French curtains: history, application, DIY sewing. Workshop on sewing French curtains: luxury of classics and Provence French curtains history

Even during the reign of Louis XIV, French curtains were in vogue, but today they do not lose their place in any interior.

These curtains are used by many luxury establishments, theater houses and even wedding palaces. They also have a special place in the home interior.

To date, history does not tell which designer was the first to create this masterpiece. It is because of the luxury and wealth that the second name of French curtains is "marquise".

To sew a French curtain, you only need a not very large fabric flap and sew the braid vertically along it, thread all the cords and collect the material in the so-called scallops. From such a simple patch, you can make a great decoration in the room, which will not only cover the window, but also stylishly decorate your home.

If such ready-made French curtains are hung in the bedroom, then it will look like a royal suite.

Many people are confused between the difference between Austrian and French curtains. They differ in that the Austrian wavy only the bottom, and the French wavy completely.

Looking at the curtains in general, you can understand that they differ in length. Divided into types: stationary and lifting.

The stationary type of French curtain completely occupies the entire window, and is tulle. Therefore, they are made from fabrics that allow daylight to pass through. Such fabrics are light and light colors.

If we consider a lifting curtain, then they differ from a stationary one only in that they have a retainer that regulates the length of the entire curtain, as well as the number of folds on it.

Choosing the right fabric

To create a large volume of curtains, you need to use the lightest fabrics when sewing. During the reign of Louis XIV, designers used different types of silk or cambric.

Later, tulle was used in the Russian Empire. But new productions began to use the version of curtains with organza. Also, they do not do with polyester. This option has an excellent structure, practical and easy to care for. Polyester curtains can be found in different rooms.

They not only decorate the window, but also protect against UV radiation. Topical in the interior is the velvet design of French curtains, creating a fabulous setting.

To make beautiful French curtains, you need to take elastic materials, since after assembling them, they will give a large volume.

French curtains in the interior are a great luxury, and they look very beautiful and festive. They are mainly used as decoration for a room, as the quality of the material requires special attention. French curtains will also add aristocracy and sophisticated look to the hall or living room.

If desired, such curtains can be used in your bedroom, and a short version in the kitchen. But for the bedroom, tulle is the best choice. A haze of pink or blue makes a room even more romantic.

An interesting fact is that curtains of this type will add luxury next to a modest sofa or armchair. They join the design of expensive furniture.

DIY French curtains

You do not need to spend a lot of money on buying different models of curtains, since you can sew them with your own hands and decorate the kitchen with them. The first thing to do is measure the window. The width is multiplied by 1.5, the length by 2. So we find out how much fabric is needed.

After deciding on the choice of fabric, you need to hem the sides of the seams, as well as the bottom. Next, you need to mark strips of fabric, the width of which is 3 cm. Thread and fix the cords and strips from above. Fasten on the cornice with a wide tape or wide loops.

How to care

Dust accumulates on the scallops and this is the main problem. But a simple vacuum cleaner can solve this problem. Stains on the curtains are removed with a simple washcloth, moistened with a solution of soap.

Tulle or organza curtains can be machine washed, but velvet fabrics are best dry-cleaned.

Photo of French curtains in the interior

French curtains first appeared in the middle of the 18th century in the living rooms of the European nobility, when the Rococo style prevailed in the interiors and since then have never gone out of fashion. In the Soviet Union, most of whose population lived in small-sized Khrushchevs, they decorated mainly the windows of theaters, restaurants and large government institutions. In modern Russia, spacious apartments and private cottages are no longer a rarity, and the French classics are experiencing a rebirth.

What interiors are French curtains suitable for?

In the photo there are French curtains in combination with curtains in the interior of a classic living room.

Distinctive features of "French women" - fabric with a shiny smooth surface, splendor, a huge number of horizontal folds falling in a cascade along the entire length, many accessories in the form of frills, braid, fringe, ribbons and ruffles. Such pompous curtains look only in spacious rooms, with high ceilings, for which they were once created.

Refined and romantic interiors filled with household items in the style of the 18th-19th centuries and furnished with elaborate furniture without pronounced straight lines are considered the most suitable for them. Such as:

Baroque,
Rococo,
Classicism,
Empire style,
Colonial,
Neoclassicism.

Of course, small ones with romantic, but less pretentious interiors are also decorated with French curtains. But in this case, their simplified versions are used, adapted to modern living conditions.

Rococo and Baroque living rooms are classic examples of the use of French curtains.

French curtains in modern living rooms

There are static and lifting ones. Static curtains hang motionless, completely covering the window and part of the wall below it. They are sewn from translucent fabric and used as a curtain - a soft transparent curtain that protects the interior from prying eyes.

