DIY Home — February 3, 2020

Easy to Make Back Tab Curtains

DIY Home — February 3, 2020

Easy to Make Back Tab Curtains

Stay Cozy With DIY Back Tab Curtains

Today I am finishing up my curtains for the bedroom. Wow! What a difference well placed curtains can make. I will be sharing a post on how to hang curtains in the future but for this post I want to talk about how to make them. Below you can see my before (the curtains that were here when I moved in) and after photo of the window. Look how much larger the window looks with this simple placement of curtains. I purchased a roll of natural linen quite a few months ago knowing that I would use it for this room when the time came. The room is not so large, so I did not want to hang too much fabric, but just enough to add the fabric softness the room needed. I measured my curtain to go all the way from ceiling and puddle slightly onto the floor. I chose to make them in two panels to frame the window and giving just enough fabric to fully cover the window. Once I knew my curtain finished size, from rod to floor, I added six inches to the top that would allow me to give the top detail above the tabs. Once you have the right size for your panels, you can follow the step-by-step instructions below to make these back tab curtains. They are so simple to make and give a very polished look once done. Once I hung these new curtains, the room felt amazingly taller and roomier. This is why I love to hang my curtains high. Stay tuned for my full bedroom tour later this week. Cheers! ~ Lia

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Discussion

Ask Lia or the community!

44 Comments

Rhonda January 1, 2024 at 12:27pm

What circumference of curtain rod did you use? I’d like to use a 2 inch but didn’t want it to look out of proportion or not look right with a back tab curtain. thanks!

Reply
1. Lia January 2, 2024 at 6:18am
  
  @Rhonda
  
  The 2 inch would work great! Just be sure your tabs are large enough that it fits and slides easily.
  
  Reply
Francine February 2, 2022 at 6:06pm

Hello, would it be possible to use a steel wire instead of a rode? What would be the adjustments?

Regards and thanks for the ideas 😀

Reply
1. Lia February 3, 2022 at 9:14am
  
  @Francine
  
  Sure, and you can use the same instructions.
  
  Reply
Naina August 12, 2020 at 1:25am

You have used such soothing colours. So beautiful .
Will definitely try 🙂

Reply
Rosaia July 1, 2018 at 2:34pm

Hi,
Love your curatins, l have some beautiful fabric its silky type fabric. I want to double side the curtains but hang like you have. Because the fabric is silky would l be able to make tabs out of another fabric or tape?
Love your ideas, thank you for sharing.

Reply
1. Lia July 2, 2018 at 1:13pm
  
  @Rosaia
  
  How lovely! Yes, I use twill tape no matter what fabric the curtain is.
  
  Reply
Heather March 28, 2018 at 5:43pm

want this look for a valance…what would you suggest maybe 1 1/2 time width?

Reply
1. Lia April 1, 2018 at 6:39pm
  
  @Heather
  
  Yes, that’s what I would do for a valance.
  
  Reply
Laura August 25, 2017 at 12:35pm

Hi Lia ~ You’re such an inspiration. I love your curtains. And, OH MY, your walls do look so much taller!!

Thank you for posting your tutorial. I’ve been wanting to make curtains out of muslin or drop cloth fabric.

Reply
1. Lia August 25, 2017 at 1:47pm
  
  @Laura
  
  Thank you Laura, that means so much to me!
  
  Reply
Kori’n August 25, 2017 at 11:07am

hello Lia
you have a great sense of stylish.
I’m french so I’ve difficulties to explain my ideas.
Never mind, I’m very impressed with all yours posts and your créativity.
I’m so happy to know your website
bye bye

Reply
1. Lia August 25, 2017 at 11:09am
  
  @Kori’n
  
  Thank you for your sweet comment!!
  
  Reply
Mary September 28, 2016 at 2:31pm

I want to make a hidden tab top drape for my kitchen. My window is 75 inches wide. Do I double the width of my material or is that too much?

Reply
1. Lia October 6, 2016 at 10:26am
  
  @Mary
  
  When the curtains are pulled closed, there should be no gather at all. The width you need is where you want it to start and end around your window, so doubling the width is a too much!
  
  Reply
Rachel October 1, 2015 at 8:35pm

Hi! Your curtains are gorgeous! Would I be able to make these with a sewing genie?

Reply
1. Lia October 5, 2015 at 11:37am
  
  @Rachel
  
  Maybe. I have yet to use the genie, but it is a simple stitch so I am guessing yes.
  
  Reply
ANA July 30, 2015 at 6:24pm

HI LIA! I AM ANA FROM ARGENTINA!
I LOVE THE COURTAINS YOU MADE! HOW DID YOU CALCULATE HOW MANY FABRIC YOU NEED? YOU MULTIPLICATE FOR 2 ? SORRY FOR MI ENGLISH!
CONGRATS, ANA.

Reply
1. Lia August 5, 2015 at 10:55am
  
  @ANA
  
  Hi, measure the window and take the width (or a little more) times 2 for both curtains. Happy sewing, this is one of my all-time favorite projects. So easy to update a room with new curtains and the tab back makes them look very elegant.
  
  Reply
Mary February 19, 2015 at 5:14pm

Thanks Lia…I was just asked to make four panels exactly like this with room darkening lining behind. I would think I would probably sew the lining to the top and sides and hem the fabric and lining separately. Thoughts?

Reply
1. Lia February 24, 2015 at 9:15am
  
  @Mary
  
  Sounds like a great plan, I would probably do the same!
  
  Reply
Sharill January 17, 2015 at 9:17am

Hi Lia,
I am just wondering what paint color you have on the wall in this pic. We recently purchased some linen curtains that look almost identical to the ones you have here and I really like the way yours look with that wall color. Great job and great tips!

