How to sew curtains with your own hands
How to sew curtains with your own hands? This question arises for many women, because the services of the atelier are quite expensive and there is a desire to save the family budget and sew curtains yourself.
Processing of organza curtains of a simple model for a window in the kitchen is really available to many who have a little experience and a sewing machine. But to sew curtains in the living room or hall with a lambrequin, this is the lot of professionals who have not only knowledge, but also experience.
The author of the site is probably the first advice that will be in this article - do not overestimate your strength, do not start your experience of sewing curtains with complex models. First, learn how to sew an ordinary organza curtain to the kitchen correctly and beautifully, sew the curtain tape correctly and accurately calculate the fabric consumption. Curtains are a simple type of curtain, most often can be seen on the windows of a kitchen or a country house. Every woman can sew such a curtain, since no curtain tape is required and the simplest fastening to the cornice with clips is used.
I suggest that you study the most general and simple techniques and rules of the technology of sewing curtains that do not require a pattern and complex processing. With the help of these tips, you will be able to correctly and beautifully sew simple ordinary curtains for the kitchen, living room or children's room from curtain fabric, tulle or organza.
If later you need to learn more about how to sew curtains of more complex models, you can use the numerous articles and videos available on the Internet.
How to calculate the fabric consumption for a curtain
So, our task is to sew a simple curtain from two halves and a curtain made of tulle or organza. Both curtains and drapes will be held on the cornice with a curtain tape. This is the version of the window design that the upper photo demonstrates. These curtains are hanging in our studio and of course we sewed them ourselves.
The first thing to do is to determine the fabric consumption and calculate how much you need to buy a curtain braid. To do this, of course, you need to measure the height of the curtain and the width of the window. It would seem that it would be easier. However, it is these measurements that often cause spoiled work.
First, decide what level the curtains will be in relation to the floor. Flush with the floor or slightly higher, or maybe the edge of the curtain will even lie on the floor. Why lie down? Because if you will use pickups and various garters, then you need to take into account that the curtain should be slightly longer.
Now you need to decide on the cornice and figure out how the curtain will be located in relation to the cornice. If the upper row of curtain tape loops is used to attach the cornice to the hooks, then the height should be counted from the bottom of the hook to the floor plus 1.5 - 2.0 cm. If the curtain is attached to the lower edge of the hinges of the curtain braid, then you need to add not 1.5 cm, but more. This will depend on the width of the curtain tape (2.5-10cm).
Fabric consumption for curtains
Now let's determine the width of the curtain and calculate the total fabric consumption. The height of the curtain does not affect the consumption of fabric, since the width of organza or tulle, curtain fabric, as a rule, has a standard 2.8 - 3.0 meters. The fabric consumption is affected only by the type of curtain braid, the width of the cornice or the number of folds laid by hand.
If we assume that you have one window, for example in the kitchen, with a width of 130 cm, then how much do you need to buy organza to sew a curtain correctly?
On any curtain, the folds are laid either manually, then the curtain tape is sewn on top of these folds, or the folds are formed by tightening the cords of the curtain braid. In order for the folds to form correctly, a coefficient is specified for each curtain braid (1/1,5; 1/2: 1/3). Let's choose the coefficient 2, then both the curtain tape and organza need to be bought exactly twice as much as the width of the cornice. Note that the width of the cornice, not the window, because the curtain will be located from edge to edge of the cornice. And yet, you need to add at least 10 cm to the possible alignment of the edges of the curtains and the bending of the sides. Curtain braid also needs to be bought with a margin.
Now let's summarize. In order to sew an organza curtain for one window with a size of 130 cm, you need to multiply the length of the cornice (150 cm) by 2 and add 10 cm. So, you need to buy Z10cm of organza and 350cm of curtain braid, with an assembly coefficient of 1/2. The same calculation can be used for curtains made of two halves, just in case, add not 10 cm, but 15-20 cm, since the fabric will have to be leveled and various inaccuracies are possible.
How to align the sides of the curtains
How to align the sides of the curtains
It is good if you bought a fabric with a pattern, and it was easier for sellers to cut the fabric correctly strictly according to the pattern and it will be easier for you to adjust the side sections. Another thing is when the curtain fabric or tulle does not have a pattern. Then there may be inaccuracies in the store and it will be difficult for you to align the cut edge. That's why you need to buy fabric for curtains almost always with a small margin.
