How to Drape a Curtain Around a Rod

Cut a panel of drapery material to create your scarf swag. The length and width are up to you, depending on the number of loops you intend to make and the depth of the loops. Consider starting with a panel that is three times the length of the window's width. Cut the fabric up to 3 feet wide for silks and other materials that drape deeply. Heavier fabrics may appear chunky at that width, so cut them a bit narrower and go for an elegant, formal effect.

Hem the curtain panel by folding 1/2 inch twice to enclose the raw edges all the way around and pin them. Stitch just inside the fold that is 1/2 inch from the edge.

Mount your hardware. Scarf swags are often arranged on fixtures that have rings or tie-backs to hold the fabric in place, although some are simply draped across the standard curtain rod hardware alone.

Gather one end of the panel and pull it through the left swag ring or across the tie back, letting the material hang the length you prefer down the left side.

Wrap the curtain very loosely around the drapery rod. The number of times you circle the rod with the fabric depends on the number of loops you want across the width of the window.

Pull the curtain through the swag loop or across the tie-back on the right. At this time you determine the length of the right portion hanging down. Some swag valances have equal lengths, while others have one end long and the other end short.

Begin arranging the curtain loops evenly across the rod, coaxing the loops into a uniform size, or however you want them.

Continue working with the curtain until you get the drape effect you prefer.