French curtains or, as they are called in another way, "marquises", are truly luxurious textile furnishings. They can add a touch of grace, nobility and high cost to any room. And all because even in ancient times, only very wealthy people living in estates or palaces could afford such curtains. And therefore, such curtains were made exclusively from expensive and high-quality materials. In this article, you will learn a lot of new and interesting information about French curtains, their features and interesting options use in the interior.
The famous French curtains appeared, or rather came into fashion, presumably from the XIV to the XVII centuries, and as the name implies, their appearance took place in France. In those days, the local nobility always tried to decorate their estates in a special way, with a certain chic and splendor, which was easily done with the help of curtains with luxurious folds, which perfectly emphasized the Baroque and Rococo styles of those times.
For several centuries now, "awning" curtains can revive any room, be it small or, on the contrary, huge.
The features of such curtains can also include:
This type of curtains is referred to as cascade-lifting due to the fact that their individual parts (sections) are collected in folds. The number of so-called sections can be different, and they themselves are called festoons. The folds on French curtains are made in the form of peculiar arcs. All sizes and parameters should be combined with future folds, but all this is calculated based on the size of the window on which this textile decoration will flaunt.
An important point is also the fact that this type of curtain does not move to the sides, but rises upward, while when the curtains rise, the folds will appear more and more clearly. To create such curtains, lightweight fabrics are mainly used, which can be easily draped, while heavy fabrics most often do not work.
French curtains are easily attached, and are raised using a special mechanism that can be installed on the cornice. This is not to say that this type of curtain is unpretentious in care, since at home they are most often not cleaned, but given to dry cleaning.
Of course, refusing to do laundry at home is in favor of ensuring that your textiles live as long as possible and retain a presentable look.
Options for French curtains can be very diverse. If a designer is working on them, they will easily turn out great, but even if you decide to develop your own sketch of future curtains and choose a fabric for them, then do not be afraid to turn on your imagination and bring your wildest ideas to life:
Some people very often confuse French and Austrian curtains. Although they are similar to each other, an important difference between them is that the Austrian models have folds only at the bottom of the curtains, while the French curtains themselves are made entirely of folds.
To make the curtains voluminous, lush, festive and easily decorate any apartment, you should pay attention to light fabrics. Veil, organza, cambric, tulle, silk and velvet lend themselves well to drapery. In general, the choice of fabrics for making curtains of this type is quite extensive, but in order for the folds on the curtains to be airy and flowing, it is better not to choose heavy fabrics.
With a strong desire You can diversify the curtains with the help of beautiful fringes or lace along the edges of the curtains. Various tassels and ruffles always add a special twist to any curtain. If French curtains are made of luxurious fabrics with patterns or patterns, try not to overdo it with decor and do everything in moderation.
If you chose given view curtains, for example, for a closed summer gazebo, but at the same time the windows will be often open, decorative weights can be sewn to the curtains, thanks to which the curtains will not rise and fly in all directions.
In order to correctly choose not only the colors, but also the curtains themselves, it is very important to pay attention to their future combination with the interior, and in addition, to determine their purpose. If you are looking for curtains solely for decoration and they will not protect the room from sunlight, then choose light translucent options for light shades, there may be pastel colors and nude options, as well as fabrics with light patterns, but it is best to give preference to plain options ... Translucent fabrics are especially good for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms.
Bright, deep and rich French curtains will become a luxurious decoration of any bedroom, hall, living room or study. Often, bright options are hung in children's rooms. Do not forget that dark colors suitable only for large rooms, because you can make a small one quite gloomy with the help of such colors. Therefore, it is better to decorate small rooms with dim curtains.
Try not to choose curtains in the same color as the walls in the room, often this technique does not always look advantageous, it is better to purchase fabric a few tones darker or lighter than wallpaper.
The biggest problem for French curtains, as well as for other textile accessories in the house, is dust. It settles in folds, and it is difficult to do anything with it. If the fabric is denser, you can vacuum clean it at the lowest speed, but since French curtains are most often made from very light materials, washing is indispensable.
Of course, so that the curtains take the desired shape and do not lose their original appearance, it is best to give them to dry cleaning... At home, you can wash small curtains, for example from the kitchen, which you can shape yourself with a steam generator. Highly important point is also the fact that such curtains do not wash with other laundry and use a delicate or gentle mode.