How do I check if there is a misalignment along the side seams? The easiest thing is with organza. As a rule, organza is well torn along a shared or transverse thread, it is enough just to cut the edge with scissors and tear it off along the entire length. But I do not recommend doing this if you are not sure that it is possible. It is better to spread it out on the floor and carefully trim the edge with scissors, and then hang it to the ceiling in a stretched state and make sure that there is no distortion. But, it is usually difficult to do this for inexpensive fabrics that do not have a dense weave. Higher-quality and expensive fabrics are not skewed, and sellers try to cut more accurately and more evenly.
In general, before you start sewing curtains, make sure that the sides of the curtain or curtain are perpendicular to the horizontal line of the floor or ceiling.
Before sewing curtains, adjust the sewing machine
Adjusting the sewing machine
To sew a curtain efficiently and beautifully on your own, you need to know not only the technology of sewing curtains, but also be able to set up a sewing machine. Curtain fabrics, organza, tulle require appropriate adjustment of the tension of the upper and lower thread, a properly selected needle. And the very quality of the thread affects the quality of the stitch. It is best that the threads are thin, strong and elastic. So that on the front side of the curtain, especially on light fabrics, the thread was almost invisible.
In order to sew curtains beautifully, it is necessary to put a new sewing needle in the machine. Do not scribble the padding with thick or blunt needles, because on the front side of many fabrics there will be traces of punctures.
If you want the seams to be invisible, the stitch does not tighten the fabric, especially thin organza, be sure to set the average length of the stitch (3-5), adjust the thread tension and press the foot. Set the height of the teeth of the rail, so that they do not "collect" the tulle when moving the fabric. If one of the conditions is not met, the seam will tighten, and you will not iron it with any iron. Some seamstresses simply pull the edge of the curtain when sewing, which is also not always justified and can lead to a broken needle and stretching the edge of the curtain and the appearance of a "wave" on the sides of the curtain.
Do not forget that many curtain fabrics can not be sewn twice, because there are traces of needle punctures. Therefore, be sure to take a small piece of fabric and check how the sewing machine will sew this fabric, and at the same time adjust the above parameters.
How to cut curtains correctly and accurately
Before processing the edges of the curtain and sewing the curtain braid, you need to build a simple curtain pattern, or rather make a small sketch on a piece of paper with calculations of the size of the curtain cloth, tulle. And then cut the fabric from the top or bottom and align the sides.
If you have already decided on the height of the curtain and accurately calculated the "working" length and width, taking into account the position in relation to the cornice, then now you need to add 10 cm for the lower (double) bend and 2 cm for the upper bend, where the curtain tape will be adjusted. To process the sides of the increase, you need to do small, within 1-1.5 cm. For tulle and organza, 1 cm is enough, for heavy curtain fabrics - 1.5 cm.
Processing of the cut edge of the curtain into a bend
Before sewing the curtain, you must first process the side sections with a seam in the bend or an oblique label. However, to sew a curtain yourself with beautiful and smoothly processed edges, you need not only a good sewing machine, but also the skill to perform these operations.
It is not difficult to process the edge with a role seam on the overlock, but it is not easy to process the edge "in a bend" or with an oblique label. An experienced seamstress does not even iron the edge, but "by eye" makes the edge bend without a special foot and the stitch goes exactly 0.1 from the edge of the bend. You may also have to iron the edge of the bend twice, and then sweep it with a thread. The same applies to the oblique label.
Processing of the curtain with an oblique label
In order for the line not to form a landing, it is necessary to pull the edge of the curtain with both hands, which is processed in a bend or an oblique bake. Just do not pull on yourself, and do not stretch, namely, pull (so that there is no slack), and even so as not to mix the fabric and not break the needle. However, no matter how hard you try, you can not completely do without landing, all the same, the hemmed edge of the curtain will need to be well ironed with a hot iron with steam.
How to sew a curtain braid
Double bending of the bottom with a width of 5 cm (only 10) will look much more "solid" and create additional weight of the lower edge of the curtain, so I recommend doing a bend of at least 5 cm. If you do not have enough experience, sweep away the double-ironed hem and stitch with one line on the wrong side of the curtain. Just iron the upper bend (2 cm) with an iron and start adjusting the curtain tape. There is a separate article on the website about "How to sew a curtain tape".
