How to Install a Drawstring for Curtains

Curtains that are pulled open using a drawstring enable the curtain to display a decorative, gathered edging with minimal effort. Although it is difficult to locate an inexpensive drawstring curtain at a department or home decorating shop, you can transform the curtain you already own into a drawstring curtain using a few basic craft materials. This enables you to achieve the look of a drawstring curtain without spending a lot of money in the process.

Measuring tape
Ribbon, 2 inches wide
Scissors
Decorative cording, 1/2-inch thick
Straight pins
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Take the curtain off of the curtain rod, then lay the curtain flat. Measure the width of the curtain using a measuring tape.
- 2
  Cut a piece of 2-inch-wide ribbon to measure the exact width of the curtain.
- 3
  Cut a piece of decorative cording to measure the width of the curtain plus 4 inches.
- 4
  Lay the cording across the width of the curtain, positioning the cording evenly in the middle of the curtain's length.
- 5
  Lay the ribbon widthwise over the cording, positioning the cording in the center of the ribbon.
- 6
  Pin the long edges of the ribbon along the entire length of the ribbon using straight pins.
- 7
  Sew along the pinned edges using a sewing machine, then remove the straight pins.
- 8
  Tie a knot into both ends of the cording, which prevents the decorative cord from slipping back through the ribbon casing.
- 9
  Hang the curtain back onto the curtain rod, then cinch the drawstring to open the curtain.

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