Reply
1. Lia January 19, 2015 at 10:08am
  
  @Sharill
  
  It is called Palisades and I have a whole blog post about it here https://liagriffith.com/my-home-tour-the-bedroom/
  
  Reply
Allison October 30, 2014 at 6:02pm

Can you open and close the drapes with these tabs? I just hung curtains that are about 2″ too long hung from rings, but they have a border so I can’t hem them, and the rods are already as high as they can go! Trying to think of creative ways to hand the drapes to pull them up a bit. I think this is the answer but they have to open/close every day…

Reply
1. Lia October 31, 2014 at 2:43pm
  
  @Allison
  
  Yes you can open and close them. I would recommend making the tabs a bit larger than you rod so the slide easily. Have fun!
  
  Reply
Ros May 20, 2014 at 11:12am

Hi Lia just looking at your instructions for the top edge of the curtains- do you need to machine stitch a seam with the tabs -otherwise it will be a raw edge

Thanks
Ros

Reply
1. Lia May 20, 2014 at 10:09pm
  
  @Ros
  
  You can stitch or tuck inside to hide the raw edge. I don’t like to leave them just hanging. No pun intended. 😉
  
  Reply
Alexandra April 3, 2014 at 5:57am

This project is gorgeous!! I have two questions: 1. Do you remember where you found this great linen or 2. Can you recommend a good place to shop for something like it?

Reply
1. Lia April 6, 2014 at 9:05pm
  
  @Alexandra
  
  I bought my linen at my local fabric store that offers a great selection of interior fabrics as well. One of my favorite online sources for fabric is fabric.com. Here is a link: https://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-linen-fabric.aspx
  
  Reply
Stefanie January 10, 2014 at 8:48pm

Hi Lia, I also noticed that you put some type of trim above your window. Was this a DIY project too? What did you use for that? True trim or something else? I love the look!

Reply
1. Lia January 12, 2014 at 9:07am
  
  @Stefanie
  
  The window trim was already there. I think in the before photo it had less light on it so it looked darker. I am lucky to have pretty windows. 🙂
  
  Reply
Dianne November 18, 2013 at 5:20pm

I want to make these for my LR window but need to add a room darkening fabric behind the one I choose. Any suggestions as to how to do this?

Thanks

Reply
1. Lia November 19, 2013 at 10:05am
  
  @Dianne
  
  I would sew the two layers together at the top before you finish the edged and add the tabs.
  
  Reply
Vickie October 10, 2013 at 8:49am

Two tutorials in two days and both are what I need. How great is that? I’ll have to think about how high to hang the panels since our ceilings are 9′ tall and then goes up into a vaulted ceiling. Our windows (all of them) are 71″ high. Any suggestions?

Reply
1. Lia October 10, 2013 at 9:02am
  
  @Vickie
  
  I would be bold and hang them at the 9 feet. It is a lot of fabric, but you don’t want to stunt such a gorgeous high ceiling. Mine are 9 too but without the vault. If you are unsure, take a photo of the windows and make paper curtains to place and adjust over the photos. You could do this on the computer too. This might give you a great visual to work with.
  
  Reply
  1. Vickie October 10, 2013 at 10:08am
    
    @Lia
    
    Marvelous idea. I’ll do that with the computer. Thank you so much!
    
    Reply
Zoe October 9, 2013 at 10:03pm

Wow! What a difference the extra length makes. It really does make the room seem larger, brighter, and more luxurious. And your instructions are easy to follow. Your blog is one of the very best. Keep the good stuff coming to us, and do enjoy your new home.

Reply
1. Lia October 10, 2013 at 8:02am
  
  @Zoe
  
  Thanks Zoe! Even though I know what a difference it will make, it still took my breath away when I hung them. Full bedroom tour tomorrow. 🙂
  
  Reply
Lisa October 9, 2013 at 9:36pm

This room is coming together beautifully, Lia…can’t wait to see the big reveal.

Loved all of your pillows this week. The fabrics you chose were so unique and stunning together.

Lisa 🙂

Reply
1. Lia October 10, 2013 at 7:59am
  
  @Lisa
  
  Thanks! I just have a few pieces of art to finish today so I can post. . . tomorrow. Whew. I can’t wait till my house is done. Dining room next!
  
  Reply
JaneEllen October 9, 2013 at 9:07pm

Great post and tutorial Lia, love this. I have curtains now that have the back tabs on them, done little differently but I like the look much better. I will be making bedroom curtains with paint cloth hopefully after payday. I’ll be buying wider cloth so there will be enough to cover windows well. Need them to help insulate the room in winter form the cold and summer from the heat. We enjoy all 4 seasons around here.
Anyway, I plan to also stencil a design on the curtains. This is an ambitious project for me but I’m very determined to do it. Making the curtains no big deal but stenciling them yes. I’m trying to decide if it will be an all over design or maybe just on each side of each panel. It’s taken me awhile to decide to stencil and have decided what design I want to use. You are a big inspiration for me so I’m very glad I found your blog. Happy days

Reply
1. Lia October 10, 2013 at 7:57am
  
  @JaneEllen
  
  I love curtains from paint cloth. You could also stencil the top or bottom edge of the curtains. It depends on your room and how much pattern it can take. I am doing a stencil rug post soon. Maybe that will inspire. 🙂
  
  Reply
Sue October 9, 2013 at 2:59pm

The curtains and the hanging of the curtains look spectacular!! I feel the need to copy! Good job!

Reply
1. Lia October 10, 2013 at 7:55am
  
  @Sue
  
  DO! Yes! It will change the look of your room. 🙂
  
  Reply