You have finally settled into your new house, taken window measurements, and selected the perfect curtains. What if, however, you have never hung curtains before? Don’t worry, this essential tutorial will help you hang your black curtains for living room like an expert in no time!
You should start by putting up the curtains. They’ve undoubtedly become rather crumpled while stored in their package. Some clients prefer to hang the curtains and wait for the wrinkle to disappear naturally. Some people like giving them a light touch. Both methods are equally effective; however, it is important to follow the label’s recommendations for pressing, since certain fabrics include finishes (such as flocking or metallic embellishments) that will be damaged by iron.
Across the top of your curtain, you’ll see a tape that has been sewn in. Typically, three rows of string are used to thread this heading tape. To get the desired gathering effect, these threads must be pulled. No, wait! As a precaution, you should tie a knot at one end of all the threads now. If you don’t, they might easily pass through and emerge out the other side. Even if the ends have been machine-stitched down, it is still a good idea to tie them off at the top and bottom of each curtain. Here’s your chance to take control. Get a hold of all three and attempt to pull them in the same direction. Each curtain should be drawn to a width equal to half your track, plus a centimeter or two to account for overlap. Once this is done, hold them up to the window to make sure they are the correct size before tying off the strings. If you want to be able to alter the curtains or take them down to wash them, a slipknot at this end is a smart option. Repeat this process until the gathering is spread uniformly throughout the whole width of the drape.
Now that the drapes have been drawn, you may install the curtain rods. Most tapes used for pencil pleat headings include three rows of pockets. Whether you want your curtains to hang down low or high, the length of time you spend in front of your window will determine which pocket you choose. Having three choices means your curtain length may be modified by as much as three inches, which is a significant convenience. Depending on how many runners and hooks you have, hooks should be inserted every four pockets or so in the heading tape. Because standard tracks seldom come with a surplus of runners or hooks, it’s smart to stock up on these supplies.
Now you may hang up your curtains. Be sure to get a trusted companion to help you out by holding the ladder. It’s important to hold the curtain up by its full weight so the pleats don’t get stretched out of shape. The curtains are then folded into a concertina shape by a professional fitter, who does this by gently pressing the fabric back between the curtain hooks. Next, the pleats would be held in place using slack ties made from leftover fabric and left overnight. Although this process might be time-consuming, it is well worth it in the end since the curtains will “remember” the pleating and return to their original shape each time they are opened.