Decorative Rod/Curtain

Materials:

fabric 12" longer than the distance from the curtain rod to the floor
scissors
grommets
grommet pliers or a hammer
2 yards of cording
tape
telescoping curtain rod
finials

Steps:

1. Cut off the selvages--the tightly woven areas on each side of the fabric.
2. Place the fabric right-side-down on the work surface.
3. Make the bottom hem. Fold the material up 8", and press. Unfold the fabric, and fold it up 4" so that the raw edge aligns with the newly formed crease. Press the fabric again. Fold the bottom section up using the crease made with the 8" fold. Fuse or stitch the folded material to the rest of the fabric. If machine-stitching, use a blind stitch to create a hand-sewn look.
4. For a side hem, fold in the material 4". Unfold the fabric, and fold it in 2" so that the raw edge aligns with the newly formed crease. Press again. Fold in the side using the crease made with the 4" fold. Don't sew or fuse yet. Repeat on the other side and with the top of the fabric.
5. Before sewing or fusing the top hem, miter the corners. Unfold the side hems and the top hem, and cut a 4" square out of the two top corners. Fold what remains of the top hem back in place. Fold the "new" top corners in toward the middle of the fabric so that the "new" raw edge of the top side now rests against the raw edge of the folded top hem. Then, fold the sides back in place to make two mitered corners.
6. Mark the places where the grommets will be attached. Place one in each corner approximately 1" from both the top and side of the fabric. Mark the hole in the middle of the grommet on the fabric. Repeat the process along the top hem at 6" to 8" intervals. Use wider intervals to make the fabric hang more loosely.
7. Attach the grommets. First practice on a scrap of fabric. Cut out the marked spot, and place the bottom part of the grommet through the hole on the back side of the fabric. Fit the other half of the grommet onto the first piece, and secure it with a pair of grommet pliers. Grommets can be tightened with a hammer, but the pliers are much quicker and easier.
8. Cut 2 yards of cording. Tape one end to use for threading through the grommets, and knot the other end. Thread the taped end through the grommets, bringing the cord up and over the top of the panel between grommets.
9. Run the rod through the loops of cord at the top. Adjust the distance between the fabric and the rod by pulling one end of the cord.

Resources

• Products

  • Satin Glass Finials Interior Expression Drapery rods - Discontinued
    

• Guests

  • Donna Babylon
    Author / Designer / Owner, Windsor Oak Publishing
    Website: www.moresplashthancash.com