DIY Hidden Tab Curtains

After listening to me ramble on about tweed on Instagram, let me just show you the new DIY hidden tab curtains my Mom and I made!  Spoiler: they’re tweed.  Yep, after pouring over so many gorgeous tweed fabric samples, I took the plunge and ordered.  The bedroom looks so much more vibrant thanks to these gorgeous green tweed curtains – they’re the perfect pairing with my mid-century poster art.

With my new wide angle lens, you can see our new white glass sliding closet doors and the new green curtains!  (Ignore the blank canvases – a DIY art project I’m currently working on).  I couldn’t wait to share, even thought the bedroom decor is still coming together…

I was quite smitten with the last set of DIY back tab curtains my Mom and I made but, after I switched around the vintage Hungarian posters, the teal pattern no longer worked with this bedroom decor…

This green tweed, however, is utterly perfect – it is the exact shade of green curtains I wanted, with a surprise touch of aqua (my favorite color).  When we moved to the lakehouse, I was on a mission to add more color but I’ve realized that color + pattern aren’t necessarily what I want.  I think that color + texture or a low contrast pattern (and smaller doses of pattern), are really what I like.  Then our beautiful artwork can take centre stage.

How to Sew DIY Hidden Tab Curtains

This tutorial for how to sew DIY hidden tab curtains is very brief.  You can find a MUCH more detailed tutorial here: DIY back tab curtain tutorial.  The hidden tab tutorial for my original patterned curtains has detailed step by step photos, but here’s a quick run down of how my Mom and I made these DIY hidden tab curtains:

1. Cut out each curtain panel and hem the sides and bottom as usual – leave the top un-hemmed
2. Cut out 4.5″ by 6″ rectangles of fabric (we used 7 per panel)
3. Sew the small rectangles into tubes (right sides facing)
4. Turn the tubes right side out and iron flat, with the seam in the middle
5. Sew the tabs into the top seam of the curtain panel as you finish the top hem

What is a Hidden Tab Curtain?

Also called a back tab curtain, a hidden tab curtain has a series of tabs sewn into the back of each curtain panel.  These tabs act like a pocket for the curtain rod.  Because the curtain rod slides through the tabs, you don’t need curtain rings!

How to Hang Hidden Tab Curtains?

If you’re wondering how to hang hidden tab curtains, it’s so easy!  Slide your curtain rod through the loops at the back of each curtain panel – that’s it.  If you’re sewing your own DIY hidden tab curtains, you can customize the size of the loops at the back so the curtain rod fits just perfectly, ensuring it slides smoothly.

Are Back Tab Curtains Hard to Open?

NO back tab curtains are no hard to open – provided the tabs at the back are the right size.  Too tight, and the curtains could be more difficult to open.  Too loose and the end result could be sloppy looking.

What Makes Hidden Tab Curtains the Best:

I LOVE DIY hidden tab curtains and DIY back tab curtains because unlike a curtain panel with a pocket for a curtain rod – or curtain rings – hidden tab curtains drape themselves.  Once you push open the curtain panels, the tabs line up and create evenly space curtain pleats/folds  So hidden tab curtains look perfect without need to adjust them.

A Moment for the Gorgeous Tweed Fabric:

The fabric I chose for my green curtains is called Dapp Peacock and I purchased it from U-Fab, before they dropped their e-commerce site (you can still order by phone/email).  Although I’m known for my love of colorful home decor, I was honestly planning a more neutral curtain originally.  I ordered cream and taupe colored tweed samples.  And then a few bolder colors – and of course, an aqua tweed.  The neutrals were honestly tempting – they have a sheen and texture that adds interest and dimension.  But against my white walls, the effect would have been peaceful and low contrast.

But this shade of green was SUCH a perfect match to my new Hungarian poster art (middle) that I just could not turn down the opportunity for bold green tweed curtains!

Green Tweed Curtains for a MCM Vibe:

I’m so impressed by the sheen and weight of this fabric.  It has a luxurious feel.  And I also think it captured the MCM of the vintage mid-century poster art.  The tweed relaxed a bit after we hung them up so they break a bit more than planned.  We might re-hem them, but I’m waiting to see if the fabric relaxes more.

P.S. Wondering if I Got the Aqua Tweed Fabric???

I did!  I did order the aqua tweed fabric and we sewed matching hidden tab curtains for the office.  In that space, the soft aqua works much better with the art but I like that there’s a cohesiveness between the two bedrooms because the curtain style and fabric is the same.  Click the link to tour the mid-century inspired office makeover.

More curtain sewing tutorials!

If you’re inspired to sew your own DIY curtains, below are more detailed DIY curtain sewing tutorials I’ve put together with my Mom:

• DIY Back Tab Curtains in Teal Pattern
• DIY Back Tab Curtains in Silk
• DIY Euro Pleat Curtains in Linen
• DIY Layered Sheer Curtains for More Privacy
• DIY Curtains for a Closet Door
• DIY Curtains on a Track
• DIY Fabric Shower Curtain with Liner Hack
• DIY Shower Curtain Using Button Holes
• DIY Curtains Upcycled From Bedding