OK, ladies, here’s my plan: We start teaching our “better halves” the joy of sewing, and while they’re busy stitching up beautiful swags and jabots for our homes, we’re sitting in the comfy chair watching television.

Sound good?

Even people who don't sew can create these simple country curtains. Iron-on adhesive provides an easy alternative.

Well, I tried it with my decorating partner, Matt, and I won’t say the results were poor; they were just different than I expected. After much deliberation with the sewing machine, he got an idea of his own: “iron-on adhesive tape.” And he was right you can make quite a few simple window designs without using the sewing machine.

For instance, a lovely gathered fabric panel tied up with two grosgrain ribbons is a perfect solution for a country window. Here’s how to put one together both with and without a sewing machine.

First, install a continental curtain rod in the location you wish to place the panel. Then measure the width of the rod plus the returns on both sides. For a lightly gathered window shade, without any seams, you may be able to use one 54-inch width of a decorator fabric. Some fabric even comes up to 60 inches wide.

If you really want some fullness, you may want to double the measurement of the rod for the width of your panel. This then may require cutting two panels of fabric, splitting one in half lengthwise and either sewing or iron-on adhering the cut pieces to either side of your full center panel.

To determine the length of the curtain, you need to make a design decision. Will this curtain ever be lowered to give full window privacy? If so, the panel has to be long enough to cover the glass. If you want to keep the panel about a third of the way down the window, you may only need to add about 12 inches to allow for swagging. Of course, when you are figuring your dimensions, don’t forget to add for seams, the hem and the rod pocket.

With sewing machine or, in Matt’s case, iron in hand, sew or iron in the side seams. Next, fashion a rod pocket, in this case without a ruffle at the top or the ribbons won’t go neatly over the rod. Also, although rod pockets sound easy enough, if they’re too tight, the rod won’t go in; if they’re too loose, you can’t gather the fabric effectively.

I have found that the best dimension for a 2 1/2-inch continental rod pocket is 2 7/8 inches from seam line to seam line. This might be a little trickier for those using iron-on adhesive. Add a hem and install the panel on the rod.

To hold the panel up, you can use a variety of items: contrasting fabric ribbons, wide grosgrain ribbon, roping, belts or embroidered ribbons. Select something that supports the theme of your room. In fact, this doesn’t really have to be considered country-styled.

By attaching a heavy fringe to a lined panel of heavier decorator fabric, you can create a very formal, traditional treatment. One ribbon in the middle cinched tight to the rod creates a very simple swag. Believe me, if you play around with this simple panel construction, what you add or how you drape it can yield dozens of results.

And I should assure you that iron-on adhesive is a marvelous way to create seams and hems. It also allows people without sewing knowledge to create wonderful decorative projects for the home. I have a supply of it on hand at all times.

Shari Hiller writes this column with Matt Fox. They co-host the Home and Garden Television show “Room by Room.” For more information, visit www.hgtv.com.