The best magazine
How to Frame a Window With Fabric
- 1). Measure 6 inches out horizontally from each top corner of the window, and mark the point with a pencil. Measure 12 inches up from each mark, and make a pencil cross. Drill a hole through the first cross, and put in a wall anchor. Repeat for the other side.
- 2). Screw the curtain rail brackets to the wall. Hold the curtain rail up against the brackets, and check it with a level to make sure it's horizontal. Make any necessary adjustments, and then take the rail away.
- 3). Lay the fabric down flat with the right side facing down. Fold it in half by bringing both short ends together, matching the edges exactly. Lay the fabric so that the fold forms the top edge of the rectangle, and measure 12 inches down from the top left-hand corner. Draw a line from this point to the bottom right-hand corner, and then cut along the line. Treat the lining fabric in exactly the same way.
- 4). Open the pieces of fabric up to reveal two trapezoid shapes. Lay the main fabric out, right-side up. Place the lining fabric on top, matching the two shapes exactly. Pin around the edges. Machine sew down both sides of the shape, and remove the pins.
- 5). Machine sew along the bottom edge of the trapezoid, leaving a gap of one-and-a-half inches in from the side hem. Leave a corresponding gap at the end of the bottom seam. These are to thread the curtain rail through.
- 6). Slip your hand through the open top seam of the fabric "bag," and turn the trapezoid the right way round. Round your hand round inside the fabric to push the edges of the shape out.
- 7). Turn the raw edges of the top seam in by 1/2-inch, and press the hem. Hand sew along the seam as neatly as you can using matching thread, as these stitches will be visible. Press the complete swag.
- 8). Machine sew a line of stitching parallel to the first side edge. Sew a second line of stitching parallel to the first. These lines are to feed the curtain rail through, so vary the position of the two lines according to the width of your curtain rail. Repeat for the other side. Tie off all loose threads neatly.
- 9). Remove one of the filials from the curtain rail. Thread the rail through the left-hand side of the swag, working from the bottom to the top. Thread the right-hand side of the swag into place as well, working from the top to the bottom. Arrange the gathers of the swag so that they fall symmetrically. Replace the filial.
- 10
Hook the curtain rail over the wall brackets, and tighten the screws to hold it in position. Rearrange the folds of the swag if necessary.
Source: ...