How to properly sew curtain tapes to tulle and curtains

Curtain (furnishings) tape is a braid, along the entire length of which cords are laid to create folds and holes or loops for attaching the product. Such fittings make it easier to sew window textiles, eliminating the need to create loops and folds directly on the fabric. It is not difficult to sew curtain tape of any size to curtains, the main thing is to make the correct calculations and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Why do you need curtain tape?

On sale you can find a large number of accessories that will help you quickly and easily hang curtains on the window, as well as give them amazing and beautiful designs. One of these elements will be curtain braid. It looks like fabric flaps of various widths, along the entire length of which a cord or thin ropes are stretched. In the center of the braid there is a thicker layer with loops necessary for hanging curtains to the baguette, and laces are used to create folds of the required type and size.

What is curtain tape used for:

• processing the upper edges of curtains or curtains;
• hanging them from the cornice without using rings or clothespins;
• creation of assemblies of varying complexity.

Main types of ribbons
Also, the ribbon can be sewn in other places on the tulle. After tightening the ropes, folds are formed on the surface of the tulle; they can be made in any form. In order to remove the curtains, you just need to untie the ropes and straighten the braid. This tape greatly simplifies the work of window styling, and anyone can sew it on. It is also called curtain elastic, mesh or belt.

Attention! Using drapery, you can create beautiful patterns and lines on the surface of curtains or tulle.

But, unfortunately, some types of draping will be difficult for a beginner. To do this, it is recommended to watch several video tutorials to understand the essence of the work.

Energy and power in electrical engineering

In electrical engineering, there are also such concepts as energy and power associated with Ohm’s law. Energy itself exists in mechanical, thermal, nuclear and electrical forms. According to the law of conservation of energy, it cannot be destroyed or created. It can only be transformed from one form to another. For example, audio systems convert electrical energy into sound and heat.

Any electrical appliance consumes a certain amount of energy over a set period of time. This value is individual for each device and represents power, that is, the amount of energy that a particular device can consume. This parameter is calculated using the formula P = I x U, the unit of measurement is the watt. It means moving one ampere by one volt through a resistance of one ohm.

Thus, the basics of electrical engineering for beginners will help you understand the basic concepts and terms at first. After this, it will be much easier to use the acquired knowledge in practice.

Types of curtain tape

Curtain tape can be from 1.5 to 10 cm wide. Thin tape is used for hanging small curtains made of lightweight materials. To secure thick curtains, a wide tape is needed. With its help you can drape the edges of the product.

Finished drapery

Types of curtain tape:

• transparent - mainly used for thin curtains;
• white - used in all other options, especially for dense materials such as velvet, woolen silk, jacquard.

You can also find braid for making various draperies on curtains:

• creating light waves;
• creating folds in the form of a bow;
• creating folds in the form of a cylinder.

According to the method of fastening, the tape can be:

• Sew-on - attached using a sewing machine or by hand;
• Adhesive - attached to the canvas using hot steam treatment. This type of braid is necessary for transparent short curtains that are light in weight.

You might be interested in what are flat-stitch sewing machines?

Bow pleat

According to the assembly configuration, the braid can be:

• To form folds along a horizontal line. This type of tape is used for hanging traditional curtains, drapes, and lambrequins;
• To form folds along a vertical line. This braid is used in lifting window openings (French, English).

The braid can be equipped with several rows of loops. Eyelets in two rows help to hang curtains on hooks and make light folds. If there are more nearby (3-4), then the loops are used to assemble curtains and create a decorative top cut on the product.

Selection of material

Any curtain is hung on the window with a small gather. How to calculate the length correctly? For example, you need to hem a curtain on a window 3 meters long. The tape has a build factor k. For example, k=1.5. To get a curtain of the required length, you need to calculate the width of the canvas and multiply the length by the coefficient (3x1.5 = 4.5). Thus, you need to buy a canvas 4.5 meters wide.

Coefficients range from 1.5 to 3. The length of the braid should be equal to the width of the fabric. It should be taken into account that different fabrics have different degrees of contraction depending on the density.

How to make a choice and calculate the length

In order for the braid to correctly perform all functions, it is selected in accordance with the fabric. For example, types of tape for products of different materials are as follows:

Braid on the veil

• light fabrics, voile, organza or denser fabrics, hold quite well on narrow curtain tapes with two ropes, loops are created on the first to hang products, folds are formed on the second;
• Large and thick curtains, of course, are hung on wide strips with 3-4 ropes. This way you can create unusual folds.

To obtain a buffer, a special tape is selected. In textile stores you can find braid suitable for a certain type of fabric. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the seller before purchasing.

Tape calculation

The length of the curtain mesh tape depends on the assembly index - this is a kind of “pomp” factor of the required folds. For example, to calculate the length of a product on a tape with classic folds, you need to double the footage of the material. For formal and luxurious gatherings, the fabric must be tripled and 10 cm added to the lapel.

Tape for thin curtains

To calculate the width of the curtains on the braid, the dimensions of the cornice are used to determine the parameters. It is important that the braid attached to the curtain covers the cornice completely or extends slightly beyond the edge. To do this, you need to know the structure of the fabric - braid for thick curtains from 5 to 10 cm and the required height above the cornice - +5-10 cm.

Options for decorative folds

Braid with different “K” coefficients forms various types of draperies. The “K” value is indicated on the hardware label.

Drapery options are grouped in the table.

When buying braid, test it. Rigid, neat assembly guarantees a beautiful appearance of the product.

