How to Use Sheer Panels to Make Simple, No Sew, Inexpensive Window Curtains

For a change of view that's classy, elegant, and affordable, try this whispy style of drapery, made entirely of sheer panels in varying colors and/or patterns that match the decor of the room. In most cases, no sewing or building knowledge is needed to complete this project, depending on what you choose and the type of blinds you currently have. Tip: you can use this window treatment on TOP of most standard roller or Venetian blinds, to brighten up the room while still having the convenience and other properties you had with your old blinds.

1. First, think about your current window covering and what you like/don't like about it. This will help you avoid making the same blunder with the new drapes you are making. Is the color wrong? Can't decide on the right color? It broke almost immediately? Venician blinds just aren't "right" for this room. The blinds I have just aren't romantic or dramatic enough. It kept out the summer breeze rather than letting it in? They faded quickly. They were cold instead, of insulating, in the winter. Do you currently have a curtain rod, or will you need to install one These are some of the things you might want to consider.

2. Next, measure the window and the height of the ceiling to the floor. You'll need these numbers to gauge how many sheers to buy and of what length. You'll want to start the sheers near the ceiling and have them puddle slightly at the floor to make your room seem taller.

3. Now that you've analyzed the current situation, it's time for the fun part: deciding what colors and textures you DO like and want to represent in the drapes. First, take some pictures of the room: you may want to complement or contrast with those colors. For example, in the sample photograph there is a deep red wall with a dark beige on the remaining three walls. If you're really unsure about color matching, first stop at a paint store and look at some color chips. Pick out the ones you like that seem to go best with your decor.

4. If you have no existing or comparable blinds, you will need to install a curtain rod at the ceiling and make it extend a good 4-6 inches on either side of the window so that the drapes can be pulled back fully (or nearly fully).

5. Next, pick out the sheers that will form your drapes.

Method 1: The easiest but most expensive way to do this is to go to a store that sells drapes and buy something from them (JCPenney and IKEA come immediately to mind). There, you can get pre-sewn sheer drapes for anywhere from $10 to $40 each. Sometimes a sale will bring the prices down or bundle several sheers into one package, but in any case these are the easiest and more expensive way to do this window treatment.

Method 2. I recommend, instead, going to a fabric store and looking at their textiles for home decorating purposes (usually found on horizontally stored rolls). It's important to note several things:

• The price. Some textiles are EXTREMELY expensive, and if they cut the fabric you bought it. So, "measure twice and cut once".
• Washing instructions--are you more comfortable washing your drapes at home or having them dry-cleaned? Can the material be washed at all?
• Double-sided fabric--Some textiles are printed on one side and untreated on the back. For this purpose, you'll want to make sure that the fabric is sheer and that the back side is identical to the front side.
• When bringing your roll(s) of fabric to the cutting table, be sure to request about 12-24 inches more than double the height of your room (which you measured earlier). In other words, you want both sides of the fabric to puddle slightly on the ground, and both sides should be beautiful.

How many sheers will I need? That depends totally on the width of the window, the transparency of the sheers, and your desired level of privacy. To complete the drapery shown in the figure, 10 pocketed sheers, in gradient shades of red to cream, were used on an existing rod near the ceiling. The center sheers were a calm leafy pattern that tied the look together, and then the colors faded out beautifully from there.