A simple plastic bag can make hanging lace curtains much less of a hassle. Before sliding a curtain rod through the rod pocket in lace curtains, cover the end of the rod with a small plastic bag. The bag will help the rod glide smoothly through the lace, as opposed to trying to slide a "naked" rod through and dealing with unhooking the curtain every time it catches on the edges of the rod.
By Marie from West Dundee, IL
I have new window curtains that need a 2 1/2 inch curtain rod to hang them. How can I make my regular size curtain rods wider so I can use them instead of buying new expensive rods?
Flatten a gift wrap tube and slide in on the rod and slide the curtain over it.
you can cut cardboard the width you need and tape to curtain rod
Cut a piece of corregated cardboard that will fit in the curtain pocket. Cut the cardboard to the size your rod will be attached. Gather your curtain on the cardboard then work with sliding your rods into the pocket.
At first this may be a trial and error, but with a little patience you will persevere!
Makes a cheap curtain rod!
If it's going to be covered you could slip a length of PVC over the existing curtain rod.
I've used this "convert-a-rod" product - I thought it worked great. Here's a link, but you can find it at Linens & Things, if you've got one locally!
Use an old PVC Vertical slat. If you don't have one they can be bought in most vertical stores.""
Thank You all for your help with information on window curtain rods.
I would like to hang curtains on one wall in my bedroom. I would like the curtains to look full on the wall, not skimpy looking. Can some one tell me how I can measure the wall and then find out how many panels of curtains I will need?
The rule of thumb is 2 1/2 times the width of the window for "regular" fullness and 3 times the width for really full. I've done both and find if I have a heavier weight material 3 times is almost too much.
It's a bit difficult to tell from your question if you are curtaining just a wall window or an entire wall with panels.
In the same vein as the info provided above, whatever the open width of your panels, you will need to have enough of them to measure a total of 2.5-3x the total width of your window or wall.
Custom panels are 3x the width for fullness (vs ready-made that are 2x for fullness). Fabric weight would account for differences in the amount you'd use, as would pattern, and fullness desired.
I really do appreciate this information because I can barely even sew a button.
The problem is this; I live in an old home and there is only one small window in the bedroom. However, it is not centered on the wall. This is the wall I want to cover with fabric; not just the window.
Our bed is in front of the window - but the window is not in the center of the bed. It's closer to the right of the headboard. It looks so weird. So I thought that I'd just put fabric on the whole wall.
This bedroom gets very little light anyway because it faces trees and another home. I hate dark rooms and will have to make it up with additional lighting, but at least I can camoflage the window so the bed will look centered.
BUT if anyone has any other ideas about what to do about my window/wall issue I sure would like to hear about them!
Thanks from Smoochie
We have fancy metal curtain rods but the tabbed drapes did not slide easily across them. I put a coat of car wax on them. The curtains slide really easily now!
I have a really large window with no area for middle support and the top part of the window is an eyebrow window (its actually about 7 windows filling up one very large wall space). I am having a difficult time with putting a sheer up. I have used very large tension rods, but they end up bowing and getting pulled down on occasion.
I have tried a long curtain rod only to have it bow in the middle without the middle support. I read these forums all the time, and I know someone on this board will be able to help. I can't be the only person who has had this problem.
By Kady from Portland
I found this unusual item in a collection of items left from the passing of my mother's aunt. It may look odd, but actually serves a purpose. The slim end slides easily into the end of an ordinary curtain rod and the larger, smooth end helps the rod slide easily through the curtains to hang.
When running a curtain rod through the top of a curtain, place a plastic baggie over the tip of the rod. This prevents the rod from "catching" on the curtain and allows quick insertion and prevention of tears.
While shopping for new curtain rods, I couldn't believe the prices, ranging from $10 to $29, per rod. I passed on that purchase and went to a local hardware store and purchased a 1/2" x 10 ft.
I am replacing my pinch pleated drapes for the ones with grommets and am wondering if there is a way to still use the traverse rods I have.
This is a page about putting curtains on a curtain rod. Securing the ends of the curtains on the rod can make it easier to hang.
College dorms and some apartments will not allow you to install curtain rods. Similarly, depending on the window's installation tension rods may not work.
