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Window Topper

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Elegant organza pairs beautifully with toile embroidery to make a tasteful window topper. This project features a technique that hides hem and seams discreetly behind the rod casing. I have always liked the look of organza, but every time I see sheer curtains, they seem to be spoiled by a heavy hem or seam line. So here's a way to light up your room without the customary seams that can distract the eye from the embroidery you worked so hard to place.

Toile designs are especially good for sewing on a sheer fabric.  As the light shines through the fabric, the designs can be seen beautifully in silhouette, and when the sun isn't shining, the designs are. The story motifs we selected from Embroidery Library's Fairy Tale collection would be so appropriate for a nursery or toddler's room, but there's an abundance of other toile designs to choose from for any room in the house, from living and family rooms, dining room, bath, and kitchen. Anywhere you want to the sun to shine in.

Supplies

Supplies needed:

Designs Used

Instructions:

Measure the width of your window. You should measure the inside of the frame if you are using a spring tension curtain rod, or measure to the outside of the frame if you are using all other types of rods. 

Now, take that measurement and multiply it by 1.5 This will be the amount of continuous fabric that you will need so that the topper will have appropriate flounce. My window measured 38" wide, so my piece needed to be about 57" wide, which worked perfectly because the organza fabric available at my fabric store is 60" wide. I wanted my topper to be 18" high, but doubled, so I purchased 1 1/4 yards to be sure that I would have enough yardage after squaring the fabric and figuring in seam allowances.

The next thing that you need to do is to make sure that your organza is square so that when it is hanging on your rod, it will hang straight. If your fabric store tore the fabric on the grain, rather than cutting it with a scissors, you can skip to the next step. (Some stores will tear fabric only if you request it.)  If your organza was cut with a scissors, it is likely a little off grain. To get it on the grain, snip the selvage edge about 1" from the cut end and tear the fabric to the other selvage. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times if the fabric doesn't tear cleanly all the way to the other selvage. 

Now that your fabric is square, cut or tear the piece to the exact size you need--the width of your topper, with an additional 2" for the side hems, and the length of the topper times 2, plus 1" for the top seam. After cutting, my piece is 60" wide by 37" long.

Setting your iron on low, fold over the top 2" along the entire width of the fabric and press a crease along the top of the fold. Note: Depending on how wide you want the little ruffle on the top to be, you can adjust this measurement to make it more or less.

Now bring the bottom up to overlap the top (that you just turned over and pressed) by 1".

The place where the two fabrics overlap with be where the seam and the rod casing will be sewn.

Press a crease at the point where the fabric folds at the bottom. This crease will become the bottom of your topper. 

Now open up your fabric. The area between the creases is the area to embroider on.

Turn the opened fabric over right side out (you'll know it by  seeing that the creases form peaks. This will be the front of your topper.

Print out full-sized templates of the designs that you will be using to embellish your topper. Use the templates to place the designs where you want them, and mark the center points.

With the front side up, hoop the marked areas with heavy- weight WSS and sew out the designs. You can use the same color thread in the bobbin for a finished look on the back and the front. I chose a variegated thread for this project.

After you have finished embroidering, hem the two sides with a narrow or rolled hem.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance, meet the unfinished torn/cut edges, with right sides together, and stitch the seam along the entire width of the topper. Organza ravels easily, so finish the seam.

Turn the topper right side out, and lay it out flat.

Now create your casing by stitching a line on either side of the seam. Make sure that the casing is wide enough to accommodate your curtain rod. The seam should be completely hidden when the rod is inserted in the casing.

Insert the curtain rod, and hang your topper in the window.  It will let the sun shine in so that you will smile all day!