Recently, the topic of interior design for the home has been especially relevant. Taking into account modern technological capabilities and the variety of materials, the main thing is to choose the right idea so that the house does not turn into an ordinary box for existence. Austrian curtains are also gaining popularity. But in order to make the design unique, you can sew an element such as an Austrian curtain with your own hands.
What are Austrian curtains?
Before we talk about how to properly sew a decorative element, you need to understand what it is.
Austrian curtains are a mixture of French curtains, distinguished by their splendor, with Roman curtains; it is on the principle of Roman curtains that they work.
The lower part, as a rule, is formed using a wide variety of draperies that only your imagination can afford. The material of execution takes on a more decorative role, since it is translucent and does not protect from prying eyes and direct sunlight.
Mounting options for cornice
There are several options for mounting on a cornice.
Velcro
With the help of Velcro fastening it is possible to darken the room as much as possible, since there is absolutely no gap between the curtain and the wall. This type of fastening is often used in the bedroom or children's room.
With strings
The ties are both a functional and decorative element. They are tied with an original knot, bow or intertwined. Such curtains create an atmosphere of softness, warmth and comfort in the room.
Advantages of Austrian curtains
In order to determine for yourself the advantages of Austrian curtains, you need to read a lot of information about them. Among the main and well-known ones, we list the following advantages:
- Easy to use.
In order to open the window a little wider or close it to a certain state, simply pull the lace system. Some exclusive versions usually only require pressing a couple of buttons, as they work with an automatic movement. - Ease of care.
Thanks to the fabric that is used to sew this decorative element, there is no accumulation of dirt and dust on the curtains. But even when this happens, the curtains are quite easy to wash. - Application area.
Such curtains will decorate not only the living room or bedroom, but are also suitable for other rooms in your home, even the kitchen.
Handmade Austrian curtains can become a unique decoration element for your home.
Important!
Despite all the advantages, Austrian curtains have their drawbacks. Among them:
- Style restrictions.
In the style of minimalism and hi-tech, such curtains are not used. - Fabrics allow light and heat to pass through.
So, curtains will not protect you from the sun's rays and curious prying eyes.
What do you need to create Austrian curtains with your own hands?
Handmade allows you to create almost any version of curtains or drapes, and Austrian curtains are the simplest because they do not require the creation of additional layers.
Before sewing curtains you must:
- Choose fabric for curtains and matching laces.
- Choose an option for drapery.
- Take window measurements.
Tools needed for preparation:
- sewing machine,
- ruler, measuring tape,
- needles and pins,
- chalk,
- threads to match the fabric,
- scissors.
Preparatory activities
You can make any option with your own hands; Austrian curtains are among the lightest, since creating an additional second layer of curtains is not necessary.
The master class will help you understand the technology, but in addition to reading, you need:
- Look at the pictures to see with your own eyes the basic structure of the curtains;
- Choose wisely a material that will drape well;
- Make window measurements and a pattern.
The splendor of Austrian curtains can be easily made with your own hands
. Austrian curtains became popular in the 18th century; this model was used to decorate window openings in the homes of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie with above-average incomes.
Curtains are made from lightweight fabrics:
- Organza, lace and veil;
- Silk, synthetic analogues;
- Satin and mesh.
The lightness and sophistication of future curtains depends on the choice of fabric.
It is important that the fabric forms folds beautifully and at the same time allows enough sun to enter the room. Plain fabrics without patterns are better suited for drapery.
You need to select and prepare accessories and materials in advance:
- Curtain rod, the length of the strip is 20-25 cm longer than the length of the window;
- Fabric for curtains, the canvas will shrink 2.5 times;
- Fabric for lining, if lining is planned;
- Equipment for fastening, usually hooks and tape, but eyelets, loops, pins, and Velcro are possible;
- Drapery tape, calculation of the total quantity using the formula: multiply the length of the curtain by the number of scallops (rows of folds) add 1 more curtain length;
- Nylon cord, calculation of the total quantity using the formula: multiply the length of the curtain by 2, add 1 width;
- Wall clip if the curtain is made of two panels and you plan to drapery to the wall.
Austrian curtains in the interior (video)
How to calculate the area of fabric for a curtain, step-by-step instructions:
- Measure the distance from the cornice to the intended edge of the curtain, it is convenient when the height from the floor is at least 10 cm;
- Add a coefficient of 50 to this variable, add 4 cm for hemming the fabric at the top and bottom - the result obtained is the height of the fabric (B) that you need to buy;
- Measure the length of the cornice, multiply this value by 2 and add 4 cm of allowance - this is the width of the canvas (W);
- To calculate the area of the canvas, you need to multiply the length by the width.
