How to make a pelmet

Time to complete job: 2-3 hours, plus drying time.
Approximate budget: Under £5.

First steps
You can make the pelmet from 6-8mm (0.25-0.3in) MDF.

To find the overall width of the pelmet, measure the window opening and add at least 100mm (4in) onto each end to allow the curtains to be drawn back without creasing. The depth measurement should be the distance from the wall to the front of the curtains plus at least 25mm (1in).
Transfer the measurements to the board.

Tip: You can buy pierced and shaped MDF panels if you want to make a more decorative pelmet.

Covered pelmets
You can cover the pelmet instead of painting it with the curtain or other matching fabric. Rufflette, tel (0161) 998 1811 makes a self-adhesive backing that can be used to hold the fabric onto the MDF.

Safety
Remember to protect your eyes when drilling overhead by wearing safety specs. If you think there may be a wire or pipe above the window, always check the wall with a cable and pipe detector (sold in DIY stores).