There's no such thing as a stupid question!

You can use clip-on hooks for rod pocket panels. Most department stores sell them. Depending on the width of your panels you typically want 7-10 clip rings per panel.

If you chose not to use rings, you simply slide the panel on the rod. The disadvantage, IMO, is that the panels don't hang as well and you can't move them as easily.

I like to hang the rods wider than the window trim so that the panels don't block any of the precious light, but that's a personal decision.

Amy, there are rings that clip onto the panel. I don't know the 'technical' term~clip on curtain/drapery rings? Look on the JC Penney site under window treatment hardware. ;o)

Here ya go......

http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/x5.aspx?catid=65671&deptid=60156&cmAMS_T=X3&cmAMS_C=C8&CmCatId=60156:60196

I agree with Bonnieann. I used clips on my rod pocket panels in my BR and they really never do as well as the pinched pleats. I am going to take them down when I have the energy and just use them as rod pocket panels. I am not renofan! It takes me a month of talking it over in my head to get moving and then I often stop midstream. Oh, the joy of being young and not having that stop-and-go problem. :-)

Do you already have the panels, Amy?

I feel your pain! I felt like such an idiot struggling with drapes and what method to hang them. I first used rings....wouldn't you know, I just this week removed the comparison photos from my photo gallery :( Something about the material didn't work well with the clips and they didn't hang pretty at all! Even if they had, I think maybe I still prefer using the pockets.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rod Pocket Panels

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. I should have been more clear I guess...

I really don't want to use clip-on rings. I do know they exist but I am trying to get a more formal look for my LR. I want to use just rings like this:

I am thinking of buying a heavy, unlined linen panel from Restoration Hardware since their Ivory color is a near-perfect match for the wall color. It is a rod pocket panel, no pinch pleats to pop a hook into. Haven't bought them yet, Parma. I really can't put them up rod-pocket style since these panels will be opened and closed a lot.

I am wondering if I can just use a small hook (called a pin-on hook) and put it into the header or if I need to reinforce the header in some way. (Grrr....no like-y WTS!!!)

I ordered panels from Pottery Barn and they came with little reinforced hook holder thingys that were sewn into the panels. So, perhaps RH does the same thing with their panels? I think you need something to support the hook or it will sag where it goes in unless it's a really thick fabric.

This is sortof an out there idea, but have you thought about going to the fabric store and buying pinch pleat tape? You might not want to actually sew it onto the panel because it wouldn't look right after the panel was constructed (the seams would show on the right side of the fabric) But, you could maybe hand sew them on or even use fabric glue.

I think this is why ring clips were invented! The clip allows the fabric to stay fairly straight, while a hook needs something to hook into or it will sag.

If you love the RH fabric, I would order the flat panel and also the pleated panel and see how you like them both. It might just be worth the extra cost to have the pleated panels if you want a more formal look and love their fabric. You can always return what you don't like.

The type you have can be sewn on to the panel. They work well and are very unobtrusive.

Hi Amy:

If the header fabric is not stiff enough, the pin-on hook won't be able to hold it up straight. The fabric will slide down and bunch up due to the weight of the curtain.

One way is to sew the ring onto the panel itself.
Another is to sew a bit of string/ribbons in the back and tie to the rings.

If you want to use pin hooks, the easiest way is to use small piece of paper and put in the back of the curtain header/pocket where the pins go. This would help reinforce the pin onto the fabric so it won't slip down. If the fabric is thick enough (at the header section) it won't show.

I hope I'm making myself clear. :-)

Thanks Carole. I just looked at the RH pinch pleats. They're $399 a piece! :-) That just makes me laugh!

Part of what is so frustrating with having so little experience with WTs is coming to grips with how expensive they are. I have a whole house to deal with and every room needs about a thousand dollars worth of stuff. I am not really going very high-end....just trying to get nice off-the-rack goods.

That's a great idea about trying to affix drapery tape to the header. I agree though that if i sew it, it will show. I thought about sliding something inside the rod pocket. Maybe fusible interfacing? I have perused the drapery supply websites and my eyes just roll up in my head!

