Important Components Make up Window Curtains for the Home

"Faux" top treatments built into the curtain add 

another dimension to the total look of a window.

Whether or not you intend to sew your own curtains or buy ready-made panels, your initial ideas will focus on fabric, in particular the fabric type, color and pattern. Before you head towards the fabric or home goods store, think about the numerous other important components of window blinds. Take the time to plan in advance the style of the curtains, linings, options for casings, headings as well as top treatments and the hardware you will use to mount your curtains over the windowpane. These elements are just as important as fabric choice in determining the overall finished look of the curtains.

Curtain Styles

The simplest curtains are two rectangular panels of fabric, layered or unlined, hemmed at the bottom and sides and hung from their upper sides using one of several heading or casing options. You can alter the look of these easy curtains by changing their length and width. Design them so that the bottom hem gets to the window sill, the floor or some point in between; mount the rail or even rod just above or some distance above the window to further shorten or extend the curtains.

The width of curtain panels, as well as the weight of the material, determines their fullness, or how gathered they will be when drawn closed. Light-weight fabrics gather more gently, so cut them wider than heavier materials. If you want to control the fullness and spacing of the gathering, make pleated drapes. Use pleating tape, available in several styles, to make this easy -- simply sew the tape along the reverse side of the heading, pull the guitar strings, and the curtain panels will gather into decorative pleats.

Related: Designer curtains: Pattern Faux Silk Curtains

Related: Vintage Cotton Velvet Curtains Collection

Related: How to Make Your Curtain Fabric Romance

Casings and Titles

The top hem of a curtain panel determines the manner in which you mount it to some rod or pole and is also an important stye element. Fold and sew the hem along the top, leaving the sides open, and you can simply slide the sections onto the rod or pole. Vary the design by folding a broader hem and sewing a channel along the bottom of it, which results in a decorative material heading above the rod or pole. Tab-top curtains are hung from a drape pole by narrow strips of fabric. Sew fabric tabs along the heading, space them evenly apart. Or hang curtains using curtain rings with unique curtain tape. Sew tape along the reverse side of the curtain heading, place the rings through the tape and mount them to the rod or post. Several styles of rings and tapes are available. Clip-rings go directly onto the actual curtain heading, which just needs to be hemmed.

Top Treatments

Top treatments, which include valances, swags, jabots as well as cornices, enhance the upper parts of curtains and sometimes conceal the rod or post. They involve additional planning, time and work but when executed properly give window treatments an expert and finished look. Valances are a set of short curtains mounted over the top associated with longer curtains or shades; they are hung from a second rod or a wood mounting board. Swags likewise cover the top of a window treatment but are gently draped across for an informal look. Jabots are often paired with swags, hung top to bottom at the sides of the windows but not intended to be drawn. Cornices are boxes without having backs, usually custom made from wood, that cover a curtain rod or post. They are often upholstered with fabric to match or complement curtains.

Hardware and Add-ons

Curtain rods and poles can be decorative and intended to be seen, such as fluted wooden poles with end finials used with tab-top curtains, or functional as well as hidden by the curtain heading, such as simple sash rods inserted into a fishing rod pocket. Some rods curve at a 90-degree angle at each end, which offers outdoor patio, or depth, between the curtains and the wall. Traverse rods have a pull-cord system for drawing curtains open and closed with ease. Cafe rods are curved and intended for use with rings. Most rods and poles are sold using the necessary screws and brackets for mounting them. Spring-tension rods have an flexible length and don't require any screws or brackets to mount but are with regard to use with lightweight curtains only. Other hardware and accessories include tie-backs, which can be decorative metal, fabric or cording with tassels. Curtain jewelry has got the same function as tie-backs but is made from strings of beads.

View the original article here