How to sew your own French curtain. How to sew French curtains with your own hands: a master class with a photo. French curtains in the kitchen: photo

The refined beauty of French curtains causes aesthetic delight. Their folds are so perfect that it seems incredibly difficult to create such beauty on your own. But in fact, even a beginner can sew French curtains with his own hands. Following a simple step-by-step algorithm for making this interior product, you can create a lush window decor in an aristocratic style for your living room or bedroom.

If this is your first time starting to sew French curtains on your own, we offer a guideline: a detailed step-by-step master class with photos.


Calculations for French curtains

At first glance, this model seems complicated due to the splendor and beauty of the folds, but in fact there are no particular difficulties in tailoring. It will take not so much to sew French curtains:

  • Fabric - better translucent, transparent or translucent. French curtains are often sewn from delicate tulle, since this model is the very embodiment of elegant chic. However, French curtains are also sewn from denser, satin fabrics: such window framing is suitable for halls and luxurious bedrooms.
  • Curtain tape to gather fabric. But this is an optional element: you can cut a drawstring from curtain fabric.
  • Fringe - its use is also optional.

As you can see, in the simplest version, you can limit yourself to only fabric and threads.

It is easy to calculate the required amount of material. One and a half coefficient is laid in the width. This means that the width of a piece of fabric that is taken for sewing French curtains should be 1.5 times the width of the window opening.

With the calculation of the length is a little more complicated. You can choose a standard pattern, which assumes that the length of the fabric is 2 times the height of the finished product. But there are other options: the length of a piece of matter depends on the collection of folds in the future product. What coefficient to lay in length will be indicated in a specific pattern.


If you use not ready-made braid, but drawstrings from the same fabric, add another 5 cm to the width for each. How many coulisses will be required? It's simple: one more than festoons. For example, if the window is narrow, and there are only two scallops, then three pieces of drawstrings (or pieces of braid) will be required. Two will be located on the sides, and one between the scallops. If there are three festoons, then four drawstrings will be required, and so on.

When buying curtain tape, calculate the number of lengths needed in the same way, and then multiply by the length of the piece of fabric.

As for the scallops, you choose their number yourself, depending on the width of the window. They can be both wide and narrow. On the Internet, there are many different patterns of French curtains with a different number of scallops.

How to sew french curtains?

In our example, for simplicity, there will be only two festoons, and three kuliskok. The algorithm for sewing French curtains is as follows:

French curtains with several scallops are sewn according to the same principle, only in point No. 3 the fabric is not folded in the center, but along pre-lined lines corresponding to the number of drawstrings.

When buying fabric, you should rely on the width of the finished product. The width of the curtain depends on the shape and size of the window, the type of cornice. In addition, allowances for the assembly factor of the product are taken into account, which mainly depends on the preferences of the hostess.

On the French curtains sewing quite a lot of fabric is required, since to create airy lush folds you need more material than the amount of fabric needed to sew a regular curtain: one and a half times as wide, twice as long.

What fabric should I choose for French curtains?

The selected material for the curtains should be elastic, drape well, lay down in soft and smooth folds. Basically, traditional fabrics are used for sewing French curtains - these are thin and light fabrics with a smooth texture: silk, moire and satin, wool, cambric, organza, transparent light tulles. Fabrics can be any colors and shades. Sometimes modern materials with a denser texture are used, which form hard and lush folds. Usually the edges of such curtains are decorated with frills, ruffles, tassels, fringe. If desired, French curtains can be supplemented with a lambrequin and heavier curtains. The well-chosen texture of the fabric, color and pattern of the material influence the completeness of the style and color solutions of the interior.

DIY French curtains with photo instructions

It is not difficult to sew French curtains with your own hands with photo instructions for your home: for this you need to have a good command of sewing technology and all the intricacies of operations on a sewing machine, know the technological features of the fabrics used and apply imagination, which will prompt interesting ideas for interior design. A beginner should not take on sewing such complex curtains, it is better to practice on creating simpler products. We offer you an option how to sew do-it-yourself french curtains photo.

Determination of tissue consumption

Width. Usually the width of the curtain should be equal to the length of the cornice, but for a spectacular assembly, the width of the fabric can be slightly increased. Without applying the coefficient, the width of the curtain is calculated as follows: the width of the cornice plus four centimeters for the processing of side seams.