(Where's Chelone when I need her?)

Thank you Bonnie and Bella....we cross posted!

I think the ribbon idea is a good one. Or I could sew the rings on and just snip the thread when I want to have them cleaned.

I think the rods I am using require the rings to be put on before the rod is installed...sort of like a return rod. That's why I was hoping to use something like a hook....something to make removal for cleaning easier.

Bella, maybe I could use a heavy vellum paper. Translucent but stiff. Hmmm.... I think I prefer the ribbon idea.

I wish the RH panels had the little gizmos like the PB ones that Carole mentioned.

Amysqr - Yes, window treatments are expensive but they make a huge impact in a room. I recall reading an article written by a designer that said 1/3 of the cost of decorating a room should in the window treatments.

It is hard enough to DIY your draperies even when you plan to use them as intended. There are lots of measurements and planning, and they all get adjusted depending on the hardware. This is why calling in professionals is expensive, but wise if you can afford it.

Here is what I would do. First, I would take a close look at JCPenney's Supreme Pinch Pleats and see if they have a color that would work. They are such a good value for the money, and the pinch pleats would allow you to use the pin and rings.

As for the RH drapes, you may find that the cost is higher than you think given that you need more than triple the width of the window for each panel. So a window that is 60 inches wide needs 180 inches of panel, and probably more when you consider the stackback.

If you can get past that, take them to a seamstress and have her sew in pinch pleat tape and then use Pleater Hooks. Honestly, though, they are never going to look as good as real pinch pleats. you might ask a seamstress how much it would cost to convert them to real pinch pleats.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pleater Hooks

amy:

I actually just did the ribbons for my DD's curtains. But in her case, we used 2 colors pink/white ribbons and leave them long as a design feature. I still have to sew little sparkly beads at the end of the ribbons, but she's happy for now. :-)

If your curtain is linen, most likely it would need to be dry cleaned (due to shrinkage problem with washing). In such case, you don't need to remove the rings because the people would dry clean it with the rings on (mine does anyway) :-)

I have a RH outlet near our PIL's house and they have drapery/bedding at discount. They have a lot of linen panels there! Also, I have trade member account w/ them and they would give you 20% off everything for trade discount. :-) so if you are getting a lot of stuff from them, look into being a trade member. ;-)

Custom drapery does not have to be expensive. I know couple places in LA that can do divine drapery for not much (fabric cost is variable) so now I'm just going custom. You have more freedom with fabric choice & size.

Drapery is the fun part. Don't get discourage.

sorry for the disjoint post -- I'm multitasking. :-)

is to sew a little bit of ribbon & a snap button on to the header. Then put the ring on and snap them together (much like the little loop they put on the shoulder of your tank top to hold your bra straps up) :-)

This requires patience, however. Maybe you can get your Dd to help you sew these. :-D

My LR panels are rod pockets and I was curious about this too. Kmcg told me about end hooks and you can buy that deep pleat tape stuff and sew to the top. This was the only website I could find the large end hooks and they're out of stock. I emailed them awhile back and they said they should have more in by the end of the month.
Still considering doing this to mine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Deep Pleat End Hook

You probably could get away with a stiff rod and small hooks with small rings.

Shee's link looks promising, too.

I feel your pain! I was in similar situation to you where I really needed the privacy for the WTs in my master bedroom, and in my LR and DR which face the street. For all rooms I opted for pinch pleats on rings because I felt they would hold up best with the daily opening and closing that I wanted to do without having to fuss with the drapes to get them to look nice every time I opened/closed them. The difference is that in my LR/DR I went for an expensive custom solution for both the drapes and rods from Calico Corners and in my MBR I went for an inexpensive stock size pinch pleat drapery panel from JC Pennies and rod from Lowes for a fraction of the cost. The custom drapes and rods are of a much higher quality and built to last, but surprisingly enough I also like my JCP drapes which are holding up well and if I decide I want a different look in 1-2 years, I won't feel bad about replacing them, though my LR/DR drapes should last a lifetime and will become outdated before they wear out.