Stationary curtains made of translucent fabric, combined with elegant curtains of golden brocade, look great in an interior with elements of classicism.

The height of the lifting French curtains can be adjusted, making them long (up to the floor), medium (up to the windowsill) and relatively short (like a lambrequin).
For their sewing, you can use fabrics of any density.

French curtains with a lifting mechanism fit perfectly into the living room window in the style of Russian salons of the 19th century.

In the interiors of modern apartments, French curtains are mainly used as curtains.

Choice of fabric

For this type of curtain, a fabric with a smooth, shiny or matte surface may be suitable: satin, brocade, chiffon, silk, organza. The main requirement is that it should be well draped. Its density depends on the quality in which the curtains are planned to be used (curtains or drapes).

Colors can also be any, but preferably monochromatic. Choose fabric with a pattern with care. Even the smallest floral print can get lost in numerous folds and spoil the look of French curtains, which are already overflowing with "zest".

Long curtains are not suitable for windows over flights of stairs, and short curtains look unpresentable on them. The ideal solution is to hang a short transparent French curtain on such a window.

The bottom of the transparent French curtains with a length to the windowsill can be supplemented with a strip of dense fabric in the color of the upholstery on the furniture. She will give the curtains austerity and make them friends with a not too romantic interior.

To visually increase the height of the window opening, make festoons on French curtains as narrow as possible.

Narrow translucent French curtains can be fixed to the sash of multi-section windows, like blinds.

The higher the curtains are raised, the more folds form on them and the more magnificent they look.

Despite all their inherent pomp, sophisticated and sophisticated French curtains can make the atmosphere in the living room cozy and calm. The main thing that should not be forgotten when choosing them is that they must correspond to the general concept of the interior.

And the living room is the best option for fans of classics in the interior. French curtains in the interior are found not only in city apartments, but also in country houses.

Advice! A high-quality French curtain will fit equally well into a romantic and classic interior.

You can create such a design with your own hands, taking into account the specifics of the room being decorated.

Rules for choosing material for French curtains

Craftswomen can purchase for work both airy light tulle and dense curtain fabric. Among the main requirements that are put forward for the fabric purchased to create a high-quality French curtain in the living room, we note the possibility of draping it. The appearance of the folds depends on the texture and density of the fabric.

For the correct selection of fabric, it is necessary to be based on the following performance and external characteristics:

a delicate and dense fabric is suitable for creating falling waves;
for volumetric folds, rigid and weightless matter is needed;
French curtains for the kitchen are best sewn from organza

Interior professionals pay special attention to the choice of fabric with a pattern. There is a risk of getting “ripples”, which will then be lost in the folds, which will spoil the external impression of the finished curtain.

Advice! The best option for a French kitchen curtain is a plain light fabric: silk, organza, satin, chiffon.

With the help of a ready-made curtain in the kitchen, they close the window in the working area. An interesting addition to the created image will be the use of a beautiful lambrequin.

Rules for calculating fabric for sewing

French curtains in the interior involve the use of a significant amount of material, since it is necessary to make draperies and beautiful waves. To calculate the usual curtains, take into account the width of the window opening, as well as the size of the decorative cornice. And for the manufacture of French curtains, a degree of assembly is used, which cannot be less than two widths of the fabric itself.

Advice! It is necessary to take into account the length of the curtain, adding 5 cm on each side of the curtain (at the seams). The rest of the length of the fabric is used to create beautiful folds.

The length of the finished curtain is multiplied by 2, seam allowances are added, amounting to 5 cm for the bottom of the curtain, 3 cm for the upper part.

There are some similarities between French and Austrian curtains, but they differ in the amount of fabric used.

Features patterns

French curtains, photos, pattern options, useful tips, all this can be found in the video fragment

Sewing consists in choosing a drawing, as well as strict adherence to a certain sequence of actions. Decatting is done first. It involves processing the fabric in order to prevent its subsequent shrinkage.

The decating procedure is quite simple and straightforward. The fabric is soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes, then it is carefully wrung out and dried.

The algorithm for sewing French or in the living room can be represented as follows:

Finishing the top and bottom edges of the curtains. It is convenient to place the fabric on the floor, make 1.5 cm folds on the sides, then hem the curtains.
From the bottom, the porter is bent two centimeters, the edge is hemmed.
Next, you need to mark the drawstrings. Using a ruler, you can get equal gaps along the entire length of the curtain.
The formation of the wings is carried out using fabric cuts. A fabric with a width of 3 centimeters is sewn along the marked lines, it is folded inward on the sides.
The curtain on the balcony or in the kitchen should be adjusted with a drawstring that is threaded into the drawers.

