Beaded Curtain Instructions
Beaded curtains add style and personality to interior doorways and windows. You can make beaded curtains to fit the décor of your home easier than you may think. The most difficult aspect of the project is selecting beads for the design. Glass beads sparkle in a window, while hand-painted wooden beads add a natural element to any room. Look for deals on beads in bulk from online and local beading suppliers. The number of beads you'll need to make a beaded curtain will vary based on the size of the curtain and the size of the bead, but you can count on using a lot of beads for even the smallest curtain design.
Things You'll Need
- Curtain rod
- Screwdriver
- Screws
- Measuring tape
- Beading wire
- Wire cutters
- Crimp beads
- Drop beads
- Crimping pliers
- Center-drilled beads
Instructions
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1
Hang a curtain rod in the desired location for the beaded curtain. Tension rods may not be strong enough, depending on the length of the curtain and on the type of beads that you select. The rod can fit between the interior sides of the frame or it can be attached to the outside of the frame.
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2
Measure the length of space in the window or doorway from the curtain rod to the floor or window sill. Doorway beads need not go all the way to the floor; stop a few inches from the floor so the beads will not drag as you move them.
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3
Measure the length of the selected drop bead for the bottom of the beaded curtain strands. Drop beads have holes drilled through the top of the bead, rather than straight through the center, making them a good choice for the last bead in each strand. Drop beads and crystals can be 4 inches long or longer; the length of the drop bead will impact the overall length of the beaded curtain.
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4
Subtract the length of the drop bead from the measurement obtained in Step 2.
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5
Cut a length of beading wire equal to the new length obtained in Step 4, plus 10 inches.
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6
Thread a crimp bead and a drop bead over one end of the beading wire. Extend the wire through the drop bead 3 inches. Bend the wire as it exits the drop bead and thread the excess back through the crimp bead. Slide the crimp bead down to the top of the drop bead. Press the crimp bead with crimping pliers.
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7
Thread your choice of beads over the open end of the wire to the crimp bead. The first few beads should slide over the excess wire and the main wire. Fill the wire with beads to within 7 inches of the opposite end. Add a crimp bead behind the last decorative bead.
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8
Make a loop in the opposite end of the beading wire to fit over the curtain rod. Extend the end of the wire 2-inches beyond the rod loop. The extension will allow you to secure the wire around the rod with the crimp bead.
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9
Hook the loop over the curtain rod. Slide the 2-inch excess through the crimp bead and the first few beads on the strand. Crimp the bead closed with crimping pliers.
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10
Repeat Steps 5 through 9 to add as many strands as you like across the width of the curtain rod.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bead curtain image by Bruce Hewitson from Fotolia.com
