of the interior
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Material for curtains
What kind of fabric to decorate a window is a rhetorical question.
You need to choose the color and density of the material with an eye on the functionality of the room and its design. The opinion that it is impossible to install eyelets on curtains made of tulle, viscose and other light fabrics with your own hands has no basis. Feel free to dial the grid, organza veil. If the strength of their combination with eyelets is still in doubt, resort to the original trim with a denser fabric of the area where the fasteners will be placed. For beginner needlewomen, this is a great chance to test your design skills.
Eyelets can be installed even on the lightest fabrics
What and how much fabric to use?
An attempt to make curtains on grommets with your own hands at random, without first calculating their footage, is unlikely to succeed. How much fabric is needed and what width depends on the size of the window opening, interior design features and personal wishes. Curtains can be made long or short. In the hall or bedroom, the window is usually decorated with long curtains, but in the kitchen they are trying to make them shorter, up to the windowsill maximum.
The chosen model should not contradict the general decision, so it is important to choose the right color and type of material.
The length and volume of curtains depends on the features of the interior
What to take?
Do-it-yourself eyelet curtains for the living room
The color scheme of the window area design should resonate with the interior style of the room. In a simple but elegantly decorated living room, black blackout curtains combined with snow-white openwork tulle will suit.
Black curtains for a classic interior
For rustic interiors, choose a fabric with a checkered pattern. These can be cuts in light colors with finely traced lines or a denser fabric with a two-color cage. The priority is a combination of red and blue, green and turquoise colors.
Curtains with a checkered pattern for interiors in country style
High-tech is the realm of cold and gray colors, so when you think about how to make eyelet curtains with your own hands, do not go beyond the agreed spectrum.
Pastel and beige tones should be added to Art Nouveau.
Making a window in the bedroom
Curtains in a room of such functionality should not be an accent element of the decor. Their task is to ensure the comfort of sleep, so the fabric must be selected sufficiently dense, well absorbing light. The color of the curtains is calm, deep. The print is not pronounced.
For the bedroom, choose a thick, light-absorbing fabric
How much?
Any master class for sewing curtains with eyelets with your own hands emphasizes that the main task is to create a design that gathers into beautiful folds. Whether the event succeeds or not depends on the correct calculation of the width of the curtain and on how to install the eyelets on the curtains with your own hands. Here the step distance will be important and some more points, which will be discussed below.
The width of the curtains is calculated by the following formula: the length of the cornice is multiplied by 2 or even 2.
5. The larger the folds needed, the greater the coefficient. For tulle and light curtains, there is no need for large wave folds, so here the coefficient is reduced to 1.5.
Calculating eyelet spacing
Don’t forget to include hem allowances in the strip width. The side seams will take up to 15 cm of fabric. The bottom hem requires 5 cm. From above, you need to leave a strip equal to the width of the eyelet and add another 2-3 cm to it. For fabrics that do not hold the shape well, the indentation from the eyelet to the edge of the product is reduced to a minimum.
Attention! If you plan to cover the window with two curtains, then, when tying on the printed fabric, do not forget about the pattern alignment allowance.
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Calculations
In order for the product to look beautiful, and the fasteners do not bulge in all directions, you need to install an even number of elements. If these are two curtains, the number of eyelets on each of them should be the same.
Why only an even number? This is the only way to turn the side cuts to the window and make the whole composition aesthetic.
How many fasteners are required per curtain on average? Look at any master class on how to make curtains on grommets with your own hands, and you will understand that it is recommended to put at least 6 pieces per linear meter. In general, for a complete calculation of the number of fittings, the following indicators are needed:
- diameter of the inner ring of the eyelet – conventionally denoted d;
- Curtain width – abbreviated as L.
How to calculate the size and install the eyelets on the curtains with your own hands? The inner part of the part must exceed the volume of the cornice strip. This is important for the comfortable operation of curtains. If the cornice strip is 16 mm wide, eyelets with at least 25 mm inner ring can be put on it. Eyelets 35 mm, etc., can be put on a cornice pipe of 25 mm without any problems.
