Grommet top curtains (or draperies) are very popular. They are clean, simple and require less fabric than pleated curtains. Plus grommets are a hot trend. Just take a look at all the grommet details found in purses and tote bags. Grommets are everywhere!
Have you thought about making grommet curtains for your own home only to realize that the expense of purchasing all the grommets that you needed really shot up the cost of the project? Or that the grommets required special equipment like cutters and setters to get the job done?
Wouldn’t it be great if there was an easier and more affordable way to make grommet curtains for your own home?
I had a brainstorm one day and wished for grommet forms that I could cover with fabric, like button forms. Wouldn’t that be a fun idea, to have a print fabric grommet? Well, I put that thought in the back of my mind and then unexpectedly found a great new product called Phoomph from Coats and Clark. Phoomph is a fabric bonding sheet that adds structure to fabric. The lightbulb went off…this would be the perfect product to make fabric grommets! See the results for Phoomph fabric grommets below. This grommet project is fun, easy and affordable.
Here are a few tips before you get started:
1. Always plan for an even number of grommets so the curtain will begin and end facing the wall.
2. When measuring the length remember that the panel extends above the pole rod, not from the top of the pole.
3. If you want to open and close the curtains allow at least one and half times fullness.
4. Allow 16 inches for top and bottom hems.
Color Blocked Drapery with Fabric Grommets Instructions
Start by sewing together the two fabrics. This curtain is color blocked which means two contrast fabrics are sewn together. I allowed 13 inches of the blue fabric at the top.
Fold and iron a 4 inch doubled hem at the top and bottom and a 1 1/2 inch doubled hem down each side. Trim your lining material even with the edges and fold under the hems around all sides and pin in place. I used blackout lining for this project but any drapery lining will work.
I used hand sewn hems. I recommend Coats and Clark hand quilting thread for this part of the project. Hand sewing helps to prevent pin holes of light from showing through the blackout lining.
Phoomph is available in stiff or soft bonding sheets. You will want to use the stiff version to make the grommets. One sheet will make twelve grommets.
To use the phoomph sheets, peel away the cover and smooth the fabric over the adhesive.
I chose an orange-red coordinating fabric so that the customized fabric grommets would pop!
On the reverse side, divide the Phoomph sheet into twelve 3 inch sections. Using a compass draw the outer circle at 3 inches and the inner circle at 2 inches. This is for a 1 inch diameter pole rod. If using a larger or smaller pole rod adjust the size accordingly.
Cut out the circles and using small, sharp scissors, cut away the inner circle.
Mark the grommet spacing. This curtain has one width of material with eight grommets spaced at 5.7 inches apart on-center. Draw the inside circle on the fabric.
Zigzag around each circle just outside the line. This will be covered by the Phoomph grommet. After all the circles are sewn cut away the hole.
Peel away the backing and stick the Phoomph grommet over each hole.
Thread the rod through the Phoomph grommets.
The finished Phoomph grommet curtains.
