DIY Network

Layered Window Treatment Learn how to utilize layered fabric to create a fun curtain. From "Ready As She Grows" episode DASG-102

A layered window treatment is created to allow a child to show off photos and artwork.

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Fabrics:

3 pieces of coordinating fabrics
1 piece of fabric with solid background
1 large piece of coordinating sheer fabric
fusible webbing
thread
beaded fringe

Materials:

8 1/2" x 11" inkject printable fabric
photographs and artwork
computer with scanner and printer
scissors
iron
2" wide painters blue tape

1. Gather together recent pictures of your child along with some artwork. Following the instructions that come with your computer equipment, scan the pictures and artwork into your computers hard drive. In a graphic program, size each image to print approximately 5" x 7". Print the images using printable fabric and an ink jet printer. Once the images are printed, use scissors to cut them to 5" x 7" size.

Tip: Be sure to test print on paper before printing on the fabric.

2. Cut the three coordinating fabrics into rectangles approximately 12" x 14-1/2" tall. Adjust the width of these panels according to the width of your window. With all measurements, give yourself a one inch seam allowance, and then turn three edges over 1/2 inch. Iron flat, pin and stitch with a sewing machine to create a nice, finished edge. The top edge will be stapled to the plywood topper so it can be left unfinished. If using a beaded fringe, now is the time to sew or glue that in place.

Figure A

3. Cut the image background fabric to be a bit smaller than your colored fabrics. In this case, 9" x 12". Again, you may need to adjust all the measurements for your windows. Turn over 1/2 inch, iron flat, pin and stitch with a sewing machine to create a nice, finished edge. The top edge will be stapled to the plywood topper so it can be left unfinished. Iron the inkjet printed images to these panels using fusible iron-on webbing following the manufacturers' instructions (figure A). Be sure to pay special attention to the placement of the images so they are centered and straight.

4. Create the sheer curtain panels. Select a coordinating sheer fabric that is 54 inches wide. Note: With the width of the window in mind, purchase enough fabric so that the width of the panels, side by side, measure approximately three times the width of your window to allow enough fabric for gathering. Measure from the top of the window to the floor to determine the length of the sheer panels. Add two inches to this measurement, and then cut the fabric to length and hem three edges. The top edge will be stapled to the plywood topper so it can be left unfinished.

5. For the plywood topper, mark a sheet of MDF or plywood with a semi circle shape that's as wide as the window and 12 inches deep. Cut out with a scroll saw or jigsaw.

Figure B

6. Attach fabrics to the plywood topper beginning with the large fabric panels. Adhere two inch wide painters blue tape along the top edge (figure B) of the sheer fabric as a guide when stapling. Because you are working with a rounded edge on the plywood topper, the blue tape will show exactly how far to wrap the fabric over the plywood so that the bottom of the sheers will hang flush with the floor. This will help an uneven or bunched up look. Begin by placing one corner of the sheer at a corner of the topper and put one staple in. Measure across 3 inches of fabric for the space between the gather, fold the fabric back over on itself one inch, and then staple together in place. There will be three inch in between each gather with one inch of fabric folded and stapled to create the gather. Continue with the first panel to the middle of the topper. Repeat the process with the second panel making sure the two panels overlap by about 1/2 inch to one inch in the middle of the topper.

Figure C

7. Attach the fabric panels with the images to the background fabric rectangles with straight pins or by baste stitching the two panels together, the smaller centered on top of the larger. Tape the top edges with two inch painters blue tape as a guide. Staple to the plywood topper (similar to attaching the sheer panel but without the gathers) making sure to over-lap slightly (about 3/4 inch) where the individual panels meet. When using a heavy weight fabric, it may pucker slightly at the top—but you can cut into the fabric along the top two inches to relieve the tension on the fabric and cause it to lay flat.

8. Hang the finished topper over the window frame and secure it to the window frame using two "L" brackets (figure C).