1.

Learn to Make a Padded Pelmet Window Treatment

Padded pelmets add a touch of elegance to any room and can be made to match, contrast or coordinate with the rest of the window treatment. They can be made in all weights of fabric and are ideal to show large patterns or luxurious fabrics to their full potential. Plain fabrics and those without a definite one way pattern or nap can be railroaded for this style of pelmet, making it very economical on fabric.

2.

Learn How to Make Balloon Valance Window Treatments

A Balloon, Cloud or Pouf valance is an ideal top treatment for small windows when used alone or teamed up with cafe curtains or blinds and is best fitted outside the window recess.

3.

Learn how to Make No Sew Curtains

Curtains that are sewn together in the traditional way are sturdier and last longer but serviceable, unlined lightweight curtains can be made with no sewing at all. A modern bonding web (Bondaweb is probably the best well known, but there are others) is applied with a hot iron and a damp cloth and takes the place of a needle and thread.

4.

Learn how to Sew Your Own Window Swags

This deep swag is relatively easy to make with its cased heading but uses rather a lot of fabric. It can be made lined or unlined and have fringing stitched along the bottom edge to accentuate the shape.

5.

Learn the Basics of Making Window Valances

A simple unlined valance is the easiest style to make and is ideal as a single treatment or to team up with blinds on small windows. The straight hemline will give the appearance of extra width on narrow windows.

6.

Instructions for Making a Scarf Valance

A scarf valance gives the appearance of swags and tails but is much easier to make. They can be used alone to frame a window or used in conjunction with blinds and curtains for a layered look.

7.

Instructions to Make Tab Top Curtains

If you want a less formal, modern look to your window treatments then tab tops are the answer. They can be made in any weight of fabric from the finest sheers to heavyweights such as velvet and brocade.

8.

Make your own London Window Blinds

London blinds, or London shades as they are sometimes known, are a cross between a Roman and an Austrian blind. They are softer than Roman blinds but more tailored than Austrian blinds with the fullness coming from inverted pleats and can be lined or unlined.

9.

Create your own Lined Curtains and Custom Headings

Adding a lining to curtains not only enhances the look but also can extend the life of them by protecting the face fabric from sunlight. There are a number of linings to choose from depending on the location of the window. For example blackout lining for bedrooms and thermal lining for living rooms.

10.

Learn how to Make Your Own Austrian Window Blinds

Austrian Blinds are in reality a curtain, and are made up as such with a fullness of twice the track or batten width. The only differences being that the blind is pulled up from the bottom to the top by means of cords attached at the back, and is made longer than the required finished drop. The extra fabric in the length forms scallops, even when the blind is in the lowered position.

11.

Making Roller Blinds for your Windows or Doors

The most practical treatment for windows throughout the home and ideal for the kitchen and bathroom. Roller blinds, or roller shades as they are sometimes known, use a minimal amount of fabric, lay flat against the window and roll up to let a maximum amount of light into the room. Best mounted inside the window recess roller blinds can be teamed up with curtains, valances, pelmets and swags and tails to give a coordinating look.

12.

Make your own No Sew Pelmet Treatment

Pelmets can be made with absolutely no sewing whatsoever and are just as serviceable as the ones using a sewing method. A bonding web is used to join widths of fabric together and then it is glued onto a padded buckram shape.

13.

Learn to Make Roman Window Blinds

With their clean, sophisticated lines, Roman blinds, or Roman shades as they are sometimes known, are one of the most stylish ways to dress up a window. They can be used as a standalone window treatment fitted outside the window or fitted inside the window recess and combined with curtains and top treatments for a layered look.

14.

Learn to sew your own Cascade Window Blinds

A cascade blind, or cascade shade as it is sometimes known, is a simple solution for a small window where curtains would be impracticable, such as a bathroom, kitchen or landing window.

15.

Instructions for Making Making Heading Tape Curtain Tiebacks

Curtain tie backs made from heading tape give a pleated effect, are very easy to make and need no template.

16.

Learn to Make Tasseled Tails for Curtains or Linens

These flat tasseled tails can be added to pelmets as well as swags for a decorative finishing touch, but they do not cover the return of the pelmet board. They are best made in medium to heavy weight fabrics and can have Vilene fused to the back of the face fabric to add extra stiffness. However, if very thick fabric is used, a thinner fabric can be used for the back of the tail to avoid very bulky seams.

17.

Making Unlined Curtains Instructions

Unlined curtains are the simplest form of window treatment and are the ideal project for the beginner. They can be made in all weights of fabric from fine voiles to heavyweight tapestries, fitted inside or outside the window recess from a pole or a curtain track.

18.

Make your own Hourglass Curtains

A flowing sheer curtain covering the glass on a door can be a nuisance as it tends to get caught when the door is used. Adding a second rod at the lower edge solves this problem but when it is tied in the centre with a bow of ribbon you can create a focal point from an ordinary door.

19.

Instructions for Stitching Gathered Tiebacks

These simple gathered tie backs can be made from a single rectangle of fabric so there is no need for a template. However, by adding a second, narrower rectangle in a contrasting, coordinating or matching fabric, a layered look can be achieved.

20.

Learn to Make Simple Tiebacks for Curtains

Traditional tie backs stiffened with buckram create the most tailored style. They can be embellished with cord, tassels, covered buttons, braid and fringing (as in the image below right) in matching, contrasting or coordinating colours.