Create a Beaded Curtain
Hanging a beaded curtain in a window or doorway adds style and personality to any room. Create your own beaded curtain from beads that represent your particular style. Select crystal beads to add sparkling color to the space; wooden beads fit an earthy, natural décor and hand-blown glass beads showcase an eclectic style. You'll need several hundred beads to create a small beaded curtain, but you can buy them in bulk from online beading suppliers. The curtain dimensions and the bead sizes dictate the quantity of beads that you'll need. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Curtain rod
- Screwdriver
- Screws
- Measuring tape
- Clear, soft monofilament line
- Scissors
- 8-millimeter top-drilled crystal beads
- 8-millimeter crystal bugle beads
- 4-millimeter crystal bicone beads, center-drilled
- 6-millimeter crystal bicone beads, center-drilled
- Jeweler's glue
Instructions
-
-
1
Attach a curtain rod between the door jambs or on top of a window frame. Make sure to anchor the curtain rod securely with screws; do not use a tension rod.
-
2
Measure the length from the curtain rod to the floor or base of the window frame. Measure the length of the top-drilled beads that you selected for the curtain. Subtract the bead measurement from the overall length. Subtract an additional inch if you are hanging the curtain in a doorway so that the beaded strands do not hang on the floor. This measurement is the basic length measurement for the curtain.
-
-
3
Cut a strand of clear, soft monofilament line that is twice as long as the basic length measurement for the curtain, plus 12 inches. The added length is for attaching the bead strand to the curtain rod. For example, if the curtain length is 3 feet, cut a 7-foot strand of monofilament line --- 3x2 plus 1 foot. Soft monofilament line is a beading material that is similar to fishing line that knots better than fishing line.
-
4
Slide one top-drilled bead to the center of the soft monofilament line. Double the line; hold the ends evenly. All of the remaining beads will fit over the doubled lines.
-
5
Slide two 8-millimeter crystal bugle beads over both lines, down to the top of the top-drilled bead. Bugle beads are cylindrical. Slide one 4-millimeter crystal bicone bead over the lines to the last bugle bead. Slide one 6-millimeter crystal bicone bead over the lines to the 4-millimeter crystal. Slide another 4-millimeter crystal bead over both lines to the 6
-millimeter crystal bead.
-
6
Follow the pattern in Step 5 for the length of the doubled lines, up to 6 inches from the end. Separate the lines and tie the beaded strand onto the curtain rod. A basic overhand knot works well; repeat the knot for at least four times to create a strong hold. Cover the knot with jeweler's glue. Trim the excess monofilament line.
-
7
Repeat the process to make as many beaded strands as needed to fit the desired width of the curtain.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the top of the beaded curtain is visible, cut a strip of coordinating fabric and glue it across the top of the curtain rod to camouflage the knots. Hot glue works well to attach the fabric to the curtain rod.
