The History of Balloon Curtains
Balloon curtains are available in many styles. The basic description of a balloon curtain is one that looks like the bellows of a cloud. The bottom edge of all balloon curtains are rounded. Some contain a stuffing to make them appear rounded while others lay flat against the window and are gathered in several areas to make the bottom look rounded. Flat balloon curtains are called balloon shades and have rounded bottoms that are formed by gathers through the use of string and plastic rings.
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History
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The history of the balloon curtain dates back several centuries. An official date is unknown. The English take credit for the basic design. The French and Austrians claim the design of a type of balloon curtain called the Festoon blind or Austrian shade. This design is more formal than the balloon curtain and shade.
U.S. Popularity
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The balloon curtain became popular in the United States during the 1980s. The balloon shade followed shortly thereafter. The style fit well into Victorian and country decorated homes. The type, color and print of the fabric determined the particular curtain purchased or made for each room. White silk Austrian shades or Festoon blinds created a very formal window treatment.
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Deciding on a Balloon Curtain
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When deciding on the proper balloon curtain for a window treatment the decor of the room needs to be taken into consideration. A formal room will need a more formal fabric such as silk, velveteen or shiny fabric. Cotton fabrics provide a cozy and homey look to an informal setting.
Balloon Curtain Dimensions
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Balloon curtain dimensions depend on the size of the window. A good rule of thumb is to double the width dimensions to ensure a balloon effect. Tripling the width is better when wanting a more puffy and cloud like appearance. Special curtain rods are available to handle the depth of the balloon curtains.
Stuffing a Balloon Curtain
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Balloon curtains may be stuffed to achieve a puffy cloud look. A 36 inch window will require 10 yards of nylon netting, two bags of stuffing, or 40 sheets of tissue paper to achieve a nice puffy look. The nylon netting should be cut into manageable 1 to 2 yard segments. Begin stuffing the balloon curtain in the middle and work out to each edge.
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