Need Some Window Treatment Ideas So You Can Make Curtains For Yourself
Well my answer is to start simple, there are two reasons for this advice: The first being is it means you will create something faster and more successfully.
Which I'm sure you will agree is a good way to start.
The second reason in my experience is that the simplest projects always seem to look that much more stylish.
Less fuss more class.
Tailored Swags So don't think about about tailored swags, far too complicated for a novice curtain maker to master on a first outing.
something to save for a later date if at all.
Scarf Swags Now this is a completely different kettle of fish.
This is a top treatment I would recommend even a beginner can try.
There is so little to go wrong with this style.
The only thing to be careful of is your measuring.
Not too long or too short.
All you need to do is hem all four sides of your fabric.
Then hang and dress, it may take some time and dressing to get them looking spot on.
There are different ways of hanging and dressing these swags: The first is to simply lay the swag over your curtain rod.
Then tuck the ends behind the finials.
Then tease the center down into a nice smooth curve to create your swag.
Fabric requirement: A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Then For this simple scarf swag you will need the width of the window plus the length X 2.
Second option is to wrap the scarf swag around the curtain rod several times.
Then let the ends drape down behind the finials.
You then need to go back and tease the wraps into even spacing and tease the wraps into nice deep swags.
Fabric requirement:A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Then For this scarf wrap you will need the width and a half of the window plus the length X 2.
Third option is to loose the curtain rod and use swag holders or corbels.
With the swag holders it works the best with sheer fabrics.
You simply drape the fabric over the swag holders and tease the middle down into a nice curved swag.
You can then pull some of the fabric back through the front of the swag holder.
Then fluff it up a little and pock the fabric back through the center a little bit.
This will create a really nice looking Rosette on the front of your swag holders.
Fabric requirement: A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Using swag holders add 12 inches for each Rosette plus you will need the width of the window plus the length X 2.
If you go the route of corbels then you end up with a simple scarf swag.
The corbels have a hole to allow you to pass the fabric through.
This the hangs down one side to create the tails.
the other side runs across your window to the other corbel to create the swag.
Fabric requirements: As above but ignore the extra for rosettes.
Tailored curtains This covers all curtains with buckram stiffener in the heading.
Example double and triple pleat, also goblet pleat.
These are for the more advanced curtain makers.
I'm sure you will get there soon but not good projects to start with.
You have to do a series of calculations to get the header looking right.
Also to make sure they end up at the right width when sewn.
Once made they are a fixed width and cannot be altered without lots of aggravation.
So avoid for starters.
Simple Panel Curtains So what exactly are these kinds of curtains? Firstly you have an unlined curtain with a 1 inch hem down both sides and a 3 inch bottom hem.
Then finished at the top with a standard pleating tape that is sewn on along the top and bottom edges of the tape.
You then pull the cords woven in the tape to cause the curtain header to gather into pleats.
You then place standard plastic or metal curtain hooks into the pockets on the back of the curtain tape.
I usually leave 3 to 4 pockets empty between the hooks.
Your curtain is now ready to hang on your rod or track.
Second are tab top curtains the only real difference between these and the ones above are the "Tabs" or loops that are sewn evenly spaced across the top of the curtain.
These tabs are used to hang your curtains.
You simply thread the rod through the tabs.
Then lift the rod with the curtains on and place it into the brackets already fitted to the wall over your window.
Thirdly are rod pocket curtains, these work on a similar principle to the tab tops above.
Rather than have tabs you create a long pocket right across the curtain by folding the fabric over a couple of times and sewing 2 lines across the curtain.
You then thread the rod through the pocket created by the 2 sew lines.
Then again hang rod and curtain into the brackets.
Fourthly are clip top curtains these are the simplest of the lot.
You simply sew 1 inch hems down the sides of your fabric.
Then sew a 3 inch hem on the bottom of your curtain.
Then finally turn over the top a couple of times about 2 inches and sew down.
You now need to purchase a set of curtain clips, these simply bite onto the top of your curtain.
They usually have some kind of attractive design to the front and a hook on the top.
So once clipped evenly spaced across the top of your curtain, you are ready to hang.
Hopefully this article will have given you some ideas for your own home.