For the manufacture of French curtains, a sketch drawn up in advance is used. The finished design includes several components.

Advice! You need to choose a model not only based on personal preferences, but also taking into account the style direction used to decorate the room.

Upholstery can be done with rings. On the drawstrings, rings are sewn after 15-20 centimeters. In order to achieve high-quality fastening of the curtain to the eaves, professionals recommend using a durable tape.

A simplified version of French curtains

On the balcony you can see a version of the curtain made by yourself. In order to cope with the task, it is necessary to take into account five basic rules: calculate the fabric, mark the scallops, outline the grooves, fix the curtain tape on the markings, stretch the cord, and achieve uniform drapery.

Even without sewing skills, it is quite possible to make a simple model of French curtains for decorating a balcony. Currently, there are two options for curtains: lifting and static. Lifting models operate on a rotor-chain mechanism, and static curtains cannot be moved.

Such curtains are suitable for baroque, empire, classical style. In the living room they will emphasize the laconicism of the interior, in the bedroom they will help to create a romantic atmosphere, and in the study they will demonstrate the status of the owner of the premises.

Such curtains appeared in the 18th century in France, only expensive fabrics were used for their manufacture, so French curtains could be seen only on the windows of noble mansions.

At first, marquises were used to curtain windows in palaces, theaters, and restaurants. Currently, they can be seen in city apartments and in country mansions.

The splendor of the curtains allows you to use them to decorate window openings in the bedroom, living room, kitchen. French curtains can also be seen on the balcony windows.

Light curtains with soft and even folds will become a real decoration of the window in the bedroom, fill the room with romanticism. To make such a design, you can first make a line along the entire length of the curtain, then gently tighten the laces, getting a uniform canvas.

Advice! In the kitchen, it is better to select a curtain along the length, which will be just below the windowsill. In this case, the curtain will not interfere with the cooking process, when cleaning the room.

Conclusion

The effect that a French curtain will produce depends on the texture and type of material used in its sewing. For example, if the room has high ceilings, you can choose dense expensive fabrics, they will help to emphasize the sophistication of the room, the status of the owner of the apartment.

For work, you will need a veil, organza, cambric or silk. The choice of fabric depends on the material capabilities of the owner of the apartment, the design of the room, as well as on personal wishes.

In order for the curtains to turn out beautiful and practical, you need to remember about the seam allowances, as well as the fact that the length of the fabric should be twice the size of the finished product. Only if you follow these simple rules, you can count on sewing a beautiful French curtain for the kitchen or living room.

Beautiful elements in modern living space design can provide comfort and harmony in your home. Today, French curtains in the interior are considered a fairly popular option for decorating window space. Thanks to them, a warm and mysterious atmosphere appears in the room. They are often used in country estates and spacious apartments.

You can create such a model yourself at home. Our material provides detailed instructions on how to sew French curtains without much effort. All the subtleties of the workflow are noted here.

Advice from experienced professionals will help you make the correct calculation of the material and the frequency of weightless waves.

How to choose material for curtains?

Curtain fabrics may contain small amounts of lurex. A beautiful shine in the sun will add a touch of luxury to the interior space.

Awning curtains are often used in classic designs. They will become a real decoration for your home. There are several criteria when choosing a fabric for sewing curtains:

soft texture. It allows you to create a large number of air folds on the surface of the material. Denser fabrics are intended for large waves, which are used to create lambrequins;
heavy materials (jacquard, natural linen) will help make large folds;
French curtain for the kitchen, should be made of synthetic fabric. Quite designers prefer to use organza or thick tulle. These materials work well for cleaning;
do not choose fabrics with small patterns in the form of flowers or geometric shapes. During drapery, decorative elements of the material will be lost against the background of the window space. As a result, a tasteless detail may appear in the interior, which will be constantly distracting.

Ready-made roman blinds can be complemented with a beautiful lambrequin. A luxurious duo of dense and airy materials create a truly sophisticated design.

Basic rules for combining fabrics

Awning curtains require a competent combination of fabrics and materials. You can create beautiful flowing waves using several types of fabric. The veil is in perfect harmony with thin organza. It also looks good when paired with heavy satin or natural linen.

You can add decorative elements using voluminous grabs or beautiful beads enclosed in a long shiny cord. During drapery, crystal bugles will gently descend along the edges of the air waves.

How to calculate the amount of fabric to create curtains?

There is a certain methodology that provides for all the subtleties of the workflow. As noted above, the first step is to correctly calculate the distance between the waves.

