Extension Bulletin 264 June 1951 BULLErJN HU()fvt liBRARY, Uf\WERC:ITY Fi>.P.M Selecting and Making CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES

planning ideas buying guides construction aids

Jfelen Jf. )Uatfteis WitcH Vou Select eurtnifiS and Vraperies

ODAY'S homemaker has a world of new ideas and new prod­ T ucts to choose from when she plans window treatments for her home. She finds tremendous stress placed on the number, size, shape, and placement of windows in rooms in order that they may serve a number of purposes. Among these are, of course, the basic functions of windows-light, air, and vision. In addition windows often are the focal point, or gathering place for people in a room. All these points must be considered when planning windows and window decor.

Whatever your light, air, vision, or by the store display of suggested room activity problems, remember that good settings. window treatment will be restful, it In addition, successful shopping calls will harmonize with the room, and lend for accurate information about your ·distinction to the furnishings used room requirements. You supply this by there. This means that good window carrying with you a sketch of your treatment will take its place as a sat­ room, preferably with wall and floor isfying part of the room furnishings and space indicated in %-inch scale. will also allow flowers, books,' works Salespeople count on this when they of art, and hobby interests of the family prepare merchandise for your selec­ to accent the character of furnishings tion. They must know about the archi­ in the room. tectural effects in your room-size, number, and location of doorways, How Will It Look at Home? windows, and niches. They will also want a description of When you shop-be careful for the the wood trim, the floor treatment, and, design that seems most startling will if possible, a sample of the wall cover­ draw your attention first. This may be ing. They will ask about the exposure just what your room needs,, but the to determine the effect of natural light test really lies in the way a striking on fabrics, and will consider the design will look with the other fur­ amount, kind, and placement of arti­ nishings. ficial light you use. "How will it look at home?" should They welcome a description of your be the determining factor when you furniture and often use it to find a choose window treatments. This ques­ fabric which carries a subtle repetition tion can be answered to some extent of the dominant lines in the furniture. FIG. 1 (left) The warm color and pleasing pattern of fabric used to curtain windows of this north-facing living room add to the comfort of steady north light for desk work. FIG. 2 (right) Balance between the appeal of view from this south-lacing window and the total effect of furnishings is apparent. Delicate design and color in th e fabric support the entire plan. When You Plan the Color Scheme Color is a matter of relationship so before you shop take account of the interplay of established room furnishings, the colors of the floor cov­ ering, the walls, upholstery, and slip cover fabrics, and the light exposure. You can save yourself much shopping for color matching if you select paint or wall color after the curtain fabric has been chosen. Often it is barely possible to match a drapery color to a wall, yet it is quite easy to paint to a certain color in fabric. Exposure Affects Color Pictures and art objects may give you ideas. A room with windows facing north When a window fabric is brighter and might seem cheerless unless warm lighter than the floor or floor covering, colors are used. Temper the north light but related to it in color, it will attract with shades of yellow and red in the an easy movement of attention from curtains and repeat tints of these colors the floor to the curtain and wall The on the wall. Count on tints of green and fabric can be darker, lighter, or a little blue to absorb the warm light coming stronger in shade than the wall and in the south windows. Windows facing achi ve this same effect. east have more cold than warm light There is an ever-recu:ring cycle in so use warm colors there to modify th fabrics and color schemes for room light. Choose cool colors to temper the furnishings. For some time window warm light of west windows. fabrics have been prints of definite olor and patt rn. Among them you will find many diversified prints that are How Many Colors? lc y d to country living. The scenics, Generally, it is well to restrict colors cali o-typ s, and small documentary to three--a main color, a secondary prints ar xamples. Any of them are color of pleasing blend or contrast, and IT tiv wh n us d with maple and a third accent color. Contrasts of tints pin furnitur . They ar also highly and shad s of a main color with car ful d sirabl with informal olonial fur­ blending o.f an accent color mak pl as­ nishings and take th ir place qually ing color schem s. w ll with Fr n h Pr vincial styles. Plan your color sch me from furnish­ N w plain and semi-plain wov n fab­ ings which will be us d longest in th rics ~re availabl in an abundance of room. Try out a shade which r epeats a varied ton s of sin l col rs. This great color in the floor cov ring or k ynote an vari ty of solid colors off rs a w lcom accent color from the upholst ry or slip hang . Th y have b n pre-color-cor­ cover fabrics and see how it can carry r lat d for case in color matching and all the needed color 1 m nts in a room. scl ction. 4 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264

