Swag and tailed window treatments give windows an elegant look. These decorative elements are frequently displayed in expensive homes, but making your own swags and tails can be quite affordable. With several yards of fabric and a few hours, you can make your own stunning set of swags and tails.
Instructions
1. Measure your window's width. Depending on the amount of drop you wish your swag to have, add another 1 1/2 to 2 feet to the width for each swag.
2. Measure to the point where you want your curtain tails to fall. Add 4 inches for your length measurement.
3. Add the measurements gathered in Steps 1 and 2, and purchase a lightweight fabric this length.
4. Fold your fabric in half lengthwise. Fold the fabric lengthwise again four more times. Press 1 foot at the bottom of each side of the fabric with the iron. Make a diagonal cut along the fabric's two short ends to create the staggered ends of your tails.
5. With your fabric folded in half lengthwise (with the "right" sides together), pin the long edges of the fabric together. Sew along the length of the fabric at 5/8 inch. Backstitch at both ends and flip the fabric right-side out.
6. Pin the edges of your staggered ends up inside the fabric tube you just created and sew them together. Repeat on both sides. You will now have a long fabric tube with diagonal edges.
7. Divide your fabric tube into three pieces so you have two pieces on either end of the length calculated in Step 2. These pieces will serve as the tails. The center piece (swag) should be the length of the piece calculated in Step 1.
8. Cut 1 yard of ribbon in half. Tie the fabric where the pieces meet your curtain rod. Instead of using ribbon, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the swag and tails into form.
