Do-it-yourself puffs for beginners: diagrams and calculation of fabric for the product

Buffs (Bouffer) - a word taken from the French language, translated as “to swell,” which describes this type of fabric draping quite well.

The original way of creating folds can be found on curtains, various items of clothing, and accessories. Most often, puffs can be found in interiors created by fashion designers - for example, on pillows. However, to follow fashion, it is not necessary to contact designers or order a finished product from an expensive boutique. You can create such a beautiful drapery with your own hands by studying the basic diagrams and calculations.

Areas of application for buffs

Puffs are a unique textile decor that can be used in any area. Some designers use the technique to decorate clothes, others decorate furniture upholstery in this style.

Buffs for finishing fabric

Where can you use this decorative technique:

On collars, belts of clothes.
Linen pillowcases on sofa cushions.
On curtains, curtains and lambrequins.
You can decorate the bedspread with a pattern.
On hats, headbands, scarves.
Bags, wallets, cosmetic bags.
Ottomans, furniture covers.

Puffs on clothes
You can use puffs for finishing any types of textiles that have decorative functionality.

Using buffers in a modern interior

Most often, such decorative folds are used in rooms where the interior is made in a classic style with massive furniture, gilding and monograms.

However, they look very original and extraordinary in the Art Nouveau style. In this case, the difference will only be in the design of the fold itself. They can be made more lush and airy.

Types of buffs

There are several types of puffs that have a certain pattern. The most popular patterns are:

Concentric circles that move from the center to the edges or vice versa. Reminiscent of a flower pattern with opening petals.
Linear, when the pattern moves from one edge to the other.
Multi-row. Seams are formed on the canvas without direction. The most common option is the “wafer”, used to decorate pillowcases.
Ornamental. The folds form a complex compositional pattern. The simplest example would be “heart”.

Types of buffs
Please note! There can be a lot of examples of specific patterns; if you understand the principle of pattern formation, then you can create interesting compositions yourself - without a diagram.

Different options for making folds are considered relevant. For example, “polka dots” look harmonious on almost all types of products.

Basting

After the design is transferred to the fabric, you can begin the process of sewing the buffers. If you do the work manually, then know that it is quite painstaking, so please be patient:

First, thread the needle;
Insert the needle and thread into the first point, but you should not pull it out all the way.
The “tail” that you have left should be at least 4 centimeters. The base is secured with a knot.
The remaining part of the thread should be inserted into the point located on the diagram at the arrow entrance.
We stretch it so that the first tail of the thread and the last are connected. After this, they are connected and secured with several knots.
Next, all work is done with each arrow separately on the entire canvas. As a result, on the front side you have formed assemblies, which are called buffers.

Important!

Such protections should not be made over the entire canvas. You can only decorate the top or edges this way.

Choosing fabric for puffs

To get a neat and embossed pattern, you need to choose a fabric suitable for the job. This is the most important stage in working on textile finishing. Which options are most preferable:

Knitwear is ideal for creating the most precise pleat shapes.
Puffs on satin and similar fabrics look rich and elegant.
On linen and other natural fabrics the pattern looks unclear, but this type of textile is most often decorated using this particular technique.
Synthetic fabrics are most amenable to bouffant processing.

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Important! In the selection process, you should pay attention to the quality of the fabric - textiles should not split into fibers when the needle runs through the warp.

Fabric option for pattern formation

Additional conditions arise regarding colors - the material must be monochromatic. There should be no print on the canvas.

Calculation of the required number of buffers

The number of elements depends on the width of the future curtains. To do this, you need to multiply the length of the cornice by 2.5. The number you get will be the length of fabric you will need.

Important!

Always consider the amount of fabric that will go into the side cuts. Therefore, 10-20 centimeters should be added to the total amount of material.

Once you have calculated the amount of fabric, you can find out the number of future folds. To do this, you need to divide the width of the canvas by the width of the future element.

