Methods and materials for creating curtains with your own hands.

Cafe Curtains

Cafe curtains are the hallmark of cozy kitchens in the Provence, country and shabby chic styles. They are a single or paired curtain, fixed to a rod in the middle of the window. Finding curtains of the right length in a store is an almost impossible task, so most housewives prefer to sew window textiles themselves.

For work, you will need a piece of fabric (linen, chintz, cotton), fittings for attaching curtains and a base for the cornice. The material is purchased with an allowance for folds and side seams. As a rule, the width of the curtain is cut 1.5 times wider than the window frame. At the bottom, an allowance of 3-3.5 cm is left for hemming. Ruffles, lace, and braid are used to decorate the curtains. Curtains with hand embroidery look very colorful.

A standard rod, strong thread or wire is used as a curtain rod. To attach the curtain, sew on loops, use metal rings, or stitch a horizontal “pocket” a few centimeters from the top edge.

Pleated

The main advantage of pleated curtains is that they block out street light when there is too much of it. They are an accordion, the top and bottom of which are attached to a metal profile or fixed to the window frame with double-sided tape. Pleated blinds are made from a paper base, such as wallpaper, but an accordion made of thick fabric is also quite common in interiors.

The width of the fabric should match the width of the window, but the length should be cut 45-50 cm longer than the height of the frame. The base for the curtain is laid horizontally in increments of 3-3.5 cm, folded like an accordion and carefully ironed. Using a hole punch, several holes are made in the folded accordion, into which the adjusting tapes are later passed. The lower ends of the ribbons are tied into a bow or secured with a decorative bead, the upper ends are glued to the frame with tape.

To prevent the textile from losing its texture, it is recommended to soak it in a gelatin solution, dry it and soften it with a warm iron. It is also important to select a fabric in advance that can hold a given shape for a long time. For example, it is worth paying attention to samples with a large amount of polyester.

Combined

Curtains sewn from fabrics of different shades or textures make the interior more voluminous and lively. You can choose textiles that are close in tone, make contrasting transitions or combine a plain fabric with a painted one.

Combination curtains do not require additional decor. The play of colors and textures already looks bright enough.

Thread

Thread curtains can be both an independent element of window decor and an addition to transparent tulle or thick curtains. Synthetic thread is used as a material, which is often decorated with beads or glass beads. A thick tape or a thin wooden strip is suitable for fastening. The threads are placed at a distance of 2-3 mm from each other, secured with a loop, fixed with glue or stitched.

It is especially worth noting the curtains made using the macrame technique. They fit perfectly into interiors in the boho, Provence or Scandi styles. The weightless woven fabric lets in most of the sunlight, but saves from the prying eyes of passers-by and neighbors living opposite. Curtains using the macrame technique will appeal to those who prefer light, airy interiors with hints of ethnic and shabby chic.

Weaving a fabric across the entire height of the window is within the power of needlewomen who already have experience working with the knotting technique. Beginner craftswomen can limit themselves to a simple pattern 20-30 centimeters high at the top of the curtain, and leave the rest of the length in the form of hanging fringe. To work you will need a cotton cord, jute or silk thread, crochet hooks and a wooden base, which can later be used as a curtain rod.

Before you start creating curtains, you should master several basic knots:

• Flat;
• Square or double flat;
• Reps (horizontal and vertical);
• Figure eight;
• Loop, etc.

By combining knots with each other, you can adjust the density of the weave and create new and new patterns each time.

With ties

The advantage of curtains with loops or ties is that they are suitable for any curtain rods and bars. Curtains are easy to hang and take down, easy to iron. At the same time, they fit into a variety of interiors quite easily. They can be found in a nursery, a kitchen, and even an office.

Even those who do not have much sewing experience can sew curtains with ties. It is enough to choose the right fabric, correctly measure the window sizes and decide on the type of loops.

• Patch loops are sewn on top of the main fabric. This option is used when it is necessary to hide the curtain rod and rod.
• Bow ties are often used for kitchens and children’s rooms. They add lightness and playfulness to the interior. The ties can be made of the same material as the curtain, or you can highlight them using a ribbon, cord or contrasting fabric.
• Velcro loops are especially practical. Hanging such curtains takes no more than 5 minutes.
• Button fasteners look very original, but at the same time are easy to make.

For lovers of smooth curtains without lush folds, you will need a piece of fabric the width of the window. Leave 1.5-2 cm for side allowances. The loops are sewn to the processed upper edge. For pleated curtains, you will need twice as much fabric. And here the loops are often attached to the piping sewn along the top. The size of the loops is made with an eye to the density of the material. For light fabrics, you can make narrow ties, for heavier ones – slats up to 6-8 cm.

English curtains

The technology of sewing English curtains is in many ways similar to the process of creating pleated curtains. Both of them have a lifting mechanism, thanks to which horizontal folds are formed.

However, in English curtains, metal rings are usually sewn on the back of the fabric for the adjustment tape. The step between the rings determines the size and splendor of the future folds.

With flounces, ruffles or frills

Curtains with flounces add elegance, romance and lightness to the window decoration. They are unlikely to fit into a strict classic interior, but they will come in handy in a girl’s nursery, a summer kitchen or a bright living room.

Ruffles can be used to decorate the bottom of the curtains or decorate the entire canvas. When calculating the fabric, you should take into account the fullness coefficient, which for lush flounces should be at least 3.

Making curtains with your own hands has many advantages. You can choose fabrics that match the rest of the interior, perfectly adjust the length and width of the curtains to the dimensions of the window and save a considerable amount on fitting purchased curtains. However, you should not go to extremes. Homemade curtains from old disks, plastic tubes, ribbons or colored buttons will look very original, but are unlikely to become a decoration for a stylish, modern interior.