Pinch Pleat Drapes
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Pinch pleat drapes have continued to be in vogue for generations and are preferred even today by people who like to get nostalgic and love old traditional items and designs. For getting pinch pleats the material of drapes is pinched or bunched together along its length at regular intervals near the top. The out coming results are very interesting, depending upon the way you pinch the material and the distance between two pinches. Ultimately the curtain falls down to the floor while creating a pattern along the length nearing the top of the window.
Here are the three most common forms of pleats: butterfly pleat, double pleat and the goblet pleat. The different ways of collecting the material give it different styles.
You may have butterfly pleat by pinching the material about two inches down the top of the curtain to get the looks and shape of a Chinese fan. A goblet pleat is derived by pinching the material at the back to get the shape of cylindrical tube, while a double pleat is achieved by pinching at two points thus causing the pleats to run parallel to each other.
The effects of pleating the material are very striking. The material travels in wave formation along the length with light coming in from certain points only. Thus, you see an interesting gradient of colors that looks very soothing, adding warmth to the room, and makes the curtain look lively and exciting and not just a piece of some dull-looking material on the window.
Pinch pleat drapes: This style is most often practiced for larger windows. Some of the places that look great in this style include a large window in the living room or a big sliding door leading to the patio. Though some people prefer to use these even on smaller windows, they certainly present better looks when falling down along greater lengths when the pleat may even come down to the floor level.
The system of attaching these drapes to the curtain rod is different than the other system of attaching the curtains. As you know, generally curtains are attached using curtain rings or eyelets thru which the curtain rod is slipped. However, pleated curtains are usually provided with pins that are pushed at the back of the curtain, through the pleat, and then attached to a rail at the top. Such an arrangement facilitates opening and closing of the curtain as it moves smoothly on the track. In case you don’t approve of this style, there is an alternative too. You may use large hooks that pass directly over the curtains but then the movement of curtains won’t be so convenient.
You may give the curtains a wavy effect and simultaneously hide the pleats and the hardware used for the curtains. You can do it in two ways. One way would be to have a valance going over the top of the curtain rod. Otherwise, you may have a cornice installed at the top.
Here area a few more additions that you can have to your curtains, depending on your personal preferences or circumstances. You can provide improved insulation to the place by having thermal backing for your drapes. Or you could have a blackout curtain lining to completely block the sun. Both the arrangements would easily fit on the back of the drapes. In case you prefer to include something lighter to let some air pass thru the room, you may have sheer pinch pleat drapes and get the usual functionality of the pleat, with the added light country style feeling of a sheer curtain.
How To Make Voile Curtains
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Voile is an almost transparent fabric derived from cotton and is frequently used to make sheer curtains. But, the transparent nature of fabric restricts its use to only those areas that don’t need much privacy or need not be dark. They are also used along with heavier curtains when it is desirable to have some incoming light. You’ll need a double curtain rod for the purpose. Or you may hang these from a rod mounted above the window or a tension rod that fits in the window frame itself.
You’ll need the following materials for making voile curtains.
* Curtain rod
* Measuring tape
* Voile fabric
* Matching thread
* Scissors
* Straight pins
* Iron
* Ironing board
* Sewing machine
Step 1
Fix the curtain rod over the window. Using a measuring tap, measure the width of the curtain rod. The length needs to be measured from the top of the curtain rod to a few inches below the bottom of the window frame.
Step 2
Cut two pieces of voile, each about one and a half time the width of the curtain rod, but nearly 4 inches longer than the length. In case you like to sew many pieces of voile together for getting a wide curtain, you may use French seams to enclose the raw edges
Step 3
Using a small double fold hem to the top and sides of each piece of voile. To get double fold hems, fold over each edge by 1/4 inch toward the wrong side of the fabric, and again fold it over by another 1/4 inch. Heat the iron to ‘high heat or cotton’ setting and press the folds flat and then stitch them in place.
Step 4
Fold over the top edge of each curtain towards the wrong side, keeping the folded area about 1 inch wider than the curtain rod. Ensure to have same sized folds on all the curtains. Hold the folds in place with a pin and then stitch along the hemmed edge of each fold.
Step 5
Slot in the curtain rod through the casing in the top of both curtains, and fix back the rod. Make sure that the curtains are of even length, and trim if needed.
Step 6
Remove the curtain again to hem the lower edge of each curtain using a double fold, ensuring that both the curtains continue to have the same length.
Step 7
Fix the curtains back on the rod, but make sure that the right side of each curtain faces the room, and let them hang.
Silk Curtains – A Popular Window Treatment
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Silk, though an expensive material has inherent characteristics of being graceful with good rich looks. That has been prompting generations for its being used for various purposes, that go to include curtains and draperies. Silk curtains certainly enhance the looks of an interior while reflecting the taste of the householder.
Window treatments incorporating silk give a rich look without giving that feel of over-indulgence. Latest trends in window dressing hardly leave any doubt that silk is going to be “ in” for the current year. While maintaining the traditional looks, they reflect present- day trends, being a favorite of designers and consumers too. Of course they are more expensive that most of the other materials available for the purpose, and thus would suit better a formal and classy room.
Because of the high price, it will not be wrong to say that patronizing silk for curtains is like investing in your household effects. Well, they do last longer but certainly call for proper care and maintenance. For instance, continued exposure to direct sunlight is detrimental for silk and affects its life. But, measures can be taken to add to the life of silk when used for window treatments.
