How to properly use French curtains in the kitchen interior. French curtains for the living room: luxury and sophistication Types of French curtains

Luxurious, rich, stylish, solemn - any of these epithets can describe French curtains. Smooth lines, lush arched draperies, falling vertical rows of soft scalloped folds, combined with the light texture of delicate fabric and magnificent curtain accessories, leave no one indifferent. Looking at them even the most staunch adherents laconic interiors they begin to think about decorating at least one window in the house with beautiful “French women”. What is the secret of the centuries-old attractiveness of such a phenomenon as French curtains and how they differ from other lifting curtains, we will look into this article.

History of appearance

It is believed that the description of the first curtains with scalloped folds laid along the entire length appeared in the 17th century in France during the reign of Louis XIV― King - the Sun in the heyday of Baroque and Classicism. Who exactly came up with the idea of decorating windows not with straight lines, but with canvases assembled along the entire length in cascading rows of festoons, history is silent. Nose light hand unknown designer, such window curtains quickly gained popularity among the nobility and became the personification of wealth and luxury. They were sewn from natural Chinese silk and decorated with fringe and tassels.

For “French curtains,” fabric is required several times more than for straight curtains; in addition, numerous scalloped folds do not look good on cheap textiles and small windows. Therefore, it is quite clear that ordinary people they were inaccessible, and the people called them “marquises” - by analogy with one of the highest European noble titles.

Officially, an “awning” is a fabric canopy for protection from the sun and rain.

The second unofficial name was preserved behind the curtains of aristocrats until today and leads to confusion of concepts. The fact is that officially awnings are fabric awnings over windows used to create a comfortable shaded area on the street in front of houses, cafes and restaurants.

In their original form, awning curtains are stationary (they do not move apart, do not rise, but simply hang motionless to the floor), look very solemn and pompous and look best in spacious rooms with high ceilings. Therefore, nowadays they are used mainly on stage, in concert and banquet halls, restaurants, and spacious halls of country houses.

For owners of average apartments, options for French curtains have appeared, sometimes they are called French blinds, adapted to modern realities:

Firstly, the length of the curtains has been significantly shortened and, for example, in the kitchen you can hang a French curtain up to the windowsill.
Secondly, in addition to natural silk, today there are many high-quality, but not so expensive fabrics on which scalloped folds also look attractive: organza, chiffon, cambric, moire.
Thirdly, cornices for French curtains began to be equipped with lifting mechanisms, both manually and electrically controlled, which can be mounted on casement windows, which significantly increased their functionality and expanded their scope of application.

What are modern French curtains?

French curtains (awnings) are a cascading type of lifting curtains. But unlike other lifting models, what comes first is not practicality and functionality, but beauty and the difference in their appearance is obvious. At the same time, French blinds cannot be confused with strict frames with their characteristic smooth linear folds and laconic rolls, on which there are no folds at all. But they have a lot in common with Austrian models: the canvases are divided into vertical sections and assembled into arched folds. French and Austrian curtains The photos below clearly demonstrate the difference between these two types.

The difference is that among Austrians the draperies are not so abundant: they are formed only in the lower part and are much wider. When unfolded, they extend completely and their length never falls below the window sill. Awnings are curtains, even when lowered, consisting of large quantity, divided along the entire length into vertical segments of cascading festoons (sagging towards the center of the assemblies). When the curtain is raised, they become even deeper and more expressive.

French curtains can be set to any length, up to the window sill or just below it, or to the floor. In addition, they are divided into stationary (fixed) and lifting:

Cornice for French curtains

The cornice for French curtains can be the same as. Depending on the model, it is equipped with a lifting mechanism or a simplified version is used. The fabric can be fastened with Velcro tape or hooks. The photo below shows standard cornices for French curtains with an open and closed curtain lifting mechanism.

It is worth noting that regardless of what fabric (thick or transparent) was used for sewing, thanks to the abundant and complex drapery, the awning is able to completely protect the interior space of the room from views from the street.

What fabrics are suitable for French curtains

French curtains in the interior are far from the best economical way window decoration. They will require several times more fabric than regular curtains. In addition, scallop folds on cheap fabrics look ugly and primitive and, despite the fact that modern awnings do not have to be sewn as they once were from expensive natural silk, you won’t be able to save significantly on textiles either.

Before you decide on French version curtains, it is advisable to carefully weigh the costs of their production and make sure that they fit well into the interior and the money spent on them will be compensated by the beauty and harmony of the environment.

In order for the folds to look impressive, even and smooth, you need to choose a well-draped, light and soft cloth. These conditions are best met by natural or mixed textiles, with a small addition of polyester fibers:

tulle;
fine silk;
chiffon;
batiste;
moire;
muslin;
veil;
organza.

