Nautical and Nice

Grommets and rope give a sail-worthy look to this make-it-yourself seersucker shade. A metal curtain rod lashed to the bottom keeps it shipshape.

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Window Treatment Pattern

Dress your windows in the
ultimate summer garb -- a
seersucker suit.

Make this window treatment:

1. Cut a panel of seersucker or another lightweight, summery fabric to fit exactly inside your window, adding 3 inches to the width and 1-1/2 inches to the length.

2. Press under the side and bottom edges 1/4 inch, then turn under a 1-1/4-inch hem. Topstitch.

3. Repeat for the top, making a 1-1/2-inch rod pocket. Sew ring tape to the back of the shade along the outer edges. Space grommets along the lower edge.

4. Cut a 1 x 1 board to fit the top pocket and slide it in place.

5. Insert screw eyes through the fabric and board at about 8-inch intervals.

6. Tie a shade cord to the bottom ring on each side. On one side, run it through the rings and across all screw eyes. On the other side, run it through the rings and outer eye only.

7. Mount the shade with small L-brackets. Secure cords to a cleat on the window frame.

A metal curtain rod on the bottom
of the shade is an unusual twist.

8. After the shade is in place, thread rope loosely through the grommets.

9. Knot the cord on each end and slide a metal curtain rod through the loops to weight the shade.

10. The rod should rest just above the sill when the shade is lowered. The rod ends should align with the edge of the window so that the rod doesn't bang against the glass and possibly break it.