Sheer fabric hangs beautifully from a suspended ceiling.
A suspended ceiling, also known as a dropped ceiling, can effectively hide pipes, ductwork or an unattractive ceiling above it. It is essentially a metal grid that supports lightweight tiles. Hanging a curtain or a fabric room divider -- as part of wedding decor, for example -- from a suspended ceiling isn't difficult. Just remember to use lightweight fabric and hangers designed for suspended ceilings.
Instructions
1. Select the fabric you wish to hang. For best results, choose a lightweight fabric to avoid bending or breaking the metal grid that holds the ceiling tiles.
2. Install suspended-ceiling hooks along the part of the grid where you want to hang the fabric, approximately 12 inches apart. These hooks are available at office- and plant-supply merchandisers, hardware stores and art-supply retailers. The hook hangs downward from a clip. Some clips simply slide onto the strip of the metal grid; others swivel closed around it, and some are opened with a squeeze mechanism like that of a clothespin. When released, the spring in this mechanism closes the clip around the metal strip.
3. Cut the fabric into panels of the appropriate length. If you intend to hem the top and bottom of each panel, cut the fabric 2 inches longer than the finished length you need. The extra inches allow you to create a 1-inch hem at each end. Although hemming is optional, it will create a more finished and professional effect.
4. Clip drapery rings every 12 inches along the top of each fabric panel to match the spacing of the hooks on the ceiling.
5. Place the drapery rings onto the ceiling hooks to finish the project.
Tags: metal grid, drapery rings, from suspended ceiling, , lightweight fabric