Smart Ways on How to Make Balloon Curtains

Learn how to make balloon curtains to complement your windows. Don’t think that these soft and elegant stationary top window treatments with folds sticking up from the bottom have gone out of style.  But don’t worry, in this article, we will show you smart ways on how to make balloon curtains. 

 

smart ways on how to make balloon curtains

The truth is, despite countless design trends that have risen and fallen over the past decade, balloon curtain valances never seem to go out of style. The best part is that you can quickly achieve this look with some creative sewing skills. 

 

Put together your chosen fabric, sew it into a panel. Use a measuring tape to get an exact number for the curtain dimensions. Perform a few hand stitches, insert your cord through the screw eye, and mount it on the wall.

Balloon Curtains

When you think of balloon curtains, the primary design elements that should come to your mind are lines, texture, and volume. This window treatment mainly comprises distinct poufs that protrude from the surface and give our windows character.

 

There are many ways to style balloon curtains. They can serve as a stationary valance that stands on its own or as textured under-curtain. They are an inexpensive and cost-efficient project that you can easily put together in a couple of hours.

Step 1: Prepare the panels.

Make the necessary measurements to acquire the exact dimensions for the balloon curtain. When gathered together, the fabric should cover the upper part of your window. You can select the precise length or fullness of the panel, depending on your material.

 

Trace the panel from your fabric, and smooth out the cut fabric with the front side facing down. Get your tape measure and place equally spaced marks using a fabric pencil. Mark your fabric starting from the bottom and end at around twenty inches below the pocket rod casing.

You can choose your desired interval from fourteen to eighteen inches along the panel length. 

Step 2: Sew the rings.

Get your rings, needles, and thread ready for this next step. Start by sewing one ring at every mark using as few stitches as possible. Thick stitches will appear bulky and result in thread bumps on the face of the fabric. Repeat the step until you’ve attached all the rings in place.

 

Remember that the space between the horizontal row of rings will give way to form the balloon. If you want a smaller or larger curve, you can increase or decrease the rings’ intervals. Just make sure to keep it consistent throughout. 

Step 3: Attaching cords

Measure the total length of rings when aligned. Get your lift cord and cut it according to the rings’ length, but don’t forget to add a few extra inches for the knots. String the cord through and carefully tie a knot at the bottom and top rings.

 

Cut another piece of cord at around four to six inches long. Make one string for each row of rings that you have created. Set these aside.

Step 4: Inserting the rod

Get your drapery rod and insert it through the rod pocket. Hang your rod on the bracket. Get your pre-cut pieces of lift cord and string them through the bottom three to six rings. Repeat the step for each row and pull them tightly together. This should help you form the balloon. 

 

You can manually adjust the length until it fits your satisfaction. Alter it depending on the size of your window. For a fluffy and oversize balloon valance, try to draw up all the rings together. Tie the knots that will hold it in place. Your balloons should now be visibly formed.

 

Make as many adjustments to the fabric between each row. You can fix the pleats, make them appear tighter or looser. It really depends on the type of look that you are going for. Once you’ve learned the basics of how to make balloon curtains, exploring with other designs won’t be such a bad idea. 

Types of balloon curtains

You can mount different types of balloon valance on boards. Some DIY projects even show steps on how to create balloon valance without any sewing skills necessary. These curtains are called gathered style of balloon valances. 

 

Another style for balloon curtains blends in modern interior designs. Pleated style balloon valances are feminine and tailored, making them appear clean and serve as a neat transition for contemporary room designs. 

 

The valance does not gather at the rod. Instead, it forms from inverted box pleats. Different features allow the poufs to extend and grow in volume. The amount of folds or pleats you add to the valance also affects its overall appearance. 

Summary

Balloon valances may seem out of style, but they were actually able to keep up with the fashion trends even in modern interior design. You can put them along the doorless entrance and exit points of your home, on your windows, French doors, and many more. 

 

It can serve as a transitional decorative ornament that softens up the concrete, wood, and other rigid interior elements. Just be careful in picking your color schemes and fabric. It should be able to match your other furniture so that it doesn’t appear out of place.

 

You can typically create your own style once you have mastered the basics of making balloon curtains. Brush up on your measuring and sewing skills to put finishing touches on your modern and contemporary house design.