How to Hang a Window Scarf

Dress up a bare window with a scarf.

A window scarf is a long, narrow piece of fabric used to create a swag around a window. You can hang the scarf in many different ways, depending on your decor and the window you are decorating. The scarf provides an accent for your window, but does not cover the glass or interfere with your view.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Curtain sconces
• Rubber bands
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure the width and the height of your window with a measuring tape. If you want the scarf to hang to the floor, measure the distance to the floor instead of the length of the window.

2. Add the width of the window to double the height, plus 12 inches to get the minimum fabric length you need. Depending on the look you want, add additional length to allow the fabric to hang in soft swags around your window.

3. Purchase fabric or a premade window scarf in the appropriate length. The width of the material should be at least 36 inches. A wider scarf, up to 108 inches wide, gives a softer, more billowy look.

4. Install curtain sconces over the outer corners of the windows. Place one sconce 1 inch above the top of the window frame and 1 inch to the left of the outside of the frame. Put another sconce 1 inch above and 1 inch to the right of the outside of the window frame, on the other side of the window. If the window is very wide, add a third sconce in the center of the frame, at the same height as the others.

5. Fold the material into pleats that run the length of the fabric. Secure the fabric in several places with rubber bands so the pleats don't come undone.

6. Feed the fabric through the sconces. If you are using three sconces, put one end of the fabric through the middle sconce before passing it through the end one.

7. Remove all the rubber bands, either by sliding them off of the fabric or cutting them off with scissors. Be careful when using scissors near the fabric.

8. Arrange the fabric to suit your preferences. One common style is to have one side of the window scarf long and puddling onto the floor, while the other side reaches to just below the bottom edge of the window frame. You can also hang it so the length of the scarf is equal on both sides.

9. Pull down the fabric in the center so it swoops down from either end and is full in the middle. Be very gentle, and arrange the fabric so it looks neat. This creates an attractive swag look and shows off more of your window scarf.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make a window scarf from any long piece of fabric. For a child's room, buy material that reflects his interests. For an adult bedroom or another room in the house, buy fabric that suits the decor of that room. Light, soft fabric with a gauzy texture works better than heavy cotton fabric in most cases.

• Be careful when feeding the scarf through the sconces so the fabric doesn't get hung up or torn.

References

• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service; Window Treatment Trends; Linda Reece Adler; April 1999
• eSleepmasters: Window Scarves
• WindowPrize.com: Window Scarf