How to Make an Angled Curtain Swag
A swag is a window treatment that softens the hard-edge look of windows without blocking the light or view through the window. The simplest description of a swag is fabric that is draped over finials or brackets that are mounted at the top corners of a window. Swags are very straightforward to make because it is simply a panel of fabric, and the only sewing you have to do is around the hems and edges. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Pins
- Iron
- Fabric
- 2 finials or swag hooks
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Drill
Instructions
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Preliminary Work
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1
Measure the width of your window. This measurement is necessary in order to determine how much fabric you will need. For this example, say the window measures 36 inches.
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2
Determine how far you want the swag to hang down the sides of the window. In this example, say you want the swag to hang down 36 inches on each side. You can customize this to fit your needs, as the swag can really be as short or as long as you'd like. Just be sure to have a minimum of 20 inches in order for the swag to have enough weight to hang correctly. Then, do the math: Add 36 plus 36 plus 36 to get 108. Add 1/2 inch on each end for the hem, and that brings the total to 109 inches. Because both sides of the fabric will be visible, double that number (making it 218 inches).
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3
Choose the fabric. This is where the sky is the limit. Because it is an accent fabric, it is fun to introduce a bit of pattern and color in a swag. Be sure to pick something that will go well with the other colors, prints and fabrics in the room. You have the option here, also, to have a main fabric and a secondary fabric for the back side of the swag.
Preparing, Sewing and Hanging the Swag
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4
Wash fabric, to preshrink, and iron to make for easier sewing. Fold the fabric in half if you have chosen to use 218 inches of the same fabric, putting the right sides together. If you decided to go with a second fabric for the back, simply place the two fabrics with their right sides facing each other.
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5
Measure and mark (or pin) 1/2 inch from the edges along three sides: both long sides and one short side. If using one piece of fabric, you can skip the side where the fold is and simply prepare the long sides to be hemmed.
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6
Sew the hems. Then, turn the fabric right-side out and fold 1/2 inch of the fabric in on both sides of the open end, iron the seam, then sew the final hem.
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7
Install the finials or swag hooks on either side of your window frame. Swag hooks look like large brackets with a hole in the center where you thread the fabric through. Use a level to be sure they will be straight. Use your drill and the supplied hardware to securely fasten the finials or hooks into the wall.
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8
Drape the swag over the finials or through the swag hooks, working with the fabric to achieve the look you want. The more you pull the bottom of the swag in the middle, the more angled the swag sides will be. If you fold the fabric, accordion-style, before hanging it on the finials, it will help to accentuate the angles. Hang the swags so that both sides hang evenly, or leave one side shorter than the other.
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