How to Make Working Shades From Curtains

Measure the height and width of the window inside the frame.

Trim the curtain panel so that it is 3 inches longer and wider than the inside window measurements. If your window is 24 inches by 36 inches, for example, cut the panel to 27 by 39 inches.

Fold the two sides of the trimmed curtain panel over 1/2 inch; then fold over another inch and pin. Stitch along the inside edge of each side.

Fold the bottom edge of the panel up 1/2 inch, and then fold up another 1/2 inch. Pin and stitch along the edge.

Fold the top edge down 1/2 inch, and then fold down 1 1/2 inches. Pin and sew.

Hand stitch the plastic rings to the back side of the shade along the inside edge of the folded-over sides. Space each ring about six inches apart. The number of rings you'll need depends on the size of your shade.

Hand sew a ring in the center of the top edge of shade, just underneath the folded edge. Don't stitch through the folded part, as that is a pocket for the wood dowel. Also sew a ring on each side, just under the folded edge.

Tie one end of the nylon cord around the ring on the bottom left side of the shade. Thread the cord up through the rings on the left side, through the ring in the center top and down through the rings on the right side. Trim the cord so that about 3 feet extends beyond the rings.

Use the hand saw to cut the wooden dowel to a length that is 1 inch shorter than the window's width. For example, if your window is 24 inches wide, cut the dowel to 23 inches in length.

Slide the dowel into the top pocket of the shade.

Measure in six inches from each side of the shade along the top. Screw the hooks into the dowel, through the fabric, six inches in from the sides. Screw the screw eyes into the frame on the top of the window six inches in from the window's sides. Loop the hooks through the screw eyes to hang the shade.

Attach the cleat to the wall next to the window using a screw and drill. Mount the cleat on the right side, six inches above the bottom edge of the window and two inches out from the window's frame. When you pull the nylon cord to draw the shade up, wrap the cord around the cleat to hold it in place.