what are pole top curtains?

Answer 1

You put a pole through the loop in the top of the curtain as opposed to hanging tab curtains with little clips.

Answer 2

Or there is a "tube" sewn at the top-- you thread the curtain "pole" thru the tube and hang from the ends of the pole. They are simple to make-- figure out how you want them to look-- measure the window-- decide two panels or not-- measure the fabric the length you want to fit the window-- ADD hem depth, ADD top gather and depth of the tube, ADD turn under to hem and top-- all those numbers give you the length necessary for one panel.
have fun