Proper and high-quality care of curtains will prolong their excellent condition for many years, while they will look like new.
French curtains require special attention, therefore, before choosing such textiles for the windows of a particular room, it is very important to make sure that they fit the interior and the whole environment as much as possible.
In general, many experts claim that such curtains are classic. They will successfully fit into any interior, but at the same time it is worth considering all their features:
French curtains are very beautiful, but at the same time very expensive. In curtain shops, you can see a wide variety of models from different fabrics and materials with sagging folds or with more lush assembly options. However, it is much cheaper to make such a curtain yourself. Nevertheless, this is a very painstaking and reverent business that does not tolerate mistakes.
In order to sew correctly, you first need to do correct calculations, pick up the fabric, cut it out and only then start processing the selected fabric. The sewing of the French curtain begins with the calculation of the required material cut.
At the sight of the curtain of this model, it immediately becomes clear that a lot of material is needed for its manufacture. Folds that shorten the length very much look more beautiful if the material was purchased at the rate of reduction finished curtains wide. This means that knowing the width of the window opening or the length of the cornice, this figure cannot be taken as the width of the canvas. In order for the waves to be beautiful, and the distance between the scallops was sufficient, it is necessary to multiply the figure indicating the width of the desired curtain by a factor of 1.8. It is this coefficient that will allow the folds of the material to lie beautifully without creating the impression of sagging fabric.
When calculating the length of the curtain fabric, you need to multiply the number indicating the length of the desired finished curtain by at least two. You also need to add a few centimeters of material for the edging. This means that to the obtained values of the length and width of the canvas, it is necessary to add another 5-8 cm for processing the sections.
Having calculated the length and width of the material, you need to choose the one that is suitable for the drapery. It should be elastic, and the folds on it should be smooth, even and soft. Choosing a cut in a store, you can try to collect a little canvas in your hand and see if the fold lies beautifully, whether it forms even waves. If it is bent, looks wrinkled or crooked, it is better not to choose this.
The color of the curtains can be any, the main thing is that it is combined with colors rooms in general. The denser the fabric, the more fluffy the folds will be, but they will have more irregularities. At the same time, the thinner the fabric, the more evenly waves will form on it.
In addition to materials, for sewing a French curtain you also need:
Before opening and sewing the curtain, it is imperative to process its edges, using a special tape for attaching the curtain. The side and bottom edges just need to be folded in half and sewn, and then ironed on the seams. The edges must be processed before sewing the curtain, as then they will be uneven and it will not be possible to process them beautifully.
It is also imperative to iron all the material before starting sewing, and if it is difficult to iron it, then this should be done two or three times. After sewing the curtain, it will not be possible to iron it, so this stage cannot be neglected, but it must be done with high quality. When the edges of the canvas are processed, and it is completely ironed, you can start cutting.
To properly cut the canvas, you need to know exactly the width and length of the finished curtain. When determining the width, you can focus on the length of the eaves, you can measure the length by measuring the distance from the eaves to the floor, or to the level where the curtain should end.
Next, you need to calculate the number of scallops and determine the distance between them. The number of scallops for the same curtain width may be different, and the finished curtain will also differ in appearance. The fewer scallops, the longer the folds will be, the more there are, the more magnificent the finished curtain will seem.
Below in the table, using the example of several options for the width of the finished curtain (in the absence of the required option, you can carry out the calculations yourself) and the number of desired festoons, the calculation of the distances between them is given.
Having decided on the distance between the scallops, you should make marks on the stretched canvas after a certain number of centimeters. The numbers denoting the distance between the scallops are those centimeters through the number of which it is necessary to make marks on the panel.
If the required width of the canvas is not among those indicated in the table, then it is necessary to determine the number of scallops, and divide the width of the canvas by this number. The resulting figure will be the distance between the scallops.
For example: the width of the panel is exactly 500 cm.
Number of scallops desired = 8.
500/8 = 62.5 centimeters distance between marks on the canvas.
When making marks on the canvas, it is necessary to place the fabric on a flat, smooth surface, make marks on back side fabric top and bottom. A line should be drawn through both of these marks.