Texture blending is just as important which soften and enrich the colors of as color. Coarse meshes, like the heavier furnishings. These are the deluxe cool marquisettes, nets, and scrim, are best white and deluxe warm white tubes. used with other coarse fabrics in rugs, While not available everywhere, they upholstery, slip covers, and wall fin­ are worth asking or watching for. The quisettes and ninons are used with fur­ list below indicates the type of fluores­ nishin~s of corresponding smoothness. cent tube to use in your home.

Check Your Lighting for Color Effects Exterior Effect Is Important Have you had an unpleasant shock Window curtains decorate the out­ in seeing your draw curtains or drap­ side of the house as well as the inside. eries take on a mysterious change in If color is used it should blend harmo­ color when your lamps or light fixtures niously with the exterior color plan or were used? affect an interesting accent to it. Such experience proves that choos­ Stand in front of the house and note ing color is only part of completing the the effect of the windows. Uniform ap­ window treatment plans. You must be pearance is desirable, especially in the sure the lamps and light fixtures show front windows. This is quite possible off the scheme to best advantage. when you use the same color in roll If your color scheme accents warm shades or blinds, the same or similar colors, reds and yellows, and your color for all the curtains and uniformity lighting is incandescent, you're prob­ in the style of the curtains, shades, and ably satisfied with the color effects be­ blinds. cause incandescent bulbs bring out the Pleasing use of color on the exterior warmth and richness of red and yellow can be realized from several sources colors. other than curtains. Among these are If standard warm white or daylight the roof color, the window sash, win­ fluorescent tubes are your main source dow louvers, flower boxes, and the of lighting, you will have found the flowers themselves, awnings, door steps, colors of your furnishings considerably walks, and terraces. Relate your cur­ darker at night than during the day. tain plan to these features if you wish Now new fluoregcent tubes can be had to add to the appearance of your home.

Purpose Type Fluorescent Tube Good over-all color appearance Deluxe cool white Best over-all color appearance, for a warm color scheme Deluxe warm white Best over-all color appearance, for a cool color scheme Deluxe cool white Most efficient light (most light per dollar) Standard warm while Efficient lighting of a cool color scheme Standard cool white Efficient lighting of a warm color scheme Combination of fluorescent and incandescent ~i~~3~~3 ~~~j" :/J~i~~e for conlrast; standard lighting in one area of a home warm white for blending Blending with natural daylight Standard cool white or deluxe cool wllite

Changing Window Size and Shape Windows in remodeled or old houses often seem too short and narrow for today's curtain styles. Such windows needn't be a handicap. You can change their proportions quite easily by fastening board extensions or metal extender plates to the top and sides of the frame to gain height or width as needed. Try to have the same height measurement for all windows in a room. Then fasten the fixtures before measuring for curtains. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 5

