09.01.07
snapping in the curtain rings
I started with the dritz curtain rings which came with a template. I used a quilting pencil to trace the template.
Because I wanted the rings to be slightly lower than the ones on other curtains I had seen (pottery barn example) before, I pinned my measuring tape at the top of the fold and used the template upside down. The measuring tape helped me get the spacing between the grommet rings exactly right.
To put the rings in, I cut out the hole I had marked with the template.
I then slid the ring with the lip underneath. It matched up perfectly with the hole. After that I snapped the ring with the teeth onto it.
I love these two colors together. I had planned on going with a lighter blue, but when I saw this one in the store, I knew it just had to be. It goes so well with the nickel colored rings and curtain rod. When I brought it up to the counter for cutting the lady asked me what I was doing with it. “Curtains” I said. She responded “Well, that’s a drab color.” So here are my “drab” curtains. Would you call these drab?
The one problem I am having is with the corners, see how they droop. I think I will try some starch at the top. I really don’t want to make it thicker by placing interfacing in it, because it will make it less transparent and I really want the light to come through the top. So, I’ll try starch. If that doesn’t work, I can try this. Transparent Buckram.
I am waiting for the fabric to come in for the bottom of the curtain. But while I wait I can sew in the back lining of the two panels and start on the bedroom curtains. Our apartment requires us to line our drapery in white so that the outside of the building looks uniform. I think the white lining will look great on these curtains.
I’m very excited about these, they are turning out quite well. It’s the largest project I have ever done and it’s going very well. Yea for the “drab” curtains!
Vickie said,
September 1, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Man, this looks really simple. I think I’d like to try this some time. Thanks for the pics.
Laurie said,
September 5, 2007 at 1:31 am
It will also help the droop if you start the rod on that grommit from the other side.
On my curtains the ends/edges face the wall, not the living area. Does that make sense? It’s hard to describe.
I’m quite sure that woman had little ducks and teddy bears on her curtains. Maybe some roosters too.
the aesthetic onion said,
September 5, 2007 at 11:34 am
I was just thinking of that this morning. I have yet to actually hang the curtains on the window. I am waiting till I get the mod dots fabric attached to the bottom edge so that I can line them up perfectly with the window sill.
kattitudes said,
September 26, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Good lord, I am always amazed at how rude people are willing to be. Drab, hardly. Folks with a tad more social graces would have said “my, how elegant those will be” – which now that we can see them – they are! And I love the idea of the dots fabric contrast.
Not so drab curtains « the aesthetic onion said,
November 16, 2007 at 5:12 pm
[...] (apartment therapy, AT, chicago, curtains, draperies) So, do you remember when I started making my curtains? The lady at the fabric store told me they would be drab? Check out this space that just got a [...]
Nancy said,
January 7, 2008 at 10:26 am
How far apart did you space the grommets?
Heather said,
February 8, 2008 at 8:43 am
I love your curtains — those are definitely something I would have in my house. I wish I had your skills in sewing, and hope to someday be able to do that kind of work.
aestheticonion said,
February 8, 2008 at 10:56 am
Nancy, the first one is 3-1/2″ from the edge of the fabric and they are 4 inches apart from each other.
However, when I make the set for the bedroom (same size window) I am going to put 10 grommets instead of 8 on each curtain. Spacing them 4″ apart makes the fold in the top larger, which looks great, but they rub against the wall at the top of the window. Making the distance between them shorter should fix this problem.
Vanessa said,
February 20, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I love your curtains. I have been looking for a pattern to show me how to do the grommets in them, this was the only one I have found. Where did you buy the grommet from, I like the style you have used in your curtins. Thanks
aestheticonion said,
February 23, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I bought my grommets from create for less http://www.createforless.com/search/searchResults.asp?SearchAction=Restart&SearchHistory=9%2C12253
But I also noticed the other day that hobby lobby is carrying them now. The grommet ring curtains are growing in popularity, so I think more craft/fabric stores are starting to carry the grommets.
jinniver said,
May 18, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I saw someone had made it to my blog via this post and thought I’d come over and see how (I was one of your “possibly related posts”). :-) Love the curtains, and I think the grommet idea was terrific (and no, they’re not drab at all). One thing you might want to try to reduce the corner droop: you could try some thin wire, and run it along the side edge of the top canvas section. The wire would be hidden in the hem and it wouldn’t affect the light coming through.