Doing you own window treatments?

I am playing around but I am clueless on how much fabric to buy if I just want to do a swag, anyone good at this can help me?

I cant help you on the swag question but I wanted to let you know that sometimes making it yourself is MORE expensive. I know, it sounds crazy but I priced out having velvet panels made instead of buying them from Pottery Barn for their crazy prices. THe material alone was going to cost as much as the finished panels!!

This may not be the case but just in case you havent compared, something to keep in mind.

Hope it helps.


PS: If you check out www.thathomesite.com - i think they have a message board about sewing that would probably be able to give you some guidelines. Or you can go find one that you would want to buy and get the measurements from teh package.

I find the women in some of the fabric stores are a big help with stuff like this.
But Stef is correct. Making your own can cost you a lot more money. But of course, you are getting exactly what you want.

Um, I think you can make your own window treatment for a very reasonable amount of money.

In Stef's case - yes, she would have spent more making them - but, sheesh...she's talking about velvet! In order for the panels to look nice, you must buy expensive material.

However, my brother's girlfriend has custom made plenty of the window treatments in her house, complete with embellishments like cording, trim and tassles, and not only are the beautiful, but they were very affordable!

It totally depends on the fabric and materials you want to use. Just do some research...I'm sure you can find a way to do it - especially if your looking to keep it simple.

Tara - give me the specifics on your window size and style swag you want and maybe I can help you out.

You know I was thinking that may be the case but I havent really seen what I am looking for anywhere.

I want to use a sheer material I saw one at Joann's for $9.99 a yard that had leaves etc. on it perfect for my jungle themed room.

Fran the window is a standard 31' (37'with molding and approx 50' long.

I'd rather not have to sew but I will check out that site Stef, thanks guys

Claud I would love to know where your friend's mom got custom stuff for not too much money or is she an expert seamstress maybe?
Just to have a cornice made for my sliders was over $300 and that is if I supply the fabric., or I could pay the guy $30+ a yard for it.

Michele, WHERE did you find that amazing price for a cornice?? I was quoted almost 3x that and then decided not to do it.

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Posted by michele31

Claud I would love to know where your friend's mom got custom stuff for not too much money or is she an expert seamstress maybe?
Just to have a cornice made for my sliders was over $300 and that is if I supply the fabric., or I could pay the guy $30+ a yard for it.

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Did I say my friend's Mom? I said my brother's girlfriend - and she's by no means an expert seamstress! However, she is creative and she MADE her custom window treatments for her dining room and guest room, and they are beautiful! 'Custom' does not mean they have to cost booku bucks! 'Custom' also means you did it yourself!

Upholstered cornices are actually a pretty easy do-it-yourself project! And Michele, you could probably get the wood cut to your specifications through your brother. Then you'd just do the upholstering yourself with fabric and batting and have Scott hang it using L-brackets.