Compliance with all instructions when making Austrian curtains will please you with an excellent result.
In order for Austrian curtains to completely shade the room and close the window, they must protrude along the edges of the window opening by 20-25 cm and be at least 10 cm below the level of the window sill. The festoons are arranged in rows, rows at least 40 cm wide look beautiful.
Some seamstresses also use other, more complex formulas, which take into account the coefficient of assembly of the lining and facing fabric, fitting the fabric to the pattern, shrinkage of the fabric and subsequent drapery to the walls. The first curtains should be created using the simplest possible formula, using the lightest fabric for sewing and draping in the most affordable way.
To begin with, you should use simple drapery and choose lighter compositions to create curtains
If everything works out without errors, only then move on to more elaborate models and more cumbersome formulas.
Fabric selection
Choosing fabric is quite a difficult task for such an element as an Austrian curtain. Sewing a curtain is very easy, but only if the base canvas is successfully selected.
Important
! Lightweight, non-fading fabrics are best suited for your task. Density and transparency are entirely your choice, depending on the functionality of the curtains. The color scheme is also chosen at your discretion.
But the most successful and expensive type of Austrian curtains is made by hand from monochrome materials. Some tips for choosing:
- Organza, chiffon, tulle and veil look light and weightless. They let in a lot of light and drape easily.
- Synthetic and rainbow fabrics look festive and beneficial in the interior. These include silk, thick satin and brocade.
- For rooms in country and Provence style, it is better to use materials such as linen, satin, and chintz.
- If there is a need to use heavy fabrics, velvet and wool are suitable for this.
Ideas in different styles
Austrian curtains, which match the style with the rest of the room’s decoration, give it a complete and thoughtful look.
Provence
This style is characterized by curtains made from natural fabrics with a slight rustic negligence. Canvases with floral patterns, stripes or checkered patterns significantly refresh the atmosphere of the room.
Classic
In this style, Austrian curtains are sometimes complemented with a set with a classic lambrequin. Austrians with freely hanging edges will look elegant and sophisticated.
Modern
Such curtains add a special touch of chic to a modern interior, emphasize good taste and indicate prestige and solidity.
The photo shows the interior of a living room in a modern style with Austrian curtains on the windows.
American
For this style, choose curtains made from natural fabrics, simple cut with small patterns or strict geometry.
Vintage
For curtains in vintage style, use soft, flowing materials in the spirit of old times. Imitations of fabrics such as brocade, velvet, taffeta, heavy silk or gabardine with a worn effect are also used.
The photo shows Austrian curtains on the bedroom windows in a vintage style.
Drapery
There are many options for how to make drapery for such an interior element. Among them there are those where the cord or elastic band is twisted by hand. But, as a rule, a special braid is used, which can be purchased at any clothing store.
What else do you need to know about curtain tape? It looks like a strip of transparent material through which several thin laces pass. The optimal number is 2. But there are options with one and three laces. This element is sewn to the product at the point where the fold should end. So, the braid is on the sides of the curtain and after each fold. If the braid is not cut off after draping, but tied to the bottom, then you can periodically unravel it and get a smooth fabric. This is convenient during washing. The length of the braid should be to the end of the curtain, starting at a distance of 5-7 cm from the top.
Lighting
The design of Austrian curtains is such that they constantly cover half of the window opening, and sometimes completely cover it. And even if translucent fabric is used to sew them, the intensity of daylight is still noticeably reduced. To compensate for the losses, you will have to take care of artificial lighting in the room.
Today there are LED lamps and luminaires on sale that allow high-quality lighting of a room, but at the same time significantly save on energy costs. Their installation allows you to reveal the design of the room and its furniture in a new way. Which has a positive effect on the comfort of living.
Design
The edges of Austrian curtains can be very diverse. To make this decorative element look presentable, use:
- Ruffles,
- shuttlecocks,
- Lace,
- Brushes,
- Beads and seed beads.
Important
! If the material is light enough, make sure that it does not stretch under the weight of the decorative elements.
Dimensions
The length and width of the Austrian curtain can be very different.
Long
In order for the curtain to cover the window and preserve the lush festoons, choose curtains that are long below the window sill and the width of the entire wall.
Short
Such curtains are practical. They look stylish and charming, adding some zest to the interior of the room. This length is optimal for both modern and classic styles.
Action plan
When you already have all the necessary materials, you need to determine the size of the canvas itself. To do this, you need to measure parameters such as:
- Cornice width,
- Window height.
Calculation of the width and height of the structure required for sewing should be carried out in accordance with the following recommendations:
- The width of the model should be equal to the width of the cornice plus an allowance for allowances. As a rule, about 3-4 cm are left for allowances, but this largely depends on the texture of the fabric.