How to sew curtain tape to a curtain: step-by-step instructions

To properly sew ribbon and hang curtains, you need to know the methods for attaching them to the curtain rod. The wrong choice of canopy method can ruin the designer’s idea and not fit into the entire style of the room. Sometimes structures collapse if they are not fixed correctly.

Step-by-step work process

In hardware stores you can see different types of cornices. However, the most common cornices are made of metal, wood, as well as ceiling and string types.

The methods for attaching curtains to curtain rods are as follows:

• using rings. The cheapest and most popular fastening method. Rings are generally already included in the set when purchasing a cornice;
• drawstrings or pocket located on the top line of the curtain. Used for fastenings with a cut in the form of a circle;
• clothespins. Used for light fabrics;
• clips. They look like clothespins, but they don't have teeth. Produced for curtains made of weightless material. Some types are equipped with locks and may have designer finishing;
• the loops are made of the same fabric as the curtain itself.

You might be interested in this: Creating a pattern and instructions for sewing suitcase covers with your own hands

Methods of various fastening to cornices

Formation of folds

To make a fold easily, the curtain tape must have at least three to four ropes. They must be tied at each end of the braid at the same time. It is advisable to carry out this work with an assistant. When making folds yourself at home, the second end must be wound around the door handle.

The first step is to tighten the elastic band. Grab the connected ropes of the free knot in one hand, and with your free hand gather the tape from the edges to the center, moving the fabric along the rope.

The curtain gathers into folds, and the laces are released and become longer. They need to be wound on cardboard.

Formation of folds

When folds begin to interfere with the work process, they need to be moved to the fixed end of the lace. The curtain tape with gathers is measured with a centimeter, adjusted to the desired width. The final stage is to distribute the folds and fix the lace (do not cut it) from the edges of the tape.

The hooks are attached to the braid after 8-10 centimeters and now you can hang the curtain to the cornice.

Working with tulle

This fabric is quite capricious, so it is advisable for beginners not to start their first work with it.

Next, the question arises of how to sew curtain tape to tulle. Curtain braid for weightless tulle is made from thick fishing line; this is necessary so that the “thick” fabric braid does not show through the transparent material. The thickness of the tape should be as minimal as possible so that it does not stand out in the room.

Tulle curtain

Also, when buying braid for tulle, you need to remember the number of ropes that pierce it; the number of finished folds depends on them. Below are the basic rules for working with tulle.

For tulle to look good in a room, you need to pay attention not only to its appearance and color, but also to the overall design, to how it looks by the window.

Is the drapery done correctly, what is the length of the curtain and its texture. This is exactly why curtain tape is needed to hide the imperfections of the tulle.

Tulle on ribbon

Step-by-step work on sewing curtain tape:

1. The curtain fabric needs to be measured and cut.
2. The length of the curtain tape is measured. To do this, you need to add about 25-30 centimeters to the length of the tulle. This increase is necessary for additional folds and to take into account the shrinkage of the fabric after the first wash.
3. It is necessary to process the side sections of the fabric. Fold the tulle to the inside. If the material crumbles, you can tuck it several times.
4. Fasten the braid and curtain together, this will make sewing easier later.
5. Place the tape two centimeters below the edge of the tulle and bend it on both sides.
6. Carefully sew the ribbon to the fabric. After this, remove the running stitches and needles.
7. Finally, sew the braid on the sides.

Important! When working with this fabric, you must try not to pierce it again, as the needles leave large holes in it. For work it is better to use the smallest needle number and thin threads.

You might be interested in this. We create a pattern and sew a beautiful and simple bandana.

Methods for attaching weights

If you wish, you can sew your own curtains with additional weights. A load, fabric to match the color of the curtains, a sewing machine, threads, and scissors are prepared in advance. Measurements are taken with a measuring tape or tape measure. The method of attaching coins or wire depends on the weight of the web.

Tulle and lightweight materials - use weights weighing 12-22 grams.

The sequence of internal fastening of the weighting material to the lightweight fabric:

1. If the curtain is light in weight, it is recommended to sew the strips on the sides. It is enough to take 2 parts weighing no more than 22 grams.
2. Each element must be placed in a fabric pocket, which is sewn separately.
3. A small cut should be made on the back side of the bottom hem of the curtain, keeping an interval of 5 cm from the bottom. If the material is not tucked, then it is allowed to use curtain tape.
4. A pocket with a weighting agent is inserted into the resulting cut and sewn to the curtain.

To insert the parts, preliminary preparation of the bottom edge or side of the curtain is required.

When the curtain is made of dense, heavy material, the weight needs to be sewn in in a different way. On the reverse side at the bottom there are several pockets into which coins or metal balls are inserted. The folded bottom of the curtain can serve as a place for placing the parts.

Curtain tape is sewn to cover the holes

It is important to secure the weights so that they do not fall out when the curtain is in an upside-down position. To fix a wire or chain, you must first fold the fabric 10 cm and stitch it

A weighting agent is threaded into the resulting hole.

To prevent the load from shifting, the side edges of the hem are sewn up.

It is not necessary to sew a special pocket to fix the curtains in one position. Frequently, loads are attached to the outside of the curtains. In this case, weights for curtains or products with holes are used. From scrap materials, old coins will come in handy. The bottom of massive curtains is decorated with fringe or pendants, but such a detail is appropriate in classic or retro-style interiors.

Another weighting option in the form of a special fringe sheet attached to the bottom is suitable for massive heavy curtains.

The weighting material on organza curtains does not need to be placed in a special pocket. Here a special cord is used to match the curtains and is sewn on the back side of the fabric. It is prohibited to use chains and slats for curtains made of organza.

To sew weighting to organza, the material chosen for balancing is sewn directly to the bottom edge without forming a pocket.