Tiebacks and holdbacks are a great and elegant way to keep our draperies open and allow a sufficient amount of natural light to illuminate the room. However, we all have to admit that sometimes, we would rather know how to keep curtains closed.
Closing your curtains is actually quite beneficial as it boosts your home’s privacy and heat-insulating properties. It is also an excellent technique for curtain layering designs. Luckily, you can keep your curtains closed using magnet closures or some simple clips.
Making your own magnetic closure for a firm and more ornate solution is much easier than it seems. Lucky for you, we have an easy guide that will help make your own curtain magnetic closures.
Step 1: Take down the panel
We can’t really work with a curtain panel that is stinging on the rod for apparent reasons. Please take one of them down and lay it flat on your work surface with the right side up. We will do the same procedure for each panel, but we can take it one step at a time.
Step 2: Mark the magnet placements
Look for the vertical edge of your curtain and mark a straight across that will help you distinguish the position of the magnets. Make sure that you work on both sides since we will also work on magnet wall attachments.
Using the vertical line, mark the vertical placements of your magnet starting from the top and working your way down the bottom. Make sure to place them at equal distances for a neat and tailored look to master how to keep curtains closed properly.
If you are using a long strip of the magnet, you can line it along the entire length of the panel. However, for circular magnets, merely count how many you are going to need. Remember that placing them at far distances loosens the curtain closing effect.
Tip: Try placing the magnets at a four to six inches distance to keep your curtains firmly closed. It will help you block out most of the light and maintain your room’s privacy.
Step 3: Attach your magnets.
You can easily attach the magnets to their marked positions using strong adhesives and tapes. However, you can sew thinner strips of magnets directly onto the curtain. Poke a hole in the center of the magnets and attach them to the fabric.
Sew it in place, looping the thread through the middle and around the magnet before piercing it through the center once again. Make it more secure by making more loops around the magnet. Please do the same until you have attached all of them to both sides of the first panel.
When working with the second, third, and proceeding curtain panels, lay them beside the first set. This will save you a lot of time from marking the other drapes. You will see where the magnet should go so that the curtain alignment is precise when closed.
Tip:
Always remember to sew the attractive sides of the magnet facing upwards. You may want to mark all the magnets beforehand, so you don’t have to worry about them during the sewing process.
If you have thinner curtains and don’t want your magnets to show, you can sew them with the attractive sides facing the fabric. However, remember that the magnet has to be strong enough to stay together even with the material in between.
Step 4: Attaching wall magnets
Now that we have the magnets for the curtain panels, of course, we don’t want the light to peek through the sides. After all, the idea is to block out light and induce maximum privacy. Let’s start the magnet wall attachment by first changing your curtain panels.
Hang the panels as you usually would and place them on the bracket. Close and arrange the fabric until you are satisfied with its position. Move towards one side of the window and mark the position of the magnet on the wall.
The magnet’s wall position should match the placement of its corresponding pair on the fabric. Use a pencil or any marking tool to designate the parts. Take one magnet and glue it onto the wall, one piece at a time.
Don’t forget to check if you are attaching the magnet with the right side up. If you are working with magnets with a hole in the middle, you can screw them onto the wall. Otherwise, a suitable surface adhesive like glue or tape should do the trick.
Why should I close my curtains?
Aside from its aesthetically pleasing benefits, curtains actually exist to give your rooms some privacy. It also helps with insulation by keeping the heat in or out of a particular room. Blackout curtains are an example of draperies that have remarkable insulating properties.
It also serves as a protection from peering eyes that may have an interest in your private property’s internal elements. Magnetic tapes along the walls and sides of the panels ensure that you are getting as much privacy as possible, without any expensive gestures.
You can also use different items such as clips and pins to close your curtains. Some fabric types are heavy enough to remain closed on their own. You can even make pinch pleats for a more elegant finish. Overall, knowing how to keep curtains closed is an essential part of owning any curtain.