Classics never go out of fashion, and French curtains on the windows are another confirmation of this. They will effectively decorate an apartment or house, giving the room charm, aristocracy, elegance. “The eyes of the house”, as it is customary to poetically call windows in Russia and France, will really be transformed in this way. Making French curtains with your own hands is not so difficult if you follow the steps step by step.
There are several types of these decor items, but it is better to start with those that require a minimum investment of time and skills. Beginning masters are usually advised to choose simple models and gradually move on to more complex ones. The first thing you need to figure out is the calculation of the fabric for the curtain, because it will be very disappointing if ten centimeters of fabric are not enough to make a thing.
From lightweight fabric using the most simple calculations
Sometimes French curtains are confused with Austrian ones. There is a significant difference between things. The first can be combined with lambrequins and curtains. French curtains can be of any length, but the most relevant is the one to the floor. And French products have scallops all over the surface of the canvas. There are various methods for calculating the amount of fabric needed for sewing. You can use a special table for curtain cutters (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Table for curtain cutters.
Using it, it is quite easy to calculate the number of scallops and the distance between them, guided by the width of the curtain fabric. But there is another option: measure the length and height of the window opening, multiply each value by 2. This is how the width and height of the canvas required for the curtains are determined by a simple calculation. It is better not to sew the first curtains with your own hands from expensive materials. Moreover, one of the advantages of things made for the interior decoration of a French-style house is their sophistication. Even if the product is made of inexpensive material, it will look presentable.
There is a simple technology for creating such a spectacular decor. You will need the following materials and tools:
- wooden cornice;
- dense material for its decoration;
- the cloth;
- braid;
- ribbon;
- nails for fastening the eaves;
- hooks for fabric;
- rings made of plastic or metal;
- cord - best made of nylon;
- fastener;
- lifting handle;
- paper;
- scissors;
- ruler;
- simple pencil;
- threads;
- needle;
- pins;
- iron.
First of all, you need to prepare a curtain pattern, you can also make a sketch of it with preliminary marking of the canvas parameters on a scale. When calculating the length of the curtain, add approximately 10 cm for the side seams. Less fabric is required for the hem. The addition to it is usually 2-3 cm. If a dense fabric is chosen for the item, it makes sense to add another 1 cm to the hem. Pattern parameters are transferred to the material. It is being cut. If you have to make French curtains large in size, pins are used so that the fabric does not move out when cutting. After cutting, you can immediately begin to assemble things.
First of all, you need to iron the side edges. To do this, 3 cm retreat from the sides. The ironed edges are turned and the braid is cut. At first glance, the second task seems simple, because it is enough to measure the braid and divide it with scissors into equal segments. But you must immediately take into account: if the braid, like the fabric, is calculated incorrectly, you will not be able to make high-quality French curtains with your own hands. The length of the braid directly depends on the parameters of the canvas, but it is best to measure it with a margin - add 5% of the required value and add another 3 cm to it for each segment (for the hem). For sewing work, it is better to purchase a three-cord braid. It is always attached to the wrong side of the canvas.
French curtains can have almost any number and size of scallops. In order to correctly calculate their number, it is necessary to take into account the texture of the fabric, its colors, the style of the interior of the room where it is planned to place French curtains. Novice craftswomen should not strive to immediately create things for the maximum number of festoons. The best option would be if on the experimental model there are 5 scallops per 3 meters of the web width.
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How much to retreat, how to sew and where to pull?
The next step after attaching the cord is mounting the rings. Modern fittings are made of metal and plastic. The first material is considered more durable, but for light curtains it is better to choose plastic. The attachment points of the rings must be marked with chalk, a simple pencil or pins. Beginning masters have a common mistake: the rings that are at the bottom of the canvas are lowered very low. Correctly located lower rings of the French curtain will always be 5 cm above its edge. Another mistake is too large or small distances between the rings, more precisely, between their rows. The best option is a gap of 30 cm. It is also important to correctly measure the distance between the upper rings and the braid. The standard option is 12 cm - this is how much you need to step back from the top edge of the canvas before you start sewing on the top row of accessories.
French curtains are perfect for a classic interior with antique furniture.
The process of attaching the rings themselves to French curtains is also important. It is correct to fasten the rings with just a few stitches, only two knots are made on the thread. After sewing on all the rings, they proceed to pulling the cords from the braid. Be sure to monitor the uniformity of the folds during this operation and correct it. As soon as the French blinds become necessary for the length of the window, they need to be fixed. To perform this operation, the cords are fixed at the top edge and neatly tied together. The size of the border should be equal to the length of the cornice. So that the cord knots do not unfasten too much, it is necessary to take measures: the knots are tied as close as possible to the curtain canvas - and the problem is solved. It remains only to cut off the excess sections of the cords and proceed to the next stage of work - the installation of the product.