Long. To ensure good drapery of the curtains into lush folds, it is necessary that its height be one and a half to two and a half times longer than the height of an ordinary finished curtain. Length calculation: the desired height of the curtain, multiplied by two, plus two centimeters for the processing of the top edge, plus five centimeters for the processing of the bottom edge (hem).

cutting

  • the cloth must be laid out on the desktop, straighten the material and carefully trim the bottom edges;
  • when cutting, it is necessary to take into account the additional length for hem and allowances;
  • before starting work, the fabric should be processed on the sides and then ironed.
  • For the formation of beautiful draped folds after tightening the braid at the top, as well as for a strictly vertical arrangement of the curtains along the upper edge, tucks are made along all vertical lines. Depending on the height of the curtain, the size of the undercuts can change: with the lengthening of the curtain, the undercut becomes longer and deeper.

How to sew French curtains with your own hands photo

The step is the distance between the vertical lines along which the mounting narrow tape with ringlets for the cords is sewn.

Braid or decorative fabric can be sewn between the drapery guides.

Drapery tape

Drapery in height is done using a narrow drapery tape (braid with rings for threading the cords of the lifting mechanism). The length of the tape is bought from the calculation: the height of the cut of the fabric, multiplied by the number of scallops, plus the height of the cut of the curtain.

Calculation of the number of scallops

For large windows, wide sections on curtains are better suited, and for tall and narrow windows, small soft waves (from twenty-five to forty-five centimeters) are better suited. The number of scallops for large windows can be calculated from the following table:

  • Lay the curtain face down on a horizontal, flat surface.
  • Pin the braid along the vertical lines with pins so that the lower edge of the curtain coincides with the end of the braid;
  • From the side edge, the draping braid must be placed close to the side edges. After that, you need to bend the lower ends of the braid by 2.5 centimeters, after pulling the cords out of the hem. Attach the ribbon to the curtain. Next, iron the bottom edge of the curtain twice 2.5 centimeters each and stitch the bottom edge.
  • After sewing on the braid, the upper cut must be adjusted to the width of a special fastening tape (with its help, the curtain is later draped and hung on the eaves).
  • Then close this section with a ribbon and sew it on a sewing machine.
  • To the lower edge of the curtain, along all the guide lines of the stitched tape, special weights are sewn to maintain the vertical position of the curtains.
  • The cords must be pulled tight so that the lush folds are evenly distributed over the entire width of the curtain. Secure the folds with ribbons in this position.

Time to sew handmade french curtains it will take quite a lot. However, this piece of furniture will delight you and your loved ones with its amazing beauty for a long time. Decorating your home with handmade products, you can emphasize your individuality and good taste.

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 canvas. 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

French curtains are flowing lush folds and draperies. They are divided into sections. Pleats run along the entire length and width of the curtains. A room decorated with such curtains immediately acquires a luxurious, majestic look.

French curtains will help to place accents in the room, make it much cozier and more comfortable, protect from sunlight.

Window openings, decorated with such curtains, look chic and luxurious.

Each thing has a history of creation, a country in which they began to produce goods. French curtains also have their own history of creation. It is believed that for the first time such curtains began to be produced in France during the reign of Louis XIV. XVII century - the era of classicism and baroque. Therefore, these curtains were common. French curtains hung on the windows in the houses of all the wealthy French kings, nobles, nobility, etc. But to this day they have not lost their popularity.

French curtains are fabrics decorated with many folds that are located along the entire length of the product and remain on it, both in the raised and lowered position.

Individual items you need to know

The main types of French curtains:

  • Lifting. The most common option. They are easily raised and lowered using modern systems and mechanisms. This allows you to easily open and close the opening without spoiling the curtains. When raised, these curtains form beautiful and elegant lush folds. (Their length and width are strictly according to the size of the window opening!)
  • Fixed. Constantly close the window. They cannot be raised, lowered, moved left or right. These are curtains, the folds on which are fixed.

At the bottom of the curtains, cords pass through the loops, which, when pulled together, form scallops.

Cloths rising up, form waves and lush voluminous folds.

Types of French curtains by size:

  • Long. A fairly popular option for decorating the window and the room as a whole. Beautiful, lush draperies add a little chic and luxury to the room.

