Some curtains call for a hand-made wooden curtain rod. Whether you want a special holder for baronial drapes or need a solution for a hard-to-fit window, making your own curtain rod is a quick and easy project for even beginning woodworkers. A wide variety of commercially-made mounting brackets mean that you do not need to own professional cutting tools to produce the look you want. Follow the steps below to make a distinctive wooden curtain rod to enhance your decor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Assembling Materials
1. Obtain brackets and mounting screws first, because these will determine the diameter and length of your rod. These can be found in a curtain department or, unfinished, in a craft store. Craft stores are also often a good source for interesting wood finials (end pieces) which can either be screwed into the ends of your curtain rod or pegged and glued.
2. Measure the position of your brackets and the width of your window to determine the length of your rod. Decide how much of the work you want to show; most designers extend the rod an inch or two beyond the brackets, but you can also choose to have only the finials showing beyond the outside edge of the brackets. Once you decide, that's the length of your rod.
3. Locate doweling the length and diameter you need in a lumber store or department. Ask whether it can be cut to size and request a very straight cut. If you are still deciding on your final look, take the doweling home and make the cut with your own saw. (To assure your own straight cut, measure the rod length at several points around the outside, and draw a circle all the way around the dowel to follow with your saw.) Save any leftover wood.
4. Choose finials in the lumber department or at a craft or curtain store. If you cut a piece off your dowel to make it the right size, take the remnant with you. It's easier than hauling the whole rod to try on finials. If you find screw-on fittings, your work is nearly done. In their absence, ask about decorative wood-turnings. Craftsmen used to make these as samples of their fine work; these days, wood turnings are often sold for children's craft projects or for dollhouse-making. If the finials have a flat wooden bottom, you can peg-and-glue them to your dowel ends.
5. Buy stain, varnish or paint to finish your project. You may find it easier to finish the finials, rod and brackets before attaching them.
Creating Your Rod
6. Sand all wooden pieces of your project. Rub first with medium-grade sandpaper, then use fine-grade paper to finish your smooth surface. Wipe all pieces with a rag to remove sanded residue.
7. Decide whether to stain, varnish or paint your project in pieces or after assembly. If in pieces, apply finish according to directions and let dry thoroughly (24 hours) before assembling.
8. Drill holes in center of dowel ends if using screw-in finials. Apply a thin coat of wood glue to the ends of your dowel before screwing finials in. This will produce a solid hold and fill in any minor spaces between surfaces. Wipe off any glue-drips promptly. Allow time for glue to set (4-12 hours, per directions), put up your brackets and mount your finished curtain rod.
9. Use the following old-fashioned method to attach flat-bottomed wood turnings or non-screw finials. Drill holes large enough to accommodate two or three wooden matchsticks or several wooden toothpicks, slightly more than 1/4 inch deep, in both the dowel center and the center of the finial bottom. Fill each hole with wood glue, then add a thin coat to the surrounding flat surface. Snap or cut matchsticks or toothpicks into 1/2 inch lengths--these will make your peg for peg-and-glue. Fit peg-sticks snugly into hole in dowel, pushing down hard. Attach finial by pushing it onto the other end of the peg-sticks. (Old-time craftsmen were skilled enough to hold all kinds of work, including furniture and cabin-walls, together with pegs alone--we're sticking with glue as insurance.)
10. Let rod dry thoroughly and stain, varnish or paint if you still need to. Again allow for thorough drying, and you're ready to hang your curtains.
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