Window Treatments
Make Curtain Tiebacks
Tiebacks hold curtains to the sides of the window, making attractive folds in the curtain and letting in more light. They work best on full curtains with a traditional pleated or gathered heading.
Time to complete job: Two hours.
Approximate budget: £10, depending on the fabric used.
You will need:
- Curtain fabric
- Lining fabric
- Iron-on interfacing
- Matching thread
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Paper
- Four small curtain rings
- Two decorative hooks
- Screws and wallplugs
- Screwdriver
Tip: Looking for a short-cut? Ready-made tassels on cord make attractive tiebacks - buy the desired length or sew four tassels onto a woven cord with invisible stitching and knot around your curtains.
Measuring
With the curtains open, place a measuring tape around the curtains where you would like the tiebacks to sit and gather the curtains to the desired fullness.Make a small mark on the wall where the tieback hook will be and measure around the curtain from this spot to find the required length for the tiebacks.
Allow 4in (10cm) for the width of the tieback (make wider if desired).
Making the pattern
On a piece of paper, draw the desired shape of your tiebacks to the required length and width.Try a simple rectangle, or make the ends curved or tapered for a more distinctive design.
Cut out the pattern.
Cutting out
Fold your main fabric in half, right sides together, and pin the pattern to the material.Cut out, leaving a 0.75in (20mm) seam allowance on all sides. These are the two fronts of your tiebacks.
Fold your lining material in half, right sides together, and pin the pattern on.
Cut out, leaving a 0.75in (20mm) seam allowance on all sides. These are the two backs of your tiebacks.
Tip: If your main fabric has a design, make sure the pattern piece is oriented correctly.
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