Classic and quite popular design option.

Important! This is a great option for rooms with a large area. Such curtains will emphasize the free space and become an exquisite component of the room.

  • Short. Basically, curtains of this length are chosen because of the sofa standing near the window or when the window sill goes directly into the countertop, etc. In these cases, short and comfortable French curtains are hung.

Beautifully draped fabrics give a special softness and sophistication to the space.

On a note! This is a great option for rooms with a small area. Visually, such curtains will expand an already small space. Also, short French curtains are often hung in the kitchen. This emphasizes the comfort and elegance in the room.

Fabrics from which these curtains are sewn.

  • Linen. This is an environmentally friendly material. Linen curtains are completely hypoallergenic. They look beautiful and elegant. Pleasant to the touch. After washing, they do not settle and do not lose their original appearance. Only curtains made of this material are difficult to iron.
  • Velvet. This material is especially pleasant to the touch. Its color depth looks particularly luxurious. And because of the dense pile, such curtains have a beautiful play of chiaroscuro.

The material is chosen based on the design features of the room.

  • Veil. The material from which the curtains give the room tenderness and romance. The veil looks great both on its own and in combination with thicker curtains. French veil curtains look light, airy and at ease. Therefore, such curtains will look great in the interior of the bedroom.
  • Silk. French silk curtains shimmer beautifully in the light. They have an excellent play of colors when the rays of the sun fall on them from different angles. This material is shiny, thin, but at the same time durable.

Awnings are sewn from well-draped materials in order to fully reveal their aesthetic possibilities.

  • Organza. Organza curtains of this type will complement any interior. They look easy, feminine, gentle, elegant, but at the same time simple and interesting. Easy to care for, like linen curtains.
  • Atlas. Satin awnings (as French curtains are called in another way) are very durable, with an incredibly smooth surface (sometimes this can turn against you. Because puffs often form on a smooth surface).

Due to the reflection of light, all the folds of the French curtains shimmer and shine beautifully.

French curtains in the living room

The living room is a reception room, so it is important to pay special attention to the choice of all parts of the interior in this room. French curtains add a touch of tenderness and sophistication to the living room. And with such curtains you can decorate both a simple room and a luxurious interior.

Curtains bring a touch of romance and sophistication to this room.

Today, French curtains adorn both artsy and simple living room interiors.

French curtains in the nursery

Awnings will be an excellent, original and beautiful decoration of a children's room. These curtains are best suited for a girl's room. Especially if the entire interior of the room is in the style of classicism and baroque. But such curtains may not be the best option, because they collect a lot of dust.

Awnings will become an original characteristic decoration and will set the tone for the whole room.

Awnings in the bedroom

Such curtains will add chic, tenderness, romance and splendor to the bedroom. With their simple and delicate design, the curtains will complement any style in the bedroom. You will be pleased to be in such a room. After all, French curtains set up your body for rest and sleep.

With their lyrical and delicate design, they create a special atmosphere and emphasize good taste.

French curtains in the kitchen

The kitchen is such a cozy place where you can talk with family and friends over a cup of hot tea. In this room, it is best to hang short awnings. French curtains in the kitchen will add pomposity and at the same time lightness.

Here, both short curtains to the windowsill and long options will look appropriate.

Awnings, with their lush and luxurious folds, will perfectly complement any kitchen interior and give it charm, wealth and pomposity.

How to sew these curtains with your own hands

Necessary materials:

  • sewing machine;
  • pins;
  • scissors;
  • soap or chalk;
  • the cloth;
  • threads to match the color of the fabric.

Awnings with their exclusivity will add a picturesque image to the interior of a certain style.

But before you buy fabric, you need to measure the window. The resulting width must be multiplied by one and a half, and the length by two. This result indicates how much fabric is required. But you still need to make allowances for the seams (2-3 cm).

French curtains are the epitome of classics.

Operating procedure:


That's all! Do-it-yourself luxurious French curtains at home are ready!

The easiest option for sewing French curtains with your own hands

Step by step instructions.