To do this, the length is multiplied by 2 and the required distance for the allowances is added. Basically it is 4-6 cm from each edge. At the bottom they make an allowance of 5 cm. As you can see, everything is quite simple.

For sewing a small curtain, you need 3-4 m of air veil. The size of the finished curtain will be 2 m. These parameters are enough to decorate a small window opening.

Patterns for Roman blinds

At the beginning of the workflow, it is recommended to decide on the model. There are several types of curtains, which differ in the number of folds on the surface of the fabric. Modern options include a secret drawstring that will regulate the assembly of the material.

The pattern is a large rectangle with additional marks for the hidden lace. The distance between them is calculated based on your preference.

It is worth noting that the closely spaced drapery creates lush curtain patterns that are suitable for the living room or bedroom.

Stages of creating curtains

The algorithm for self-creation of French curtains consists of several stages:

processing of cuts and edges of fabric. For this, the material is placed on a flat surface, preventing unnecessary folds from appearing;
a bend is made in the lower part and fixed with a needle and thread. On average, it is 5 cm above and below;
then mark the position of the secret wings. They will further provide the necessary air waves;
after that, a lace is pulled into the drawstring, which will act as a liner;
the final step will be to attach an additional tape with places for attaching hooks. They help to evenly attach the curtains to the eaves.

Such lightweight curtain designs will become a real decoration for a bedroom, kitchen, living room or even a balcony. They are able to fill the interior with an atmosphere of lightness and romance. Even in ancient times, they were used to decorate luxurious castles and estates.

Today they are used in Baroque, Rococo or Classical styles. They will never go out of interior fashion. The photo of French curtains captures the best options for decorating window space.

Photo of French curtains

French curtains are classics of the genre. They are perfect for any interior, living room or bedroom.

Huge selection of ready-made French curtains with different interpretations. But it is always interesting to do something with your own hands, to contribute to the design of the room.

In this article we will tell you where to start sewing curtains and how to make real French curtains correctly.

Choosing a fabric

The most difficult thing is to choose a fabric from such a wide variety. The main thing in French curtains for weaving was fed to the drapery. It can be a dense fabric, airy, light, here it is already matched to the style of the room.

Each fabric has its own properties, they must be taken into account when sewing French curtains:

Cascading waves can be made with high density fabric;
Lush folds are made with a lightweight fabric;
If the French curtains are intended for the kitchen, then a light translucent fabric will be appropriate here;
Fabrics with patterns for this type of curtain must be selected carefully, do not forget that folds will be made, where the pattern can be lost;
A fabric with bright colors will create a special atmosphere, if the curtains are plain, then diluted with a light pattern, not flashy.

Many people prefer the classics. As a rule, fabric for French curtains is chosen from satin, silk or tulle. The standard choice with which you will definitely not go wrong.

We take measurements for sewing curtains

If you have decided on the view, then now you have to measure the window and the cornice in order to know how many meters of fabric are needed.

Do not forget that a sufficient amount of fabric is spent on the drapery (coefficient 1.8 for the width of the fabric), take this into account.

Measure the curtain rod initially and add another 5 centimeters to this calculation for the seams. Use the remaining material for assembly.

Multiply the resulting length of the curtain by two and add another 3 centimeters at the top and 5 at the bottom for the seams to this amount. Thus, we have obtained a complete calculation of the required fabric for the future creation of French curtains.

Detailed sewing diagram - pattern

Without a pattern, the technology of sewing curtains will be difficult to understand. One calculation is not enough. Therefore, you need to follow the drawing and certain actions.

And so let's figure out how to sew French curtains with our own hands.

To get a truly design creation without a visible self-efficiency, we follow the following rules:
We do decatting. What will many ask? Decatting your image processing of fabric so that the curtains do not shrink in the future. Before sewing, soak the fabric in warm water and leave for 15 minutes, then squeeze out well and let dry.
We start processing from below and above. Straighten the fabric and fold the fabric 1.5 cm on all sides, fasten and hem.
Important! The bottom is folded 2 cm.
We make notes for the wings using a regular ruler, make sure that the intervals are equal. Drawstrings are made from pieces of fabric. For an example of a sketch, see the photo of French curtains.
Sew the fabric along the marked line, the width of the fabric should be 3 cm, the hem is made to the inside from the side.
Do not forget that the curtain is adjusted with a cord to the top, which must be threaded into the inside of the curtains.

Thus, curtains are formed that, in the future, will decorate your room, and the work done with your own hands will arouse the pride and respect of your relatives.

French curtains in the interior can be made in different styles: baroque, empire. It all depends on the design of the room and your wishes.