How to sew curtains with your own hands: step by step instructions

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:47

Curtains are one of the most important decorative elements in any room. It is difficult to imagine a cozy room in which the window is not decorated with at least transparent tulle. You can either sew the curtains yourself, or purchase ready-made kits in the store. However, making curtains with your own hands is an exciting process that will help you not only create an original room design, but also acquire skills in working with different materials.

Curtain Sewing Instructions

Sewing curtains with your own hands is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Edge processing, calculation, drapery, fastening are quite difficult when working with a large amount of material. Indeed, some models are quite complex in execution. But there are also simple options.

For example, to sew curtains with your own hands, the photo of which is presented above, you only need to process the edges. But even for such curtains, it is necessary to calculate the size of the material, take into account its features. The material may shrink unevenly, shed from high humidity or not holdgiven shape, moving down. Therefore, before starting work, it is better to read the step-by-step instructions "How to sew curtains with your own hands".

Making curtains for any room includes 7 steps:

• model selection;
• choice of fabric;
• calculation of material consumption;
• cut;
• processing;
• mount;
• crease and decor.

Each step requires special attention, as it directly affects the final result. The needlewoman before starting work must understand how to sew curtains with her own hands. The step by step process can be applied to any type of curtain as it is universal.

Model selection

At this stage, the needlewoman must determine for herself what she wants to end up with and draw their layout. Depending on the purpose and the room, the window of which will be decorated with curtains, models will also differ.

The main thing when choosing the style of the product is to remember that the style of the product should not contradict the existing style of the room. If the room is made in high-tech style, then Victorian-style curtains made of heavy material with an abundance of pleats and an impressive pelmet will look silly and out of place.

It is also worth immediately determining the purpose of such curtains. They can only close the room from the views from the street, but a simple tulle will cope with this function. They can also protect from bright sunlight - in this case, blackout curtains will be needed. Or with the help of curtains, you can visually adjust the shape of the room. In this case, helpcombined curtains from materials of different density and color.

In addition, you need to decide whether the window will be an accent in the decor of the room or a neutral element. This will determine the color of the product, its size, as well as the material.

For the kitchen, curtains up to the windowsill are usually chosen. Their length is usually 1.2-1.5 meters. Sewing curtains for the kitchen with your own hands is usually easier due to the small size of the canvas. This is ideal for practicing technique before sewing curtains with larger fabrics.

For a bedroom, it is better to choose a model with dense elements. This will be especially true for rooms located on the sunny side, as well as in cases of shift work, which involves sleeping during the daytime. If the design of the room does not imply the presence of dark heavy curtains, then double-layer curtains can become an alternative.

The front side can be made in a neutral color, for example, the color of the wallpaper. In this case, you can use a smooth plain fabric, such as satin or satin, and for the wrong side, choose a denser fabric of a darker color. Such curtains will not attract much attention, but at the same time they will protect well from the sun's rays.

In living rooms, curtains usually have a decorative function, so they can be made the accent of the room. If the room is done in a neutral color scheme, then curtains made of bright material, as well as sofa cushions made of the same fabric and a few decorative elements in the same color, will make it more interesting. And if you want to change the lookpremises, it will not be necessary to immediately make repairs and re-paste the wallpaper. It is enough to hang curtains of a different color, change pillows, and the room will sparkle with new colors.

For children's rooms, you can sew curtains both bright with patterns and plain, calm. The main thing is to remember a few nuances. First, the age of the child must be taken into account. If this is a room for a newborn, then you should avoid using small details in the decor that may later end up in the baby's mouth.

Secondly, if the wallpaper in the room has a lot of bright patterns, then it is better to make the curtains bright, but plain. But with neutral wallpaper, you can choose the fabric for curtains already with a pattern. Products made in the same color scheme and with the same pattern as pillows, and a bedspread or other decorative element will look just as stylish.

Thirdly, it is better not to make too voluminous lambrequins and abundant folds in the children's room. Curtains, like any other surface, are covered with dust containing many allergens. But, unlike other surfaces, they cannot be wiped with a wet bashing, and washing them every day is inconvenient. Therefore, do not overload the window with extra fabric.

Today it is fashionable to combine not only different materials for curtains, but also their shape. It can be a classic combination of curtains + tulle, as well as classic and roller or Roman blinds, pleated blinds or a combination of Japanese curtains with a weightless tulle veil.

