When you’re using curtain tape, you need a tidy way to store the excess cord that is created when you pull the tape together to create your pleats. You can’t just tie the cords together and cut off the rest, because you might want to release the pleats some time in the future (e.g. when you have your curtains cleaned).

So what are the options? Well, you can simply knot your cords into a bow, but this can look unsightly if you have a lot of excess cord to stow. So by far the best option is to use a cord tidy. Cord tidies are available at most good soft furnishings shops and of course on the internet, from Rufflette, and other brands. They cost next to nothing (typically £1 for a pack of 4), but the postage is going to cost more than the cord tidy if you buy online, as will your petrol if you hit the road for this little item – so we thought we’d show you how to make your own cord tidy.

Step 1: Find an old bit of plastic or stiff cardboard

Find a suitable piece of plastic

Here we’re using the back of an old A4 lever arch file, but there are countless plastics that would suffice, such as packaging. You could of course use stiff cardboard but plastic would obviously be more durable and hardwearing.

Step 2: mark out and cut your cord tidy to size.

Use a marker pen to mark out your cord tidy and then cut it to size

Make your cord tidy about 6-8cms long, depending on how much surplus cord you have, and about 2.5cms wide.

Step 3:  mark out the curved sections at each end of the cord tidy by drawing around a suitable object, such as this battery.

Find a suitable, round object to draw around, or simply do this freehand

Step 4: using a pair of scissors, cut out the curved sections you marked earlier, and then carefully make two incisions as pictured below, to catch the loose end of the cord once you have wound it around the cord tidy.

The finished cord tidy - ready to use