In this post, I will tell you how I sewed 7 sets of fully lined grommet curtains.  I will share my step-by-step instructions and the mistakes I have made along the way.  By no means, am I an accomplished seamstress.  However, I can thread an entry-level sewing machine and sew a relatively straight seam.  “Relatively” being the operative word.  But, I have found even crooked seams can still get the job done.

First I will identify 5 Major Challenges

Second I will demonstrate Step-By-Step Instructions 

Lastly, I will show the Results of 4 sets of curtains sewn in 2020 and 3 sets sewn in 2023.  I will also show my mistakes and how to avoid them.

Challenges

Challenge #1: Finding reasonably price fabric

I live in a small town with no access to fabric outlets.  Thus, I am relegated to Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics, and the internet.  It is difficult to find the right fabric for under $12/yard.  And, when you need 10+ yards plus lining, the cost can add up.  After all, I sew my curtains because I want to save money.  Using my Curtain Cost Spreadsheet makes it easy to estimate the total cost before I begin.  

Tip:  When shopping online always request samples to get the feel of the fabric and to get the desired color before placing an order.  Even if there is a small charge it is well worth it in the long run.

Challenge #2: Creating a large enough work table

Several of my curtains are close to 9 feet in finished length because I like to hang them just below the ceiling.  Fortunately, we have 4 long tables and even though the one at Sam’s home was a foot shorter it worked well enough. 

Challenge #3: Sewing fulling line curtains

 It requires LOTS of laps around the tables.  Lining up the fabric, pinning the fabric, sewing the fabric, and ironing the fabric.  Repeat…. Repeat…. Repeat.

Challenge #4: Inserting plastic grommets

Determining the correct number is critical and cutting the circles the correct size even more.  If you over-cut the circle, it can be a problem.

Challenge #5: Hemming the curtains

Oddly enough measuring the correct length and sewing the hem before hanging did not always work as planned.  I had better results when I hung, pinned, ironed, hung, re-pinned, and only then did I sew.  Particularly, as I am very sensitive to anything looking crooked.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Purchase Materials

To determine the desired curtain length and width, I developed a Curtain Measurement Spreadsheet.  All my curtains were from 54” wide fabric.  Of my 7 sets, one was one width per side, one was double width, and the remaining 5 were one-and-a-half widths. It all depends on the window size and desired fullness. 

Step 2: Prepare the Curtain Fabric

See the first section of my Grommet Curtain Instructions. 

If you are doing only one 54” panel per side it is relatively easy.  If there is more than one panel you will have to line up the print pattern (if there is one), sew the panels together, and iron the seams open.

Step 3: Prepare the Lining

Follow the same steps above, however, there is never a print pattern to worry about.  I usually purchase my lining at JoAnn and if possible use a coupon.  Cut the lining 4” shorter in width per side than the fabric. This creates the desired 1.5” return per side.

Step 4: Sew Fabric and Lining Together

Sew the lining and curtain fabric together as outlined in the Grommet Curtain Instructions.

 

Step 5: Create the Top Hem

Create the top 3.5” hem as outlined in the Grommet Curtain Instructions.

Step 6: Cut and Insert Grommets

Determine the number of grommets needed using the Curtain Measurement Spreadsheet.  It is important to have an even number.  I made that mistake with my office curtains (see picture below under Results 2020).  The grommets I used were Driscoll brand ordered in 16 set sleeves from JoAnn.  I used the enclosed template to draw the circle, then used a seam ripper to cut a line from the middle to the edge of the circle.  Lastly, scissors were used to cut around the marked line.  Snapping the grommets together is sometimes a cinch and sometimes not.  Using a small plate instead of the heel of your hand helped.

Step 7: Attach Trim and Dowels (optional)

 I sewed twill tape trim purchased at Joann’s between the grommets to maintain a consistent fold on my office curtains.   I attached a pull rod to curtains I knew would be closed frequently.  I chose a ½” X 48” dowel purchased at Home Depot.  I then screwed  10 x 1-⅜ screw eyes (also found at Home Depot) to the top.

Step 8: Hem the Bottom of the Curtain

Hem the curtain per the Grommet Curtain Instructions.  It is tedious, but I found pinning the curtains when hung worked the best particularly as the outer sides tended to be shorter than the middle.   To create an even hem the outer edges had to be a smidge longer.

