Author Susan Wells shows Cindy Piccoli, host of HGTV's Decorating With Style , how to make shapely plump curtain rods with unusual (and inexpensive) materials such as cardboard tubing, toilet floats and a dryer vent. Materials:
Carpet tube (usually available at no cost from carpet stores)
Hacksaw
Two toilet floats
Fabric
Batting
Curtain rod
Elastic bands
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
- Use a hacksaw to cut the cardboard tube to fit the width of the window. At each end of the tube, cut a small notch to fit the curtain rod.
- Sew a fabric sleeve to fit the tube, and slip it on.
- Run the curtain rod through the tube. It may be necessary to bend the ends of the rod to get them into the tube.
- Wrap each toilet float in batting, and cover with fabric secured with an elastic band (figure A).
- Attach a fabric-covered float to each end of the fabric-covered cardboard tube. Insert the elastic-band-covered end in the tube, and tack in place with a needle and thread.
Ruffled Drapery Valance A length of 4" dryer vent slipped over a curtain rod gives draperies a voluptuous window valance (figure B). Make a fancy ruffled drapery panel by stitching a large rod pocket at the top of the fabric. Before sewing the ruffle at the top of the pocket, hold the pocket with the seam at the bottom, and push the front part of the fabric down approximately 1 1/2" to make the pocket big enough to accommodate the dryer vent. Then measure the top ruffle length and sew. Gather the valance onto the dryer vent, and place the vent over the curtain rod.
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