The way to Make Earthy Curtains
Now’s rustic interiors inspired by cottage or country living have an easy, earthy appeal. The cutesy affectations of the so-called state look of past decades — such as fussy, ruffled curtains covered with checks or chickens — don’t match the style. Opt instead for easy, unconstructed curtains for a natural, earthy impact.
Fabric
Neutral-colored solid fabrics made from natural fibers work best to the earthy look. Burlap is perfect due to its colour and coarse, nubby texture. Other great alternatives include loose-weave linen, linen-weave cotton and cotton broadcloth, particularly in the event that you opt for unbleached versions. Environmentally-friendly fabrics woven from hemp or bamboo also work well.
Hardware
The hanging hardware for earthy curtains should look simple and unpretentious. Ornate fashions take away from the natural, homespun look. Pole rods made from iron, stained wood or bamboo stalk work well when paired with plain ball, ball or acorn-shaped finials. If you opt for decorative curtain rings, then choose metallic or metallic variants in a finish that matches or complements your chosen rod. If you plan to leave the curtains fixed in the open position, or if you’re planning to use tiebacks, you could also hang them in a row of iron hooks installed on or above the window frame. The look is very charming if you opt for hand-forged hooks. Pair the pins with easy iron holdbacks, or make tiebacks from lengths of string or strings of wooden beads.
Curtain Styles
Pleated, drapery-style curtains feel too formal for the earthy look. Tab and tie-top models look overly docile, as do rod-pocket fashions when you shirr them over a rod. Simple, flat-panel curtains suit an earthy, rustic decorating style; you’ll need one pair per window. The final look depends on the ring placement. For a hidden-ring look appropriate for the two pole pins and rods, attach the rings to the corners of the curtain headers. Sew or clip decorative rings to the tops of the curtain headers. Space concealed or decorative rings 5 to 7 inches apart to make the curtains fall into delicate folds. To create delicate swags involving the rings, then place them 8 to 12 inches apart. The latter style is occasionally known as a droopy curtain.
Measuring and Cutting
Install your curtain hooks or rod on or above the window frame according to the manufacturer’s directions. Assess the curtain rod width to the finished width of each curtain in a pair. For curtains with concealed rings, measure from the top of the curtain rod to the location where your desire the curtain hem to drop to your finished length. If you plan to use decorative rings, put a band on the rod, and then measure from the base of the ring to the hem location. For every single curtain with concealed rings, cut your cloth 2 inches wider than the finished width and 4 1/4 inches more than the finished length. For curtains you can use with decorative rings, cut the cloth 2 inches wider than the finished width and 4 inches more than the last length.
Sewing
Fold the sides of each piece of cloth over 1/2 inch to the wrong side of this cloth. Fold them over a different 1/2 inch to make double-folded hems, which conceal the raw edges. Use straight pins to hold the folds in place. Together with the fabric right side up, straight stitch the side hems in your sewing machine with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat with 1-inch double-folded hems in the tops and bottoms of each panel. Sew them with a 3/4-inch seam allowance. If you opted for concealed rings, then hand sew them to the rear of the curtain header, 1/4 inch from the top. For ornamental circles, clip or hand sew them to the peak of the curtain header, based on the band type you chose.
Installation
To install curtains on pole rods, then remove the rod from its brackets and slip the rings onto the rod with the ideal side of the curtains facing away from the window glass. Then set the rod back to the brackets, securing it as the manufacturer recommends. If you are hanging your curtains from hooks, then simply slip a hidden ring over each hook.
