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Grommet Tape for Pole Draperies

From Sonoran Sewing Experience

Grommet tape is 100% polyester 3-1/8" wide and has 1-5/8" ID (Inside Diameter opening) grommets, or 2-3/8" wide and has 3/4" ID grommets, which fit all popular drapery poles.

They are evenly spaced with approximately 8 grommets per yard. Plastic spacers built into the grommets allow you to form shape retaining folds. This is figured for double fullness.

Using Grommet Tape, you can easily make beautiful draperies in three easy steps:

• Sew or No Sew the grommet tape to the fabric.
• Punch out fabric in grommets.
• Snap in decorative rings.

Here are some of the advantages of using the grommet tape:

• There are no grommets to punch. They are incorporated in the tape.
• No measuring. The grommets are spaced evenly.
• No headings that sag. The tape is also a stiffener.
• No unsightly squeezed folds. Sharp retaining spacers prevent folds from being squeezed.
• Grommets are waterproof, rust proof, light weight, and washable!

How to Measure:

Just measure your Drapery rod in inches, multiply it by 2, then divide by 36" to get the yardage you will need. If you like it extra full, you can always increase to 2-1/2, or even 3 x's for lighter weight fabrics. Multiply the yardage figure by 8 to figure the amount of Decorative Snap-On Rings you will need. Save any extra rings for future replacements if necessary.  Note: It may be necessary to adjust cut width to accommodate spacers.  (Allow ending hole on EACH end to go back to the wall.

Decorative Rings:

Snap into the grommets and come in metal finishes and colors. They are interchangeable. Their smooth plastic material does not scratch the paint or finish of your drapery hardware. They are Rust Proof because they are NOT metal, but a light-weight plastic that moves easier, and thus are washable

Sew or No-Sew Your Draperies:

These instructions will only address the top of the drapery header where the grommet tape will be placed.  At this point your drapery should have been lined and side hems finished to 5” from the top of the fabric.

1. Turn under ¾” allowance at the top of the drapery. 
2. Lay the grommet tape across the wrong side of the drapery with the front side of the grommet tape on the lining side of the drapery.  The plastic tabs will be facing towards you.

3. You may stitch the top and the bottom of the tape to the fabric at this time.  The NO SEW Drapery – You can use the Sonoran Adhesive to apply the grommet tape. 

((build popup page about adhesive from separate document))

4. Place fabric right side down on a cutting mat. Use an 18 mm rotary cutter to cut the circle of fabric out.

5. On the right side of the fabric snap in the grommet.  A rubber mallet is helpful for tapping the grommets in place.

6. Adjust the plastic tabs to create even pleated drapery.

7. Place drapery on rod.

8. It is important to have a tab grommet at each end of the drapery, so that your drapery returns back to the wall. 

The left corner is the correct placement of the grommet tape.  This will give you a finished return.

This photo shows wrong placement on the left side where the left return folds forward. The right side shows correct placement where the right return folds back towards the wall.
Lay your tape on to the fabric before sewing.  Some times you will need a larger side hem or use a little less fabric for the width.

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