Then the width of the future lambrequin is calculated. It is calculated by summing the following indicators:

You need to multiply the height of the element by the future number of rows.
Calculate the future width of the curtain tape, adding about 2-3 centimeters for allowances.
You should also calculate the allowance for the bottom edge (about 2-6 centimeters) and the fold width for the bottom cut (5-7 centimeters).

Required materials and tools

Even the simplest version of the pattern using the puff technique requires the availability of appropriate tools and materials. The complexity of the pattern can be completely diverse. The set in each situation is the same:

A piece of fabric on which “fold embroidery” will be done.
Ruler and marking tool (pencil or chalk). Tools are needed to recreate the pattern on the canvas.
A needle and sewing thread, although it is better to use floss.
Scissors for cutting threads.

Tool set
Additional information ! It is advisable to use a sewing machine to fix the pattern, but this can be done by an experienced craftswoman. Therefore, it is not always necessary to include the device in the main list.

Sewing machine for creating puffs

Sometimes needlewomen use hoops as textile holders. Such a tool can bend the folds and make the pattern asymmetrical or uneven. It is better to prepare a flat surface that will be well lit.

How to calculate the amount of fabric

Before you start work, you should think through all the stages and first evaluate the result. Difficulties may arise with calculating the fabric, since during the stitching process the fabric tightens, forming folds.

Do-it-yourself puffs for beginners, schemes and fabric calculations are as follows:

You need to decide on the size of the desired product. The parameters must be accurate.
It is advisable to decide on each step of fold formation.
In order to end up with a product of the required size, you must initially take 2 times more textiles than you need.
It is necessary to add an additional 2-3 cm, which can be spent on the seam, processing the cut, and forming the border.

Fabric consumption for the product
To accurately calculate the required amount of fabric, you need to take a small scrap and sew several rows of puffs. Thanks to this, it will be possible to determine the degree of deformation and fabric consumption.

Magnetic holders

Magnetic clamps are considered the most durable and versatile.

What does a magnetic tuck look like? It is a cord or wire with small magnets attached to the ends. For decoration, you can simultaneously use several tucks that are similar to each other.

The variety of magnetic pickups is simply amazing. In stores you can find tucks in the form of flowers, butterflies, shells or pebbles. The color of the accessories can be combined with the curtains or, conversely, be contrasting. Classic magnetic clips are universal, as they suit any room decor.

Magnetic holders can be open or closed. The closed type differs from the open one in that the magnet is sewn into the fabric. Such models are considered less practical, since the effect of the magnet is weaker.

Magnetic clamps have many advantages. They are versatile, functional, reliable and affordable. But despite all the advantages, such holders also have their disadvantages. They are not suitable for attaching heavy or bulky curtains, as they are not able to hold them in the desired position. If dropped, the magnetic clips may break. Therefore, when choosing magnetic holders, make sure that they will cope with their task.

Rules for designing buffs

You can decide how to make the puffs on the fabric neat and correct in a matter of seconds. You need to know a few secrets of creating folds and the rules of working with a needle. The basic rules are a few nuances:

The distance between the elements of the pattern should be determined by the size of the base fabric. Usually only 1.5-2.5 cm between the needle penetration points is sufficient.
When transferring the diagram to the fabric, you need to set not only points for the needle, but also indicate the direction of work.
It is advisable to tighten the thread so that a “stable” but soft fold is obtained.
When the thread passes through the point, you need to fix it by making several knots at the base.
The pattern is located in the center of the product; it can become a frame or a side strip for decoration.
You can hide uneven stitches and divert attention from the supporting work by using decorative elements: beads, seed beads, sequins.

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Execution technique

To make puffs, it is enough to know just a few nuances regarding the design of folds. It is advisable to have a fine feel for the needle and choose the appropriate thread for sewing. To hide not very good work, you should use little tricks.

Variety of options

There are a huge variety of patterns for making puffs on fabric. And knowledgeable needlewomen often invent something new and original, so keeping up with all possible schemes is unrealistic. Let's look at the main ones.

