How to Make Long Curtains Interesting

Add a Border

• 1

  Measure the width of each curtain panel. Decorator fabric is usually 52 to 54 inches wide. Depending on the width of your curtain panels, you will need one of more widths of fabric to make your border. Cut each border piece six inches deep. One yard of fabric will yield six pieces of 6-by-52-inch fabric.

• 2

  Sew border strips together to make a piece long enough to fit all the way across the bottom of each curtain panel.

• 3

  Press under 1/4 inch on all four sides of your border fabric.

• 4

  Decide where you want to place your border. Six to 12 inches from the bottom edge of the curtain panel usually works well. Measure this distance with a ruler and make a pencil or chalk mark all the way across the curtain.

• 5

  Pin the border to the curtain with the bottom edge of the border up against your pencil line.

• 6

  Sew along the top and the bottom of the border, keeping your stitches as close to the edge as possible. Sew along each side.

Add Layers

• 7

  Hang sheer or lace panels behind your curtain. These materials provide privacy but still allow light to shine through. Layering different fabrics and textures on a window adds dimension and color to your curtains.

• 8

  Swag a long scarf of contrasting fabric over the top of your curtains. Pin the scarf to hold it in place. Choose chiffon, velvet or a knit fabric in a coordinating color. You can festoon more than one scarf, using two different colors of material, for a lush effect. Or drape silk vines or festoons of silk flowers along the top of your curtain rod.

• 9

  Tie back the curtains with braided silk cord, silk scarves, pieces of lace, or another decorative fabric. Trim these tie-backs with tassels, bows or fringe.