My house is upside down as Christmas decorations are coming out and making clutter everywhere . Son in law Gary came and brought down the tree and its base and a box of pine cones from the loft. As I was putting up Christmas trees, I decided that I just must make the swags to go over my windows, I have been wanting them since I first moved to this house over 2 years ago. This is how I have come to be sewing with Christmas music. I will play it for weeks. I have a whole box of Christmas CD's. Manheim Steamroller and Marshall Styler are favorites.
If you have pretty windows and want minimal coverage, swags over the top are a nice way to go. They are also a way to give a more finished look to windows with modern blinds like I have in this house. This coverlet pattern fabric was bought several years ago, my friend Dorothy had it for her shop in 2 colors, gold and blue. I wish I could have bought more of it, it sold out in a flash. Now it seems perfect as a quiet understated pattern for a very busy room. For this project, one of my featherweights is on the dining table to give work space needed for the 12 ft swags.
As I cannot reach both sides at once when they are up above the windows, my swags do not hang with any precision. These are casual in the extreme. I wish Peggy F were here to assist with them. Gary set the nails I hang them on. But to hang the swags themselves I teeter back and forth trying to reach them from a step stool under my 5 ft 2 self. Daughter Cheryl helped with one pair. Many long arms are needed. The windows are wider than I can reach from my perch. So casual is the way they will stay.
One choice I had to make was how high to hang them. The tops of these are looped over straight 2 inch nails set 3 inches above the windows so as to block the least light. I could have chosen to hang them barely above the windows to give better coverage to a blind when it is raised all the way.
Another choice was made concerning the supports for the swags. Instead of a commercial hook or such, I use a loop of brown twine over an ordinary nail with a good head so the twine does not slip off. In hanging these It helped to arrange the folds with the fabric laid out flat on a table, then tie the loops in place and carry the curtain to its window by the loops of twine.
Now they are up on all three windows!
I have added two Santas by designer Bethany Lowe this year. The white one is perfect in the front bedroom done in Blue and white. I like white Santas, white teddy bears, white flowers best always. The white tree is from Trish Travis at Country Gatherings.
Now I can start to decorate the other Christmas tree! e