Well-Dressed Windows

Drapes With Grommets

You need: Contrasting fabrics (we chose Waverly, Champagne Bourbon Street #668024 for the inside and for the outside, Waverly Concello Cabernet #66611); 6" (or desired size) grommets and grommet tool.

Cutting: Multiply the window width by two to three times and divide by 2. This is the finished width of each panel. Cut each panel the necessary width by the finished length plus 6" plus the heading depth. (The heading is the area that the curtain rod slips through.)

Sewing: Place fabric and contrast right sides together and stitch along all edges with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving and opening for turning. Turn right side out and fuse or stitch the opening closed. Mark placement of grommets along the top edge of the panel, grommets should be place about 6" apart. Install grommet with grommet tool.

Scalloped Valance and Drapes

Valence: You will need Medium density fiber board 3/4" thick, hammer, nails, jig saw, sand paper, primer.

Measure the opening of your window then cut out 2 sides the length of the opening (our window was 63" long by 11" high.) Cut two pieces for the side (our measurements were 4 1/2" x 11"). Nail two smaller sides into the back piece, then nail front piece in place. Start at the center of the front piece and draw out your scalloped edge design. With a jig saw, cut out your scalloped edge. Lightly sand, prime and paint.

Drapes: You need decorator fabric (we chose Waverly, Camellia Terrace #43356813).

Cutting: Multiply the window width by two to three times and divided by 2. This is the finished width of each panel. Cut each panel the necessary width by the finished length plus 6" plus the heading depth. (The heading is the area that the curtain rod slips through.)

Sewing: Turn up a 2" double fold hem in the bottom edge of the panel. Fold in 1 1/2" double fold hems in each side of the panels. Stitch in place with a blind hem stitch. Fold under 1/2" at the top of the panel and press. Turn under the depth of the heading or casing and stitch in place.

Floral Pleated Roman Shade, Drapes, and Window Seat Cushions

Shade: You need decorator fabric (we chose Waverly Seaside Rose #667932); lining rings cord, half sew/half adhesive hook and loop Tape, 1/2" wooden dowel cut to the width of the shade.

Cutting: Measure the length and the width of the area to be covered. Cut fabric and lining 1" wider than the finished width and 2 1/4" longer than the finished length.

Sewing: Place the lining and the front fabric right sides together; stitch along the two side edges and the top edge with the 1/2" seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. Turn under and press 1/2" at the bottom edge, turn under again 3/4" and press, stitch in place. After sewing the fabric and lining together, mark the placement of the pleats on the lining side of the shade. Beginning at the bottom of the shade, mark a horizontal line every 7-9". To stitch pleats, fold fabric, lining side in, along the marked lines and press. Topstitch 1/8" from the fold. Mark 2 vertical lines 8" in from each side edge on the lining side of the shade. Beginning at the top of the casing in the bottom edge, mark the place for the rings every 7-8" along each line. Stitch rings in place at each marking. Cut a strip of hook and loop tape the width of the shade. Stitch the loop side of the tape to the lining side of the shade, stitching close to the edges of the tape.

Remove adhesive backing from the hook side of tape and place in desired location on the window frame. Attach shade to window. Insert dowel into the casing at the bottom of the shade. Slip cord through rings and tie in place at desired height.

Drapes, (see instructions for drapes with scalloped valance).

Window Seat Cushion

You need: 4" thick foam cushion, cut to fit window seat; heavy-duty metal zipper, 6" longer than length of foam cushion; medium-weight upholstery fabric; matching thread; 1/4" cotton cord; tape measure; pins; iron and ironing board; scissors; hand-sewing needle; sewing machine with zipper foot.

Cutting: Measure length and width of cushion; add 1" to each measurement. Cut 2 pieces of fabric to these dimensions for top and bottom of cover. Add cushion length to twice cushion width; subtract 5". Cut a 5" wide strip of fabric to this length for front gusset. Add 1" to zipper length; cut two 3" wide strips of fabric to this length for back gusset. Add length and width of cushion; multiply this number by 4, then add 8". Cut 2" wide bias strip of fabric to this length, piecing fabric as needed, for piping.

Making piping: Fold piping strip in half, with right sides out. Insert cord into fold of fabric; pin close to cord to encase it. Using zipper foot, stitch close to edge of cord to make piping.

Sewing: Note: All stitching is done in 1/2" seams, with right sides facing and raw edges even, unless noted. Cut piping into 2 equal pieces. Pin piping to edges of cover top and bottom, placing base of cord 1/2" from raw edges. Allow piping ends to overlap at back of each cover. Baste piping to covers. Pin and machine-baste back gussets together along one long edge; press seam open. Place zipper right side up; pin back gusset, right side up, to zipper, centering seam. Using zipper foot, stitch 1/4" away from basting on each side to attach zipper. Pin and stitch short ends of back gusset to short ends of front gusset. Remove zipper basting; open zipper partway. Pin and stitch one edge of gusset to cover top, centering zipper portion along back edge of cover. Pin and stitch remaining edge of gusset to cover bottom. Trim corners; turn right side out through open zipper.

Finishing: Insert foam cushion into cover; close zipper. Remove cover for cleaning. You may wish to apply a stain-resistant spray to finished cover.

Window Seat Pillows

You need: Pillow forms in assorted sizes; medium-weight upholstery fabric; matching thread; 1/4" cotton cord; tape measure; pins; iron and ironing board; scissors; hand-sewing needle; sewing machine with zipper foot.

Cutting: Measure length and width of form; add 1" to each measurement. For circular forms, use large dinner plate as template, enlarging as needed to make circle 1" larger than form all around. Cut 2 pieces of fabric to these dimensions for top and bottom of cover. For square and rectangular forms, add length and width of cushion; multiply this number by 2, then add 1". For round forms, measure around outer edge of form, then add 1". Cut 2" wide bias strip of fabric to this length, piecing fabric as needed, for piping.

Making piping: Fold piping strip in half, with right sides out. Insert cord into fold of fabric; pin close to cord to encase it. Using zipper foot, stitch close to edge of cord to make piping.

Sewing: Note: All stitching is done in 1/2" seams, with right sides facing and raw edges even, unless noted. Pin piping to edge of cover top, placing base of cord 1/2" from raw edge. Allow piping ends to overlap at back. Baste piping to cover. Pin and stitch top to bottom, leaving 6" opening along one edge. Trim corners or clip seam allowances along curves; turn right side out through opening.

Finishing: Insert form into cover; slip-stitch opening closed.