It is impossible to explain all the nuances of how to sew curtains with your own hands in one article, but I hope that some of these tips will be useful to you.
Processing of organza curtains of a simple model for a window in the kitchen is really available to many who have a little experience and a sewing machine. But to sew curtains in the living room or hall with a lambrequin, this is the lot of professionals who have not only knowledge, but also experience.
The author of the site is probably the first advice that will be in this article - do not overestimate your strength, do not start your experience of sewing curtains with complex models. First, learn how to sew an ordinary organza curtain to the kitchen correctly and beautifully, sew the curtain tape correctly and accurately calculate the fabric consumption. Curtains are a simple type of curtain, most often can be seen on the windows of a kitchen or a country house. Every woman can sew such a curtain, since no curtain tape is required and the simplest fastening to the cornice with clips is used.
I suggest that you study the most general and simple techniques and rules of the technology of sewing curtains that do not require a pattern and complex processing. With the help of these tips, you will be able to correctly and beautifully sew simple ordinary curtains for the kitchen, living room or children's room from curtain fabric, tulle or organza.
If later you need to learn more about how to sew curtains of more complex models, you can use the numerous articles and videos available on the Internet.
How to calculate the fabric consumption for a curtain
So, our task is to sew a simple curtain from two halves and a curtain made of tulle or organza. Both curtains and drapes will be held on the cornice with a curtain tape. This is the version of the window design that the upper photo demonstrates. These curtains are hanging in our studio and of course we sewed them ourselves.
The first thing to do is to determine the fabric consumption and calculate how much you need to buy a curtain braid. To do this, of course, you need to measure the height of the curtain and the width of the window. It would seem that it would be easier. However, it is these measurements that often cause spoiled work.
First, decide what level the curtains will be in relation to the floor. Flush with the floor or slightly higher, or maybe the edge of the curtain will even lie on the floor. Why lie down? Because if you will use pickups and various garters, then you need to take into account that the curtain should be slightly longer.
Now you need to decide on the cornice and figure out how the curtain will be located in relation to the cornice. If the upper row of curtain tape loops is used to attach the cornice to the hooks, then the height should be counted from the bottom of the hook to the floor plus 1.5 - 2.0 cm. If the curtain is attached to the lower edge of the hinges of the curtain braid, then you need to add not 1.5 cm, but more. This will depend on the width of the curtain tape (2.5-10cm).
Fabric consumption for curtains
Now let's determine the width of the curtain and calculate the total fabric consumption. The height of the curtain does not affect the consumption of fabric, since the width of organza or tulle, curtain fabric, as a rule, has a standard 2.8 - 3.0 meters. The fabric consumption is affected only by the type of curtain braid, the width of the cornice or the number of folds laid by hand.
If we assume that you have one window, for example in the kitchen, with a width of 130 cm, then how much do you need to buy organza to sew a curtain correctly?
On any curtain, the folds are laid either manually, then the curtain tape is sewn on top of these folds, or the folds are formed by tightening the cords of the curtain braid. In order for the folds to form correctly, a coefficient is specified for each curtain braid (1/1,5; 1/2: 1/3). Let's choose the coefficient 2, then both the curtain tape and organza need to be bought exactly twice as much as the width of the cornice. Note that the width of the cornice, not the window, because the curtain will be located from edge to edge of the cornice. And yet, you need to add at least 10 cm to the possible alignment of the edges of the curtains and the bending of the sides. Curtain braid also needs to be bought with a margin.
Now let's summarize. In order to sew an organza curtain for one window with a size of 130 cm, you need to multiply the length of the cornice (150 cm) by 2 and add 10 cm. So, you need to buy Z10cm of organza and 350cm of curtain braid, with an assembly coefficient of 1/2. The same calculation can be used for curtains made of two halves, just in case, add not 10 cm, but 15-20 cm, since the fabric will have to be leveled and various inaccuracies are possible.
How to align the sides of the curtains
How to align the sides of the curtains
It is good if you bought a fabric with a pattern, and it was easier for sellers to cut the fabric correctly strictly according to the pattern and it will be easier for you to adjust the side sections. Another thing is when the curtain fabric or tulle does not have a pattern. Then there may be inaccuracies in the store and it will be difficult for you to align the cut edge. That's why you need to buy fabric for curtains almost always with a small margin.