Such curtains look light and delicate and are used as curtains, both independently and together with curtains made of taffeta, satin, velvet, and brocade. At the same time, the curtains should also look luxurious and not get lost in the splendor of French curtains.

French curtains made of satin fabric

Sometimes awnings are sewn from dense, but thin, soft and well-draped fabrics. It could be:

velvet;
velours;
curtain wool.

Such curtains do not need partners and look elegant and respectable. Any curtains hung with them will be unnecessary. But you need to keep in mind that windows with dense opaque awnings look “deaf” and they are only suitable for spacious premises and corresponding to them in status classic interiors with massive furniture from natural wood and gilded or bronze accessories.

French velvet curtains

The appearance of the folds depends entirely on the texture of the fabric: the softer and heavier it is, the more laconic and smooth the scallops are. And, conversely, the stiffer and lighter the material, the more magnificent and prominent they are.

As for the colors, only plain fabrics are suitable for curtains of this type. Any pattern will be lost in numerous festoons, it will look broken, and the curtain will be untidy.

What rooms and interiors are awnings suitable for?

French curtains in the bathroom

Pompous and aristocratic French curtains will not fit into every room. Cascading vertical rows of festoons, expensive fabrics, accessories in the form of fringe, tassels, flowers and beads will look awkward and bulky on small windows in small rooms and modest interiors. “French women” look best in an elegant romantic setting of Rococo and Baroque in the spirit of the 17th-18th centuries with elaborate, smoothly curved furniture, crystal chandeliers and bronze figurines.

French curtains in the living room interior

Of course, few people today would think of creating an interior in their home that completely copies the decor of past centuries, but its main features and general style must be respected. If you want to decorate with awnings small room, use options adapted to modern times and performing the function of tulle - made of transparent white or pastel shades fabric, length to the window sill, without additional decorations.

French curtains in the study

To prevent a light tulle French curtain from “playing” from a draft and hanging statically, special weights can be sewn to its lower edge.

A short French curtain complemented by an original lambrequin on the kitchen window

Concerning functional purpose rooms in which it is planned to hang curtains of this type, it can be anything - the main thing, as already mentioned, is the surroundings corresponding to the awning. Of course, French curtains look best in the living room or study, but they are no less often used in non-residential rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen (as in the photo above). The only room where their use is undesirable is the children's room. No matter how attractive the “French curtains” are, dust inevitably accumulates in numerous festoons and they have to be washed frequently, so curtains that are more functional and simpler in shape are appropriate for a room where children live.

Despite their aristocracy and sophistication, French curtains can make the interior not only elegant, but also cozy and peaceful. The main thing is that they must match the interior and look, and it will help to increase their functionality modern mechanism with lifting block.

Video: French curtains in the interior

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They are lush, flowing draperies formed from even semicircular folds of fabric (festoons) laid along the entire height. French curtains will perfectly decorate a window opening, which together with them will be distinguished by sophistication and luxury. Traditionally, French curtains are used to give the room greater solemnity and splendor, both in public and private interiors. French curtains originated in the 18th century, when solemnity, luxury and pomp were in fashion. Much time has passed since then, but these curtains continue to fit well into almost any interior.

French curtains, together with are classified as lifting curtains. The basic principle by which they are used is lifting mechanism, allowing you not to move the canvas to the sides, but to lift it at the top of the window. At the same time, beautiful wavy folds are preserved along the entire length. The main difference between these two types of curtains is that French curtains always retain folds along the entire length, whether they are raised or lowered, while Austrian curtains retain soft folds only on the lower edge of the curtain.

Typically, when making French curtains, thin and light curtains are used. fabrics– cambric, silk, other materials in pastel and light colors. Also, some use transparent tulle of any colors and shades, veil, organza. At the same time, the main requirement for fabrics is elasticity, which provides drapery with soft folds. IN Lately When sewing French curtains, modern fabrics are used, for example polyester, which is superior to silk in practicality, is easy to wash, does not fade, does not shrink, but at the same time it gives the appearance of rigidity and creates lush folds.

French curtains are often combined with classic curtains with tassels and lambrequins.

Application

Since their introduction, French curtains have been used to drape the windows of royal banquet and ballrooms, reception rooms and bedrooms. Very often, when sewing them, they used the same fabric that was used to cover the walls of the room. Also, many people associate French curtains with theaters, offices, restaurants, and assembly halls. Nowadays, French curtains have found their use not only for decorating the interiors of the Kremlin, but also for luxurious mansions and stylish apartments.