The French curtain is an aesthetic interior decoration that makes the room solemn thanks to airy draperies.
French curtains
History of awning curtains
The name of this textile product is associated with people with the place of origin: with ancient, amazing traditions of France. The history coincided with the development of the Baroque style and the ascension to the throne of the Sun King - Louis XIV, who gave rise to pomposity and a solemn look. During his reign, even everyday little things became luxurious, including clothes and dishes, architectural nuances and interior decoration.
Massive windows, luxuriously decorated spacious rooms, expensive furniture - these factors influenced the creation of a new one, later called French.
Previously, in lush halls, not only windows were decorated with fabric. Shade, which upholstered the walls. Draperies and scallops saturate the atmosphere with luxury, and a French curtain with a lambrequin has become a familiar attribute of a wealthy French house.
The “companions” of French textiles are considered to be those that received the second name - scalloped. But if in the first case the emphasis is on luxury, then in the second - on practicality and convenience.
They are called blinds, drawing parallels with the chain. If there is a need to give access to sunlight, the canvas is moved to the top of the window using a special design. These are not familiar to consumers, but products that retain luxurious folds even when assembled.
Sewing French curtains involves hanging products on a profile cornice designed for lifting structures or on classic cornices. The mechanism is controlled manually or using a remote control if the console is equipped with a built-in electric drive.
What color is better to choose?
The color scheme of the textile product depends on the surrounding decor. At the same time, they are repelled by the following elements of the interior:
- furniture;
- wallpaper;
Where do we start sewing?
The textile industry offers many options for ready-made French curtains. The average price of a French curtain is from 2 to 5 thousand rubles.
French tailoring is often practiced now. It is exciting, profitable, and in addition, it allows you to take into account personal preferences. If it doesn’t work out, light tulle or rayon is suitable for sewing French curtains.
The harder and lighterfrench fabrics for curtains- the drapery is more magnificent, and when using soft and heavy canvases, the tails are more rounded and seem to “sag”.
Fabric calculation
First, a mandatory calculation of the fabric for the French curtain is performed. To do this, take an assembly factor equal to 1.5 in width and a factor of 2 in height (in order to properly sew French curtains 2 meters high, you need to take 4 meters of fabric).
An important condition is that a special one is used in the sewing process, which ensures that the assembly does not slip during operation of the product. It is also important to take into account a stripe 5 cm high at the bottom for the hem of the fabric and 2 cm for processing at the top.
Festoons are calculated according to the schemes that can be found on specialized sites. A pattern of French curtains is also published there, which is examined in detail in order to better understand the principle of operation.
Sometimes, in order to sew French curtains with your own hands, the canvases have to be joined. In order to mask the resulting seam, a decorative braid is sewn onto it to match the fabric.
Important: the distance between the lines of the assemblies is 50 cm! This must also be taken into account when preparing materials for tailoring.
Preparation of tools and materials
For work, stock up on the following things:
- the cloth;
- threads in tone;
- braid, with which the canvas is then tightened;
- a plank along the width of the window opening or a finished cornice.
Sewing steps:
As you can see, to sew French curtains, you need the simplest sewing skills and perseverance.
If the awnings are made of dense expensive fabrics, it is recommended to clean the products in a professional dry-cleaner. French curtains should be ironed only when absolutely necessary, using a gentle iron that is not too hot and without disturbing the drapery.
Interior nuances
French chic is welcome in living rooms, bedrooms or offices. Awnings for the kitchen are selected taking into account the functional purpose of the premises. They are sewn from a synthetic fabric that does not shrink with regular washing and is not afraid of pollution.
In order to focus on the French spirit, posters or panels with thematic images are placed on the walls of the room: the Eiffel Tower, cozy street cafes, vineyards.
In addition to being used in home interiors, awnings are used in public places such as museums, theaters, exhibition halls.
A room decorated with French-style curtains will never look boring and monotonous, because draperies and folds give a feeling of eternal celebration. Do not forget to watch the video on how to sew French curtains with your own hands. It's a real masterclass.
For a bedroom or living room in a classic style, it is better not to find a French curtain - this is the option that will always fit into a conservative elegant interior. And if the curtains are made by hand, you can take into account some of the design features of the room where they will be located, which is especially valuable.
Here the craftswoman has a large field for choice - both a fairly dense fabric can fit, and a light airy tulle. An important requirement is that the fabric must be pliable to drapery. The folds will look as the density and texture of the fabric allows.
The choice can be based on the following characteristics:
- dense soft tissue - falling waves;
- light and rigid fabric - lush folds;
- French curtain for the kitchen - translucent fabric, ideal - organza;
- the fabric with the pattern is chosen carefully so that it does not “ripple” much and does not get lost in the folds;
- a monochromatic version is always good, but a soft floral pattern or ornament looks appropriate;
- colored fabric makes the atmosphere romantic.