  • You need to measure the window. The resulting width must be multiplied by one and a half, and the length by two. This result indicates how much fabric is required. But you still need to make allowances for the seams (2-3 cm).
  • The purchased fabric should be soaked in warm water, squeezed out, allowed to dry and ironed. All these procedures must be performed so that the fabric does not sit down in the future.
  • Then you need to make a double fold (1-1.5 cm) and stitch all the edges.

The elegant design of French curtains goes well with the simple and concise interior of Provence.

  • Mark the drawstrings so that there are equal gaps between them. Then, on the front side, you need to sew a special braid for French curtains (but if there is none, you can use a regular fabric 3 cm wide).
  • It is necessary to insert a decorative rope / cord, ribbon or braid into the side seams. Next, the drawstrings are formed. We fix the cords from above (you can sew), and the free ends remain below. With a cord, you can adjust the height of the curtains.
  • To keep the curtains vertical, you can sew in special weights.

Awnings will especially emphasize the freedom of style, create real comfort and add soft diffused lighting to the whole room.

And that's it! This is the easiest way to make DIY French Curtains!

French curtain care

Of course, sewing such curtains with your own hands is only half the battle. The main thing is to take good care of them. Then French curtains will serve you for a long time. Awnings are really beautiful curtains. They add luxury, wealth, tenderness, romance to the room. They have many advantages. But there are also downsides. The main and only disadvantage of such curtains is that a lot of dust often accumulates in numerous folds.

Curtains "French" have a fairly rich color scheme.

The presence of purple decor on the windows in the room stimulates inspiration and creative thinking.

  • Small stains on curtains can be removed with a damp cloth.
  • You can clean the folds of the curtains from dust with a vacuum cleaner. Just be very careful!
  • French curtains made of tulle, organza can be washed in the machine in the “delicate wash” mode.
  • Velvet curtains need to be dry-cleaned.
  • These curtains cannot be ironed. It is better to hang them a little damp and they will take on the desired shape.

A well-chosen design will make the window in each room original and interesting.

VIDEO: We sew French curtains with our own hands.

50 options for French curtains in the interior:

Luxurious, chic, rich, stylish, palatial, solemn, charming - these are all the epithets that characterize French curtains (awnings). The interior, which is crowned with them, becomes truly royal. Smooth lines, soft arcuate draperies, combined with a light texture of fabrics and a variety of finishes, will leave few people indifferent. Unlike more practical models of curtains and drapes, such as Roman or roller blinds, French blinds come first with beauty, and only then with functionality.


They look especially impressive in the frame of the classical style, or Provence style. Sewing an awning for your living room, bedroom or kitchen on your own is a laborious task. But if you are patient and friendly with a sewing machine, you will be able to sew French curtains. It is only necessary to remember that such a model of blinds requires strict observance of proportions in the interior, otherwise it will look heavy, weighting in it, which is not far from dissonance.

In general, the awning is a cascade-lifting model. This is its similarity with the Roman and Austrian curtains: all these are varieties of blinds. But the first ones have no draperies at all (only horizontal folds), for the second ones, the drapery of the lower part is formed when the product is lifted up, and when lowered, they look even.

The marquise, on the other hand, consists entirely of festoons (sagging assemblies) in the lowered state. As they rise, they become deeper and more expressive.

Marquise curtains for formal interiors

French curtains in the interior of the room can only cover the window opening (for example, tulle in the Provence style kitchen), often combined with curtains or lambrequins, or they can play the first violin, occupying the entire width of the wall. Here, the presence of upper curtains depends on the overall stylistic design of the space and the need to create a complete blackout (if it is a bedroom or home theater).

Special cut - special textiles

To begin with, let's make a reservation that marquise blinds are far from the most economical option for window decoration: it will take several times more fabric to sew French curtains than ordinary curtains, moreover, expensive, high-quality materials are preferred here, rich (respectively - also expensive) finish. Therefore, before sewing such curtains, you need to make sure that they are ideal for a particular situation, and the cost of them will be justified by the beauty of the product, and harmony with the surrounding space.


French curtain in the kitchen - one wonders why?

In order for the gathers to be even and beautiful, the fabric chosen for these blinds must be well draped. Light, soft textiles are suitable: tulle, thin satin, silk, veil, chiffon, moire, organza. But if you sew French curtains from hard, dense, heavy fabrics with a pronounced rough texture, they can distort your entire Provence-style interior beyond recognition, because they will have a completely different look when assembled.

Marquise organza curtains, interesting pattern of vertical stripes when assembled

How to sew a marquise

In principle, sewing it is quite simple: the side and bottom seams are sewn in a straight line, the upper braid is sewn in a straight line, the curtain tape in the center of each scallop. It is much more difficult and painstaking work to carefully pick up the fabric and install the lifting device.

Let's figure it out in order.

How much fabric to take, so as not to be mistaken

The calculation of the required width depends on the desired depth of the scallops: the more the width of the material exceeds the length of the cornice, the deeper the drapery cascades will fall. On average, this value is 1.5. That is, for a window with a cornice length of 2 m, you need to take a tulle 3 m wide.
The calculation of the cut length for French curtains is made based on the thickness of the selected materials and the desired assembly depth. For example, for a deep assembly of organza, the estimated length of the curtain must be multiplied by 3, for tulle - by 2, for a veil - by 2.5. For easier assembly, these numbers can be reduced. For example, let's take a height of 2.5 m. To sew an awning with a beautiful assembly, you need to take tulle 5 m in length.

Calculating the number of scallops: what to consider

When calculating the number of draperies, you need to proceed from the size of the window and the selected fabric. For narrow and high ones (for example, in a Provence-style kitchen), it is better to choose a small step - 25-35 cm, for wide ones - up to 50-60 cm and even more. The thinner and lighter the material from which these draped blinds will be sewn, the smaller the scallops can have a French blind.

The required web width is another factor that affects the number of scallops. Do not forget that the width of the awning before assembly is several meters. And here you can not do without stitching several canvases together. Therefore, it is necessary that each such seam hit the middle of the festoon, where the curtain (gathering) tape will be located. At the same time, allowances for seam processing must be left on the sides.

Tailoring technology

Lay out the future French curtains on a flat surface, but for now just pieces of tulle stitched together until the required width is obtained. Mark the center lines of the scallops with chalk or pins, leaving allowances for processing: from the sides and bottom of the curtains - 5 cm each, from above - 2 cm.

Fold over and stitch the side seams twice. Baste the gathering tape along the markings with a needle or pins. At the same time, it should not reach the bottom cut of the material by 5 cm, to the top - by 2 cm. Attach each tape from both edges.

If the top edge of your blinds is also gathered, it is enough to fold it in 2 cm and sew on the fastening tape, which will adjust the width of the assembly. If you want your French blinds to have a smooth top, first divide the difference between the width of the tulle and the length of the curtain rod by the number of scallops. Either sew the resulting value into a tuck (30-50 cm deep) in the center of each scallop, or lay it with a bow fold and sew horizontally. After that, attach the fastening tape. Now fold and stitch the bottom of your blinds twice.

If you were going to sew them on a window in a romantic kitchen with a touch of Provence, where it is not supposed to raise and lower the curtains, then everything is almost ready. It remains only to pull the curtain tape to the desired size, fasten it with knots, straighten the assembly and hang the awning on the eaves. You can decorate the kitchen.


French marquise curtains in the interior of a small kitchen can look heavy, be careful in experiments

When is a lifting mechanism needed?

If the romanticism of Provence fanned your bedroom or living room, we have not finished sewing French curtains for them yet. In these rooms, the scalloped curtain must be lifted, therefore, before pulling it down, it is necessary to assemble the lifting mechanism.

Special rings must be sewn in the center of each gathering tape. At the same time, we retreat from the lower edge at least 5 cm, from the top - at least 12 cm. The distance between the rings is about 30 cm (with small scallops - less, with wide ones, respectively, more).

Special weights must be attached to the bottom of each gathering tape to keep the fabric in a vertical position. Now we tighten the scallops, straighten the assembly so that it is uniform, tie the ends of the cords of the curtain tape.

Next you need nylon cords. They need to be fixed on each lower ring and threaded up through all the rings. Then skip along the top row of rings in one direction, gathering together, and tie all the ends into one knot. With the help of such a control system, the structure will change its height.

Now you can attach the tulle to the fastening hooks of the eaves.

French curtains in an interior decorated in the Provence style or similar design directions look especially impressive if they are sewn using a suitable decor: ruffles, tassels, fringe, decorative braid.


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