Beautiful fabric draperies can completely transform any interior and create exactly the right mood in the room. To add an atmosphere of romanticism to the bedroom or living room, you can use beautiful French curtains; they are not so difficult to sew with your own hands. Such curtains are interesting in their design. This is a cascade-lifting option, when the fabric does not move apart, but rises, forming beautiful drapery. The folds are obtained in the form of an arc, but to create such a cascade it is best to use lightweight fabrics that can drape easily. Too massive ones will not look so good; the folds will turn out rough and not very beautiful.
French curtains, thanks to spectacular draperies made of delicate fabric, decorate the interior and give an atmosphere of romanticism.
French curtains, as they are known today, first appeared in the 14th century in France. For a long time they were the main form of draperies, then gradually gave way to other forms. Today, these curtains have become popular again; they are used to decorate large halls, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. You can give them different shapes and decorate them with a stylish lambrequin on top. For classic style This option is considered one of the most successful; it is distinguished by soft and smooth lines.
The type of such curtains is cascade-lifting, since the individual sections are vertically arranged and assembled into beautiful folds. Such sections are called scallops; the pitch and number may vary. The folds are obtained in the form of arcs, they are very soft, but their shape is calculated individually. The parameters of the canvas depend on the size of the window opening, its height, width, and location.
When opened, French curtains do not move apart like regular ones, but rise. At the same time, the folds become more pronounced, the drapery gives the room an unusually luxurious and sophisticated appearance. That is why only soft and light fabrics that are easy to drape are selected for sewing. Raising the curtain can be done using a manual mechanism or an electric lift, which is mounted on the cornice.
French curtains are made from light, weightless, flowing fabrics that create beautiful folds.
The French curtain is a very lightweight design, which is distinguished by soft folds, graceful appearance. Despite the many folds and draperies, such a curtain does not create a heaviness effect; it seems both luxurious and sophisticated.
Traditionally, light and thin, almost weightless fabrics are used, which will not only fold beautifully, but also create a feeling of smooth and soft waves that will beautifully decorate the window opening. Fabrics with a smooth texture that does not distract attention from itself are best suited for this, for example transparent and translucent tulle, organza, cambric. Thin wool, moire and silk are excellent, or thin satin can be used. They all fit well into the folds and create exactly the impression that is needed.
If necessary, the edge of the curtain can be decorated with fringe, tassels, various ruffles and frills. But moderation must be observed so that the decoration does not overload the overall impression. It is important to choose the right color, pattern, texture of the fabric. This will determine what overall impression the curtain will create, whether it will decorate the room or disrupt its harmony. When choosing fabric, you need to choose the right length. For example, for the kitchen you can use curtains of medium length, but for bedrooms and living rooms, length to the floor is suitable.
French curtains decorated with tassels look unobtrusive and gentle.
To sew correctly beautiful curtain, it is necessary to calculate the amount of material. The width is usually determined by the length of the curtain rod, but it is best to add a little more to give the drapery an attractive look. Typically, another 4 cm is added to the length of the cornice for seams. To determine the length, you need to take the total height from the cornice to the floor (or take into account another height of the curtain), then multiply it by 1.5-2 times, add 5 cm for processing the seams. This is required to ensure that the folds are beautiful and effective.
As an example, consider the following calculation:
An example calculation is as follows:
A French curtain is not so difficult to sew, but for this you need to have certain skills. To get beautiful folds after the braid is pulled together, you need to make darts along the top of the fabric. To do this, you need to draw conditional vertical lines along which this braid will tighten the canvas. With the help of darts, you can easily achieve graceful and light lines, avoiding the impression of ordinary gathered fabric.
Depending on the height of the curtains, the size of the darts may change.
When lengthening the fabric, all darts must be made deeper and longer.
The mounting tape with rings for cords is sewn along vertical lines, which are drawn with chalk along the surface of the canvas. You need to sew a braid between such guides, but you can use a beautiful piece of decorative fabric for this.
Drapery is made from a special narrow tape for draperies. It has special rings so that you can thread the cord for lifting. The length of the tape must be calculated based on the total height of the future curtain, which is multiplied by the number of future festoons. The cut height for the curtain is added to the resulting value.
To calculate the number of festoons for French curtains, you need to take into account the size of the windows. For large ones, it is best to take wide sections, but for narrow and tall ones, soft waves of small size, approximately from 25 to 45 cm, are suitable. The total quantity can be correctly determined using the following table:
Curtains are the main element of the interior. They perform not only a decorative function, but also a protective one, hiding the room from prying eyes and preventing the penetration of bright sun rays. However, in order for window drapery to look decent, it is necessary to choose the right product design.
