TIPS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL CURTAINS AT HOME
We all have an interior decorator inside us and at times bring that creative streak out to experiment comfortably in our own homes. Besides furniture and fine upholstery, as homemakers, we have a penchant to invest in beautiful curtains that will define our sense of style. Most of the times we delay purchasing these beautiful necessities for the sheer price of it! However, today many people have begun to choose decorating their house beautifully, using their sewing skills. In case you do not know where to begin we present to some simple yet effective Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tips to create lovely curtains in the comfort of your home.
1. Fabric: Curtains are nothing but a careful play of fabric that enhances the decor of the room. Keeping this in mind you should invest in light and soft fabrics that are easy to handle.
2. Prepare the fabric: If you have chosen cotton fabric, it is best to pre-shrink it, iron it and then use it to create your designs. Stitching the cut end prevents the fabric from getting separated at the end.
3. Purpose: Determine the purpose of your curtains, whether they are primarily decorative or something to give you privacy.
4. Measure: Knowing the exact length of your doors and windows helps you to get an idea about the length of fabric you will need. It’s alright, if the measurement is not precise; getting extra fabric will only make it easier for you to cut and experiment. There is a difference in width in decorator fabric and standard fabric; hence it is important to define the purpose before.
5. Supplies: Assuming you already have curtain rods at home, keeping the type of rod in mind will help you get the desired loops or rings in place. You will also need matching spool of thread, pins, measuring tape, tailoring scissors, an open work place to cut or a cutting board and sewing chalk or pencil and, of course, a sewing machine.
6. Cut and Sew: Layout the fabric on your cutting board, measure it twice, mark it with the chalk and cut it. For Self-loops, leave at least 10 inches on top for the curtain to pass the rod. Besides this, you can create a straight pattern without any loops and stitch it across at the top. To get a neat job done, you should mark the hems with sewing chalk so you know where to hem the edges from. It is always a good idea to iron the hem to create an impression, making it easy for you to pin and stitch it finally.
7. Iron: Finally iron the curtain completely before hanging them. This will give it a good finish and make them appear neater.
These basic tips will help you get started on your own curtain-making project, giving you room to experiment with your creativity.