Calculation of the location of the eyelets on the curtains
Let’s move on. Suppose that work is to be done on installing 25 mm eyelets on a two-meter-wide curtain. From master classes of curtains with eyelets with our own hands, we know that 6 fasteners are required per meter. We multiply the indicator by 2 and get the consumable number of fittings – 12. Now this dozen eyelets must be evenly distributed over the entire width of the curtain, that is, we have to find the step distance. Let’s take it as an axiom that the extreme eyelets will be located at a distance of 3 cm from the side edge of the curtain fabric. We multiply 3 by 2 and get 6 cm. We immediately subtract them from the total width. We have 19 left4 cm.
Now let’s determine which part, when sewing curtains on grommets with our own hands, from this figure will be given for the grommets themselves. We have 12 elements of 2.5 cm each. We multiply the indicators. As a result, we get 30 cm. This number is also subtracted from the total size.
We have at our disposal 164 cm. It is between them that we will distribute the fasteners.
Although we have 12 elements, there are only 11 gaps between them. So it is by this number that we will divide 164. After completing the calculation, we get a step distance of 14.9see It fits perfectly into the recommended master classes of curtains with eyelets with your own hands, which means that we did everything right and you can start marking and sewing the intended product.
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How to make eyelet curtains with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
What to cook:
- fabric cuts;
- fittings;
- scissors;
- grommet;
- sewing machine.
The cuff is sewn first. To sew it, you will need a strip of fabric 25 cm wide and of any length. The resulting part is bent in half and ironed. Having straightened to the fold line, on the wrong side we put the grommet tape and fix the doubler to the fabric with an iron.
The front side of the cuff will be the one where the grommet lies.
Attach the grommet
Iron the strip of fabric remaining under the grommet into place. We bend the upper allowance to the front side and also pass along the fold with an iron.
Bend and sew the allowance
We process the side seams on the eyelets with our own hands. We use a double fold.
We match the cuff with the upper edge of the curtain and fix it with pins. This will help lay a smooth line without shifting the details of the cut.
Tuck the excess cuffs on the sides inwards and sew up the seams. It remains to put the fasteners.
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How to install eyelets on curtains with your own hands
Iron the curtains and lay them on a flat surface. We lay out the accessories according to the calculated scheme and circle the inside with chalk (you can use a pencil).
Trace the inside of the eyelet
These circles will be carefully cut with sharp scissors into holes slightly larger than the resulting circle.
This must be done so that the edges of the fabric do not fray. Ideally, use a special punch for this part of the work.
Carefully cut holes
How do you install eyelets on your curtains yourself? This is probably the easiest part of the job. The inner part of the fittings is placed underneath the fabric under the cut hole, the second is placed on top.
Press the rings with your fingers until they click.
Pressing the upper part, wait for a characteristic click. Turn the curtain over and repeat the procedure on the other side. We install the rest of the elements in the same way. You can hang curtains!
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How to take care of your own eyelet curtains
shove curtains in the machine, you need to make sure that the type of eyelets installed on them can be exposed to moisture. Factory-made fittings always have a mark about this.
Machine wash may cause accidental damage to the fabric or fastening rings, so before placing in the drum, the product must be placed in a special mesh bag.
If there is no such thing in the house, then a pillowcase may well take over its function.
A laundry bag will protect the fabric from accidental damage.
If you have already decided to show a master class and sew curtains with grommets with your own hands, do not take cheap metal. When washing under such rings, rust is sure to form.
Do not use a centrifuge to dry this type of curtain. The eyelets will loosen and lose their fixation strength.
After washing, hang the curtains on the cornice while still slightly damp.
And the last. Washing of such products is carried out no more than once every six months. The rest of the time, it is enough to simply remove dust from them by shaking or vacuuming.
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Conclusion
As you can see, even beginners in hand-made can do such work as putting eyelets on curtains with their own hands. The main thing is to choose the right materials and calculate the step distance for installing fasteners.
