Creating a Curtain With Beads & Straws

Beaded curtain using a fixed horizontal pattern.

Beaded curtains tend to have a '60s retro feel. The beads help define doorways and windows while allowing good visibility. When disturbed, the beads also create a kind of music that is very distinct if the beads are larger with hollow spaces. Metal beads add a musical quality and can sometimes be crafted to sound like small chimes. Faceted bead curtains also cast interesting light shapes around the room.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 1 by 1-inch wood batten
• Table saw
• Wood screws
• Screw driver
• Drill
• Eye screws
• Beads
• Straws
• Beading cord
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your window or doorway inside the casing. Cut a piece of 1 by 1-inch board to fit. This board is called a batten. You may want to sand and paint the batten if it is going to be visible. Beaded window curtains are often covered by other drapery toppers or valances.

2. Measure across the bottom underside of the batten and mark every inch. With smaller beads you may want to mark in 3/4-inch intervals. Drill small pilot holes in the batten and screw small eye screws into the wood. Make sure all of the eye screws line up and are oriented in the same direction.

3. Hold the batten up against the top underside of the doorway or window. Measure from the bottom of the eye screws to the windowsill or floor. Cut the beading cording so that it is two inches longer than your measurement. Cut enough cording for all of the eye screws.

4. Decide if you want to use a beaded pattern. These are available online and can create geometric shapes, dots of color, images or simple patterns. They are often laid out on graph paper and have the beads color-coded for you. For random beading, select the style and size beads you like and place them in small dishes so you can easilygrab them. Cut plastic straws to regular lengths to use as beads. Because large amounts of beads can be pricey, straws can help extend the beads and still look fashionable and interesting.

5. Knot your cord at the eye screw and tuck the end down inside the first few beads. Pick up beads in the order you want all the way to the end of the cord. Use the last bead as part of your knot by threading through the bead and bringing the cord up above the bead to knot cord. Tuck the ends of the cord inside the last few beads. Repeat for all of your eye screws.

6. Attach the bead curtain to the underside casing of either the doorway or window using long wood screws and a screwdriver.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider adding a tie back hook to one side of the curtain to pull it out of the way.

References

• Beaded Curtain: Make Beaded Curtains