Leslie Massey
Austrian curtains, also known as Puff Drapes, are a beautiful drapery style that suits a grand theatre very well. They are often used as front curtains in a no-loft stage and are characterised by their decorative quality, achieved by sewing both horizontal and vertical fullness. This process of gathering material on the vertical seams produces a series of soft swags. To make Austrian curtains, you will need to cut your fabric to the desired height of your shades, trim the fabric to the size of your window, and secure the fabric to cardboard pieces. You will then sew the fabric pieces together, sandwiching the blinds in between, and attach the blinds to your window.
Characteristics and Values of Austrian Curtains
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Encore Velour, Iridescent Silky Charmeuse, Broderie Anglaise |
| Fabric preparation | Cut to the desired height, double over, trim to window size, secure to cardboard, sew together |
| Installation | Screw or heavy-duty adhesive tape |
| Appearance | Decorative, horizontal and vertical fullness, soft swags, scalloped hemline |
| Function | Lifting action, equal lift on each drawline, equal speed and height |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting and trimming the fabric
To make an Austrian curtain, you will need to cut your fabric to the desired height of your shades and then double it over onto itself. It is recommended to allow around 30 cm extra in length. Trim the fabric to the size of your window, and don't forget to account for the scalloped hemline at the bottom, which is a distinctive feature of Austrian curtains.
Next, cut two pieces of cardboard or similar material to the height of your shades. This will provide a temporary framework to help with the sewing process. Secure each piece of fabric to a piece of cardboard, ensuring you leave an extra 12" on each end for sewing later. This extra fabric will be useful when you need to attach the fabric to the blinds.
Place the cardboard between two chair backs or any stable, upright structure that can support it. Sew the fabric together, creating a secure pocket for the cardboard to sit in. You can now remove the cardboard from between the layers of fabric.
At this stage, you should have two long pieces of fabric, each with a channel along the top where the cardboard was placed. These channels will be used to insert and secure the blinds. It is important to note that the fabric should be trimmed precisely to the size of your window, as any excess fabric will affect the even lifting of the blinds.
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Securing fabric to cardboard
When making Austrian curtains, you may need to secure fabric to cardboard. Here are some methods to do so:
Fabric Wrapping and Gluing
This method provides a neat and professional finish, along with a strong bond between the fabric and the cardboard. First, reinforce the cardboard by adding an extra layer or using thicker cardboard to prevent sagging or tearing. Then, fold the edges of the fabric neatly around the cardboard, ensuring crisp corners and a taut fabric. Finally, apply a thin, even layer of fabric glue to the cardboard before wrapping the fabric around it.
Adhesive Spray
Adhesive spray is another option, but it is essential to consider alternatives like fabric glue or double-sided tape, especially for delicate fabrics. Choose a spray designed for fabric to achieve a strong bond without stiffness or discolouration. Test the spray on a small piece of fabric first, and then apply a light, even coat to the cardboard. Smooth the fabric over it, ensuring no wrinkles or air bubbles, and let it dry before trimming any excess fabric.
Double-Sided Tape
Double-sided tape is a mess-free and convenient option, especially for lightweight fabrics or quick projects. Apply the tape along the edges or in a grid pattern on the cardboard, then press the fabric firmly onto it.
Sewing
Sewing is another way to attach fabric to cardboard, offering a strong and durable hold. You can use a sewing machine or hand embroidery. When using a machine, set it to a straight stitch and adjust the settings to accommodate the thickness of the fabric and cardboard. Guide the fabric and cardboard evenly to prevent puckering or uneven stitching, and reinforce the beginning and end of the seam. For hand embroidery, use embroidery floss and a sharp needle to incorporate decorative patterns or designs.
Iron-on Adhesive
Place the cardboard on a clean, flat surface, with the fabric facing up. Position the iron-on adhesive sheet on the fabric, ensuring it covers the attachment area. Use an iron at the appropriate heat setting for the fabric and press it over the sheet for the recommended time. Allow the assembly to cool before handling.
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Sewing the fabric
To sew the fabric for Austrian blinds, start by cutting your fabric to the desired height of your shades and doubling it over onto itself. Trim the fabric to the size of your window and cut two pieces of cardboard or similar material to the height of your shades. Secure each piece of fabric to a piece of cardboard on either side, leaving 12" of extra fabric on each end for sewing later. This extra fabric will be useful when you sew the sides together.
Next, place the cardboard between two chair backs and sew the fabric together, attaching one side first. Then, flip it over and sew the other side on top of the flap you left earlier. Make sure you sew through both layers of fabric securely.
Now, stack your blinds on top of each other so that they are all lined up, with the slats facing in. Sew your fabric together, this time sandwiching all of the blinds between the two pieces of fabric. You will be sewing through quite a few layers, so take care to ensure that your stitches are strong and secure.
Finally, take out each set of blinds individually and attach them to your window with screws or heavy-duty adhesive tape. Don't forget to drill through each slat for a secure fit. Attach your bottom blind set to the top set with screws between each slat to keep them in place while you work.
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Attaching the blinds
To attach the blinds to the window, you can use screws or heavy-duty adhesive tape. If using screws, be sure to drill through each slat. Once the blinds are attached to the window, stack your blind sets on top of each other, with the slats facing in. Attach the bottom blind set to the top set with screws between each slat. This will keep them in place while you attach the rest of the sets.
Now, attach each blind set to the one above it, screwing through the slats to secure them together. This process will create the distinctive scalloped hemline of Austrian curtains. Finally, fold down the fabric, iron if desired, and your Austrian curtains will be complete!
As a variation, you can attach the blinds using rings and cords instead of screws. Sew rings onto the back of the fabric and thread cords through them to create the gathered effect. This method is more typical of Austrian curtains, while the screw method described above is more commonly used for festoon blinds.
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Folding and ironing
Once you've attached all the blinds to the window, it's time to focus on the bottom blind set, which will be attached to the top set. Carefully screw in between each slat to keep them in place. Now, you can fold down the Austrian curtain and iron it to achieve a neat, flawless look. This step is optional but recommended if you want to enhance the decorative quality of your curtain.
The unique feature of an Austrian curtain is the sewing of both horizontal and vertical fullness, resulting in a series of soft swags. This style is also known as a "Puff Drape" and is particularly elegant in appearance, making it a popular choice for grand theatres.
To create the distinctive look of an Austrian curtain, the gathering of material on the vertical seams is key. This technique produces the soft, flowing swags that characterise this style. It's important to note that the amount of lift on each drawline should be equal, and the drape must be lifted uniformly across all lines in terms of both speed and height.
If you plan to store your Austrian curtain in the "up" position, be aware that it may develop fold lines over time. This can impact the overall appearance when the curtain is lowered into the "down" or "shown" position. To mitigate this, consider the option of a Brail curtain, which offers the lifting effect while maintaining the flat drape look.
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