DIY Window Treatment Patterns

Although variety is a good thing when it comes to home decorating, even the greatest amount of choice doesn't guarantee you'll find exactly what you're looking for. On the bright side, it is relatively easy to create and prepare your own window treatment patterns, provided you keep these Top 5 considerations in mind:

1. Complication. How difficult or simple do you want your window treatment to be? Café curtains, which are basically two pieces of fabric strung across the window at the window's midpoint, are very easy to make and only require a basic curtain rod. On the other hand, lambrequins and goblet-pleated puddle drapes demand more extensive time and effort. Keep in mind that the more involved your window treatment patterns, the more energy and money you may have to spend to accomplish the look you want.

2. Cost. Ask yourself how much you are planning to spend. Do your window treatment patterns involve expensive components such as fancy drapes, brass curtain rods or carved wooden finials? Pairing solid curtains with sheers doubles your cost. Adding trim and other notions also increases the amount of money you should plan to spend. Simple fabrics such as cotton and polyester blends are less expensive than richer ones and metal and wood window hardware drives up the cost more so than plastic.

3. Directions. Illusions of grandeur are easily shot down with the realization that you don't understand the directions or the terminology. Make sure your chosen window treatment pattern makes it perfectly clear what you should be buying and/or doing in order to achieve your desired look. It's never a good thing when you are half done and realize that you bought a socket bracket when what you really needed was a spool rod.

4. Measuring. Remember the old saying, 'measure twice and cut once.' Be precise in all your measurements; many window treatment patterns purposefully require you to leave some 'extra room' for the eventual gathering or draping of the fabric. Fabric can also be one of the most expensive components of the window treatment; cutting corners when measuring will only result in you cutting the material incorrectly.

If you believe you have the situation under control, there are a number of recommended reading and pattern books that should help you on your way to designing and accomplishing your own window treatment patterns:

If you're a novice with a needle and thread, Elissa K. Meyrich's Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew explains the basics of sewing. Learn how to manipulate fabric, experiment with different stitches and use a sewing machine to accomplish your pattern (St. Martin's Griffin, 2002).

The Complete Book Of Window Treatments & Curtains: Traditional & Innovative Ways To Dress Up Your Windows by Carol Parks provides a complete look into designing and following your own window treatment patterns. With detailed diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions, don't panic if you get confused between a cornice and calico; this book explains every term it uses (Sterling Publishing, 1995).