The ideal way of achieving above goal is to provide lining to sheers. Materials like cotton; linen, wool or even lace can be used for the purpose. All these materials are durable and relatively cheaper. However, one needs to be careful to match these heavier materials with silk before finalizing on any one of these. Lest you happen to choose an inappropriate material, it will be safe to go far a lightweight polyester or cotton fabric. However, for a better affect, silk window treatment necessarily needs better window designs too, else they may look out of place.
Another important factor is the color of material. Silk window treatments are available in rich colors that provide a very luxurious and dramatic look. When used alone they can produce stunning effects. But, on being ill matched with a not so judicious choice of fabrics, they present a rather flat look and mar the feeling of richness associated with silk. Selecting the right kind of silk material and its color that jells with the interiors of your room is of crucial importance.
There is none denying the fact that silk, for its inherent characteristics of richness and sophistication is an excellent material for window treatment, but how you treat it under given circumstances is also very important.
Eyelet Curtains For Fancy Window Dressing
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The continued innovation of household products to accommodate present day lifestyles has brought around a lot of changes even to the simplest of products like curtains. It’s not only the material of curtains, but also the style of hanging them that has gone under changes. The latest trend for window treatment involves the use of eyelet curtains. It’s almost a rage now. Let’s get familiar with this new technique of hanging curtains and see what makes it so popular.
Curtains have traditionally been used with the primary intentions of having enhanced privacy and to have a control on the incoming light, depending on the weather. Over and above the practical functionality, they are known to reflect the style and status of the homeowners. Over the years, the priorities have been shifting more towards the convenience of their functioning and go to include a reflection of one’s style statement. The changed attitude of users necessasitates the inclusion of measure to improve their functionality, and that is what lead to the development of eyelet curtains which offers more convenience while they continue to maintain their good looks for longer periods of time.
You will be delighted to see the variety of colors and fabrics of eyelet curtains. Usually these are made from sheer lightweight fabrics in dazzling colors. You are sure to get a material in a color that suits your taste and style. You have a choice of giving a jazzy new look or opt for a contemporary style for your window treatment to give a feeling of warmth and adding your personal touch to the rooms. Quite a few of the problems associated with the use of the traditional curtains are taken care of by using eyelet curtains. For instance the traditional curtains would get stuck on being moved by hand and that led to staggered pleats. So, the designers came up with a practical solution by providing eyelets made from plastic or metal onto the pole of the curtain. While taking care of the ages old problem, they offer a wonderful window dressing.
While you dress up your windows chose fabrics in a color to complement the rest of the room for enhanced affect. Let your creativity and imagination flow to the delight of your friends’ and family.
You can buy eyelet curtains off the shelf or have them tailor made to your requirements. Most of the retail shops stock these curtains or you may go online to view and purchase the same. It would be worthwhile to conduct your own online or market research. This effort on your part certainly helps you to buy the product at competitive prices in styles of your choice that add to the aesthetics of your room.
Aren’t you glad to have this opportunity of renovating your present home and giving it a modern outlook by an appropriate selection of eyelet curtain that add grace and warmth to your place? Such an initiative will bring you closer to having your dream home.
A short Youtube clip on how the machine making eyelet drapes actually works. Enjoy!
Drapery Fabric – Essential Buying Tips
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Should you be thinking about a new style for your home, you will get a lot of different styles and designs before you finally get to the one that suits your taste and requirements. Windows open you to the world while letting in breeze and sunshine, so you can make things more appealing by conceptualizing the kind of curtains that you will add. On the whole, draperies make your place more appealing and go long ways in creating an appealing ambiance in your rooms, while moderating the amount of natural light entering the place. Nevertheless, with an almost infinite number of choices that one gets, it could easily be a source of confusion. But don’t get discouraged. You will not be an exception to the crowd of homeowners who face a similar dilemma while considering a new style for their homes.
There are quite few factors that you need to take into consideration for finalizing the draperies. One kind of a drapery may look exceedingly good under a given set of circumstances but may fail to give the required impression under changed circumstances. Basically, it may blend well with the background or go to create a contrast, but overall scenario should be welcoming and reflect your taste and style.
Here are a few guidelines that prove helpful while you venture out to buy the material from one of the drapery stores.
First of all you have to narrow down on the choice of fabric you intend using. It’s good to be experimenting with colors. There is a very large range of colors and fabrics to choose from. You need to decide if you would like to have a shade to match with the colors of the paint in the background or would you prefer to have a contrast. That’s a matter of personal preferences and you have to make a choice that goes to highlight the furniture, window or other artifacts in your room.
The benefits of using an opaque kind of a draper are that you are able to block more of sunlight plus the heightened appeal of décor.
You get drapes in a variety of colors and in varying lengths with in an assortment of floral and animated prints. You get them in solid colors also. While viewing them all, you should bear in mind that the design and its color scheme should in its entirety work well to give continued harmony with your present interiors. Another point you should not ignore is that the light colors offer warmth while the dark one is relaxing.
Brood over inclusion of sheers in your room. These are classically adjusted just beneath the drapes to prevent the glare from sunlight. It gets peaceful all around the room and makes it enjoyable to read your favorite author or do a bit of soul searching. While at night it creates shadows and outlines to make it romantic.
When it comes to type of material, you have a wide range of choices here too. And don’t forget that the color you choose with silk and sheer drapery fabric won’t look the same with waverly drapery fabric. It’s the same with velvet, cotton, lace and all other types of material.
The critical feature of installing drapes involves taking accurate measurements. It’ll be good to depend on the services of a skilled person for doing the needful. Take note that drapery generally measures two to three inches from the floor, while the width should extend by nearly three inches.
Obviously you’ll need hardware like rods, hooks and other such accessories for keeping the curtains in place. Here again there is a wide choice that varies from very simple designs to strikingly different and ultra modern designs.
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