How to Make Swag Curtains

The gracefulness of a curtain swag gives a look of elegance to a room's decor. Whether it is for a large picture window or a quaint little kitchen window, a swag can add a finishing touch to your room's style. Curtain swags are easy to achieve. They require straight sewing lines and beautiful decorative rods and brackets. If you have never decorated before, you will have excellent success with a curtain swag. These instructions are for a basic one-loop swag. For a more lavish swag with extra loops, all you will need is more length to your fabric.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 54-inch fabric, amount to be determined by the window size Decorative pole curtain rod and brackets String Measuring tape Sewing machine Scissors Straight pins Iron Tools to hang brackets

1. Hang the decorative pole curtain rod and brackets. This looks best with the brackets on the outside edge of the window trim and the decorative pole rod right above the window trim. The curtain swag will drape down the side trim and across the top trim.

2. Cut a long length of string. This is to give you the correct measurement for your curtain swag fabric. Thread the string up and behind the left side of the pole rod. Drape it over the rod and allow it to swag to the right side of the rod. Thread the string down and behind the rod. Adjust the length of the string on each side of the window and adjust the swag in the middle. Once you are satisfied with the drape of your string swag, cut the string.

3. Measure the length of the string. This is how much fabric you will need.

4. Fold one short end of the fabric length to the wrong side of the fabric a half-inch. Press the fold. Fold the end a half-inch again. Press and pin the hem. Sew a top stitch along the pinned edge as close to the folded edge as possible. Repeat for the other short end and the two long sides.

5. Gather the length of the fabric and hold the middle in your hand. Center the front of the fabric over the window. Keeping the right side facing forward, drape the fabric over the rod in the same manner as the string. Arrange the fabric to achieve the desired look.

Tips & Warnings

• For an even easier and cheaper curtain swag, screw cup hooks at the top outer corners of the window trim. Tie the fabric with ribbon at the corner swag points and hook the ribbon on the hooks. Attach flowers or other decoration to cover the ribbon, if desired.