A rod sleeve. It is exactly what it sounds like. A tube of fabric to cover the rod much like a sleeve. There is no lining required for this treatment as the fabric goes around the entire rod. To determine how to cut the fabric, measure your rod from top to bottom, add two inches, double that number then add seam allowances. For example, if your rod is a two and a half inch continental rod, you would add two inches to that for 4 1/2″ then double it totaling 9″, then add one inch for seam allowances (half inch on each side) for a total of 10″. If you window is 54″ wide then you would cut three ten inch pieces (if your fabric is 54″ wide) and sew them together end to end giving you a very long approx 160″ X 10″ piece. Hem both ends and then fold the strip in half with right sides together and sew. Turn right side out and you will have a sleeve to gather on a 54″ rod.
A custom rod was made for this doorwall (9″ deep) to cover the hardware as well as the entire mini blind when it is raised keeping it out of sight when not needed.
A conventional 4.5″ continental rod was used over the kitchen sink to coordinate with the door wall and to conceal the mini blinds (hidden) giving a clean, uncluttered look.
by Susan Dorbeck