Making Concealed Tab Top Curtains

Concealed tap top curtains are a different way to bring elegance and sophistication into your home. The difference between normal tab top curtains and concealed tab top curtains is that you don’t see the loops. The loops are attached to the facing at the back of the curtain.   

Curtains offer an effective way to reduce heat loss and light through windows. As the loops are invisible it is a more effective way to cut out light and therefore reduce heat. 

They are simple to make just follow the instructions. 

 Curtains offer an effective way to reduce heat loss through windows for

Measuring the fabric 

• At least 1.5 times the width of the window – depending on the fabric.

• For the length of the fabric: measure 2 cm from the top of the curtain rod to the required length

• Add 40 cm for hem allowances and facings. 

• If fabric with a pattern is used and more than one width of fabric is required extra fabric will be needed for matching the pattern. 

Making the concealed tab top curtains  

• Cut fabric to required size as indicated above including the hem and facing allowance. 

• Cut a strip of 11 cm of the top or bottom of the length of each panel. Make sure you cut the facings all from the same side (either top or bottom). As I used heavy block out curtain fabric I cut 11 cm strips of plain thin cotton for lining the loops. (I just used an old piece of sheeting material for this).

• If more than one width is required, join widths together matching the pattern on the fabric. Half widths are added to the outside edge of each curtain.

• Make a fold of 12 cm at the top for the facing. Make a fold of approximately 4 cm on either side for the side hems.

• Machine stitch the top of the curtain panels ½ cm from the edge.

• Hem both sides of the panel, cutting half of the side fold just under the edge of the top stitching. Fold the cut piece inside, pin the hem into place and machine stitch the sides.

• For making the loops – place lining op top of 11 cm strip (right sides facing) and machine stitch top of strip ½ cm from the edge.

• With a pencil mark the required vertical lines on the lining. Start with 1 cm for seam, * 3 cm for the width of the loop, 2 cm for seams* repeat until the end of the strip finishing with 1 cm for seam.

• Machine stitch the lines as indicated on the strip.

• Cut strip in the middle of the 2 cm section. Trim the top corners.

• Turn the loops inside out and press thoroughly. Also press seams and hems of the curtain panels.

• Measure the total width of the curtain panel then decide how many loops you will need for each panel. For this pattern the measurements were 3cm for the loop and 7.5 cm in between. Thus every 10.5 cm a loop.

• Pin first loop on facing about 1½ cm from the side and 2 cm from the top. Then measure from the beginning of the loop 10.5 cm, mark with pin and pin another loop in place (all loops 2 cm from the top). Continue till the end and you should have the last loop approx. 1½ cm from the side. (You can adjust the space between the loops according to the measurement of the width of the panel.)

• Once all loops are pinned into place machine stitch the loops to the facing only. 

• To finish the top facing measure 10 cm from the top, fold the remainder and pin. Make sure the loops are pinned down securely so that they do not move while stitching. Machine stitch the bottom of the top facing.

• Press top and hang curtains, then measure the hem allowance. Pin and machine stitch the bottom hem.

 . . . And now your curtains are ready to hang up. By the way all you need is a cheap curtain rod for concealed tab top curtains.