If you hang such a curtain in the hall, then at the entrance to the house an elegant atmosphere will be created.

At the same time, French curtains can be used to decorate a window opening in the bedroom, giving a casual and romantic look to the interior, and at the same time a kind of privacy. In a room with wide windows, you can use the simplest option for placing French curtains in the interior. To do this, hang 2-3 narrow French curtains of varying lengths on the window (for example, to the middle of the window, to the windowsill, to the floor). This option looks good on its own, without additional curtains.

There is a classification of French curtains, according to which they are divided into two categories:

decorative– when the folds on the curtains are fixed and cannot be changed. In this case, the curtains can only be raised manually.
workers– free control of the curtain, you can already use it here modern systems and lifting mechanisms that easily allow you to open and close the window opening.

You can make French strength on your own, because the method of sewing them is very simple. The fabric consumption for these curtains is one and a half times more in width and 2 times more in height from the dimensions finished product. Maximum width and length allows for rich and luxurious assemblies. The panel of the future curtain is divided by cords into symmetrical vertical sections. The maximum area of finished French curtains is 8 sq.m. larger area Difficulties may arise during installation and operation.

So, French curtains are a classic, noble, luxurious beauty that will fill your home with an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, and, in addition, will enliven and ennoble it.

Beautiful fabric draperies can completely transform any interior and create exactly the right mood in the room. To add an atmosphere of romanticism to the bedroom or living room, you can use beautiful French curtains; they are not so difficult to sew with your own hands. Such curtains are interesting in their design. This is a cascade-lifting option, when the fabric does not move apart, but rises, forming a beautiful drapery. The folds are obtained in the form of an arc, but to create such a cascade it is best to use lightweight fabrics that can drape easily. Too massive ones will not look so good; the folds will turn out rough and not very beautiful.

French curtains, thanks to their spectacular draperies made of delicate fabric, decorate the interior and give an atmosphere of romanticism.

Features of French curtains

French curtains, as they are known today, first appeared in the 14th century in France. For a long time they were the main form of draperies, then gradually gave way to other forms. Today, these curtains have become popular again; they are used to decorate large halls, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. You can give them different shapes and decorate them with a stylish lambrequin on top. For classic style This option is considered one of the most successful; it is distinguished by soft and smooth lines.

The type of such curtains is cascade-lifting, since the individual sections are vertically arranged and assembled into beautiful folds. Such sections are called scallops; the pitch and number may vary. The folds are obtained in the form of arcs, they are very soft, but their shape is calculated individually. The parameters of the canvas depend on the size of the window opening, its height, width, and location.

When opened, French curtains do not move apart like regular ones, but rise. At the same time, the folds become more pronounced, the drapery gives the room an unusually luxurious and sophisticated appearance. That is why only soft and light fabrics that are easy to drape are selected for sewing. Raising the curtain can be done using manual mechanism or an electric lift that is mounted on the eaves.

Choosing fabric for sewing curtains

French curtains are made from light, weightless, flowing fabrics that create beautiful folds.

The French curtain is a very lightweight design, which is distinguished by soft folds, graceful appearance. Despite the many folds and draperies, such a curtain does not create a heaviness effect; it seems both luxurious and sophisticated.

Traditionally, light and thin, almost weightless fabrics are used, which will not only fold beautifully, but also create a feeling of smooth and soft waves that will beautifully decorate the window opening. Fabrics with a smooth texture that does not distract attention from itself are best suited for this, for example transparent and translucent tulle, organza, cambric. Thin wool, moire and silk are excellent, or thin satin can be used. They all fit well into the folds and create exactly the impression that is needed.

If necessary, the edge of the curtain can be decorated with fringe, tassels, various ruffles and frills. But moderation must be observed so that the decoration does not overload the overall impression. It is important to choose the right color, pattern, texture of the fabric. This will determine what overall impression the curtain will create, whether it will decorate the room or disrupt its harmony. When choosing fabric, you need to choose the right length. For example, curtains can be used for the kitchen middle length, but for bedrooms and living rooms the length to the floor is suitable.

How to determine the fabric consumption for French curtains?

French curtains decorated with tassels look unobtrusive and gentle.

To sew correctly beautiful curtain, it is necessary to calculate the amount of material. The width is usually determined by the length of the curtain rod, but it is best to add a little more to give the drapery an attractive look. Typically, another 4 cm is added to the length of the cornice for seams. To determine the length, you need to take the total height from the cornice to the floor (or take into account another height of the curtain), then multiply it by 1.5-2 times, add 5 cm for processing the seams. This is required to ensure that the folds are beautiful and effective.

