No-Sew Window Treatment

Hi Friends,

The secret to our no-sew window treatment is hem tape. Hem tape is a type of fusible adhesive which is designed to be used to hem and take in garments. Using hem tape is relatively easy, and it requires much less work than creating a traditional hem. Your local fabric outlet or fabric store typically stocks hem tape.

To use hem tape, prepare the panels according to the instructions, however, before the hem is folded over and pinned, hem tape is slipped inside. Instead of sewing the hem, the hem is pressed with a warm iron which activates the adhesive in the hem tape, drawing the hem together and creating a neat, crisp hem.

Hem tape comes in various widths, suitable for hems of different sizes, and it also comes in different strengths. It is important to use the right hem tape with the right fabric, as lightweight hem tapes designed for fabrics like cotton or silk will not fare well with heavyweight fabrics like corduroy or brocade. Select the appropriate width so the hem tape does not stick out past the desired hem.

Now lets get down to creating the window treatment for our "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral". Below are the instructions for professional-looking panels.

Steps:

1. Measure the length of your window from placement of the rod to the floor and the width at approximately 1 1/2 times the width of the window to determine the number of yards necessary for your window treatment project.

2. Start with the right side of the fabric panel facing down on your work surface (hem tape the bottom hem in place first). Iron-in the side hems ahead of time as well. Lay a panel of white lining (cut three inches shorter than the fabric and eight inches narrower) over the top about two inches up from the bottom. Hem tape the bottom hem in the lining and place it on top of the fabric, so the right side is facing out. Fold the side hems of the fabric over so the raw edges are covered; pin, and hem tape the side hems in place. Fold the top edge down six inches, then fold it down again three inches, and hem tape in place.

3. Starting at one end of the fabric, begin threading the fabric on the rod. The rod should enter the first slit from the front of the fabric. Continue threading until all the fabric is on the rod. Attach the rod to the brackets and admire you handy work.

Check back for more great ideas and enjoy your "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral".

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Live well,
Yvonne