TO GAIN HEIGHT-add a wooden accommodate your drapery hardware. extension of required height above the The front of the board will be as long window frame (figure 3A). Fasten the as the overall width of the window or fixtures on this extension. Hang a val­ possibly longer to conform to the width ance or install a cornice board in this for a specific curtain style. area to cover it. Fasten the board horizontally at top TO GAIN WIDTH-extend the top of window frame and fasten the fabric effect of the window with wooden valance on it (figure 3C). Valance blocks fastened to the wall. Place ex­ boards can also be attached to the wall tension curtain rods or traverse exten­ beyond the window frame to create a sion rods at the top outside corners of wider effect. Install angle irons at ends the blocks and hang your draperies to of board for support especially if heavy hide the wood additions (figure 3B). fabric is used. Swinging extender rods attached to Cornice Boards are often used in the outer edge" of the frame will also rooms where horizontal lines are em­ widen a window if the rods swing clear phasized. They are very effective when of the frame so that fabric hung on made of wood and are best when them will be outside of the sash. painted to resemble other woodwork Try combining two or more adjacent in the room or to blend closely with windows to make them look like one wall color (figure 4). large window by installing a narrow If size and shape of window are satis­ slat roll shade o:ver the entire space. Or factory, place cornice board at least hang glass curtains over all the win­ 2 inches outside the top frame on each dows and intervening space with draw side. Usually 4% inches are allowed for draperies it either end. projection at the sides to accommodate Valance Boards also add width. You fabric hanging on single extension rods. can make them out of %-inch lumber (If traverse rods are used, the side or plywood. Usually they are cut 8 pieces will project 7 to 8 inches or inches deep on windows that have no more to allow the window fabric to proportional peculiarities. On short be carried back and forth.) wide windows use less deep valances You can increase the apparent width and on long high windows make them of the window by fastening the cornice deeper in proportion. A good test is to to a strip of wood extending beyond pin up pieces of paper and from them the side frame. Then hang the draw work out your measurements. Make the curtain or drapery fabric so that most side projection as deep as necessary to of it is against the wall.

FIG. 3. A. Wooden extension added to increase height. B. Wooden blocks added to increase width. C. Valance board with angle iron support.

I l I I A I B c FIG. 4. A shaped cornice helps to frame the view and unify the wall cabinets a t this kitchen window.

Ready made cornice boards are avail­ should have a counterpart in other able in a wide range of materials, such furnishings of the room-for instance, as wood, metal, plastic, and combina­ a plastic cornice with plastic slip covers; tion fibers. Colors and finishes vary a metal cornice with metal lamp bases from brilliant to dull. If used, they and book ends.

Curtain Fabrics You'll really feel enthusiastic about window curtaining when you see the new cotton and rayon fabrics, and those made of nylon and glass fiber , the Orion, Dacron, and Dynel fabrics and plastics. They are shown in wide widths, pleasing weaves and textures, interesting pa tterns, and harmonizin g colors. R a­ sonably priced, they can't help but m ake home sewing of curtains and draperies a profitable and interesting experience.

Nylon Fabrics ties, great strength, and drapability are needed. F or crisp rustling drap ries, Nylon has been produced for use in you'll see taffetas wov n of nylon. practically all types of window treat­ Nylon organdi s arc also availabl . For m ent. You will find today's nylon of luxurious use, consider the mohair various deniers, in sheer m arquisettes, bl nds, th damasks, and the brocades. and airy ninon fabrics. Blends of nylon Used alone or combined w ilh oth r and r ayon hbers can also be had in fibers, nylon yarns make curtain and marquisettes, which have a large color drapery fabrics which arc strong, so il range and drape well. repellent, easy to clean, and r sistanl Nylon yarns are used in casement to mild w and ins cts. How ver, the cloths where light-controlling quali- fini sh on some nylon materials may at- CURTA INS AND DRA PERIES 7 tract moths and some kinds of f ungi. and casemen t, kitchen, and bathroom Since nylon has r elatively low r e­ curtains. Sturdy film plastics give bet­ sistance to heat, use lukewarm water ter wear, resist soil and stains, and stay and a mild soap to launder it. Rinse supple longer than light-weight film and hang up wel without squeezing. plastics. Only the lightest weight plas­ Light-weight nylon curtains need little tics curl at the edges. or no ironing and no stretching. They Clean plastics with a damp cloth or will dr y smooth if hung straigh t. If suds them lightly, then rinse in luke­ pressing is necessary iron at moderate warm water and they will retain their heat, 275 ° F. S t indicator at the soft effect. No ironing is required_ "rayon" setting on your iron, or use a When preparing plastic for sewing, steam iron. Unless the m anufacturer use paper clips instead of pins. To sew gives special instructions, handle part­ plastic, apply a small drop of oil to a nylon fabrics as if they were m ade en ­ n umber 11 machine needle, use mer­ tirely of the fiber m ixed with the nylon. cerized or nylon thread, loosen the ten­ If dry cleaning use any standard clean­ sion, and lengthen stitch to 7 or 8 in g fluid which is safe on other fiber s. stitches per inch. Pure nylon m elts when exposed to a fl ame, but it is normally self-ex­ Glass Fabrics tinguishing wh n the fl ame is rem oved. Curtain and drapery fabrics of glass However, some dyes, fin ishes, or other fiber now on the market do not have materia ls will m ake nylon burn. the brittleness of the early glass fab­ Nylon offers little r esistance to the rics and are more aried in color, tex­ damaging ·e ffect of sunlight, so shift ture, and pattern. Glass fiber fabrics yo ur curtains at regular inter vals. are decorative, soft, and drapable. Those Plastics labeled "Coronized" have been sub­ mitted to a process which imparts soft­ Color, style, and design appeal have ness and draping ability to the fabric. been added to the other virtues of T sts on glass fabrics which have plastics-durability, eas in cl aning, been given new tr atments indicate and resistance to soil, mildew, cr acking, these fabrics are hrinkproof, color- peeli ng, and fl am . Light-weigh t and heavy plastics can be had by the yard and in r ady-mad curtains and draperi s. T h y ar avail­ able in a vari ty of stripes, prints, plaids, and solid colors. By lh yard, widths ar 25, 27, 34, and 54 inch s. Ready-mad drap ry pan Js m -asur 24 and 27 inch s wid . You may n d two pairs for an av rag window so as to achi v d d f ulln ss I r a h pa nel. Ther ar r infor d plasti s which arc cotton back d for drap ri s and slip ov rs; als Dl m r non-fabr.i back d p luslics for unlin d drap ri s

