the rod goes thru the tabs.

back tabs are just like top tabs, only on the back. So your rod would weave under (or through) the tab, and then be exposed between tabs. In other words, your rod would go where this lady's hand is:

Back tabs (IMO) cause the drapes to fall in very wide gathers, just as grommet tops do. Using back tabs, you won't be able to get the pleated look of your sheers.

Try using the clips to grab the drape (total width of panel / # of rings = ring spacing default, then adjust for the bulk of the drapery fabric). Then thread the rings on the rod.

Is that what you're asking? :)

I have never understood how you can hang drapes (non-pinch pleat) from ring clips without fortifying the back in some way. I guess their plan is that you clip the top of the drape every few inches.

Pleater tape sewn to the back and then pleater pins would do the trick.

When you use the ring clips on drapes without any kind of fortifying in the back they hang very casually in a droopy kind of way. If you want drapes to hang in nice even pleats you really need to buy pleated drapes.

I made lined drapery panels and placed the clips 6-1/2" apart.
It is a more relaxed, casual look compared to pinch pleated drapes.
-Laurie

Okay, after taking a good ten deep, deep breaths, it hit me how to hang the panels soon after I hit submit message!

Since we had dinner plans, I was trying to get ready to go out, and figure out how to hang at least one panel before doing so.

My progress so far:

First panel pressed and hung before leaving for dinner:)

Following our lovely and very relaxing weeknight dinner out (rare treat) at our favorite neighborhood Italian spot, I have now pressed and hung the second panel on the first window, LR:

By way of background, DH has never met a drapery treatment that he likes, (says drapes remind him of a coffin, lol). Therefore, I am only "framing" my front facing windows in the spirit of marital harmony, thus the use of only two panels on each double window.

The Foyer and LR drapes will never be closed. However, DR drapes (back of house) will be closed in the evenings during the late fall/winter when the leaves are gone from the trees.

I ordered 2 extra panels which I will hang in my office window which will also be closed in the evenings. Office window faces the front of the house as well.

Silly pet peeve, I like the look of all window treatments seen from outside front of my home to be uniform. I know ~ crazy.

After I posted, I sat down for a minute to re-think things, and again looked at the rod, the pockets, etc. More importantly, I tried to block my incessent need to use the rings. Only then was I able to get out of my own way, and see that I needed to hang the panels directly on the rod via the tabs on the back ~ Much as suggested in your responses to my original panic post, only being pressed for time, I didn't get to read all of the responses until we returned from dinner!

I feel as though I have gotten the somewhat pleated look I was trying to achieve.

These drapes were a JCP steal, so I was so hoping to "make it work". After Loribee's post on a fall reno of her LR, I was motivated to get to a much needed fall update with regard to my LR/DR/Foyer windows. Especially motivated as I am doing it on the cheap!

Although I ordered both the Ivory and New Orleans Red, I will be keeping NOR, returning the Ivory. I originally thought I would use the Ivory, however, the gold in the pattern was off in color against my SW Blonde walls.

Not the best of pics, but you can see that I have used some binder clips from my office to hold the panels tight at the bottoms. Using those and starching the panels when I pressed them, should take/keep the shape I am going for. I will remove the clips once the drapes conform to my plans.lol

As soon as we returned from dinner, I checked to see if anyone had posted suggestions. Although I had pretty much had it figured out, (I'd hung the first panel before we headed out to dinner), it was great to see the quick responses!

Many thanks to all who posted. So nice to come here with a question and get responses very quickly. As you may have surmised from my post, I am an instant gratification-type gal, thus, my love for this forum!

Thanks again!

But by not using the rings, now the drape on the right appears to be stopping short of the floor. If that is the case, you might want to do what Laurie suggested. Her's looks nice. I guess you don't need the pleater tape and hooks.

Nice job laurie! How I wish I had knelt at the chair next to my DM as she was sewing when I was raised. DM made almost all of our clothing back in the day! I had sewing in HS home ec, but that's the extent of my sewing ability.

However, I don't like the clip part of the ring. With my pinch pleat sheers, I used drapery pins and put them through the tiny ring that attaches the actual ring that goes on the rod, to the clips used to hang the drapery materal.

Great eye graywings! I have the bottoms clipped with big ole binder clips. They are fine lengthwise once the clips are removed. The pic is deceiving as I used the binder clips toward the front of the panel to set the "pleats. Makes the panel look off - shorter. It isn't, just giving the binder clips a chance to work their magic!

Your newly posted pictures look great! Glad you solved the dilemma.

So happy for you! Sounds like you found the perfect compromise for you and your hubby, too~

They look great WIP!