DIY Grommet Top Curtains Tutorial

Grommet top curtains are my go to choice for window coverings for a few reasons.

First, the grommets make sliding the curtain panels open and closed really easy.

Second, curtain panels are a great way to add softness, color, or even pattern and texture to a space.

But that much fabric has the potential to break the budget and really good quality grommet top curtains can also be expensive, but don't worry. I've got a secret source for amazing fabric that will get you the same look as some of the designer stores.

My secret is to use fabric shower curtains and today I'm going to show you how to make grommet top curtains with them.

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I'm all about getting the exact look I want without breaking the bank and learning to sew a straight line so that I can make my own home decor has been the best thing I ever did.

I originally fell in love with the look of these bold stripe curtains when I saw the Alston curtains from Crate & Barrel, but I just couldn't swing the price.

I definitely knew that the bold stripe was the look I wanted so I set out to find a way to get the same look on a tighter budget.

It turns out that finding fabric with this bold strip to make grommet top curtains from scratch was hard to come by, but since bold stripes are a classic, it was pretty easy to find fabric shower curtains in many different color options.

Turns out that fabric shower curtains are the perfect weight of fabric for curtain panels and using them also meant that many of my seams were already sewn for me! Win-Win!

Supplies To Make Grommet Top Curtains:

Grommet tape: You will need 2 yards per panel
Grommet rings: The number of rings needed will depend on how many panels you are making. I used 16 rings per panel/ shower curtain.
- Note: You will need to know the measurement of your curtain rod before ordering grommet rings. There are different sizes. These grommet rings are for rods up to 1 ⅜ inch, and these ones are for rods up to 13/16 diameter.
Sewing machine: This is my favorite sewing machine for home decor projects. It sews through thicker fabrics without a problem, isn't complicated, and isn't expensive.
Fabric shower curtains: You will most likely need 2 curtains per panel depending on the height of your ceiling. Double check the dimensions of the shower curtains you purchase.
- My favorite sources for fabric shower curtains are: Target, Amazon, Overstock.com, and Macy's.

How to make grommet top curtains from fabric shower curtains

Grommet top curtains function the best (slide open and closed) and look the best (lay really nicely) if they have a lot of structure at the top and have evenly placed grommets.

Using grommet tape made getting the spacing and the structure needed for a really high end look so stinkin' simple.

Step 1: Cut your shower curtains to create your curtain panels

For a floor to ceiling panel you will need 2 shower curtains. I used the bottom hem of one shower curtain as the top hem of my curtain and then cut off the bottom hem about 1 inch below one of the stripes as far down as I could.

Then I cut the hem off of a second shower curtain about an inch above or below the stripe of the opposite color.

Step 2: Sew the 2 shower curtains together to get your desired length

Sew the 2 pieces together right at the edge of each stripe so that when they hang you can't tell that there is a seam and the stripes continue seamlessly.

Step 3: Prepare your bottom hem

I prepared my bottom hem by folding the fabric over twice to make about a 2 ½ inch hem. This gives the bottom of the curtain some weight so it will hang nicely.

Step 4: Apply the grommet tape

Using grommet tape makes this pretty much fool proof. I laid my tape out along the back side of my curtain about 2 inches down from the top and pinned it in place. Then, following the instructions that came with the grommet tape, I sewed along the yellow lines.

Step 5: Cut the grommet holes and attach the grommet rings

Using scissors, cut out the fabric circles using the grommet tape as your guide.

Once your circles are cut, snap on each grommet ring.

grommet tape to make grommet top curtains

Step 6: Hang up your new grommet top curtains and give yourself a high five!

Another tip to save you some money

Another way I saved a bit of money was to cheat a little bit.

See how two of my panels go behind the couch? Well for each of those, I only used one shower curtain!

That's right! You can't see that they don't go all the way to the floor and this actually makes them easier to close when needed.

I can't wait to see which shower curtains you choose to make your own grommet top curtains!