Dress up a window inexpensively with cloth napkin and place mat window treatments.
Materials:
place mats of your choice, preferably stiff, brightly colored, slightly see- through
buttons
thread
needles
iron
curtain rod
fusible webbing
Steps:
- Measure the window and decide what size place mats or napkins will fit. (When choosing your shades, try looking around in import stores or antique marts. It looks better to mix and match colors and textures.)
- Lay the place mats out on a tabletop and adjust them to fit in the window area size. Move them around until you are happy with the design. Allow an extra four inches at the top of the place mats to make the rod pocket later.
- Stitch the place mat panels together at one end, in the middle and at the other end. Continue on all sides. (This allows a billowing effect on breezy days.) Tip: For hand-stitching projects like this one, it is helpful to purchase a magnetic "needle-holder" case at your local sewing, fabric or home store. This small investment could save you from numerous lost needles and some sore "stabbed" toes!
- For weight and a decorative touch, sew buttons on over the stitches made earlier, one on the end, one in the middle and one on the opposite end.
- Feel free to add ribbons or any other decorative touches that might match the decor.
To make the rod pocket:
- For an easy rod pocket, attach a strip of fusible webbing along the top of the shade where you allowed an additional four inches. Follow the directions on the package.
- Tear off the protective tape from the webbing and, using a dry iron, press the rod pocket in place.
- Slip the rod through the pocket and hang your very unique, hand-stitched place mat shade!
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