Lovers of lightness and airiness most often choose French curtains. Such models are quite voluminous, which gives the room a certain theme. The originality of the design will create a cozy and comfortable space.
Any housewife can sew such curtains on her own. All handmade items have a special meaning. To help everyone who wants to try their hand at needlework, we will provide detailed information below, where a master class on French curtains will be presented.
The traditional design of French curtains came to modern interiors from the distant XIV century. At that time, they were at the peak of popularity and were used to decorate palaces and royal chambers. Of course, only wealthy people could afford such luxury. However, at present, such drapery has somewhat lost its position to other options. Nevertheless, it still remains quite popular.
French curtains, made by yourself, will decorate any room: living room, office, kitchen, bedroom. They will transform the interior, giving it smoothness and softness of lines. This opportunity appears due to a certain style. Its main elements are festoons. They form beautiful lush folds, the distance between them and the number can vary significantly. Their shape is arched, hanging freely.
The width and height of the curtains are determined by the size of the window opening, but you need to remember that they do not slide apart. Some models are made with a lifting mechanism (manual or electric).
For people who want to create a majestic and stylish interior, it is recommended to opt for the classics. It includes all the necessary elements. Such a space is truly royal, and if it is complemented with scalloped curtains, then in addition to pomp, the romanticism characteristic of the French will appear. To this day, this design is in great demand, and, oddly enough, the design turns out to be original.
French curtains for the kitchen, office, living room will look as harmonious as possible if the window openings in the room are large enough. In order to create such a style yourself, correctly conveying all the details, you need to familiarize yourself with the key points:
So, we decided to sew the curtains ourselves. Where to start this process? First of all, you need to choose suitable material. It must meet the following requirements:
It is not recommended to sew French curtains from heavy fabrics, since ready product it will look quite rude and too flashy, which will only spoil the overall impression of the room.
Optimal options:
In order for everything in the interior to be in harmony, it is necessary to carefully select the palette. One of the determining factors is the purpose and style of the room. It is also worth paying attention to the location of the windows. However, even regardless of this, it is highly recommended not to use too bright artificial shades, as they will disrupt the idyll.
French curtains are most harmonious in pastel colors:
In any case, the choice color range completely individual, depends on personal preferences, but it is still worth considering the recommendations of qualified designers.
Before you start sewing French curtains yourself, you need to study the subtleties of calculating the material. As a rule, the length of the cornice is taken as the main parameter; the allowance for folds is also taken into account. Do not forget about the seams, their width is from 1 to 2 cm, so you need to add 4-6 cm to the existing dimensions.
The French blind pattern shows the exact size between the rings through which the cinching cords will be pulled. From this we can conclude that the final length of the product will be significantly reduced. In order to select the ideal parameter, you will need to measure the desired size and increase this figure by 1.5-2.5 times (the coefficient varies depending on the depth of the folds). Be sure to add 5 cm to this length at the top and bottom.
Calculation example:
Having decided on the material, color, and calculated the width and length, you can proceed directly to sewing. It is very important to choose comfortable spot, where you can freely lay out the canvas.
Description of works:
The last step of sewing is finishing the top edge. As a rule, French curtains are attached to a special strip, which is subsequently installed on the cornice. Thanks to this device, the canvas can be aligned directly on window opening, adjusting it to the exact dimensions. However, before attaching it to the plank, you need to process the top edge. To do this, first make a fold of fabric 1 cm wider than the fastening tape. It is advisable to iron it so that the material retains its shape. Then the tape is sewn on the wrong side. That's all, the French curtain is ready.
Decoration home interior– this is a pleasant moment that all women love. It’s especially good when you manage to do something with your own hands: it’s a joy for your loved ones and a source of pride for the hostess herself. The comfort of a room largely depends on what kind of curtains decorate the windows. Even the simplest furnishings can be decorated with original curtains made with love.
Very good model, which will add warmth and tenderness to any room - French curtains, which are also called awnings. Making these curtains with your own hands is not at all as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Let's try to go through the master class together and figure out step by step how to sew awnings.
What should you consider when starting to sew curtains? First of all, the choice of fabric. The following types of fabrics are best suited:
Heavy fabrics will look rough and intrusive, so you shouldn’t take them, even if you really like, for example, velor or wool. Examples of well-chosen fabric are visible in the photo.
Our master class continues. Color solution curtains can be as follows:
You can choose the color yourself, the main thing is that it is light and non-toxic. Because bright colors in home design hurt the eyes and negatively affect the retina.