Living Room:

{{!gwi}}

Master bedroom:

When sheesharee was exploring options for her LR windows, kmcg also had a pretty solution using a combination of the rod pocket style Pottery Barn drapes on rings (no clips) with woven wood blinds for privacy. It looked really nice and if I had to do it over again, I think I would've went with that approach for my LR, but probably not for my DR since it's a bay window. While I love the look, I still do question how well the rod pocket style on rings holds up if they are opened and closed daily. It would be worthwhile to search from sheesharee's thread on this since kmcg said she felt they worked best as stationary panels and not operable drapes.

Graywing, thanks for a great link. I'm going to order some pleater tape and hooks and try it on my LR silk panels.

Bonnie

Well, the one-third theory is really something! That's a lot of dough. (Or in my case, doh.) I have a Steinway in the LR. One third of that alone should net me some pretty spectacular WTs! ;-)

Decorating budget aside, I have to say that Parma nailed the look I am going for. Not as formal as pinch pleats, but not as casual as clips rings. Even the rod looks very much like the modern rod from PB I am considering. (Wow, Parma!)

I don't love pinch pleats and don't really have the space for them anyway. While I think Monica's rod pocket look is gorgeous, I need these to really function. (Eeeek....is there a traverse rod in my future?) Here's a pic of the window in question:

I want four flat panels which I plan to stack at the outside of the small windows and the edges of the doors. When they're open, there will be one panel at each side of the small window. (Clear as mud?) I don't have room for them to stack back beyond the whole array of windows because of art and furniture. (It isn't a very big room and the piano doesn't help.) Val, your WTs are gorgeous, but you are clearly working with more space than I am.

I think I'll dig around for shee's post and kmcg's advice, though adding blinds probably won't work for me. One door is functional and the lever-style handle makes hanging blinds of any type problematic. But, maybe I'll glean some other tidbits from that thread!

So, here's another stupid question, maybe for you Bella since you spoke to this issue... If I buy dry-clean-only linen panels and I choose the longer length, can I wash them before I hem them and thereby have washable drapes?

Hi Amy: Now that I see your room, I can see what you are talking about. You want that simple romantic look. :-) Parma's panel is perfect for that room.

I think if you washed & dried your panels couple of times, that will take care of the shrinkage issue.

Do you want the traverse rods (the types that have carries & string that you pull like in hotels), or do you want just the simple rod, brackets & rings set up ?

No traverse! Yuk! I know they work, but they remind me of all the bad WTs I've pulled out of previous houses! I just want simple...

Here are the panels:

Here are the rods:

I plan to get four rods sets, screw them together and place the brackets such that the panels stack just where i want them. I'll give you a link for more info on the brackets. I think it should work. I just want to figure out how to get the panels up properly such that I can also remove them easily. I don't know that I'll be able to take the rods apart too easily like I would with regular rods and brackets. And I suspect that since we use the door, the panels will get dirty and need to be cleaned with some regularity.

I wish I liked to PB drapes since they all seem to be hook-ready. (sigh....)

Here is a link that might be useful: PB modern rods

That would be easy Amy. I was afraid you would like traverse rod because I hate them too. The cords always got stuck somehow.

Anyway, have you checked out Shee's pin hook, I think it may work. Put the rings on rod first, then use the hooks that way it would be easier to remove the panels for cleaning. The whole point is to secure the clip on the panel and shee's hooks may work better than the other type.

Here is a link that might be useful: link to hook

Thanks bella (and sheesharee!). I will keep that link and try to find those locally...

I'm sure you're aware, but RH has a sale going on. It's $100 off of a $400 purchase.

We leave for Parma on Friday and I expect to see those WTs up when we return. :)

Parma...I've been wondering when you were going...

I saw the RH coupon on the Kitchens board (where I have been spending an inordinate amount of time today). 8-( I jumped immediately and those panels are on the way! Now, I need to get the rods ordered. (when ya comin' home?)

Amy, we're only staying a week. No added vacation this trip so I'll be back by the end of the month.

Good luck with your WTs!