If you want a more detailed description of how to make any of these then pay me a visit.
Which I'm sure you will agree is a good way to start.
The second reason in my experience is that the simplest projects always seem to look that much more stylish.
Less fuss more class.
Tailored Swags So don't think about about tailored swags, far too complicated for a novice curtain maker to master on a first outing.
something to save for a later date if at all.
Scarf Swags Now this is a completely different kettle of fish.
This is a top treatment I would recommend even a beginner can try.
There is so little to go wrong with this style.
The only thing to be careful of is your measuring.
Not too long or too short.
All you need to do is hem all four sides of your fabric.
Then hang and dress, it may take some time and dressing to get them looking spot on.
There are different ways of hanging and dressing these swags: The first is to simply lay the swag over your curtain rod.
Then tuck the ends behind the finials.
Then tease the center down into a nice smooth curve to create your swag.
Fabric requirement: A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Then For this simple scarf swag you will need the width of the window plus the length X 2.
Second option is to wrap the scarf swag around the curtain rod several times.
Then let the ends drape down behind the finials.
You then need to go back and tease the wraps into even spacing and tease the wraps into nice deep swags.
Fabric requirement:A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Then For this scarf wrap you will need the width and a half of the window plus the length X 2.
Third option is to loose the curtain rod and use swag holders or corbels.
With the swag holders it works the best with sheer fabrics.
You simply drape the fabric over the swag holders and tease the middle down into a nice curved swag.
You can then pull some of the fabric back through the front of the swag holder.
Then fluff it up a little and pock the fabric back through the center a little bit.
This will create a really nice looking Rosette on the front of your swag holders.
Fabric requirement: A piece of fabric full width of the roll (usually 54 inches wide).
Using swag holders add 12 inches for each Rosette plus you will need the width of the window plus the length X 2.
If you go the route of corbels then you end up with a simple scarf swag.
The corbels have a hole to allow you to pass the fabric through.
This the hangs down one side to create the tails.
the other side runs across your window to the other corbel to create the swag.
Fabric requirements: As above but ignore the extra for rosettes.
Tailored curtains This covers all curtains with buckram stiffener in the heading.
Example double and triple pleat, also goblet pleat.
These are for the more advanced curtain makers.
I'm sure you will get there soon but not good projects to start with.
You have to do a series of calculations to get the header looking right.
Also to make sure they end up at the right width when sewn.
Once made they are a fixed width and cannot be altered without lots of aggravation.
So avoid for starters.
Simple Panel Curtains So what exactly are these kinds of curtains? Firstly you have an unlined curtain with a 1 inch hem down both sides and a 3 inch bottom hem.
Then finished at the top with a standard pleating tape that is sewn on along the top and bottom edges of the tape.
You then pull the cords woven in the tape to cause the curtain header to gather into pleats.
You then place standard plastic or metal curtain hooks into the pockets on the back of the curtain tape.
I usually leave 3 to 4 pockets empty between the hooks.
Your curtain is now ready to hang on your rod or track.
Second are tab top curtains the only real difference between these and the ones above are the "Tabs" or loops that are sewn evenly spaced across the top of the curtain.
These tabs are used to hang your curtains.
You simply thread the rod through the tabs.
Then lift the rod with the curtains on and place it into the brackets already fitted to the wall over your window.
Thirdly are rod pocket curtains, these work on a similar principle to the tab tops above.
Rather than have tabs you create a long pocket right across the curtain by folding the fabric over a couple of times and sewing 2 lines across the curtain.
You then thread the rod through the pocket created by the 2 sew lines.
Then again hang rod and curtain into the brackets.
Fourthly are clip top curtains these are the simplest of the lot.
You simply sew 1 inch hems down the sides of your fabric.
Then sew a 3 inch hem on the bottom of your curtain.
Then finally turn over the top a couple of times about 2 inches and sew down.
You now need to purchase a set of curtain clips, these simply bite onto the top of your curtain.
They usually have some kind of attractive design to the front and a hook on the top.
So once clipped evenly spaced across the top of your curtain, you are ready to hang.
Hopefully this article will have given you some ideas for your own home.
If you want a more detailed description of how to make any of these then pay me a visit.
