No-Sew Window Treatments

Place mats draped on a tension rod give a quick, tailored look to a window. Heavy-duty tubes wrapped with fabric and belted or tied are easy to make. A shower curtain hung upside down makes a quick window treatment. Swag a shower curtain over a rod and dress with tassels.

• Try using napkins and place mats as tailored window toppers when there is no need for light control or privacy. Simply drape napkins or mats over a tension rod. To finish the look, dangle tassels or decorative items on a rope. For a nautical theme, Hiller attached wooden fish on a rope to a rod hung with navy napkins that looked like flags. For a more contemporary look, she used three striped place mats, and finished the window with a decorative platter and candle holders on the sill.
• A roller shade is easy to make, using fabric, heavy-duty cardboard tubes(available at fabric stores), a belt or ribbons, a tension rod, a glue gun and scissors.

Steps:

1. Measure the inside width of the window and cut the cardboard tube 1/2 inch shorter.
2. Measure the height of the window and add 4 inches to the top and bottom.
3. Cut fabric to size.Center the tube on the fabric and mark the edge for width guide.
4. Double-fold the fabric to the edge mark and hot-glue to hem.
5. Hot-glue the fabric to the top of the tube. Roll the fabric until the tube is completely covered, then hot-glue in place.
6. Repeat with the another tube on the bottom.Roll up shade to desired length and wrap with belts or ribbons.Insert a tension rod through the tube and install.

• A shower curtain can be used three different ways for a quick window treatment:
  • Hang the shower curtain from a metal rod with brass hooks. Add tassels or pull back for added interest.
  • Put a rod through the hem of the curtain and hang. Bunch up fabric on each end to one foot from the top. Secure with tassels and safety pins.
  • Hang the curtain by its hem. Fold the curtain to the back and up over the rod. Pull to one side to create a swag and jabot. Add tassels or bows, if desired.