As an example, consider the following calculation:

The length of the cornice is multiplied by the curtain assembly factor, which is 1.8-2.5. The assembly factor depends on the type of drapery, which can be dry, light, soft.
The height of the curtain is equal to the height according to the sketch, it is multiplied by the assembly factor (1.8/2/2.5).
The collection factor value of 1.8/2 is used for dry tissues, light. A gathering factor of 2.5 is used for lightweight fabrics that drape well, such as tulle, voile, chiffon.

An example calculation is as follows:

The length along the eaves is 2 m with a build factor of 1.8. It is equal to L-2*1.8=3.6 m.
3.6/5=0.4 m is the value of the assembly step between the vertical lines with the braid.
Along the length of the cornice, 5 distances are used, there are 6 assembly directions. This means that the height is 2.4 m, the factor is 2.5, and the total length of the fabric is 6 m.

Sewing curtains for windows

A French curtain is not so difficult to sew, but for this you need to have certain skills. To get beautiful folds after the braid is pulled together, you need to make darts along the top of the fabric. To do this, you need to draw conditional vertical lines along which this braid will tighten the canvas. With the help of darts, you can easily achieve graceful and light lines, avoiding the impression of ordinary gathered fabric.

Depending on the height of the curtains, the size of the darts may change.

When lengthening the fabric, all darts must be made deeper and longer.

The mounting tape with rings for cords is sewn along vertical lines, which are drawn with chalk along the surface of the fabric. You need to sew a braid between such guides, but you can use a beautiful piece of decorative fabric for this.

Drapery is made from a special narrow tape for draperies. It has special rings so that you can thread the cord for lifting. The length of the tape must be calculated based on the total height of the future curtain, which is multiplied by the number of future festoons. The cut height for the curtain is added to the resulting value.

To calculate the number of festoons for French curtains, you need to take into account the size of the windows. For larger ones it is best to take wide sections, but for narrow and tall ones they are suitable soft waves small in size, approximately 25 to 45 cm. Total can be correctly determined from the following table:

With a canvas width of 290 cm, the number of scallops is 5 pcs. in increments of 58 cm.
For a 340 cm canvas, the number of scallops is 6 pcs. with a location pitch of 56.7 cm.
With a width of 390 cm, the number of scallops is 6 pieces. in increments of 65 cm and 7 pcs. in increments of 55.7 cm.
With a width of 440 cm and a number of festoons of 7 pcs. the pitch is 62.9 cm, and with a quantity of 8 pieces – 55 cm.
With a width of 490 cm, the number of festoons is 8 and 9 pieces. in increments of 61.3 cm and 54.4 cm, respectively.
With a curtain width of 740 cm, the number of scallops is 11 and 12, the pitch is 62.7 cm and 57.5 cm, respectively.

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

A huge selection of ready-made French curtains with different interpretations. But it’s 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 properly make real French curtains.

Choosing fabric

The hardest part is choosing fabric from such a wide variety. The main thing in French curtains is that the weave matches the drapery. It could be thick fabric, airy, light, here it already matches the style of the room.

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

WITH high density fabrics can be made into cascading waves;
Lush folds are made using light fabric;
If French curtains are intended for the kitchen, then a light translucent fabric would be appropriate;
Fabrics with patterns for this type of curtains must be selected carefully, do not forget that folds will be made where the pattern may get lost;
Fabric with bright colors will create a special atmosphere if plain curtains, then diluted with a light pattern, not catchy.

Many people prefer the classics. As a rule, the fabric chosen for French curtains is satin, silk or tulle. Standard selection You definitely can’t go wrong with it.

Taking measurements for sewing curtains

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

Don't forget what goes into draping sufficient quantity fabric (coefficient 1.8 for the width of the fabric) take this into account.

Measure the cornice 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 to this amount add another 3 centimeters at the top and 5 at the bottom for the seams. Thus, we have 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. Calculation alone is not enough. Therefore, you need to follow the drawing and certain actions.

And so we’ll figure out how to sew French curtains with our own hands.

To achieve a truly designer creation without any visible homemade work, we follow the following rules:
We do decatification. What do many people ask? Decorating your image, processing the 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 well and let dry.
Let's start processing from the bottom and top. Straighten the fabric and fold the fabric 1.5 cm on all sides, fasten and hem.
Important! The fold at the bottom is 2 cm.
We make notes for the scenes using a regular ruler, making 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 at inner side from the side.
Do not forget that the curtain is adjusted with a cord at the top, which must be threaded inside the curtains.

In this way, curtains are formed that will later decorate your room, and the work done with your own hands will arouse the pride and respect of your family.