Curtain tape: what is it?

Beautiful flowing waves of fabric on the windows are an exquisite detail in the interior of any direction; for this reason, housewives pay a lot of attention to the selection and sewing of curtains. The hardest thing is to form graceful folds that will highlight the beauty of the canvas and retain their shape in any position of the curtain itself. Curtain tape is a special tape that is used to create folds and is sewn to the fabric along the top part or in the place where it is planned to gather the fabric into gathers.

Curtain braid is a strip of fabric that is sewn to the curtain fabric. The tape has pockets and ropes; for this reason, when sewn, you can form neat and even folds across the entire width of the curtain. In the center there is a ribbon with loops, which are used for hanging the fabric on hooks. To form folds, the ropes on the curtain tape are tightened, thus forming beautiful waves throughout the entire canvas.

Types of curtain tapes

Curtain tape is quite convenient and useful, for this reason there are a huge number of types of this tape. For each composition, you can choose the right practical solution; the main differences between the types are the following features:

• type of fastening to the cornice;
• fold shape;
• material
• size.

Curtain braid can be made of transparent or opaque material, since such an accessory should remain invisible, but still retain functionality. Various materials are used for manufacturing, including paper and thin fishing line. Curtain ribbons are considered a necessary addition to any composition; for this reason, the choice of such an accessory should be approached with maximum attention.

How to hang a curtain on curtain tape

If you need to buy curtain tapes, it is important to decide on the main characteristics, since different types have all sorts of features. First of all, it is necessary to determine the type of fastening of the curtain to the cornice, since special hangers or hooks can be used for this purpose.

According to the method of fastening, types of curtain tapes for tulle are divided into the following groups:

• Fastening loops for hooks. The easiest way to secure a curtain to a curtain rod involves the use of special hooks on which the fabric is suspended from the curtain rod. For fastening, fabric loops are used that are sewn on the tape itself, and if you have a special tape, you won’t have to think about how to hang the curtain.
• Braid with eyelets. Eyelets are used for heavy fabrics so that you can use the curtain itself without worrying about the hooks coming off.
• Velcro tape. An interesting fastening option that involves the use of loops with Velcro; such curtain tape is suitable for complex and multi-layer compositions, if not only a light curtain is used, but also heavy curtain fabric.
• Special braid for string cornices. If you don’t know how to attach a curtain to a curtain rod with a thin string, the easiest way is to buy a special tape for such systems.

Depending on what kind of cornice you purchased, you select the braid for the curtain, and this method of fastening, which will be optimal for this composition. It should be noted that curtain tape can have several separate rows with loops, which makes the tape more functional.

What to pay attention to when choosing

Curtain tape can be narrow or wide – the choice of one or another option depends on what curtain you are buying the tape for. A narrow ribbon is suitable for short curtains made of light fabric; the cornice should have a closed shape; the curtain itself is hung so that the upper part remains hidden. A wide curtain tape will be required for complex compositions in which a huge number of folds are expected and various fabrics can be used.

It is important not only to choose the correct width of the ribbon, but also to think in advance about the type and location of the folds. You have to solve the following questions:

• Vertical or horizontal folds. The waves on the curtains can be vertical – this is the traditional method; horizontal folds are used in Italian and French curtain systems, where a lifting mechanism is installed.
• Type of folds. You will have to rack your brains on this issue, because the shape of the folds can be varied. You need to decide which waves should be formed and choose the right type of tape.

If you already understand what curtain tape means and that without this accessory you won’t be able to hang a curtain on the windows, it’s time to start studying the instructions on how to sew the tape.

How to sew curtain tape

The most important task is to calculate the length of the curtain tape. To do this, use a simple calculation – you need to multiply the total length of the cornice by the assembly factor, add at least 25 centimeters to the resulting amount for shrinkage and side folds. The coefficient can be viewed in a special table, which indicates the number of pockets and the number of cords for each curtain separately, depending on its width.

The process of sewing on braid consists of several steps:

• Processing. At the first stage, you need to process the sides of the curtain so that the fabric does not fall apart into threads during subsequent steps.
• Preparation. To ensure that the curtain tape fits exactly in the designated place, you can mark the attachment point and make a pocket by tucking the fabric. Then iron over the fold and you will have a straight line for sewing.
• Sewing. The main stage of work, which consists of sewing the tape itself to the canvas. Indent a few cm along the edges; the indentation at the top depends on the complexity of the folds, but the minimum value should be at least 5 cm. It is most convenient to sew the ribbon on a machine; the number of lines depends on the number of rows with ropes.

If you carefully followed all the tips and correctly calculated the length of the braid, all you have to do is iron the canvas and hang it on the cornice.

Now you know all the tricks of a variety of such accessories as curtain tape, their use and sewing features! If you have any other questions, you can always visit the store and chat with a competent consultant who will help buy curtain tape the right type.