Making curtains cool is a simple and cost-effective way to refresh any home. A few simple styling tips can transform a tired room quickly and easily. One way to make curtains feel cooler is to layer them.
Layering curtains with sheer or voile panels creates depth, adds texture and cools down the room. Another way to make curtains more modern and stylish is to mix up the prints and textures. Try combining thick stripes with woven check, or plain with florals.
This will create interest and make the room feel uplifted. Another option is to go for bright and bold colours. If the walls of the room are plain, a bright curtain paired with a neutral wall colour can provide interesting contrasts.
If you want to inject a bit personality into the room, try fabrics with patterns or motifs. There are also plenty of options available for blackout and/or thermal curtains which will further help to keep the room cool.
Finally, adding trim or ribbon around the edges of the curtains can add a decorative touch. All of these styling or design tricks are easy and cost-effective ways to make curtains look great and cool down your home.
How can I make cheap curtains look good?
Making cheap curtains look good is easier than you may think, and doesn’t require a huge amount of money or effort. First and foremost, it helps to start with high-quality curtains, regardless of the cost.
Cheap curtains often look it, but ones with a good construction will look nice and help your curtains last longer. Additionally, small renovations to the curtains can make a huge difference. Steaming or ironing them to remove creases, adding patterned trimmings, or even just attaching a piece of ribbon or fabric at the top can bring life to an otherwise plain curtain.
Even adding a few eyelet rings and new rods can give them a whole new look. If all else fails, simply replace the curtains. Search for fabric sales or check local thrift stores for inexpensive curtains.
How do you add lining to store bought curtains?
Adding lining to store bought curtains can be a relatively simple process. It helps to have a sewing machine and some basic sewing skills to make the process smoother. Depending on the type of fabric, the steps may vary.
Here is a general procedure to follow when adding lining to store bought curtains:
1. First, measure the curtains and purchase the amount of lining fabric you need for the project.
2. Then, lay the curtains out flat and use a ruler to mark the top and bottom edges. Use a tailor’s chalk or fade marker to outline and add a 5-6 inch allowance on each of the side and bottom hems.
3. After that, cut the lining fabric to the same size as your curtains. If the fabric is a patterned fabric, make sure to cut the pieces in the same direction.
4. When everything is prepped and ready, fold the hem of the curtains one inch twice and pin it together. Do the same with the lining.
5. Sew both hems with a straight stitch. Make sure to leave a few inches open at the top for the rod pocket and clips.
6. Lay the curtains on the table and pin the lining to the curtains. Make sure that the rod pocket openings align.
7. Sew the lining to the curtains with a straight stitch. Make sure to leave the 3-4 inch rod pocket opening unsewn.
8. Turn the curtains and the lining to the opposite side and sew the top and bottom hems.
9. Machine wash the curtains and lining together. It will help the seams to look nice and even.
10. Hang your curtains and enjoy!
Do it yourself curtain weights?
Yes, it is possible to make your own curtain weights at home with a few simple supplies. To make curtain weights, you’ll need fishing weights, thin wire, needle-nose pliers, scissors and fabric. Begin by forming the thin wire around the fishing weight.
Secure it with the needle-nose pliers, and cut off the excess wire. Cut out four pieces of fabric that are large enough to cover the weight completely. Layer two pieces of fabric on top of each other and place the fishing weight on top.
Fold the edges of the fabric around the weight and use the wire to secure them together, creating an envelope to hold the weight. Repeat the same steps with the remaining two pieces of fabric to make your second curtain weight.
Finally, attach the finished weights to the bottom of your curtains.
Where should curtain weights be placed?
Curtain weights should be placed inside the hem of the curtains, at regular intervals. Generally, curtain weights should be placed every 12” to 16” along the bottom edge, depending on the material of your curtains and how much weight they need to hold.
For heavier curtains, shorter distances between weights can provide better stability. For lighter weight curtains, longer distances can be used. When the curtains are hung, the weights should be hidden inside the hem, and the hem should be rolled back together again to ensure the weights are completely hidden.
Having the right number of weights and in the proper positions will help keep the curtains in place and maximise the effect of the fabric.
What can I use instead of window curtains?
If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional window curtains, there are plenty of options to choose from! Depending on your aesthetic and desired level of light blockage, you may want to consider blinds, shades, or shutters.
Blinds are the most conventional choice, and offer various levels of light blockage or transparency, depending on the type. Shades come in a broad range of fabrics, colors, and textures, and also offer a variety of levels of light blockage.