Curtain styles

There are many styles of room decoration, and accordingly, the styles of the curtains themselves.

The most popular ones:

1. Classic. Dense expensive fabric made from natural materials, an abundance of folds, a multi-tiered wide lambrequin and golden tassels are characteristic features of this style.
2. Hi-tech. Laconic design, often the complete absence of folds. In this style, it is better to use modern synthetic fabrics. For rooms of this style, Japanese or roller blinds are suitable.
3. Art Deco. In this style, expensive fabrics made from modern materials, smooth lines are welcome, while there is a lack of congestion with decor. Usually these are light curtains, gathered in a deep wave with a narrow tie.
4. English style. Thick lined curtains with pronounced folds, tie-backs from the same fabric and a pelmet. Unlike classical style products, they should be single-tiered and wavy with symmetrical folds.
5. Minimalism. This style is distinguished by the almost complete absence of decor. Therefore, windows are usually decorated with simple plain tulle or roller blinds.
6. Loft (attic style). Bare brick and chimney walls work well with roman blinds, pleated blinds and blinds.
7. Provence. In this style, you can sew curtains both in the kitchen and in any other room. However, it is the kitchen that is popular. They are distinguished by pastel colors, as well as an original arrangement. A laconic straight or arched lambrequin is located above the window, covering its upper edge. Curtains are located on an additional thin curtain or string frommid-height of window to window sill.

Choose fabric

The next step will be the choice of fabric. Depending on the model, you can sew curtains from a simple plain organza or cotton. So, products made from natural silk, satin, jacquard or other fabrics are popular. It should match the style in which the curtains will be sewn. For example, calico is not suitable for products in the English style, and too bright colors are unacceptable in the Provence style. For children's rooms, it is better to choose a natural material that will not lose its appearance after many washes, and for rooms with a balcony, the material of the curtains should be strong and durable.

You can combine several types of curtains on the window, as well as sew curtains with your own hands from fabrics of different textures and densities. This should take into account the characteristics of each fabric, such as the degree of shrinkage and color fastness.

Calculation of material consumption

This is one of the most important steps in the step-by-step instructions. It is impossible to sew curtains without calculations.

You will need to calculate the length and width of the canvas for each element of the curtains. You can use ready-made increase coefficients, but each person has a different vision of the volume of folds.

So, the length of the canvas. To calculate this parameter, you need to measure the height of the curtain from the curtain and add allowances for the seams. From the bottom on the hem, you can leave from 3 to 15 cm, depending on the width of the hem itself. From above, usually leave 3-4 cm for processing the edge.

Total: product length + from 6 to 20 cm.

How is canvas width calculated? It can be measured in two ways:experimental or theoretical.

For the experimental method, it is necessary to fix a canvas of any size on the curtain, form the necessary folds. Measure the width of the place that the curtain should take, the width of the experimental piece of fabric and the distance that it took in the drapery. After that, calculate: fabric size + seam allowances (from 1.5 to 3 cm)2 sides.

Theoretical method is convenient to use for products with fixed folds (Figure 1). To do this, you need to draw a detailed layout of the curtains, decide which folds will be on the product and at what distance. Let's say you need a lambrequin with vertical folds, the width of which is 10 cm, the distance between them is 1 cm. The length of the curtain is 275 cm.

For the formation of each fold you will need 103 + 1=31 cm.

There will be 275 such folds / (10 + 1)=25 pieces

So you need fabric 3125 + 32=681 cm.

Calculate the height of a lambrequin with horizontal folds fixed on the curtain (Figure 2) in the same way, and the length using the formula:

a=2arctg 2H / X, L=Xa / sin a, where:

• H - height from the curtain to the center of the arc (segment height);
• X - the distance that the arc (chord) should occupy;
• L - the length of the edge of the canvas.

You can also use the online calculator to calculate the arc length by chord and segment height. The pattern of this type of lambrequin is a trapezoid, where the bases will be the upper and lower edges of the canvas. Therefore, it will be necessarycalculate the lengths of the upper and lower arcs. Folds are laid on the sides. According to this pattern, sewing curtains with a lambrequin with your own hands is quite simple.

