Making swags and tails is a time consuming exercise which needs a lot of patience and is not suitable for an inexperienced sewer. It is essential to make a swag and tail from a spare piece of fabric to ensure the right size and effect is achieved. A swag is a shape of fabric which is pleated, draped and fixed to a pelmet board. Two or more swags can be made to fit across the width of the pelmet board and can overlap each other or butt together with ornate tails in between as well as at each end.
Tails overlap the end swags to finish the treatment and conceal the sides of the pelmet board.
These are pleated so that the lining shows from the right side and therefore need to be backed in a contrasting or co-ordinating fabric. These instructions are for simple lined swags and tails which are pinned to the top of the pelmet board individually. They are cut on the straight of grain which, in my experience, make them easier to work with. Checks and stripes make matching patterns much more difficult. Decide on the number of swags and if they are to overlap or butt against one another.