Throwing Curtains Over the Rod for Window Treatment

Folded Valance

• A stylish valance can be simply fashioned using a folded length of fabric. Cut your fabric 1/3 longer than the width of your window. Iron your fabric, and turn the cut ends to the backside of the fabric. Secure the hem with fabric glue or iron-on tape. Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, and iron along the fold. Place the panel lengthwise over the top of a decorative curtain rod. The fold will be on the top with the hemmed edges hanging down. Coax your material into soft gathers, and secure them with pins or staples placed along the bottom of the curtain rod. Decorate the bottom edges of your valance with tasseled trim adhered with fabric glue or staples.

Panel Curtain

• Accent your cottage-style window with a single panel of fabric. Wrap a strip of latex carpet padding to cover your rod, and secure it with rubber bands. This will keep your fabric from slipping on the rod. Cut your fabric to measure 2.5 times the length of your window. Iron the fabric, and hem the cut ends with fabric glue. Drape the panel over your curtain rod with the right sides of the fabric facing out. The hems should hang evenly together. Install a decorative pull-back curtain hook on the wall beside one side of the window frame. Follow the manufacturer's directions and position it several inches from the bottom of the sill. Pull your fabric curtain to the side, and secure it on the hook.

Embellished Swag

• Cut fabric three times the width of your window. Iron and hem the cut edges with fabric glue or iron-on tape. Find the center of the fabric, and loop a chenille craft stem around it. Secure the stem to the center of the curtain rod by twisting the ends around the rod. Attach a large silk blossom to the chenille stem on the front of your rod. Pull the fabric towards the left end of the rod. The top edge of the panel should be taut to camouflage your rod. Allow the bottom edge of the fabric to drape slightly to form gentle folds. Secure the fabric around the rod with a chenille stem. Attach a silk flower to the rod with the chenille stem. Attach the opposite side of the fabric to the right end of the rod. Arrange pleasing folds in the remaining fabric hanging along the sides of the window.

Scarf Style

• A sunny decor can be enhanced with a light airy window treatment. A soft breezy fabric like linen or netting will work well. Measure the width of your window and double it. Measure the length of your window and double that. Purchase fabric equal to the total sum of these two measurements. Iron the fabric and hem the two cut edges with stitches or fabric glue. Bring the two hemmed ends together to find the center of your panel. Hold the center of your panel in front of your rod. Loop one of the tails around the rod twice to hold the fabric in place. Bring a tail to the end of the rod. Allow the panel to swag slightly, and loop it over the rod twice. A long tail will fall beside the side of the window. Repeat the process with the opposite end of the fabric and on the opposite end of the rod.