Open

Before you start cutting parts, the fabric must be prepared. A fabric made from natural fibers should be washed at a temperature of 40 ° C, and a synthetic one should be ironed with steam so that the material shrinks and the finished product does not deform further.

To sew curtains, transfer the pattern (for small details or complex shapes) to ironed material, laid out on a flat surface, preferably with soap or chalk. Most importantly, don't forget the seam allowances. It is better to leave the material with a margin at the height of the curtain, it can be cut or hemmed later, the second option is preferable, since the fabric can re-shrink, and the margin in the bottom hem will make it possible to lengthen the curtain.

Cut out details with tailor's scissors. In order for the cut to be even, it is necessary to cut without lifting the scissors from the working surface, and also without folding the material in several layers to speed up the process. In the best case, there will be irregularities at the bending points, in the worst case, one of the layers may move out, significantly spoiling the future product.

Processing

There are several options for processing curtains. You can do this with double hem, bias tape, contrasting fabric, etc. In all of these cases, the edge must first be processed with an overlock or sewn in a zigzag on a sewing machine so that it does not unravel.

The edge of the synthetic fabric canburn gently with a lighter. Then wrap the edges, baste and iron. The main thing is to make sure that diagonal folds do not form at the place of the fold. This symbolizes that the edge has been stretched.

Slanting inlay is also better to pre-baste. This will create a more even seam and also avoid the possibility of the stitching leaving the bottom half of the inlay.

Another way is to process with a fabric in a contrasting color. To do this, a strip is cut out, the length of which is equal to the length of the canvas, and the width is, if desired, from 3 to 20 cm. This segment is connected with the front side of the curtain, sewn, then the seam must be ironed. The edges of both canvases should look towards the free smaller edge.

Then fold the strip in half, fold the edge inward and baste. The line should coincide with the junction of the two canvases. Sew on a typewriter, hide excess threads. The junction of two canvases can be decorated with decorative braid or cord.

To make the edge of the organza tulle look neat, the edge of the fabric must be cut off, then the edge should be hemmed with a double hem. If the tulle is made of a dense material based on a mesh and if you run your fingers from the center to the edge of the fabric, it does not unravel, then such a tulle can be carefully cut off without processing the edges.

Two-layer curtains must be sewn like a duvet cover, the turning hole is located on top.

There is one more nuance. It is better to hem the bottom edge after the curtains are completely sewn. This will avoid errors in the length of the finished product.

Mount

Depending on the type of curtain on which the curtain will be located, the type of fastening is also chosen. It can be a curtain tape, pocket or eyelets.

To create an even curtain without folds, you can make a pocket for a round curtain. To do this, the upper edge of the curtain must be folded back to the distance that the curtain will enter, and stitched. Put the curtain on the curtain and fix it over the window. Also, this method can be used to make Japanese curtains or to sew curtains as in the photo.

To do this, you first need to sew a narrow curtain tape on the front side of the fabric, then fold the edge back and sew. Insert a wooden rail or plastic rod into the resulting pocket. The same pocket with a rail must be made from the bottom of the canvas.

Curtains move easily on a classic curtain with multiple rows of hooks. Usually make 3-5 canvases. They can be made of fabrics of different density and located on different rows of curtains, due to which they can be easily distributed over the entire window area or cover only a part.

Eyelets are also used for fastening. They can be large - a round curtain will pass through them. Small ones are also suitable, into which hooks or a cord for fastening will be threaded. This method has 2 drawbacks. Low-quality eyelets rust from high humidity, which can ruin the curtains after the first wash. And to mount them, you need special equipment and skills.

Curtain tape - a universal tool for attaching curtains. They arethere are not only different widths, but also the assembly method: classic, honeycombs, tulips, glasses and many others.

How to attach the curtain tape, shown in the photo. Sewing ribbon curtains for beginners is the best choice, as this method does not require much effort, but at the same time allows you to easily create many variations of draperies. To sew on a curtain tape, you need:

1. Fold the top edge of the canvas.
2. Baste and iron.
3. Then place the curtain tape on the wrong side of the curtain, covering the cut. The loops on the tape should remain outside. Bend the edges so that they are between the canvas and the tape.
4. Sew a ribbon around the perimeter. If you plan to form folds using the threads in it, then they must be left unsewn from the outside.

