Nothing ties a room together better than custom window treatments. But custom window treatments can also break your budget. Whether you're on a tight budget or just don't like to sew, no sew window treatments are a viable option.
No sew window treatments work whether you have standard windows, or need window treatments for bay windows. Either way, the basic principals are the same. Here are the items you'll need, and what to do with them:
Curtain Rod
Curtain rods are available from any home or hardware store in a wide variety of styles. They come in either standard sizes or are adjustable to fit any window.
Fabric: Prefinished
There are lots of choices for pre-finished fabric if you're creative. Table cloths, fabric shower curtains, even scarves can be used. Check the remnant bins at your local fabric store, or visit flea markets and thrift stores. You might even find great vintage fabrics at antique stores or garage sales.
Fabric: Unfinished
If you're working with raw fabric with unfinished edges, you can hem the edges yourself without a needle and thread. You will need an iron and some iron-on tape, available at any fabric or craft store or specialty hardware store.
Simply cut the fabric to the size you want allowing for an extra inch or more on all sides for the hem. Place the tape along the length of an edge, fold it over, and run your iron over it. The tape will fuse the fabric to itself and give you a nice finished edge. Repeating the process for a double-thick hem will hide that raw edge and prevent fraying. Just make sure you allow for this extra fabric when measuring, if precision is important.
Hot tip: Using an ironing cloth over the curtain fabric when ironing will prevent any of the tape from coming into direct contact with your iron and leaving a gummy residue.
How to Hang Your Curtain
Here are three ways to hang your curtain:
 | A window treatment brings a room together. Here's how to use one to complement a look. |
 | Bay windows are a beautiful feature of any home. But they can cause a design dilemma when it comes to window treatments. How do you make your bay window treatment work with the other window treatments in the room while making the most of your bay window? |
 | Learning how to line curtains will set you on your way toward making your own custom draperies. |
Using everyday objects for curtain rods not only adds whimsy to a room, it is also free if you use what you have on hand. Here are a few inexpensive curtain rod ideas to adapt to your situation, depending upon the weight of your curtains and which type you are hanging. |
Looking for a way to spruce up your house? Adding exterior window shutters is one way to add an instant traditional look. Knowing how to install exterior shutters to your home will save you the cost of hiring a contractor to do it. |
