How To Turn Any Fabric Into Stylish DIY Tie Up Curtains

Window treatments are a quick and easy way to dramatically transform the feeling of any space in your home. After all, inch for inch, windows constitute a significant amount of aesthetic real estate. Which, perhaps, accounts for the energetic impact their dressing (or lack thereof) has on your family and guests. Of course, options abound for window coverings, and choosing the perfect curtains for your space is not necessarily an easy task. But it can be a fun one, and with a little effort, you can bring some charm to your home with your own DIY tie-up curtains, as the crafty YouTube DIYer Amaryllis has done. The simple design uses two ties on each side of the curtain to draw up the edges and create a swag between them, letting in light and adding a touch of your personal style to your space. 

Once you have your fabric selected and your window measured, all you'll need are scissors, pins, measuring tape, and a sewing machine. This particular design uses two pieces of fabric: one full piece that covers the entirety of the window and frame to your preferred dimensions (which will become the "front" of your curtain) and a second piece to cover the top part of the window — up to a third of the window height (which will be the "back"). Then, you'll slip two strips of complimentary ribbon or other tie-up material between and behind the two pieces of fabric, align and pin at the top, and sew. Voila! 

Essentially, that's it. If you're looking for a more polished window treatment, you can add a hem to the sides and bottom. Although, you can avoid this step while giving your wallet (and perhaps the environment) a little break by looking around your home for items you could repurpose into diy custom tie-up curtains. Think sheets, tablecloths, lightweight blankets — even elegant cloth napkins or table runners sewn together could do the trick. If you've got some extra time and creative energy to spare, you could make your window dressings truly unique by designing your own fabric. A simple stencil and some fabric paint can swiftly convert a basic white pillowcase into an adorable covering for your windows, and you don't have to stop there.

Adding decorative accessories will infuse your design with even more style and personality. Leftover antique or metal-finished buttons sewn on the ties would create a more dynamic look that's also functional. If your personal design aesthetic calls for it, consider attaching small sprigs of dried or faux leaves or flowers to one of the top corners. Or even run an artificial vine along the top seam or curtain rod and let it drape down the sides of the shade. You could also refine your style by considering unconventional items to function as the ties. A string of wood beads, for example, would add a boho vibe, and you could even incorporate tassels at the end to add a touch of whimsy. Get playful and make your design — and your home — truly yours.