Making tie backs for curtains

Make lots of beautiful tie backs for curtains without spending alot of money.

If the view from your windows is good, you may wish to have your curtains and draperies frame the scene rather than camouflage it with a soft veiling or hide it completely. You might wish to make your own tie backs of fabric to match or contrast with the drapery material pattern.

The simplest type is the straight band of fabric. This may be folded and stitched, or it may have trimming along both edges. It may be short enough to hold the fabric tightly in bunched folds, or long enough to permit it to drape softly. Many curtains have tie backs of a straight band of fabric folded over the gathered edge of a full ruffle. These are practically traditionally for use in the bedrooms, or in an informal living room.

The more formal draperies may have such folded bands left plain, or with trimming introduced along the folded stitched edge. They also may be stiffened with an interlining of canvas or buckram, or they may be lined with contrasting fabric with or without the inner stiffening.

To make the simplest form, cut a fabric strip of the same material as the draperies or curtains. Make this strip from l4 to 20 inches long for the usual tie back, or 30 to 40 inches for the strip to be draped loosely up to the top corner of the window frame for either side.

Cut this strip at least 8 inches wide to allow for a half-inch seam at each side. Fold this lengthwise, with a cotton tape running thru the fold. Stitch along the edge l/2 inch in, and then pull the cotton tape which is fastened at one end through to the other end. This will turn the tube right side out. Fold the tube smoothly so that the seam follows along one edge, and press flat. Tuck in each unfinished end and pleat neatly around a bone or metal ring. Sew with small overcasting stitches. Place a cup hook in the window frame at the height desired to hold these two rings. Hook one ring on the hook, bring the tie back around from the back of the drapery or curtain and hook the other end in place. Adjust the folds attractively.

If moss fringe, welting, or other narrow trimming has been used for the drapery, make the tie back as above directed, but place the trimming between the edges before stitching. Make sure that the finish of the trimming faces toward the center of the tube, so that when the band is turned right side out by pulling the cord through, the trimming will face toward the edge.

If trimming is desired along both edges of a straight tie back, cut two strips of fabric 4 1/2 inches to 6 inches wide, depending on the body of the fabric. Baste these two strips together with the trimming in place facing toward the center of the tube. For ease in turning, use the tape or cord along the center of the band.

Be sure to try out the tie backs before placing hooks in your window frame. After they are in place adjust the folds to drape attractively over them. The softer the material, the more the folds should loop over the tie back. If the drapery is heavy and is lined or interlined, a full sweep will seem clumsy. Just drape such heavy curtains slightly, allowing the tie backs to hold the folds firmly but not in a bunched manner.