After processing the edges, ironing the panel, marking the lines along which the braid will be attached, you can start sewing.
Phased step-by-step instruction sewing a French curtain:
Then the curtain can be hung. The fact that the width of the curtain exceeds the size of the window opening will allow the folds to sag more freely and, accordingly, evenly.
In the above-described master class, all stages of sewing curtains in French style... These steps include calculating the required amount of material, right choice fabrics and list necessary materials, which will come in handy during the sewing process. In addition, the article covers in detail the issue of cutting the purchased canvas and directly sewing the curtain itself. It also describes in detail how to properly prepare the panel for processing.
Based on the information in this article, you can sew a French style curtain yourself. These curtains are suitable for guest rooms and bedrooms. They give the room a special solemnity and comfort, look very rich and stylish. Also, curtains sewn in the French style never become outdated and always remain in fashion.
French curtains first appeared in the middle of the 18th century in the living rooms of the European nobility, when the Rococo style prevailed in the interiors and since then have never gone out of fashion. In Soviet Union, most of whose population lived in small-sized Khrushchevs, they decorated mainly the windows of theaters, restaurants and large government agencies... V modern Russia spacious apartments and private cottages are no longer a rarity, and the French classics are experiencing a rebirth.
In the photo there are French curtains in combination with curtains in the interior of a classic living room.
Distinctive features of "French women" - fabric with a shiny smooth surface, splendor, a huge number of horizontal folds that fall in a cascade along the entire length, many accessories in the form of frills, braids, fringes, ribbons and ruffles. Such pompous curtains look only in spacious rooms, with high ceilings, for which they were once created.
The most suitable for them are considered refined and romantic interiors filled with household items in the style of the 18th-19th centuries and furnished with elaborate furniture without pronounced straight lines. Such as:
Of course, small ones with romantic, but less pretentious interiors are also decorated with French curtains. But in this case, their simplified versions are used, adapted to modern living conditions.
Rococo and Baroque living rooms - classic examples the use of French curtains.
There are static and lifting ones. Static curtains hang motionless, completely covering the window and part of the wall below it. They are sewn from translucent fabric and used as a curtain - a soft transparent curtain that protects inner space from prying eyes.
Stationary curtains made of translucent fabric, combined with elegant curtains of golden brocade, look great in an interior with elements of classicism.
The height of the lifting French curtains can be adjusted, making them long (up to the floor), medium (up to the windowsill) and relatively short (like a lambrequin).
For their sewing, you can use fabrics of any density.
French curtains with a lifting mechanism fit perfectly into the living room window in the style of Russian salons of the 19th century.
In interiors modern apartments French curtains are mainly used as curtains.
For this type of curtain, a fabric with a smooth, shiny or matte surface may be suitable: satin, brocade, chiffon, silk, organza. The main requirement is that it should be well draped. Its density depends on the quality in which the curtains are planned to be used (curtains or drapes).
Colors can also be any, but preferably monochromatic. Choose fabric with a pattern with care. Even the smallest floral print can get lost in numerous folds and spoil the look of French curtains, which are already overflowing with "zest".
Long curtains are not suitable for windows over flights of stairs, and short curtains look unpresentable on them. The ideal solution is to hang a short transparent French curtain on such a window.
The bottom of the transparent French curtains with a length to the windowsill can be supplemented with a strip thick fabric in the color of the upholstery on the furniture. She will give the curtains austerity and make them friends with a not too romantic interior.
To visually increase the height of the window opening, make festoons on French curtains as narrow as possible.
Narrow translucent French curtains can be fixed to the sash of multi-section windows, like blinds.
The higher the curtains are raised, the more folds form on them and the more magnificent they look.
Despite all their inherent pomp, sophisticated and sophisticated French curtains can make the atmosphere in the living room cozy and calm. The main thing that should not be forgotten when choosing them is that they must correspond to the general concept of the interior.
Luxurious, rich, stylish, solemn - any of these epithets can be used to describe French curtains. Smooth lines, lush curved draperies, flowing vertical rows of soft scalloped folds in combination with a light texture of delicate fabric and magnificent curtain accessories will leave no one indifferent. Looking at them, even the most staunch adherents of laconic interiors begin to think about decorating at least one window in the house with beautiful "Frenchwomen". 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 figure it out in this article.
