Curtains give a decorative touch to the kitchen windows. Because they are generally located in places where they can be exposed to humidity, high temperatures and stove fire, kitchen window curtains need special attention. Their location places some limits in the choice of fabric, length and size, making the kitchen curtains less difficult to create than the more sophisticated ones in the living area. You don't need to go to a seamstress to sew your kitchen curtains. Just follow these steps.
Steps
Step 1. Choose the type of curtain you prefer
You can choose from a few options.
- Classic curtains. They are made of two curtain sheets on the same rod that descend from top to bottom, covering the window on both the right and left side.
- Valances. The valance is a curtain that horizontally covers only the upper part of the window, leaving the lower part uncovered.
- Bistro tendon. It is a single curtain that blocks only half or two thirds of the bottom of the window. They are often used in combination with pelmet.
Step 2. Measure the window.
Make a note of the length and width of your window. If you want to have bistre curtains, also measure the distance between the center point of the length of the window and its lower part.
Step 3. Decide how much you want to curl your kitchen curtain
This will determine how much fabric you will need to buy. Generally speaking, a more gathered curtain gives a more gorgeous effect. A curl of 1.5 is equivalent to a smooth curtain, while a curl of 3 is a very sumptuous curtain.
Step 4. Measure how much fabric you will need
Follow these guidelines to calculate the fabric square footage.
- Calculate the curl by multiplying by 1, 5 to 3 for the width of the window. For example, if your window is 0.6m, you will need 1.2m of fabric length for each sheet to be created.
- Remember that valances and bistre curtains have only one cloth.
- If you are going to sew classic curtains, the width of each sheet will need to be half the length of the entire length and you will need two sheets per window.
- Add at least 5cm to the width and 15cm to the length of your valance, bistro curtain and classic curtain for seams, rod pockets and hems. You can adjust this measurement according to your model and the size of the rod.
Step 5. Choose a fabric
There are some practical considerations to take into account when creating kitchen curtains. You do not have to choose any fabric that shrinks or fades easily, or cannot be washed. It is also a good idea to choose a fire retardant fabric in case of kitchen fires.
Step 6. Place the fabric on a smooth surface and iron it over
Step 7. Use a measuring tape and ruler to mark the size of the drapes on the fabric with the fabric marker
Step 8. Cut the curtains
Step 9. Make the bottom hem
- Fold the fabric of the bottom of the curtain up to 1.25 cm, with the wrong side on the inside, and iron over it.
- Fold the fabric again, wrong side towards you to create a hem of the desired size (taking into account how much fabric you have set aside for the hem) and iron again.
- Sew the top of the hem fold to ensure it stays.
Step 10. Complete the finishing of the right and left edges of the curtain
- Fold the edges of the fabric vertically by 1.25 cm on each side with the wrong side inside and iron them.
- Double the fold to hide the edges of the fabric and iron again.
- Sew along the edges of the fold to make sure it stays.
Step 11. Create the pocket for the rod
- Fold the top of your curtain 1.25 cm with the wrong side inside and pass the iron.
- Fold the visible part of the curtain inwards again (inside out), leaving enough space for the pocket, and pass the iron again.
- Sew as close to the folded edges as possible to complete the pockets. Once this step is done, your tent is finished.
Step 12. Finished
Advice
- If you decide to make the bistro curtains, when you model the curtains you will have to decide whether you want the curtains to touch the windowsill or if you want them to fall underneath.
- You can be very creative with valance patterns. Search the internet for its various versions. Most often the variations only apply to the shape and only require you to cut your pattern differently.
- To make your work easier, use a sewing gauge to measure the hems.
