DIY Network

Fold-Over Window Treatment A folding technique adds storage within a curtain. From "Ready As She Grows" episode DASG-101

A double-sided folding curtain is made of two thick coordinating fabric panels. When the curtain is unfolded, it provides light control and privacy--when folded up, it creates a pocket that could hold small objects.

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	This pocket created by a folding technique, provides a place to display small items.
	PDF Download the Fold-Over Window Treatment template.

Materials:

Fabrics:

Nirvana Summer PO# 5061650 (Jo-Ann Stores)
Sylph Peach PO# 7547987 (Jo-Ann Stores)

Materials:

coordinating fabric of choice
4-1000 gauss magnets PO# 5992961
2 metal loops (1 1/8" diameter)
2 teacup hooks
coordinating sewing thread
straight pins
tape measure
1" wide painters blue tape
roll of craft paper
1" x 2" poplar

Figure A

1. Measure the windows from top to bottom, and then left to right on the inside of the window frame (figure A). The windows in this project were 52" x 31 5/8". The finished curtain panel measures 52" x 31-5/8", and fits neatly inside the window frames.

2. Add one inch to the side and bottom measurements for a seam allowance. Add an additional 2-1/4 inches to the top measurement. The excess 2-1/4 inches added to the top measurement will be used to wrap and staple the fabric panel around a 1 x 2 inch piece of poplar lumber for installation. In this case, the measurements went from 52" x 31-5/8" to 55-1/4" x 33-5/8".

3. Experiment by creating a paper template from a large piece of paper before cutting fabric if your window measurements differ from the ones in the show. Measure your own windows from the top to bottom, and the left to right on the inside of the window frame. Cut a piece of paper to match your measurements. Experiment by folding the paper in order to see how the fabric will need to be folded in the final product. Fold the paper template up until you create a folded square. From this you can create a triangle by folding the right side over the left, and the left side over the right. At this point, use a pencil to mark fold lines, magnet placement, metal loops, and the place for teacup hooks to hold the folded fabric in place. Use this template as a pattern to cut, mark and place magnet pockets on the fabric for your window.

Tip: If your windows are wider than tall, fold the panel into thirds to create a folded rectangular pocket.

4. Cut four panels. Cut two of the panels out of the "Nirvana Summer" fabric, and two from "Sylph Peach". They should each measure 55-1/4" x 33-5/8".

5. Cut four small pieces of "Muslin" fabric to make pockets for the magnets. The fabric need only be slightly larger than the magnets.

6. Sew the first two magnet pockets to the back, or wrong side of the "Nirvana Summer" fabric 1-1/4 inches up from the very bottom of the panel and 1-1/4 inches from the side.

Figure B

7. Repeat on the other side. Simply place the square of "Muslin" fabric onto the panel and stitch along three sides, slip the magnet in (figure B) and stitch up the fourth side. You may stitch around the entire pocket an additional time to reinforce the seam. The second set of magnet pockets will be sewn 36-1/4 inches up from the bottom and 1-1/4 inches from the side.

8. Again, sew a matching magnet pocket on the other side of the panel. When placing the magnets, be sure to reverse the polarity as to allow them to stick to one another when the curtain is in the folded position.

9. Place one panel of the "Nirvana Summer" on top of one panel of the "Sylph Peach" with the right sides facing each other (the "right" side is the front of the fabric). Line up the fabric panels so all edges are even.

10. Mark and stabilize the fabric panels for sewing. Using the one inch painter's blue tape, make a sewing guide by placing the tape parallel to the fabric edge on one of the raw edges. Place the tape on top of the fabric, and then extend it the entire length of the fabric panel. Do this on three sides leaving the top of the panel unmarked. Pin the two layers of fabric together with straight pins. Place the pins parallel to the raw edge, through the blue tape and the second layer of fabric to keep the two pieces from shifting while sewing.

	Figure C
	Figure D

11. Sew the two layers of fabric together one inch in from the raw edge. Sew along the blue painters tape on the fabric (figure C). Don't sew through the tape. This will allow a one inch seam allowance. Repeat on three sides of the panel leaving the top open. Repeat on the second panel. Remove the painter's tape. Turn the panel right side out, flatten and press according to the manufacturer's instructions for the fabric.

12. Fold the bottom of the curtain up to the middle section where the magnets will snap together and hold the fabric. At the bottom of the curtain (17-1/2 inches from the bottom of the panel) sew a metal loop on the very edge of both the right and left sides. This will be used to attach the panel to the teacup hooks in the window frame.

13. Mount the curtain by first lining up the very top unfinished edge of the curtain with the 3/4 inch edge (narrow side) of the piece of 1 x 2 poplar so that the Sylph Peach fabric is facing up. Staple the curtain to the narrow edge of the poplar from one edge to the other. Roll the wood away from the body one turn so that the poplar is now lying on its wider side. Fit the poplar to the top of the windowsill so that the fabric is on top of the wood (between the wood and the window frame) and the stapled portion is facing away from the room. This gives a nice finished edge to the top of the curtain. Attach the curtain inside the frame with two 2 inch wood screws by screwing up through the bottom (bare wood) portion of the poplar through the fabric and into the windowsill. Install two teacup hooks on either side of the windowsill 7-1/2 inches from the top of the windowsill.

14. Finish the look by folding the panel up so that the magnets attach and hold the fabric (figure D). Move the loop on the right of the curtain to the teacup hook on the left side of the windowsill and the loop on the left of the curtain to the teacup hook on the right side of the windowsill.