I don't want tiebacks

[Dodecaheidyin]

I've made unlined eyelet curtains. I was inordinately happy with how easy it was and how well they turned out, until I hung them up. They sit a quarter of the way over the window, that is they won't pull right back like any decent law abiding curtain would.

I've looked at my shop bought eyelet curtains which are very well behaved and they don't have the thick tape stuff that I used, that's obviously the problem. Is there any way I can get my home made ones to pull right back without tiebacks? If I cut the plastic stick out bits off would that help?

A pic would be good. It's difficult to work out what you mean by plastic bits

You can buy metal tie backs, like a giant hook. They are better than one made of material.

It's really hard to envisage what these pastiche stick out bits are. Can you share a picture?

Plastic not pastiche 🙂

Stick on magnets in the header?

https://www.remnanthousefabric.co.uk/product/eyelet-curtain-tape/

If the link works, this shows the plastic bits, they stick out the edges of the circles.

I've just tried a magnet, the rings are plastic too.

How about a much longer curtain pole? I feel your pain, this is exactly the sort of result I get from my home made efforts that I’m always stupidly proud of.
I have metal hooks that I just loop the curtains over when they are open.

Ok, having seen the photo: the spacers are there to give an even finish when they are opened. There is a 'hack' where people use toilet rolls on the pole between each circle to get the same effect. If you want the waves to be open without impeding the window then you'll If you want to get a longer pole. If you want them to 'concertina' at each end when open then cut off the plastic spacers. Bear in mind that you paid extra for the tape with spacers and it may be thicker and therefore less bendy than you may want, even with the spacers cut off: persevere, as the stiffening in the tape will soften over time if you keep 'training it' to bend.

I can't change the pole, unfortunately.

That sounds like a plan, @ODFOx , cut and train the bugger, I'll try that.

Thank you, all.

I would (probably incorrectly!) concertina the curtian on the pole, and then - temporarily - tie the curtains quite near the heading tape to make it remember the shape. Undo after a few days if you can leave them that long.

I'll try that in between training sessions, thank you, @CatOnTheChair.

I ended up pressing the bends with my iron last night. The curtains now have a tailored look about them but at least they open 😁. Thank you everyone for your help.