How to choose the tape width according to the thickness and weight of the fabric

One of the questions I hear most often is: does tape width really matter? It does—and more so than you might think. Curtain tape width versus fabric weight is a topic that can either make or break the final look of your curtains.

Why fabric weight is crucial

The heavier the fabric, the more work the tape does. If it’s too narrow, the curtain:
doesn’t lay evenly, “pulls” the top, and deforms more quickly.

What works in practice

From experience:
Light curtains → 25–40 mm tape
Medium curtains → 50–70 mm
Heavy fabrics → 80 mm and more

If you sew regularly, it’s worth keeping a few options in mind. At curtainmaker.uk, we often advise clients at this stage, as it’s crucial to the overall outcome.

A final tip

Always fold the fabric sample with the tape in hand. If you “feel” the top becoming stable, you’re home.
Image suggestions:

Different tape widths side by side
curtain tape width comparison for different fabrics
Tape sewn into a heavy curtain
wide curtain tape for heavy fabric curtains

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