In a classic way, do-it-yourself French curtains are sewn from fabrics such as chiffon, satin, organza, tulle and silk.
Calculation for sewing curtains
The fabric will need more than it might seem at first glance, since waves and draperies are created precisely by a large amount of material. An ordinary curtain is calculated taking into account the length of the cornice and the width of the window.
The French curtain has an assembly factor of not less than 1.8 of the width of the fabric.
Fabric Calculation Tips:
- The length of the cornice, five centimeter seam allowances are taken into account, assemblies are formed from the remaining material.
- The length of the finished curtain must be multiplied by two and add seam allowances equal to 3 cm for the top and 5 cm for the bottom.
Curtain scallops are calculated as follows:
- with a canvas width of 290 cm, there will be 5 scallops, and the distance between them is 58 cm;
- the width of the canvas is 390 cm, there will be 6 scallops, the distance between them is 65 cm;
- canvas width 440 cm, scallops - 8, distance - 55 cm;
- canvas width 540 cm, scallops - 9, distance - 60 cm;
- canvas width 590 cm, scallops - 11, distance - 53.6;
- canvas width 640 cm, scallops - 11, distance - 58.2;
- canvas width 690 cm, scallops - 11, distance - 67.3;
- canvas width 740 cm, scallops - 12, distance - 57.5.
Of course, these data are indicative. With your own hands, you can adjust the calculations, but these parameters are used more often.
French curtain on the “Lift-Electro” system
Patterns of French curtains
Patterns of curtains help to understand the technology of tailoring. But the whole sewing process consists not only in following the drawing, but in a certain sequence of actions. To make a good curtain with your own hands, and not a product with traces of amateur performance, first of all, decatification is done.
Decating is the treatment of fabric in order to prevent subsequent shrinkage. This is done simply: the fabric is soaked for 15 minutes in warm water, after which it is thoroughly wrung out and dried. You can also send the fabric with an iron.
The step-by-step process for sewing curtains with your own hands looks like this:
- The edges of the curtains need to be processed (bottom and side). It is more convenient to spread the fabric on the floor, make 1.5 cm bends on the sides of the curtain, hem it.
- At the bottom of the curtain you need to bend 2 cm and hem.
- Now it's time to mark the drawstrings. The marking is done with a ruler, the gaps must be equal (see the size of the gaps or scallops above).
- The drawstrings are formed using fabric cuts, a fabric 3 cm wide is sewn along the marking lines, it is folded inward on the sides.
- The French curtain should be adjustable in height with a cord that is threaded into the drawstrings.
Drapery is sometimes formed in rings. On the drawstrings, they are sewn every twenty centimeters. In order for the curtain to be well attached to the cornice in the upper part of the canvas, you need to sew on a sufficiently strong tape.
French curtains must remain perfectly vertical; for this purpose, weights are sewn to the bottom edge of the curtain.
Simplified sewing pattern for French blinds
If you decide to make this type of curtain with your own hands, the algorithm of actions will schematically consist of five points.
So, French curtains are sewn in five stages:
- fabric calculation,
- scallop markings,
- grooves,
- curtain tape at the place of marking the scallops,
- pulling the laces, uniform drape.
Before performing work, you need to decide what type of curtains you will do - static or lifting. Both options can be sewn by hand. Static, as you might guess, cannot rise and fall, and lifting ones work on a rotary-chain mechanism.
Place for curtains in the interior
Classic style, empire, baroque, classicism - all these areas are combined with products such as this type of curtains. Here they will look convincing.
In the living room, these curtains will create a concise interior, balance its elements. Thus, with your own hands you will create the same 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, elegance).
French curtains in the interior (video)
With your own hands, you can sew a French curtain for any corner of the house, and decorate it with a classic design and an image that has never gone out of fashion. And although at first glance the process is complicated, sewing this curtain takes time and perseverance, and skills and experience play a secondary role.
Creative mood!
French curtains (photo)
Home interior decoration is a pleasant moment that all women love. It is especially good when you manage to do something with your own hands: this is both a joy for loved ones and pride for the hostess herself. The comfort in the room largely depends on which curtains adorn the windows. Even the simplest environment can be decorated with original curtains made with love.
A very good model that will give warmth and tenderness to any room is 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.
Where does tailoring begin?
What should be considered when taking on tailoring curtains? First of all, the choice of fabric. The following types of fabrics are best suited:
- Silk;
- Tulle;
- Batiste;
- Atlas.
Heavy fabrics will look rough and intrusive, so you should not take them, even if you really like, for example, velor or wool. Examples of well-chosen fabric can be seen in the photo.
What color is better to choose?