When you have decided on the fabric and color, you can sit down to calculate the footage of the future masterpiece. Do not forget that hand-made French curtains should look elegant and beautiful, and this is achieved by accurately calculating the footage.
There is no need to drape the curtains excessively; this will spoil the pleasant impression of tenderness that emanates from them. For the calculation, you can use the following tips: calculate the width of the canvas according to the diagram: 13 x for the width of the window, the length of the canvas: 2 x for the distance from the floor to the place where you plan to fix the French curtains.
Now it's time to start sewing. Sit in a place where you feel free. Nothing from any direction should interfere with you, come to hand, etc. Lay out the fabric, straighten it and trim the bottom edges - this is a standard procedure for processing curtains, and not only French curtains require it. Once you have adjusted the edges, serged them, ironed them and stitched them on a typewriter, you can take on other things.
The fabric needs to be folded at the bottom two centimeters in half. Then the hem will be 40 mm in finished form. First, it is better to pin the hem with pins, then it will be easier for you to stitch using the finished basting.
You need to thread cords into the resulting seams. They should be chosen in the same color as the French curtains to achieve greater harmony. You can see how to perform this action in the photo.
Strips 20 mm wide should be placed every 400-500 (the width of the step can be selected individually, it just makes no sense to place more often - you will end up with a continuous corrugation) mm. Strictly along the line you marked, attach a 30 mm strip.
The ends need to be bent inward by 10 mm, sit down at the machine again, baste a stitch on it, and then sew it on. You need to insert the laces into the finished drawstrings, secure them and leave the ends loose.
To the wrong side of the curtain along the top edge, you first need to sew a fastening tape on which the curtains will be draped. The cut needs to be hidden under the ribbon and sewn on a machine. Sew the braid to the wrong side. Our master class has come to an end. In the photo you can see what happened.
Attach French curtains to a strip that can be attached to a cornice. Using a strap, the fabric is adjusted to the required dimensions.
The result obtained cannot but cause pride. After all, making French curtains with your own hands is a huge achievement. Not every woman will be able to sit wrapped in an unlimited amount of tulle and not get confused in all these hems, cords, and fastenings.
For greater clarity, you can also watch the video on how to make French curtains with your own hands.
Now you have already gained experience and can teach your friends how to decorate your home, give it individuality and elegance.
For a bedroom or living room in a classic style, you can’t find a better French curtain - this is the option that will fit into the conservative elegant interior Always. And if the curtains are made with your own hands, you can take into account some design features of the room where they will be located, which is especially valuable.
Here at the craftswoman's large field for choice - and that's enough thick fabric Light airy tulle may also be suitable. An important requirement is that the fabric must be flexible to drape. The folds will look as the density and texture of the fabric allows.
The choice can be based on the following characteristics:
IN classic look DIY French curtains are made from fabrics such as chiffon, satin, organza, tulle and silk.
More fabric will be needed than it might seem at first glance, since waves and draperies are created precisely big amount material. An ordinary curtain is calculated taking into account the length of the cornice and the width of the window.
A French curtain has a gathering factor no less than 1.8 times the width of the fabric.
Tips for calculating fabric:
Festoons for curtains are calculated as follows:
Of course, these data are indicative. You can adjust the calculations with your own hands, but these are the parameters that are used most often.
Curtain patterns help you understand sewing technology. But the whole sewing process consists not only in following the drawing, but in a certain sequence of actions. To do it yourself good curtain, and not a product with traces of amateur activity, first of all, decatification is done.
Decatting is the treatment of fabric to prevent subsequent shrinkage. This is done simply: soak the fabric for 15 minutes in warm water, after which it is thoroughly wrung out and dried. You can also iron the fabric.
The step-by-step process of sewing curtains with your own hands looks like this:
Drapery is sometimes formed in rings. On the drawstrings they are sewn every twenty centimeters. In order for the curtain to attach well to the curtain rod, you need to sew a fairly strong tape at the top of the canvas.
French curtains must remain perfectly vertical; for this purpose, weighting weights are sewn to the bottom edge of the curtain.
If you decide to make it yourself this type curtains, the algorithm of actions will schematically consist of five points.
So, French curtains are sewn in five stages:
Before carrying out work, you need to decide what type of curtains you will make - static or lifting. Both options can be sewn with your own hands. Static ones, as you might guess, cannot rise and fall, while lifting ones work on a rotor-chain mechanism.
Classic style, empire style, baroque, classicism - all these trends are combined with products such as this type of curtains. Here they will look convincing.
In the living room, these curtains will create a laconic interior and balance its elements. Thus, with your own hands you will create that very stylistic unity.