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 - Sun in the heyday of Baroque and Classicism. Who exactly came up with the idea of decorating the windows not with straight canvases, but with canvases collected along the entire length in cascading rows of festoons, history is silent. Nose light hand unknown designer, such curtains for windows quickly gained popularity among the nobility and became the personification of wealth and luxury. They were sewn from natural Chinese silk and decorated with fringes and tassels.
For "French women" fabrics are 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 understandable that they were inaccessible to ordinary people, and the people called them "marquises" - by analogy with one of the highest European titles of nobility.
Officially "marquise" is called a fabric canopy to protect from the sun and rain. The second unofficial name has been preserved behind the curtains by aristocrats to this day and leads to confusion of concepts. The fact is that awnings are officially called fabric awnings over windows, used to create a comfortable shaded area on the street in front of houses, cafes and restaurants.
In its original form, the curtains of the marquis 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, these days they are used mainly on stage, in concert and banquet halls, restaurants, spacious halls of country houses.
For the owners of average apartments, options for French curtains have appeared, sometimes they are called French blinds, adapted to modern realities:
French curtains (awnings) - a cascade type of lifting curtains. But unlike other lifting models, in the first place they do not come out of practicality and functionality, but beauty and the difference in their appearance obvious. At the same time, French blinds cannot be confused with strict Roman blinds with their characteristic even linear folds and laconic rolls, on which there are no folds at all. But with the Austrian models they have a lot in common: the canvases are divided into vertical sections and collected in arcuate folds. The French and Austrian curtains of the photo, which are below, clearly demonstrate the difference between these two types.
The difference is that Austrian women have less draperies: they form only in the lower part and are much wider. When unfolded, they are completely unfolded, and their length never falls below the windowsill. Awnings are curtains, even in the lowered position, consisting of a large number, divided along their entire length into vertical segments of cascading scallops (sagging towards the center of the assemblies). When the curtain is lifted, they become even deeper and more expressive.
The length of the French curtains can be set to any length, both to the windowsill or just below it, and to the floor. In addition, they are divided into stationary (fixed) and lifting:
The curtain rod for French curtains can be the same as. Depending on the model, it is equipped with a lifting mechanism or a simplified version is dispensed with. In this case, the fastening of the canvas can be on Velcro Velcro tape or on hooks. The photo below shows the standard curtain rods for French curtains with an open and closed curtain lift mechanism.
It is worth noting that no matter what fabric (dense 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.
French curtains in the interior are far from the most economical way of decorating windows. They will require several times more fabric than conventional curtains. In addition, scalloped folds on cheap fabrics look ugly and primitive and, despite the fact that modern awnings do not have to be sewn like they used to be from expensive natural silk, it will not be possible to save a lot on textiles either.
Before opting for the French version of curtains, it is advisable to properly weigh the costs of their manufacture and make sure that they fit well into the interior and the funds spent on them will be compensated for by the beauty and harmony of the environment.
To make the folds look spectacular, even and smooth, you need to choose a well-draped, lightweight and soft fabric. These conditions are best met by natural or mixed textiles with a small addition of polyester fibers:
Such curtains look light and delicate and are used as curtains, both independently and together with curtains made of taffeta, satin, velvet, brocade. At the same time, curtains should look luxurious and not get lost in the splendor of French curtains.
French curtains in satin fabric Sometimes awnings are also sewn from dense, but thin, soft and well-draped fabrics. This could be:
Such curtains do not need partners and look elegant and respectable. Any curtains hung with them would be redundant. But it should be borne in mind that windows with dense opaque awnings look "blind" and they are suitable only for spacious rooms and their corresponding status classic interiors with massive furniture from natural wood and gold-plated or bronze-colored accessories.
Velvet French curtains The appearance of the folds depends entirely on the texture of the fabric: the softer and heavier it is, the more concise and smoother the scallops are. And, conversely, the stiffer and lighter the material, the more magnificent and embossed they are.
As for the colors, only plain fabrics are suitable for curtains of this type. Any drawing will be lost in numerous scallops, it will look broken, and the curtain will be untidy.