Our master class continues. The color scheme of curtains can be as follows:
- Peach;
- Blue;
- Beige;
- White;
- Pink, etc.
You can choose the color yourself, as long as it is light and not poisonous. Because the bright colors in the design of home design hurt the eyes and negatively affect the retina.
How to choose a place and what to do next?
When you managed to decide on the fabric and color, you can sit down to calculate the footage of the future masterpiece. Do not forget that do-it-yourself French curtains should look elegant and beautiful, and this is achieved by accurately counting the footage.
It is not necessary to over-drape curtains, 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 scheme: 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.
Finally getting to sewing
Now it's time to start sewing. Settle in a place where you feel free. Nothing and from any side should not interfere with you, fall under your arm, etc. Lay out the fabric, smooth it and trim the bottom edges - this is a standard procedure for processing curtains, and not only French ones require it. After you have adjusted the edges, overcast them, ironed them and sewed them on a typewriter, you can take on other things.
The fabric needs to be folded from the bottom two centimeters in half. Then the hem will turn out to be 40 mm in finished form. First, it is better to pin the hem with pins, then it will be easier for you to sew on the finished basting.
In the resulting seams you need to thread the cords. They should be chosen in the same color as the French curtains in order to achieve greater harmony. How to perform this action can be seen in the photo.
Preparing the final chord - you can hang
Strips 20 mm wide must be placed every 400-500 (the step width can be selected individually, it just makes no sense to place it more often - you get a continuous corrugation) mm. Strictly along the line that you have outlined, attach a strip of 30 mm.
The ends need to be bent inward by 10 mm, sit down at the machine again, baste a line on it, and then sew. You need to thread the laces into the finished drawstrings, fasten them and leave the ends loose.
To the wrong side of the curtain along the upper cut, you first need to sew a fastening tape on which the curtains will be draped. The cut must be hidden under the ribbon, sheathed on a typewriter. Sew the braid to the wrong side. Our master class has come to an end. In the photo you can see what happened.
Fasten French curtains to a plank that can be fixed to a cornice. With the help of the bar, the fabric is adjusted to the dimensions required.
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 tangled in all these filings, cords, fasteners.
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.
To decorate a window with such an "awning" it is not necessary to go to a specialized store or atelier. Its tailoring is quite simple, therefore, with due attention and observance of simple rules, it is easy to do it yourself. In order for the finished product to be light, fit in beautiful waves, not slide down under its own weight and not taper to the bottom, you need to read the tips below.
Fabric choice
In the description of the do-it-yourself French curtains master class below, one of the varieties of organza, crystal, is used. For such a model of the product, it is best to use similar types of fabrics:
1. The material should be light, rather thin than dense, should be folded into soft folds without much effort. These requirements are met by the characteristics of such materials: the above-mentioned organza, muslin and satin, guipure and silk, and others.
Due to their characteristics, these materials can lie in neat and soft folds. Translucent fabrics will reliably protect the interior of the room from prying eyes, but at the same time they will continue to let in a sufficient amount of daylight.
2. Absolutely not suitable for the manufacture of such a product plan are heavy and dense materials: velvet and toile, taffeta and moire, damask and chintz, canvas and brocade and others.
It is extremely difficult to fold folds beautifully on such matters. In addition, their weight is quite impressive, and if you use them in this form (many folds are collected), then it will increase at least three times. The cornice simply cannot withstand such a load.
types of curtains 
cutting diagram 
cut the fabric to the required length 
sew on the braid
preliminary calculations
The description below of sewing French curtains with your own hands (master class) began with calculating the size of the canvas for purchase. A window 1.4 m high and 2 m wide was taken as an example. The finished product should have a height of 20 cm (height from the cornice to the window sill) and a width of 50 cm more (25 cm on each side of the slopes). The calculation of the required dimensions of the canvas is carried out as follows:
1. We multiply the desired final width by 1.5 (maximum 1.6, otherwise the product will sag along the bottom edge). In our case: 2 m 50 cm x 1.5 \u003d 3 m 75 cm (we will round up to 4 meters, since folds and folds will be made along the vertical line).
2. We multiply the desired final length by 2 (this is done if a special braid is sewn in the process for a similar cut of the product, otherwise you will have to take more due to the fabric sliding down under its own weight). In our case: 1 m 60 cm x 2 = 3 m 20 cm.
3. A special braid will be stitched on the canvas every half a meter, for the described option you will need to buy 9 segments, the length of which is equal to the length of the product (total - 27 m). Additionally, a segment will be sewn along the top of the fabric. If it is sewn with the expectation of tightening the cord (folds are formed from tightening), then you will need to purchase 4 m. If the folds along the upper edge are made independently during work, then a cut 2.6 m long is taken.
do-it-yourself french curtains steps 1-3 
steps 4-6 
steps 6-9 