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This is a really crude drawing I just put together from my Paint program but it will have to do for now. Many of you already know my laptop crashed with all my photos locked away inside...that I thought I had backed up...I know...duh! However, I know that arched windows were always a problem for myself and everyone else I know and I this treatment with my staple gun and no sewing. In my original photo that I cannot show you, I used a black and white plaid taffeta fabric from a fabric shop...the kind of fabric used for evening gowns and large skirts...the taffeta is stiff and crinkly and holds its shape well...called a 'good hand' in the business. I am using black in the picture below where the plaid taffeta should be.

Before arched window  After arched window

It is really crude and I apologize for that but I really want to drive my point home here. (Maybe Craig can show me how to do this and make it look great but in the mean time) Nothing is worse than an arched window treatment that cuts into the window or starts half way down and custom fitting treatments are very expensive...costing into the thousands.

So here is what I do: (NO SEWING)

  • Purchase a width of fabric the entire parameter of the arched window. This will give you enough fabric for the pull and the puddle (the tightening of the fabric at the top and the puddle on the floor with excess fabric) In this case it would be about 8 yards or 24 feet. You don't have to hem the fabric at all.
  • Now select a contrasting fabric for the tabs at the top. Cut the tabs in strips in the sizes you want. 6" width's is a good width. Then decide the tab or strap length...in this case it would be about 10". You might want to experiment with the straps (tabs) to see what looks best. 
  • Now all you have to do (using my sizes as an example) is cut your straps twice as wide as the finished width you want and twice as long as the finished length you want. In this case I would cut 3 strips of fabric 18"x20".
  • Layout your cut piece of fabric and with the width of the tab to the left and the right, fold the sides to the center and press with an iron. That is it. Now you have a 6" wide strap 20" long. Now it is ready to staple to the wall. Prepare the other tabs (straps) the same way.
  • Take the top of the strap and place it to the top of the arch where you want the fabric to be. Imaging if the panel of fabric is going to be 8" all the way around the window...you will want to staple the top of the strap 4" higher on the wall or molding than the actual fabric is going to lay at its' lowest point. This sounds a little confusing but it really isn't. If you center your panel of fabric and place the strap in the middle with the sides hanging down evenly, and place the strap up on the wall where you want it, you will see where you need to staple it.
  • Then you take the other end of the tab and flip it up to the wall with the panel inside of it and you will see where to staple it to the wall from underneath at the top. See below...the side with the folded seam will be hidden but is first stapled to the wall with the seam showing

tabs

  • Repeat with the other 2 tabs or straps.
  •  Fluff your fabric and adjust your straps until it is all even and the straps look identical. Then tuck the excess fabric on the floor into a puddle with the raw edges tucked under. That is it.

I am going to post this and see if it makes sense to you. If it doesn't, I can reword it, just let me know. You will never go back to little fan window treatments or skimpy scarves again!

 

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Do It Yourself

18 Comments on My Favorite Decorating Tip #11; The Arched Window Wrap!

MAY
15
2007
108,910 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Sheron, this is awesome !   Can you come to SC and really show me how to do this! *wink
5:45pm • #1
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

What do you use to hold the parts together or create a hem?  We have used glue strips called "ZIPS" that are a glue in a strand - kind of like rubber cement.  They do a great job with fabric, and then are not permanent so you can actually peel it off when done if needed.

- Jennie

6:14pm • #2
125,916 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Marci - I have thought of doing some video's...can I use your arched windows?

Jennie - I am so lazy, I don't even do that for these draperies...using a fabric that doesn't ravel helps. Otherwise, I do use stitch-witchery and love it. Did I say LOVE IT! These Arched Window Wraps (that is what I call them) are my absolute favorite window treatment. You can really make them properly and they are fab but for the staging world...fast and easy I say!

Oh, and be sure to call them "Cardin's Arched Window Wraps" if you ever make these because I invented them...just kidding. 

PS: Jennie - You're welcome! 

6:23pm • #3
108,374 Points 1 Featured Post Hit Router
Great! Wonderful! I learned a lot.
7:08pm • #4
Great way to help people who need the info
7:09pm • #5
Outside Blog
Sheron, One of my upcoming vacant staging has arch windows. Now I can quickly handle that problem. Thanks
7:28pm • #6
125,916 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Thanks all, and Leslie...we expect some pictures, OK?
7:47pm • #7
MAY
16
2007
462,078 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Very creative idea for these challenging windows -- thanks for the instructions!  Would love to see a photo of a finished project too.
10:24am • #9
MAY
17
2007
139,948 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Sheron - Great idea.  I love the pics.  I think you should open a long distance Real Estate Photo Staging company.  It would be great - no more lugging heavy rugs, furniture or accessories - we could just Photoshop them in.  Did you catch that WE - I've already made myself your new partner!!!!
6:41pm • #10
243,682 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Thanks for the details!

SC-AWW 

Sheron Cardin- Arched Window Wraps  Can we all just say Awwwwww?

10:18pm • #11
MAY
18
2007
1 Featured Post
Once again, another great tip from Sheron.  I love it and can't wait to see the actual picture.
8:17am • #12
125,916 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Leslie is going to make a wrap and send us pics...mine are lost in cyberspace via dead laptop...boohoo. If I knew anyone with a cathedral window I would produce one for you but nada for now anyway.

Maureen - partners...that sounds like fun...

 

9:10am • #13
JUN
11
2007

Hi Sheron,

This is so cool, what a great idea!

12:07am • #14
125,916 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I hope you make the wraps...they are so custom looking no on will ever know how your did it! Be sure you use contrasting straps to show them off.
1:02am • #15
1 Featured Post

Bookmarked it!

Thanks, Sheron

Julia 

 

3:46pm • #16
110,912 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

This is great Sheron!

Thanks for the ideas you never fail to amaze!

3:52pm • #17
125,916 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Julia and Dane - I really do hope you use the wraps...they make life so much easier...I swear I am going to keep some fabric in my car and when I see a cathedral window I am going to pull over and ask if I can borrow it for a minute!
4:53pm • #18

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Sheron Cardin - how2homestage.com

Selma, CA

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California Moods Inc

Office Phone: (559) 896-8685

Cell Phone: (206) 696-2281

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Do-It-Yourself Home Staging instructions from a decorators point of view. Download now in PDF format. View Sheron Cardin's profile on LinkedIn
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