How do I check if there is a misalignment along the side seams? The easiest thing is with organza. As a rule, organza is well torn along a shared or transverse thread, it is enough just to cut the edge with scissors and tear it off along the entire length. But I do not recommend doing this if you are not sure that it is possible. It is better to spread it out on the floor and carefully trim the edge with scissors, and then hang it to the ceiling in a stretched state and make sure that there is no distortion. But, it is usually difficult to do this for inexpensive fabrics that do not have a dense weave. Higher-quality and expensive fabrics are not skewed, and sellers try to cut more accurately and more evenly.
In general, before you start sewing curtains, make sure that the sides of the curtain or curtain are perpendicular to the horizontal line of the floor or ceiling.
Before sewing curtains, adjust the sewing machine
Adjusting the sewing machine
To sew a curtain efficiently and beautifully on your own, you need to know not only the technology of sewing curtains, but also be able to set up a sewing machine. Curtain fabrics, organza, tulle require appropriate adjustment of the tension of the upper and lower thread, a properly selected needle. And the very quality of the thread affects the quality of the stitch. It is best that the threads are thin, strong and elastic. So that on the front side of the curtain, especially on light fabrics, the thread was almost invisible.
In order to sew curtains beautifully, it is necessary to put a new sewing needle in the machine. Do not scribble the padding with thick or blunt needles, because on the front side of many fabrics there will be traces of punctures.
If you want the seams to be invisible, the stitch does not tighten the fabric, especially thin organza, be sure to set the average length of the stitch (3-5), adjust the thread tension and press the foot. Set the height of the teeth of the rail, so that they do not "collect" the tulle when moving the fabric. If one of the conditions is not met, the seam will tighten, and you will not iron it with any iron. Some seamstresses simply pull the edge of the curtain when sewing, which is also not always justified and can lead to a broken needle and stretching the edge of the curtain and the appearance of a "wave" on the sides of the curtain.
Do not forget that many curtain fabrics can not be sewn twice, because there are traces of needle punctures. Therefore, be sure to take a small piece of fabric and check how the sewing machine will sew this fabric, and at the same time adjust the above parameters.
How to cut curtains correctly and accurately
Before processing the edges of the curtain and sewing the curtain braid, you need to build a simple curtain pattern, or rather make a small sketch on a piece of paper with calculations of the size of the curtain cloth, tulle. And then cut the fabric from the top or bottom and align the sides.
If you have already decided on the height of the curtain and accurately calculated the "working" length and width, taking into account the position in relation to the cornice, then now you need to add 10 cm for the lower (double) bend and 2 cm for the upper bend, where the curtain tape will be adjusted. To process the sides of the increase, you need to do small, within 1-1.5 cm. For tulle and organza, 1 cm is enough, for heavy curtain fabrics - 1.5 cm.
Processing of the cut edge of the curtain into a bend
Before sewing the curtain, you must first process the side sections with a seam in the bend or an oblique label. However, to sew a curtain yourself with beautiful and smoothly processed edges, you need not only a good sewing machine, but also the skill to perform these operations.
It is not difficult to process the edge with a role seam on the overlock, but it is not easy to process the edge "in a bend" or with an oblique label. An experienced seamstress does not even iron the edge, but "by eye" makes the edge bend without a special foot and the stitch goes exactly 0.1 from the edge of the bend. You may also have to iron the edge of the bend twice, and then sweep it with a thread. The same applies to the oblique label.
Processing of the curtain with an oblique label
In order for the line not to form a landing, it is necessary to pull the edge of the curtain with both hands, which is processed in a bend or an oblique bake. Just do not pull on yourself, and do not stretch, namely, pull (so that there is no slack), and even so as not to mix the fabric and not break the needle. However, no matter how hard you try, you can not completely do without landing, all the same, the hemmed edge of the curtain will need to be well ironed with a hot iron with steam.
How to sew a curtain braid
Double bending of the bottom with a width of 5 cm (only 10) will look much more "solid" and create additional weight of the lower edge of the curtain, so I recommend doing a bend of at least 5 cm. If you do not have enough experience, sweep away the double-ironed hem and stitch with one line on the wrong side of the curtain. Just iron the upper bend (2 cm) with an iron and start adjusting the curtain tape. There is a separate article on the website about "How to sew a curtain tape".
It is impossible to explain all the nuances of how to sew curtains with your own hands in one article, but I hope that some of these tips will be useful to you.