Cardboard Tube From A Fabric Bolt As A Curtain Rod
I used the round tube from a fabric bolt for a curtain rod once and it worked wonderfully! I had some contact paper in the wood-look pattern and covered the tube with it and on the ends I poofed up some fabric and covered the ends with it and rubberbands. Being it was a smaller sized window I used one curtain panel and pulled it to one side. It turned out terrific. And best of all, it cost nothing since I had it all on hand.
You can get the cardboard tubes from any fabric store since they throw them away anyway and most are glad to give them to you.