The most popular puff pattern is “braided”. The seams in it are made from the wrong side, so it’s okay if the first time it turns out a little imperfect.

First, mark the thread connection points according to your chosen pattern on the wrong side of the fabric. Then, after threading the needle, begin stitching from left to right, tying knots at the end.

On thin fabric, the distance between the points should not be large, but on thick fabric, you can increase it slightly.

In the first row, connect 1 and 2 points, then 3 and 4. Do not connect 2 and 3. In the second row, do it as shown in the diagram - in a checkerboard pattern in relation to the first row. And so on.

The next pattern is “floral”, in which the seams will be from the face, therefore, when choosing such a pattern, you should immediately get ready for serious work and try not to be distracted from the process.

We also mark the mesh on the fabric. Then we sew the first square, as shown in the photo below.

Tighten and secure with a few stitches.

You can add a bead to make the bouffant flower look prettier.

There is also this type of puff - “wave”, sewn from the inside out.

The pattern is very similar to the “braided” one, only this time the rows are not staggered, but are located equally under each other.

The next scheme, which will certainly not leave young girls indifferent, is the “heart”.

The scheme, as you can see, is also surprisingly simple, and the result is beyond all expectations.

Here are a few more patterns for making buffs.

Sewing curtains

To decorate a curtain with puffs, you must first decide on the pattern and its size. If the fabric is dense and rough, then the elements should be small. The lighter the base is taken, the larger each zigzag becomes.

Description of the formation of puffs on curtains:

Unfold the curtain, turning the fabric inside out. Iron the fabric to smooth out all wrinkles.
Using a ruler and pencil, make detailed markings for the pattern. The result is a grid that resembles a notebook sheet.
The size of each marking cell should be 5x5cm. You can make the shapes smaller, then the pattern will look more elegant.
It is enough to draw 5-6 rows on top or bottom - it all depends on the decor.

Puffs on curtains
A more detailed creation algorithm depends on the chosen type of “embroidery”. Additionally, it may be necessary to sew on a ribbon to attach the curtains, so you should step back about 10 cm from the edge.

Holder functions

Curtain clips primarily perform the function of fixing the curtains. They allow light to freely enter the room. To completely darken it, simply remove the clip. The advantages of holders include:

ease of operation;
decorative value;
regulation of the flow of sunlight.

Tucks are most often attached at the level of the window sill, but every housewife can fix them at the level where she wishes. Curtains look more elegant with tiebacks. Curtain clips are used in two cases: when the curtain is located on the doors or when the tulle with drapery is on the window.

When choosing a tuck, it is not necessary to choose it to match the tone of the main color of the curtain. Today, there is a huge selection of different clamps on the market, so you can easily choose an accessory, taking into account the overall style of the room’s interior.

If you know a few tricks, then with the help of tucks you can add special elegance to the style of the room or hide flaws in the interior. You can visually expand the window. To do this, the grabbers need to be installed at 1/3 of the height from the floor. In this case, the window will appear slightly wider. If the clip is attached at 1/3 of the height from the ceiling, it will visually make the ceilings a little higher and visually enlarge the room.

Pillow Buffs

A pillow is an essential piece of furniture in many homes. Typically, decorative specimens are displayed and placed on a sofa or bed. Standard pillowcases can get boring, so craftswomen are trying to create something unique and original.

Buffs on a pillow

To make a pillowcase non-standard, you can use the “buffa” technique. Working with just such a product will not be difficult if you decide on the pattern and prepare the basis for work. In order to evenly cover the pillow with a pillowcase, and the pattern itself does not puff up, it is advisable to choose simple patterns. The choice should be made in accordance with the shape of the base and the functional feature of the bedding item.

Types of buffers

There are only two types of such decorative folds:

Those made in production;
Those that are made independently.

The only difference between them is that manual work requires a lot of time and perseverance. As for factory production, you will receive finished work in the shortest possible time.

Today the most popular buffer configurations are: