Japanese curtains with their own hands

Japanese traditional curtains do not look like our curtains and curtains. They are devoid of folds, ruches, fringes and other ornaments, and are more like fabric narrow panels that make of a dense and light translucent material.

Although there are no special taboos regarding print or color for Japanese curtain panels, the Japanese themselves like natural, discreet tones. Their color, most often, has a poetic definition - a shade of cherry blossoms, tender bamboo shoots, etc. But Japanese curtains are limited in width - no more than 60 cm for each panel, which can be several, moreover with different patterns. Because of this, large prints are not too wide, and if they are conceived from different cloths, then no more than 2-3 types of fabric are used, which harmonize and complement each other.

Looking through the samples of Japanese curtains in the photo, it is obvious that there is no need for eastern symbols or hieroglyphs, although they are not excluded. The colors and attributes of the Japanese flag are rarely used, but red in combination with white is very appropriate. If necessary, man-made hieroglyphs are created on the panels, which are easiest to sew from a braid or to be printed with a printed impression. Although the tissue strip is supposed to be no more than 60-90 cm, a combination of several sliding screens closes the wide windows or the whole wall.

Japanese curtains are always the same length - almost to the floor. They are stretched without folds on special cornices. They do not move apart in the usual way, that is, they do not shade in the usual sense, but only move along the window. That is why they are sometimes called "screen" or "panel" curtains. Above their ideal tension helps the cornice, and from the bottom they contain rigid inserts.

They are somewhat reminiscent of wide blinds, the principle of fastening is about the same, and it was the Japanese curtains that served them as an idea. Such curtains can be completely fixed, combining transparent and dense cloths, similar to the usual for us two-layer curtains. There are remote controllable sliding structures and extendable with a cord, like a blind. And although the curtains are removed symmetrically on both sides of the window, you can set in motion only one half, for example, at the balcony door.

The fabric after sewing Japanese curtains is well ironed and stretched, like a screen. Usually they are not touched by hands, and in this form they serve for a long time. They are easy to vacuum, holding from the bottom, but the power of the vacuum cleaner should be minimal. As the contamination of the curtains is easy to remove, wash and re-hang. Sometimes for the renovation of the general design they change part of the panels, creating a new look of Japanese curtains in the interior.

Decorative solution of

Popularity of the design of Japanese curtains is explained by their multifunctionality. Screening with rectangular fabric panels is used not only as window curtains, but also as screens or panels for zoning the interior, as well as for decorating the wall. For example, they can separate a private space in a room for 2-3 children, hide shelves for needlework or a place to rest an elderly person. In addition to windows, Japanese curtains can be used for doorways or to close shelves and niches that do not have a door.

Adherents of Japanese minimalism and eco-style use Japanese curtains in the interior to hide from the public view those things that do not fit into the overall concept. For example, a shelf with aquariums for breeding fry or a corner with a sewing machine. When choosing materials prefer natural fabrics or a combination of fabrics of different texture.

Cloths for Japanese curtains are in most cases limited to a width of 60 cm - this was formerly the standard of suvoy linen, but under them a special cornice was adapted.

Advantages of Japanese curtains

Curtains in Japanese style have become an interesting alternative to European aesthetics in decoration. They have a number of undeniable advantages:

• elegance and simple geometry, quiet shades;
• they are suitable for windows of any width due to their combinatoriality;
• to sew a set of Japanese curtains can anyone who owns the basics of working for a sewing machine;
• curtains save space;
• for them will suit even the most budgetary fabrics;
• curtains help to regulate the flow of natural light and air even in a curtained form;
• help create a creative look in the apartment;
• does not require expensive fittings;
• they have no restrictions on the choice of texture of the fabric;
• on Japanese panels there are no folds and dust accumulation possibilities;
• creates a natural barrier to the penetration of insects;
• they are rarely washed, they are easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner;
• special cornice will provide ease of use, including remote control;
• they do not need complex care after washing and in ironing, the fabric is repeatedly hung and removed;
• finished cornices can be bought in catalogs or in shops;
• there is an opportunity to use the advice of professionals - Japanese curtains master class.

Selection of fabric for sewing Japanese curtains

In the author's interior there is always a place for creative accessories, such as Japanese curtains. They will advantageously decorate not only the Japanese interior, but also any modern design, depending on the color combination of the panels and the texture of the material. It is very interesting to see the alternation of crisp white sheets of translucent texture and dark jacquard on wide window openings.

Excellent choice - hang Japanese curtains between the kitchen and dining area in the studio apartment, and you can separate the hallway and the living room. Canvases of washable material like Japanese curtains can also find application in the bathroom or in the bathroom.

Japanese curtains in the interior always emphasize the originality of the idea - from conservative-classical to the most futuristic style, especially if they somehow out-of-standard beat. When choosing a fabric according to color, density and texture, it is important to take into account the width of the canvas, so that the large pattern fits into the cloth without trimming. Single-color contrasting cloths will help to decorate the business office in an original way.

Usually for screen type curtains choose lightweight fabrics, transparent and translucent. It is important that they let enough light and air from the open transom. The width of the panels is limited by a special Japanese cornice, and in order not to deal with the side walls, it is easier to immediately buy a cloth with a width of exactly 60 cm.

However, if they are fixed in another way, for example, on a ceiling cornice, then you can buy a cloth wider - up to 90 cm. The length of the ledgedivide the window opening by the number of supposed panels if the fastening is unconventional, for example, a little overlap.

When calculating how much fabric for curtains is required, it is important to orient:

• on the possibility of Japanese cornice;
• to the height of the wall and the required number of screens.

Next to the length of the panels is added approximately 10 cm to the allowance for processing the fabric from above and below. Remember that a rigid part is inserted in the lower part to maintain the shape. On the cutoff sides and on the side seams make an allowance of 5 cm

For classic Japanese curtains, narrow fabrics from natural fabrics, for example, linen, cotton, silk or traditional patterns of bamboo fibers, are selected. You can also use jute and fabrics with an original weave of coarse threads. For a modern eclectic design, you can make Japanese curtains by your own hands from those fabrics that will be most appropriate in the general idea.

Hard fabrics are best kept in shape, do not stretch and do not deform when used for a long time. Under the slings-weighting for the bottom of the curtains are like wood or metal, it is important that they fix the traditional shape. Concerning the drawing - it is better to take a discreet picturesque print with a picture of plants and animals, hieroglyphs and eastern symbols.

Classics of the Japanese style - gentle and calm colors: white and blue, beige and brown, light green and sand, soft pink or peach. Light monophonic panels are designed to bring peace, purity and harmony to the traditional Japanese interior. To create an optimistic and cheerful mood add 3-2 bright canvases of yellow, red or orange.

Multifunctionality of Japanese curtains

Japanese curtains - original and multifunctional design solution:

• completely covered with a translucent screen the window can hide the sad landscape of the industrial zone or protect you from prying eyes from closely located windows opposite;
• for zoning space, curtains are used to separate different parts of a dwelling;
• experiments with texture and color help create a special comfort for the separation of personal space, emphasizing the individuality of the tenants;
• it is possible to use curtains to shield work places in a large office space;
• curtains help to create original design of doorways;
• well hide parts of the room that you need to hide from public view;
• act as a natural protection against the penetration of insects;
• can be used to decorate a child so that the asleep child is not distracted by the movement of other family members around the apartment.

Curtain Rods for Japanese Curtains

For Japanese curtains, ordinary cornices are not used, since they do not support the shape of the screen panel, and the movement of the stretched fabric is difficult to carry out manually. Thanks to special controlled cornices, Japanese curtains with a metal weighting are attached from above with velcro to the rails moving with the help of a control device. The cornice has a different number of control panels, it all depends on the maximum length of the cornice itself and the width of the panels attached to it - from 3 to 6. The cornices consist of rails, through which the panels move to the right and left.

Control of classic Japanese curtains was provided on a special cord that moved the panels. The system resembles a blind, and here you can use glass curtains. But today they prefer automatic control of the cornice with the remote control. However, Japanese curtains can not be closed for a long time, especially when the fabric is selected in such a way that the curtain would let in a lot of light, but would hide the visibility from the outside of the window.

There are different versions of curtain rods, for example, a three-five-panel display with a 3-way profile is sufficient, and up to 6-7 can be attached to the 4-way profiles. The maximum length of the curtain rod for Japanese curtains is 8 m, but if you want to increase the length, you can mount 2 cornices in a row.

Cutting and sewing Japanese curtains

Japanese curtains master class is a workshop helping to make Japanese curtains with your own hands. On it you can learn the advice of professionals on video or learn a step-by-step instruction.

1. We start with the purchase of a cornice of the necessary length to determine the number of canvases.
2. The purchase of the fabric of the required footage depends on the length of the future screens, their number and the allowances for seams of 10 cm.
3. The cutting of bands of 60 cm depends on the width of the fabric - if the fabric is more than 130 cm, then two sheets can be cut from one piece at a time.
4. Natural fabrics shrink, so it's better to make cuts a little more. Then they need to be soaked, dried and ironed. If you wash the curtains in hot water, and rinse it in the cold, shrinkage will be greater.
5. Side seam allowances are made smaller than the bottom and top.
6. Seam treatment starts at the sides, then the top is sewn up to the Velcro. From below, it is necessary to sew long enough to make a weighting pad for the weighting agent.
7. To save time, it is more convenient to perform the same operations on all panels at once.
8. The allowance for Velcro is small, up to 2 cm, and under the kuliska - 4-5 cm.
9. The sewn curtain is first ironed, then hooked. By the way, wet ironing in itself shrinks. Particularly carefully stitched seams.
   
10. On the upper section of the canvas, the velcro is applied face-up, evenly fastened with pins, and scribbled. Then they turn it inside out and sew again.
11. If the fabric is stitched, then all the cloth is not ironed, but only a little steal the seams, placing a wet towel from below.
12. Now you can hang a Japanese curtain on the cornice and pass the weighting in the kuliska. If there is nothing suitable for this purpose, you can put a wooden bead or a long steel spoke.

Tip: The difficulty of sewing is to make all the curtains the same length. If there is a small difference, you can correct it on the kulisk.