Photo gallery – eyelet curtains
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how to hang curtains correctly and beautifully
When I saw beautiful eyelet curtains in the catalog, I immediately wanted to buy the same ones. True, I had doubts, but will I be able to hang such curtains on my own after washing? And is such a fastening so reliable?
Before giving preference to one or another method of fastening curtains, you should pay attention to several factors:
– type of cornice – ceiling or wall;
– material density and curtain weight;
So, if the cornice is fixed on the wall, the curtains can be hung using all possible methods: eyelets, hooks, clips, curtain tape, loops and others. The main thing is that the curtain moves freely and silently along the eaves.
With a ceiling-mounted curtain holder, the choice of fittings is limited to hooks and curtain tape.
Fastening to the cornice with curtain tape has many advantages:
– versatility – the method is suitable for any type of cornice;
– strength – the tape holds both light and dense fabrics equally well;
– low cost;
– simplicity of the device – you can sew the tape to the material at home;
– long service life of such fastening. Curtain tape will never fail, and when replacing curtains, it can be torn off and used again.
Eyelets for curtains have the following advantages:
– have a stylish appearance;
– provide easy movement of curtains along the eaves;
– allow you to create beautiful folds and tails;
– suitable for all areas, from the kitchen to the nursery.
However, eyelets also have their drawbacks, which must be taken into account when choosing accessories for hanging curtains:
– high cost of fixtures;
– difficult installation – curtains can be equipped with this type of fastener only with the help of a special press, so it is better to entrust the work to professionals;
– difficult to use eyelets to hang weightless fabrics such as organza or tulle;
– noise when moving metal rings along the eaves.
Metal and wooden rings are a very simple and functional method of hanging from a cornice. They differ from eyelets in that they are not located inside the canvas, but outside. Rings can only be used for round cornices.
The curtain is attached to the ring in different ways: with the help of hooks, one end of which is sewn to the canvas, and the other one clings to the ring, sewn to the rings, suspended with the help of a curtain tape and hooks for curtains
move along the ledge;
– fastenings are strong and wear-resistant, curtains can be made of any type of material;
– curtains are easy to fit into beautiful tails, and you can sew them even at home.
Cons:
– curtains make a little noise when moving.
Clips and clips are universal curtain fasteners. In order to hang the curtain on clips, you will not need to sew on a ribbon or loops. Often such accessories are made with decorative inserts and can be used as an independent element of room decoration.
Pros:
– the clips are very easy to use. To remove the curtain for washing, it is enough to disconnect the clip and remove the fabric.
Cons:
– small noise that appears when the device moves along the eaves;
– cannot be used for hanging heavy, bulky curtains.
Drawstring Curtains
Drawstring Curtains x are made from lightweight materials in light shades with a simple printed pattern in the form of flowers or peas. Ties are sewn along the upper edge of the curtain, and they must be so strong that they can easily withstand the weight of the curtain.
Advantages:
– you can use braid, multi-colored ribbons, parts of a rope as ties;
– ties can be sewn by yourself from any suitable type of fabric.
Cons:
– this style is mainly suitable for decorating a teenage girl’s room. In other rooms it will look out of place.
Curtains with hinges
This type of fastening is a decorative hinge made from the same material as the curtains. The loops can be sewn at both ends to the edge of the curtain, and then, in order to hang the curtain on the eaves, you will have to thread the rod through the loops.
Pros:
– can be sewn with buttons or Velcro;
– easy to remove curtains. To do this, just unfasten the mount;
– create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere;
– there are no restrictions when choosing a cornice.
Cons:
– only elastic fabrics can be used, otherwise there will be problems with the curtain movement.
If there is no such thing in the house, then a pillowcase may well take over its function. 
Quite a bit of effort, and luxurious curtains in the interior are ready! 
Of great importance when choosing a method of hanging is the density of the material and the weight of the curtain. Light translucent tulle is best attached with small hooks or planted on a thin curtain braid. Eyelets or thick metal rings are not suitable for this type of curtain. 
