by Janette Peel

Created on: November 15, 2008

Give your windows a distinctive and professional finish with fabric pelmets which add style to your curtain headings and are both simple and cost effective to make at home.

Fabric pelmets are horizontal bands of stiffened fabric secured to a special shelf above a widow. They serve two functions. The first is decorative: a beautifully shaped and finished pelmet enhances the look of windows. The second function is practical: the pelmet conceals the curtain track and heading and can alter the proportions of the window. If fixed higher than the window, a pelmet can make the window appear taller; if extended at the sides, it can make the window look wider.

The pelmet design you choose will depend on the style and shape of the windows, the type of room you have, and on the kind of fabric you have chosen for the curtains.
Pelmets can be completely plain, the simplest is rectangular, or they can be shaped in any pretty or decorated fashion you choose.

Often the curtain fabric will dictate the shape of the pelmet edge: striped, checked or geometric curtain fabrics suggest straight, regular shaping like zigzags or castellations, while floral curtains work well with curves or scallops.
Sometimes the design on the fabric gives you an attractive shape to follow.

Most furnishing fabrics, except very open weaves and sheers, are suitable for making the pelmet. Use the same fabric as the curtain, or choose a contrasting patter, perhaps in a color to complement the other furnishings in the room. With patterned fabrics, remember to allow enough fabric to center the design on the pelmet.

Traditionally pelmets have been backed with buckram, a heavy, woven interfacing. A modern self-adhesive fabric stiffener like Pelform that is especially designed for backing pelmets makes the job easier but can be more costly than buckram. Look for both types in the soft furnishing departments of large stores.

When using fabrics with very directional patterns on wide windows, it may be necessary to join fabric widths. Do this before cutting out the shape. Use a full fabric width at the center and position the narrower panels to each side.
Press the seams open.

Avoid joining buckram, if using it, as the joins will form ridges and reduce the strength of the pelmet.

To make a fabric pelmet you will need:

Paper for templateBuckram or self-adhesive stiffenerFabric and liningInterlining or iron-on interfacing to interline buckramTape measureScissorsPins, sharp needle, thread and thimbleIron and ironing boardDecorative

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