- The length of the product is calculated by the formula: the height of the opening is multiplied by two.
Important!
The size of the height largely depends on the interior of the room that will be decorated with hand-made Austrian curtains. For example, for a kitchen, the optimal size would be the height of the window plus a maximum of a meter. This is due to the fact that too lush folds in the kitchen quickly collect dust and dirt.
Smaller allowances, as a rule, range from 10 to 20 cm. This is done so that even when unfolded, the curtains have a gathered structure at the bottom.
The product itself is a rectangle, which is divided into separate strips. These strips indicate where the curtain tape is attached. The distance between them is usually from 30 to 50 cm.
Important!
In specialized stores you can find special braid for Roman blinds; it is ideal for our project.
For non-standard shaped windows
Such non-standard windows are an unusual element of the exterior of the house, so they require a special approach to design.
Bay window
It’s quite difficult to arrange. It is better to choose curtains made of weightless fabric. An excellent solution for a bay window would be multilayer options with a combination of light and dense fabrics.
The photo shows a living room with a bay window decorated with Austrian curtains.
Window with balcony door
In this case, different panels are used for the window and door. The structure itself is made in accordance with the dimensions of the balcony opening.
On an arched window
Austrians are also suitable for decorating an arched window. The main thing is to install them correctly and not disturb the harmony with other elements of interior design.
On the windows along the stairs
Windows located along the stairs can be highlighted using asymmetrical compositions. Austrian curtains made of light, flowing fabric will look truly elegant. Such curtains have a rather elegant and pompous appearance.
Sewing curtains with your own hands
Now that we have made all the necessary preparations and purchased materials, prepared tools, and decided on a design, we can start sewing curtains. If you follow the following points flawlessly, then an element such as an Austrian curtain can be easily sewn yourself:
- We take a piece of fabric of the desired size and iron it. This is done so that after washing the shrinkage of the curtains does not spoil the overall appearance of the product.
- Now, using the template, we mark with chalk those places where the curtain tape should be present.
- The next step is to make a side bend. We take the braid and sew it with a jagged seam into the pre-planned places. The side stripes should be sewn as close to the folds as possible. If your ribbon is not specialized, then you first need to sew rings on it, and then sew the ribbon itself.
- Iron the resulting product with an iron.
Important!
The top part of Austrian curtains always remains flat. Therefore, you should not sew the ribbon to the very top. This is done only in cases where it is planned to make an automatic mechanism for raising curtains.
- We attach the braid to the already ironed product.
- Now we decorate the upper part of the product: we take threads to match the fabric and attach the upper part of the product, wrapping it about 5 cm.
- Now we sew the ribbons on the front side exactly along the seam made earlier.
- After each procedure, it is advisable to iron the product - this way, it will have a more pleasant appearance and will not curl or form unnecessary folds.
Important!
All that remains is to decorate the bottom of the product at your discretion. What you use for decoration is up to you, but remember - curtains with weighted decor hang more evenly and look better.
Sewing stages
Let's consider creating a simple version of Austrian curtains, without a second layer of purl fabric, darts and other complicating details.
- We cut a piece of fabric of the required size, and be sure to steam it first. This is necessary so that possible shrinkage after the first wash does not spoil the appearance of the curtain.
- Next, you need to mark with chalk the places where the curtain tape will be laid to create folds. For this we use a pattern made in advance or, if you have some sewing experience, apply the markings directly to the canvas.
Caring for Austrian curtains
It is very pleasant to take care of these products. In order to wash them, just use a washing machine and follow a few simple care rules:
- Cleaning should be fairly regular.
- Before washing the curtains, you need to remove them, lay them out and put them in a special laundry bag.
- The washing mode should be delicate, and the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
Hand-sewn Austrian curtains are an excellent addition to most modern style solutions. Sewing such a product requires effort and patience, but the master will enjoy the result of his work for a long time, and a room with such curtains will fully correspond to the temperament of its owner.
Curtains made from ready-made curtains
Sewing curtains from existing curtains will be even easier than making them from scratch. A master class on sewing Austrian curtains from curtains with your own hands consists of just a few simple steps:
- The edges of the curtain are sewn with a basting stitch, retreating approximately 5 cm. The seam is ironed and sewn on a sewing machine.
- Curtain braid with rings is sewn in the center and along the side seams of the curtain, starting from the middle of the length.
- The laces are threaded through the rings, pulled together to the required length and secured with a knot. If the finished curtain remains the same length, the laces are cut. If the length will be adjusted in the future, then the free edges of the cords are hidden.
These simple steps can be done by any beginning seamstress. So go for it and enjoy the result!