Step 9: Hang Curtains on Rod

I used a 1½” curtain rod purchased on Amazon.  For the rods ending at the side wall, I used an end cap instead of a finial, also purchased on Amazon.

Results 2020

Sewn in Elshire Basement for Elshire Home

Elshire Main Floor Office

• Created from 1½ panels (81” before side hems) per side. 
• Fabric purchased on sale at Fabric Guru.com for $5.95/yard.  
• Twill tape was sewn between grommets to create a uniform fold.
• Dowel sewed to top between 1st and 2nd grommet for ease of pulling.
• Glide tape adhered to the top of the rod.  Before discovering this tape on Amazon, the curtain would get hung up at the rod joint.  I was amazed at how easily the curtain slid along the rod after affixing the tape.  

Mistake: There is an odd number of grommets (13/side) resulting in one side pointing out and the other side in.  Ideally, both should fold in.

Mistake:  The print does not match perfectly between sewn panels or between the two curtains when closed.

Mistake:  Originally hemmed before hanging which resulted in being too long and dragging on the carpet for three years before finally corrected in 2023.

Elshire Kitchen Niche

• Same print as Office, just a different color
• Created from 1½ panels (81” before side hems) per side.  
• Fabric purchased on sale at FabricGuru.com for $5.95/yard.  Because the slider is so wide, 2 panels per side would have been ideal, but there was not enough fabric available.

Elshire Master Bedroom

• Created from 1½ panels (81” before side hem) per side.  
• Fabric was purchased online, at Fabric.com which is no longer in business.  Cannot remember the price, but was probably under $10/yard.
• I love how the curtains drape, but what makes them drape so freely made them more difficult to work with as they were more stretchy (not really a sewing term, but the best I could come up with)

Elshire Lower Level Office

• To fashion an office in this bump-out which was previously an unusable space I made a curtain wall.
• Created from 2 panels (108” before side hems) per side.  
• Fabric purchased at Fabric.com (no longer in business) for $10.78/yard.
• Even though the curtains were not as tall (96” versus 108”) the double panels per side made them cumbersome to work with, however, that is the width needed for the space.  I did a better job than with the main floor office as the print matched between the panels and the print matched between the two curtains.  When closed it looked like one continuous curtain wall.

Mistake:  I was not as meticulous with the hem and the ends flair up slightly.

Results 2023

Sewn in Sam’s Basement

Because the Elshire basement was now furnished there was no room for 4 tables.  So, when my son, Sam, purchased his home I was able to set up a workspace in his basement as it was not yet furnished.  One of the tables was shorter, but I made it work.

Elshire Main Floor Guest Room

• Created from 1½ panels (81” before side hems) per side.  
• Fabric purchased on sale at Hobby Lobby for $9.59/yard.
• Pictured before training (see Sam’s Slider below)

Elshire Lower Level Guest Room

• Smallest window so was easier as it was only one panel (54” before side hems).  Plus, there were no prints to line up.  
• Fabric purchased on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $12.00/yard.  
• I would have considered 1½ panels, but there was not enough fabric available.

Mistake:  Would consider two extra grommets per side to create a tighter fold, particularly as there is only one panel 

Sam’s Sliding Glass Door

When Sam purchased his home there were red “harlequin” curtains in front of his sliding glass door.  I felt they were not a good style fit, plus they were not even the same length.  Thus, I talked him into spending the $150 for custom “free labor” curtains.  Again, it was hard to find fabric at a price he was willing to pay.

• Created from 1½ panels (81” before side hems) per side.  
• Fabric purchased on sale at FabricWarehouse.com for $10.43/yard.  Ironically it was the same print as the Elshire Lower Level Office purchased 3 years earlier, just a different color.
• To train the curtains I hung them backward, pleated them together with ribbon, applied steam, and left them for a week. When I rehung them face out the pleats stayed in place.
• The hem was straight as I meticulously hung and pinned before sewing.
• The print matched between the panels and the print matched between the two curtains creating the illusion of one continuous curtain wall.

Conclusion

Would I sew grommet curtains again?  Yes!  I love the luxurious look of fully lined curtains and I saved hundreds of dollars doing it myself.  The 2023 sewing went much smoother than in 2020 as I had perfected my Grommet Curtain Instructions and did not have to think about each step. 

I hope this has taken the guesswork out of sewing grommet curtains.  Remember, you do not have to be an expert seamstress, just follow the the steps and enjoy your new set of fully lined custom curtains!