Making Swags Instructions

This deep swag is relatively easy to make with its cased heading but uses rather a lot of fabric. It can be made lined or unlined and have fringing stitched along the bottom edge to accentuate the shape.

Deep swags, can be made in all weights of fabric, are usually fitted outside the window recess and can be teamed up with curtains or blinds to give a layered effect.

In the free instructions below, the measurements used are for a lined swag which will fit onto a window with a pole width of up to 36" (90 cms) between the finials. The approximate centre length of the swag is 20" (50 cms). However, the length will increase if the swag is gathered tightly. More than one swag can be threaded onto a single pole and gathered to any width for wider windows.

Requirements:

Narrow metal pole, approximately 0.5" (12 mm) in diameter, fitted in the required position above the window.

Fabric.

Lining.

Matching thread.

Fringing, approximately 1.5 metres (optional).

Estimating Fabric Quantities:

• 1 rectangle of fabric measuring 46" (117 cms) long by 60" (152 cms) wide is required for each swag.
• Unless there is a definite one way pattern or nap, the fabric can be railroaded for this swag. Each swag will need 60" (152 cms) of railroaded fabric providing it is equal to or more than 46" (117 cms) wide.
• If patterned fabric is used, and the width of the fabric is 60" (152 cms) or more, then each swag will require 46" (117 cms) of fabric.
• If patterned fabric is used, and the width of the fabric is less than 60" (152 cms), then 2 widths of fabric will be required, each measuring at least 46" (117 cms) long as extra length will be needed for pattern matching.
• The amount of lining required will be the same as the fabric minus any extra for pattern matching.

Making a Deep Swag:

• Cut 1 rectangle of fabric measuring 46" (117 cms) long by 60" (152 cms) wide. If more than 1 width is required join widths together with a flat seam. Position the seam in the centre of the width so that the design is symmetrical across both sides of the swag.
• Lay the fabric on a flat surface, right side up, and fold it in half width ways matching the raw edges.
• Measure 12" (30 cms) along the top edge from the fold and mark.
• Draw a line from this point to the bottom outside corner and cut along this line.
• Cut 1 rectangle of lining measuring 46" (117 cms) long by 60" (152 cms) wide. If more than 1 width is required join widths together with a flat seam.
• Lay the lining on a flat surface, right side up, and fold it in half width ways matching the raw edges.
• Lay the folded fabric on top of the lining, matching the folds and the raw edges. Cut the lining to the same shape as the fabric and unfold both pieces.
• Lay the fabric on a flat surface, right side up, and lay the lining on top, wrong side up, matching the raw edges.
• Pin and stitch down both side edges, 0.5" (12 mm) in from the raw edges.
• Pin and stitch along the bottom edge, 0.5" (12 mm) in from the raw edge leaving 1.5" (3.75 cms) at each end for the casing.
• Turn right side out.
• Turn in 0.5" (12 mm) along the top edge and slipstitch leaving 1.5" (3.75 cms) at each end for the casing and press.
• Lay the swag on a flat surface, right side up, and draw lines 1" (2.5 cms) and 2" (5 cms) in from each side edge, making sure they are parallel to the side edges. The positions of these lines of stitches can be adjusted to suit a larger diameter pole as long as the openings at the top and bottom edges are adjusted as well.
• Stitch along all 4 lines, through both thicknesses, making sure to fasten off the ends of the threads securely.
• If fringing is required, backstitch it along the bottom edge of the swag, close to the fold, between the innermost lines of stitches, turning under 1" (2.5 cms) at each end to neaten.
• Thread the swag onto the pole, starting at the bottom edge on the first side and the top edge on the second side.
• Adjust the gathers evenly across the width and arrange the pleats to give the desired effect.

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