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What there is to know

Before making certain decorative elements,
it is necessary to take into account certain determining points on your expectations and on the final result.

abat-jour empire en soie - création artisanale Dé, fil et décors

Abat-jour "Empire" à plis creux en satin de coton écru,
doublé d'un damas de soie couleur champagne.

Shade making:

For a lamp to be harmonious as a whole, it must be assumed that the diameter of the bottom of the lampshade must be equal to the height of the lamp base under the socket. On the other hand, on a high and slender foot , we will rather put a small or medium lampshade.  
The quality of the fabrics depends on the dressing

Whether in clothing or furniture, it will be easy to find pretty fabrics. Certain rules must, however, be observed:

  • For a  ruched shade  choose a thin fabric . Depending on the case, to determine the amount of fabric needed, multiply the widest circumference by 2.5 or 3 .

  • The realization of a lining will be done in a flexible and fine fabric , like a  silk crepe , pure cotton , or even a silk pongee. Regarding the latter, it is suitable for pleats and gathered . It will not be used for stretched fabric (pagoda, dome), which will not hold tension.

  • For a  lampshade with flat pleats or box pleats , we will choose a fabric of medium thickness .

  • For a taut lampshade  (pagoda style), you must use a  strong and flexible fabric ( no polyester taffeta ).

  • For a laminated lampshade (polyphane), choose a medium thickness fabric, between 80 and 100gr/m ( no silk pongee which is too thin). Important point in this case : only natural fabrics will be used, otherwise they will be extremely difficult to glue.

  The cut of the fabric

  • Depending on the shape of the lampshade and the choice of its manufacture, the fabric will be cut in the straight grain or in its bias .

  • The pleated and gathered lampshades will be made in a fabric cut to the "straight grain" . The weft and warp threads of the fabric must be perfectly perpendicular .

  • Stretched panel shades , such as "pagoda", "dome", or "lantern",  will be made in a fabric cut on the bias . Thus, the elasticity offered in this direction will allow a good tension of the fabric on the carcass during the installation.

Double-rideaux en toile de Jouy à plis tapissiers - création artisanale Dé, fil et décors

Double-rideaux en toile de Jouy

Making curtains:  

 

Curtains can be
  • Unlined,  such as curtains. Sewing is done by machine and by hand.
  • Sateen or blackout lining. Sewing is done by machine and by hand .
  • Double-doubled . That is to say that we insert a " finette " between the fabric and the lining. This will give your curtains a very nice "fall" and better thermal insulation. Here, the sewing will only be done by hand.
Calculation of the footage needed
Depending on the desired effect and style, the final width of the curtain will vary between 1 and 3 times its final width .
height
  will depend, in turn, on the presence or absence of patterns and their size in order to properly make the connections.  
Different curtain head finishes
  • head to  legs , visible or hidden.
  • head to  knots .
  • Gathered head  using a ruflette.
For the following two finishes, the use of a reinforcement fabric is essential to ensure good hold.
  • head to  Flemish folds , with organ pipes , with flat folds , or with hollow folds .  
  • head to  carnations ..  
The head of the curtain will determine the style that will best match your interior. It is therefore important to choose well.
This choice is just as important as the material of the fabric .
From the Orguenza which will flood your room with light, to  the blackout which will protect you completely, several materials are available to you, such as veil, cheesecloth, linen, cotton, Shantung, taffeta, velvet, Jacquard.
Retouches
Abat-jour conique, en soie contrecollée
Abat-jour "Carré espagnol" en coton contrecollé

Abat-jour conique,
en soie contrecollée

Abat-jour "Carré espagnol" en coton contrecollé

Dôme "Citrouille" , tissu tendu, doupion
Lanterne (64 x 30 cm) en coton, tissu tendu.jpg
Ancre 3

Dôme "Citrouille" , tissu tendu, doupion

Lanterne "Paola" (64 x 30 cm) en coton, tissu tendu

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