How to Make Victorian Window Treatments

If you want to create a romantic look in your room, a Victorian decor may be just what the decorator ordered. You can create Victorian window treatments easily if you understand what the look for the period was. Just follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Scream Victorian with lace, lace and more lace. If you have access to a fabric outlet, you can create your own Victorian curtains quite inexpensively. If you're buying the window treatments, choose a lace swag and jabots for the top and a lace panel or tiers for the bottom.

2. Create your own tiers. Measure the length for the curtains. Measure the curtain rod you'll use, double it and add 3 inches. If you haven't picked one out, add 5 inches, which would allow for rods that are up to 1 inch loose or 1 1/2 inch very tight. The lacy edges of the material form the bottom, so no seam is necessary. Measure the width of the window. Each panel should be three quarters of the width to allow for fullness.

3. Fold the edges over at the side 1/2 inch, and then another 1/2 inch. Press. Top stitch shut.

4. Measure 3 inches from the top and fold. Press this down. Turn under 1/2 inch seam at the top and press. Turn it under one more time and press again. Pin the double folded seam down using the 3 inch pre-pressed fold as the top. Stitch this shut.

5. Stitch another line 1/2 inch from the top, creating a sleeve for the rod and a ruffle at the top. Your tiers are ready to hang.

6. Create a top valence in the same manner. Instead of cutting two panels make one that is 1 1/2 times the length of the window. Leave the finished edge of the lace for the bottom and complete the hem at the top as you did for the curtain.

Tips & Warnings

• For the full blown Victorian sitting room, red curtains, preferably velvet or brocade can be the top curtain over a lacy sheer.