You have a couple of choices. If you want to convert to grommets, you could look into the kit, though I have never done this, and suspect it might be a bit pricey. You CAN buy a header stiffener in the drapery section of Joann's or a similar store, and I would think you would definately want to use it. A couple of other options: You could buy clip on rings. There is a small clip on the bottom of the ring, which clips to the top of the panel. Then the ring goes over the rod. Probably want to clip a ring every 4 inches or so along the top of each panel. If you want to hang them on rings,but don't want the look of the clips, here is an easy solution. Go to Joann's or some place similar and buy rings which have little metal eyelet-screws at the bottom of them. Unscrew each little eyelet-screw from the ring, and you will stitch it onto the back of the drapery, by hand, probably every four inches or so. You will stitch around the eyelet part. The stem end will be sticking straight up. Where the stem meets the eyelet -that part should be right a the top border of the panel. When you have stitched them all on, simply screw the rings on to all the eyelets and then hang the rings from the rod.

The rings should have tiny ring that you'll use curtain hooks to attach them to your curtains. The curtain hook actually goes into the curtain fabric, the other end of the hook goes into the hook ring. I just bought curtain hooks at Lowe's of all places. Here is a link that might be useful: Curtain Hooks

One more reason to like the rings - with them, the top of the curtain sort of extends the line of the trim (see 1st picture), and together with the rod uncovered, creates a cleaner, stronger effect.

Well, when I make banded sides, I always sew the bands on first, iron the seams and iron fold on the band-the desired widh, iron single fold on the bottom hem,lay the panel on the table and interlining on top of it.Make sure bottom of the interlining goes to the ironed bottom line. Even all out and finish the other fold on the bottom, use pins secure all together and blind sew the hem. Make a ham on the lining too. Lay the panel w/ interling down on the table (right side of the panel facing table,interling facing you), make sure all is even and straight. Lay the lining on top of it, hem facing down. The lining should be about 1/2" shorter than the front panel. Pin it together. Again make sure all the fabric lays flat and even. Now you do the sides. Interling and lining should be cut straight to the ironed fold of the band.So double fold the band material as you would do on the bottom, make sure the band has same widh in the back as in front and pin it every 6-8", do the other side and blind stitch it. Remove the side pins as you sew, leave bottom pins still in. Lay the whole panel on the table and measure your lengh from bottom up,cut straight,fold over, iron. You can add buckram if you want stiffer top or just make double ham and stitch it which ever way you prefer. Remove bottom pins. From my experience w/ interlining. Sometimes I sew it on the lining instead of the main panel. Depends on the fabric I use. When it comes to banding, I would not recomend bias cut unless you put something in to stabilize it- like iron on backing to prevent it from stretching and looking "wavy". When it comes to hem size, if you don't have enough material for 4" double, you can make smaller hem. Personally, I don't like dummy, add on piece. I'd rather put weight tape inside the ham to hang right. If you make smaller ham, make sure the ham on lining is smaller too. Sorry if it is confusing, or my spelling. Any more questions? Just ask.