Owens Corning

No-Sew Curtains

There are lots of ways to create instant curtains without cutting or stitching.

Dishtowels Not For Drying
Dishtowels are perfect for cafe curtains and a valance that you can hang in 10 minutes. The patterns are perky in red or blue and white checks for a crisp country feeling. The fabric has enough weight to give the curtains body and they look especially good on kitchen windows.

What To Buy
You'll need the following for a set of curtains: 2 tension rods to fit your window, 3 matching linen dishtowels (2 for the curtains and one for the valance), and a package of clip-on cafe curtain rings.

Putting It All Together
Clip the rings evenly spaced across one end of each of two dishtowels and put them on the rod for the bottom half of the window. Turn the third towel lengthwise and drape over the top rod to create a valance. The curtains and valance will be finished on both sides so it will look just as good from the outside as in. Nothing could be simpler. When you get tired of them, take the curtains and valance down and use as dishtowels.

For Larger Windows If your windows are too large to use the towels as is, consider buying the toweling by the yard. It's inexpensive and comes l8 inches wide, finished on both edges. The only sewing required is a hem at top and bottom.

Not For Tables Only For another inexpensive, no-sew idea, make a pretty, hanging valance from a square, lace tablecloth. The light will shine through. Turn the cloth on the diagonal and fold in half. Hang it evenly over the rod so the corner hangs down in the center of the window. If there is excess fabric at each end, fold each corner edge back over itself to finish the sides.

Racy Lacy
And if you like the idea of lacy valances or curtains, many fabric shops sell pre-finished lace by the yard in different widths. They are perfect for creating lace panels in a variety of pretty patterns for any size curtain. Simply thread them onto the rod.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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