How to Make a Swag & Cascade Window Treatment

Single swag and cascade

The swag and cascade window treatment has been around for centuries. This type of design is not trendy, so it is worth the labor and fabric required to make it. The traditional swag and cascade is mounted on a board, with the fabric for the swag pleated and mounted in separate swags and the cascades folded and mounted on the sides. The cascades can be mounted over the swag or under the swag, and the length of the cascade will depend on the window height.

Things You'll Need

• Pattern
• Fabric
• Mounting board
• Stapler

Instructions

1. Measure the width and height of the window to determine how many swags you need and how long to make the cascades. Smaller windows usually have just one swag, but larger windows can have more. Usually, it looks better to have an odd number of swags rather than an even number.

2. Cut the fabric for the swags, using a swag pattern; you can buy a swag pattern online or in a fabric store.

3. 

   Swag

   Fold the swag fabric into pleats on top of each other, starting at the top. Use a pin if needed to hold the pleats, until the pleating is complete. The number of pleats depends on the fabric pattern: Smaller prints or solids look better with more pleats, and larger prints look better with fewer pleats so the pattern shows up better.

4. Cut the cascade along the pattern line. Order a pattern based on the length of the window; most patterns come in 36-inch width, but for a fuller look you can use 50-inch widths. Fold the cascade in vertical pleats, using pins if needed to hold the pleat.

5. Wrap the mounting board in fabric, and then staple the swags to the mounting board. Mount the cascades on top of the swags or under the swags, depending on the desired look.

Tips & Warnings

• If more than one swag is being mounted on the board and there is a patten on the fabric, make sure to pattern match each swag before cutting. Mounting boards can be purchased at a fabric store.

• Take the time to research good patterns for swags and cascades. The cascades can be made a little wider than the pattern to use all of the width of the fabric. Drapery fabric width is usually 54 inches wide, but some silks come in 36-inch widths.

References

• thewindowtreatmentexpert.com: Swag valances p.1