Burlap Window Ideas

Curtains and Draperies

• Curtains and draperies typically require lots of fabric yardage, which makes low-cost burlap an ideal choice. For contemporary and industrial interiors, install grommets in the headers of lined, flat-panel, burlap curtains. Hang the panels by threading the grommets through a narrow curtain rod made of copper, steel or black iron.

  Simple rod-pocket curtains suit casual, country and cottage decor. For a twist, unravel the top and bottom of each panel to create a burlap fringe. Turn the header over to the front when you stitch the rod pocket, which creates a line of fringe just beneath the curtain rod. Use the bottom fringe in place of a traditional hem. Open the curtains during the day with tiebacks made from lengths of rope or raffia.

  Make burlap formal by using it to make lined, top-pleated draperies. Dress them up even more by adding a three-quarter inch, box-pleated ruffle to the leading edge of each panel. Attach a thin, gold ring to the top of each pleat, and then slide the rings onto a narrow, gilded rod.

Valances

• Make a simple, unlined valance for casual, bohemian and rustic rooms by hemming a rectangle of burlap along the top and both sides. Fringe the bottom of the valance by unraveling 2 to 3 inches of the fabric, and then knot the top of the fringe in eighth-inch sections. Hang the valance from a rod by stitching rings to the header, or attaching clip rings.

  For a clean-lined motif suitable for decorating styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, make a tailored burlap valance with reverse box pleats. Make the valance lined or unlined, as you prefer. Staple the valance to a mounting board, and install it with L-brackets.

Shades

• Burlap also works well for custom window shades, whether lined for privacy or unlined to gently filter light. Hobbled Roman shades look good in all but the frilliest interiors. Embellish them with vertical bands of upholstery webbing to add extra flair. If you prefer an unexpected element to romantic decorating styles, use loose-woven, unlined burlap to make billowing balloon shades.

  For small windows, try using printed burlap sacks as fabric yardage. Make them into flat roller or side-cinched butterfly shades. When lowered, or even raised just halfway, both styles allow the lettering on the burlap to show.

Cornice Boards and Lambrequins

• For a showy and sophisticated burlap window application, use it to upholster padded cornice boards or lambrequins. Lambrequins are cornice boards with legs that cover the sides of the window. You can choose a curvy or straight-lined style, whichever suits your decor best.

  After you’ve upholstered your cornice board or lambrequin with the burlap, trim it with oversized nailhead trim to highlight the shape. Nailhead trim finishes that complement burlap include silver, antique brass, bronze and black.