In the bedroom, such curtains will symbolize romance, in the study - the status of the room, and in the kitchen these curtains can also have a place (especially if your kitchen lacks luxury and elegance).
With your own hands you can sew a French curtain for any corner of the house and decorate it classic design and in a way that never went out of fashion. And although at first glance the process is complicated, sewing this curtain requires time and perseverance, and skills and experience play a secondary role.
Have a creative mood!
Luxurious French curtains, or in other words - awnings, is distinguished by the richness and solemnity of its design. With these magnificent curtains you can truly create... royal interior worthy of royal palaces.
Awnings are distinguished by smooth and soft lines, an arched shape of the drapery, and a light texture of the fabrics. The finishing of curtains can be very diverse. Unlike other types of curtains, French curtains are primarily distinguished by beauty and elegance, and only then by functionality.
Types of curtainsLooks most impressive and luxurious French curtains in a classic style interior or in Provence style. You can sew such a curtain yourself at home. This process is very long and labor-intensive, but if you are a craftsman and have certain skills and perseverance, you can make a real masterpiece for interior decoration with your own hands. However, it should be remembered that this type of curtain requires very precise proportions. Otherwise, the blinds will look too massive and cause dissonance in the interior.
Awning is a type of curtain lifting-cascade type. Sometimes French blinds are confused with Austrian and Roman blinds. All of these types of curtains are varieties of blinds. Distinctive feature The advantage of an awning is that it consists entirely of festoons - assemblies that sag downwards even when open. If the awnings are raised, the festoons become deeper and more expressive.
With the help of an awning, you can close part of the window, combining the awning with heavy curtains or lambrequins. You can organize the interior in such a way that the awning will be the central detail and occupy the entire wall space. Overhead curtains can be hung if complete darkness of the room is required.
French marquise curtains cannot be called the most budget variety interior design. The amount of fabric for such curtains is usually several times higher than for any other curtains. In addition, to create French curtains, textiles will only be required the highest quality and most expensive. The finishing for such curtains will also require the most expensive. Based on all that has been said, before sewing French curtains with your own hands, you need to evaluate your interior and make sure that they fit organically into it without creating dissonance. The costs of purchasing material and sewing should be recouped beauty and harmony the resulting interior design.
The fabric from which you plan to sew blinds should lie in even soft folds and drapes beautifully I. Soft, thin textiles are best suited for these purposes. It can be thin linen, silk, satin, tulle, chiffon, organza. Rigid, heavy fabrics with a rough texture do not form those soft folds that serve as the main decoration and ruin the entire impression of the interior. It is also very important to choose high-quality braid for French awning curtains.
Fabric quantity depends on the expected depth of the scallops. If you want to sew curtains with deep scallops, the width of the fabric should be several times greater than the length of the cornice. This will create beautiful deep cascades of drapery. For a window with a cornice length of 2 meters, you will need a piece of fabric 3 meters wide.
When calculating the length of the fabric, the depth of the inlays and the thickness of the fabric are taken into account:
In order for the curtain to be easily assembled, it is enough to take the length of the fabric 2 times longer than its width.
When calculating the number of scallops, it is necessary to proceed from the texture of the selected textile and the size of the window. If the windows in the room are narrow and high, the length of the festoon step should not exceed 25–30 cm. Wide windows allow scallops up to 50–60 cm wide. thinner material, the smaller the scallops are assumed to be.
The width of the canvas is also important. Before assembly begins, such a French curtain will be several meters wide. Therefore, you will have to connect several canvases together. Stitched seams must be in the middle of the festoon, where the tight braid is located. Be sure to leave it on the sides seam processing allowances.
Sewing a French curtain with a drawstring follows the following step-by-step plan:
If you do not plan to raise and lower the canvas, you can assume that the curtain is already ready. Now all that remains is to tighten the curtain tape to the required amount and secure it properly. The gathers are straightened and the awning is fixed to the cornice. This curtain will look perfect on the windows of a Provence style kitchen.
Features of decorating the French model with a drawstring are a topic for a separate master class.
Now that the awning curtain is made with your own hands, it is hung on the cornice and placed above the window. If the ribbons that hold the canvas are removed, the canvas lowers. The depth of the scallops and the tension of the fabric should be adjusted so that the curtain is comfortable to use. The cords of the French curtains are connected into knots.
French curtains are a delightful decoration. If you take additional care of decoration, you can give them an even more elegant and graceful look. You can attach light rhinestones along the edge of the curtain. This will provide a delightful play of light in the room. You can decorate the product using a lambrequin in a contrasting shade or to match the product.