Wide ribbons are best stitched under each row of pulling threads. And if the curtain tape is placed 5-7 cm below the top edge, then it will cover the curtain and create the effect of curtains from the ceiling.

Crease formation and decoration

When the edges are processed, and the mount has taken its place, you can proceed to the final stage. To begin with, the curtain must be attached to the curtain to once again make sure that its parameters are calculated correctly. Align all the details, hem the bottom edge. After that, you need to give the product a finished look.

If the folds on the product will be formed using a curtain tape, then it is necessary to pull the edges of the tightening threads on both sides, distributing uniform folds over the entirecurtain width. When the required width is reached, tie the threads into a knot on both sides. The ends can be trimmed or secured to the tape with a few stitches so that they are not visible.

In the case of fixed pleats, they are created before the curtain tape or other fastening is sewn on. They must be laid, be sure to use a ruler or template, and baste. The folds can look towards each other or in one direction.

You can also make original folds like honeycombs. To do this, you must first make counter folds, then outline the line of fixation of the second level of folds and also create counter folds on it, but so that the part of the canvas that was behind the folds is in front, and the center of the fold coincides with the meeting point of the two upper folds. Sew both rows on the machine. Repeat steps if necessary.

Another kind of fixed fold is created after the curtain tape has been sewn on. It gives additional rigidity, due to which the folds hold their shape well. In order to make such folds, you first need to form counter folds and fix them with safety pins. Step back from the top edge 10-15 cm.

Bring the edges of the folds to the center, secure with a pin. Bend the side parts inward towards the center of the fold and position the material so that the fold is folded in half. Sew along the red dotted line. In this way, form the remaining folds. As you can see from the figure, they will have a conical shape. If we put inside each conea little padding polyester, then they will take the form of glasses.

Pelmet with these types of drapery can be sewn, like curtains. The step-by-step description is universal.

You need to decorate the curtains depending on the style. These can be cords, braid, gold tassels, flowers, ruffles and tiebacks.

Roman blind

Another type of curtain that has been popular for many years. They are great for any room, and if you sew Roman blinds, as in the photo, from dense material, they darken the room well during the daytime. They are even easier to care for than the classic version.

In order to sew a curtain with your own hands, you will need a rectangular piece of fabric, a dense braid 2.5-5 cm wide, threads, adhesive tape, glue, plastic or metal rings, a cord, wooden slats with a diameter of 1 cm or a plastic rod. Their length should be 3 cm less than the width of the canvas, and the number will depend on the width of the folds. Usually they are placed every 25-40 cm. For a weighting agent, it is better to take a flat rail about 3 cm wide.

Quick instruction:

1. Finish the side edges of the material.
2. Sew the soft part of the adhesive tape on top of the wrong side. The top cut should be under the tape.
3. Mark the location of the rails, sew on the wrong side of the tape, securing the top and bottom edges. Set side cuts inwards.
4. Bend the bottom of the canvas so that the weighting bar enters inside. Flash, leavingends open.
5. Sew rings on each rail tape. If the curtain is narrow, only 2 rings per rail are enough. For wider curtains, it is better to increase the number of rings.
6. Depending on the location of the curtain, place the second piece of tape (with hooks). If the curtain is on the sash, then the tape can be glued directly to the window above the glass. If it closes the entire window, then the adhesive tape will need to be glued to the bar, and it will already be attached above the window opening. Also, this curtain can also be attached to an ordinary curtain with hooks, using a curtain instead of adhesive tape, under which you will also need to insert a rail. If the curtain is with a pipe, then the upper edge is hemmed so that you can insert the element inside it.
7. Fix a cord at each lower end. You can just tie it, but it will be ugly. Therefore, it is better to take 2 times more cord, fold it in half, stretch the place of addition into a ring, then stretch both ends of the cord through the loop. Next, thread the cords from the bottom up, and in the upper row of rings, bring all the cords through them to one side. Check the operation of the mechanism.
8. On the wall or on the window, fix the hook to fix the curtains in the desired position. Hang a curtain on the window.

With the help of this step-by-step instruction, even a beginner needlewoman can sew a curtain with her own hands. Do not be afraid to embody your desires due to difficulties. Who knows, maybe creating curtains with your own hands will be the first step on the way to the wonderful world of cutting and sewing.