Finally, shutters are a popular choice and often provide the most coverage, as they are made to fit the exact window size. Window screens are also an option if you’re looking to keep pests out without sacrificing much in terms of light or air flow.
Additionally, you may want to consider simple drapes or panels if you’re looking for something aesthetically pleasing without the need for extra functionality.
Can you use sheets to make curtains?
Yes, you can use sheets to make curtains. Making curtains from sheets is a simple, inexpensive alternative to store-bought curtains. You can add a personal touch to your curtains by choosing fabric colors and patterns that match your home’s decor.
When making curtains from sheets, you’ll need to measure the window, cut the fabric to the right length and width, fold the top edge of the fabric over and add a pocket for the curtain rod, and sew the pocket in place.
To hang the curtains, attach curtain rings onto the rod and hang the curtains on the rings. Making curtains from sheets is a great way to save money and add a personalized touch to your home décor.
How do you cover a window with a sheet?
Covering a window with a sheet is a relatively simple task that can be done in a few steps.
First, you will need to measure the window for a proper fit. Measure the length and width of the window, then add a few extra inches to ensure you have enough extra material to hang on either side of the window.
Next, lay out the sheet on a firm, flat surface such as a table or the floor. Measure the sheet according to the measurements you determined earlier, making sure to leave extra fabric to gather around the edges of the window.
Cut the excess material off, then use an iron to straighten any wrinkles or creases in the sheet. If the sheet is too long, you may have to fold or crease it before ironing.
Finally, hang the sheet over the window and use straight pins or drapery hooks to secure it in place. Keep in mind that the sheet will naturally pull away from the window due to its weight, so make sure to secure it tightly to ensure it remains in place.
You may also choose to sew a pocket or casing at the top of the sheet for a more finished look and better function. This can also reduce wrinkles and sagging in the sheet over time.
What are the easiest curtains to make?
The easiest curtains to make are those that don’t require advanced sewing techniques or any sort of craftsmanship. If you’re looking for an easy solution that won’t take very long to make, then you should consider ready-made curtains.
These curtains come in various colors and sizes and they’re usually easy to hang up. If you don’t mind doing a bit of sewing, you can make curtains with simple hems and no pleats, which is also a quick and straightforward option.
You could also look into making linen curtains, which are incredibly easy to make if you have basic sewing skills. Linen curtains have an very attractive look and they can easily be hung up in a window.
Lastly, you can consider cafe curtains, which are easy to make as they just require hemming. Cafe curtains come in several different colors and fabrics, so you can easily find something that appeals to you.
Is it easy to make your own curtains?
Making your own curtains is entirely possible, but it does take some skill and effort to do so. The most common kinds of curtains are made out of fabric, and these usually require sewing them together.
It will require knowledge about length, width, darts, and hems in order to make the curtains. The necessary tools you will need include a sewing machine, scissors, measuring tape, pins, fabric, and thread.
Additionally, understanding the pattern and how to set up the hems will be essential.
Making your own curtains can be quite rewarding, as it can save you money and allows you to make the exact kind of curtains you want. It should be noted, however, that it takes a considerable amount of time and patience in order to make quality curtains well.
You will need to make certain that the measurements are right, that the seams are aligned well and that everything is stitched properly. If you are inexperienced in sewing, as learning video tutorials or getting help from someone who is experienced in this field is highly recommended to get the best results.
How much material do you need to make curtains?
The amount of material needed to make curtains depends on many factors, such as the size of the window, the desired fullness of the curtains, the type of fabric being used, and the heading that is chosen.
If you plan to purchase ready-made curtains, then you will need to measure the length and width of the window to determine which size curtains will fit. If you plan to make the curtains yourself, then you will need to purchase a sufficient amount of the chosen fabric.
It can be helpful to use a chart or calculator to determine how much fabric to buy. Generally, you will need two to three times the width of the window if you want curtains with pleats or gather at the top, and three to four times the width of the window if you do not want pleats or gathers.
For determining the length of fabric that is needed, you should measure the distance from the desired mounting point to the floor or sill. For standard length curtains, you should aim for a minimum of a 2-inch (5 cm) clearance from the floor to the bottom of the curtains.
Also, keep in mind that the fabric may need to be cut based on the pattern and heading of the curtains, so factor in some additional length for this.
As a general guideline, if you plan to make curtains with a pencil pleat heading for a standard window, then you will need two to three times the width of the window in fabric and a minimum of a 2-inch (5 cm) clearance from the floor to the bottom of the curtains in length.
For a curtain panel with no heading, then you will need three to four times the width of the window in fabric and a minimum of a 2-inch (5 cm) clearance from the floor to the bottom of the curtains in length.