French curtains in the bathroom Pompous and aristocratic French curtains will not fit into every room. Cascading vertical rows of scallops, expensive fabrics, accessories in the form of fringes, tassels, flowers and beads will look ridiculous and cumbersome on small windows in small rooms and modest interiors. Best of all, "Frenchwomen" look in an exquisite romantic setting of Rococo and Baroque in the spirit of the XVII-XVIII centuries with pretentious, smoothly curved furniture, crystal chandeliers and bronze figurines.
French curtains in the interior of the living room Of course, few people will come to mind today to create an interior in their home that completely copies the atmosphere of past centuries, but its main signs and general style must be observed. If you want to decorate with awnings small room, use options adapted to modernity and performing the function of tulle - from transparent white or pastel shades of fabric, up to the windowsill, without additional decorations.
French curtains in the study So that the light French tulle curtain does not "play" from the draft and hang statically, special weights can be sewn to its lower edge.
Short French curtain complemented by an original lambrequin on the kitchen window As for the functional purpose of the rooms in which it is planned to hang curtains of this type, it can be anything - the main thing, as already mentioned, is the entourage corresponding to the awning. Of course, French curtains look best in a living room or study, but they are no less often used in non-residential rooms such as a bathroom and a kitchen (as in the photo above). The only room where their use is undesirable is the nursery. No matter how attractive "French women" are, dust inevitably accumulates in numerous scallops and they have to be washed often, therefore, curtains that are more functional and simple in shape are appropriate for the room where the kids live.
Despite their aristocracy and sophistication, French curtains can make the interior not only refined, but also cozy and pacifying. The main thing is that they must match the interior and look, and a modern mechanism with a lifting block will help to increase their functionality.
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When you mention France, associations arise with impeccable taste, sophistication, celebration and Versailles luxury. That is why the most elegant curtains began to be called French or marquises.
"Marquis" is a chain driven mechanism lifting structure with many folds. Smooth drapery, covering the entire surface of the product, descends to the bottom with semicircular scallops. If the curtain needs to be opened, it is done like a blind: by pulling the fabric up.
The most important question is expectedly the choice of fabric for curtains in the French style. If you intend to decorate the window with a light translucent fabric, take organza, taffeta or veil.
To decorate a window opening with dense fabrics are suitable:
Moreover, they must be of such density as to keep the shape of the folds. It is best to use materials for this purpose, which consist of a mixture of natural fibers with synthetics. But for kitchens, fabrics with synthetic content are preferable: they are easier to wash and last longer.
If French curtains are designed to focus on luxury, then rich shades of fabric are preferable: pearls, purple, gold, chocolate; when the curtain serves as a background element, curtains of light shades are chosen: white, beige, coffee with milk, gray or silver.
The French style involves the use of paintings with a pronounced texture and uniform colors. the main task products - pay attention to the drapery. If it is decided to use fabric with a pattern, choose a small floral ornament. . Designers do not recommend using striped prints and large images for French-style curtains.
For this type of curtain, the following decors are used:
You can add Parisian charm to your kitchen by using black and white floor tiles. The interior is complemented by white curtains controlled by cords. The walls are complemented with monochrome posters or images of vineyards, lavender fields.
French curtains in the kitchen interior are a stylish touch that creates a cozy, non-standard setting. If there are many windows, then a curtain made of fabric of the appropriate tone is separately decorated. In this case, soft lambrequins or bandos serve as a connecting element.
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When we choose French curtains for the kitchen, we want to get a sophisticated decor that pleases the eye. They are distinguished by small floral patterns, giving the atmosphere a playful touch. In such a kitchen it is pleasant to get together with the whole family to chat over a cup of tea.
They complement the decor with fresh flowers in a vase, the shade of which can match the color of the curtain. Wallpaper with a gentle floral ornament harmoniously shading textiles.
French curtains for the kitchen are complemented by provincial-style lamps (pendant, table). Furniture made of rattan or dark wood adds a special charm to the atmosphere. Chairs or armchairs made of such materials seem to be transferred to a cozy Parisian cafe.
The French curtain in the kitchen is considered a fundamental element of the decor. Cascading fabrics, a variety of ruffles and airy draperies - all this artistically decorates the window and sets important accents.