FIG. 5. In this bathroom, a fil m plastic ma· torial provides an asil y cleaned a nd a t­ tractive curtain. Note that th curtain hangs straight and does not curl. 8 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264 fast, wrinkleproof, nonflammable, and Rayon Fabrics and Cotton Fabrics resistant to soil. Because fabrics of Rayon fabrics are constantly in the glass fibers are rot- and mildewproof limelight for their up-to-date styling, as well as insectproof, they wear well service qualities, and reasonable price in damp climates. range. New nonwoven rayon fabrics In addition to sheer marquisette cur­ have appeared in plain colors and in tains, you can take your choice of glass printed patterns. There is no wrong fiber prints in heavy fabrics from a side. They are shown in 74-inch widths wide range of geometric, scenic, and and have the suppleness of woven fab­ over-all designs. Light coming through rics. They are said not to fade and to these gives an attractive effect. be nonflammable. Manufacturers rec­ New multi-filament marquisettes of ommend a shaking out or light brush­ glass fiber can be washed by hand or ing to clean them. machine. Just pat them dry, shake out Cotton fabrics offer a wide range of moisture, and rehang on your rods. All choice for window treatment. Among but the heaviest will be dry and the sheers for glass curtains are or­ wrinkle-free in a few minutes. No gandy, dotted swiss, marquisette, voile, stretching or ironing is necessary. and dimity. For draperies and draw curtains there are smooth cottons such as glazed chintz, glo-sheen, muslin, and Orlon, Dacron, and Dynel Fabrics gingham, also heavy cottons such as Orion is a new fiber on the mar­ cretonne, corduroy, and homespuns. ket. It resists sun, smoke, fumes, and gases better than any other natural or Ninon man-made fiber. Ninon is the name used for a smooth, "Fiber V," renamed "Dacron," is a sheer glass curtain fabric. Rayon ninon new fiber used in glass curtain fabrics comes in a range of deep and pastel to produce filmy beauty with great tones and in ivory and eggshell. Be sure strength. This sheer fabric feels soft you know whether the ninon you are and drapes beautifully. It resists sun buying will fade. Ninon drapes well. damage, smoke, gases, and dirt. When It is moderately priced, washable, and soil settles on Dacron, a swish through needs only light pressing. mild suds and several rinses cleans it. It dries quickly, keeps its shape, and Casement Cloths needs a minimum of ironing at 275° F. The new casement cloths have an Dyne! is another new chemically Iridescent quality which difiuscs light. manufactured fiber, which may soon They come in a wide range of colors be released widely in drapery materials. and widths. They may be made of mix· turcs of cotton and rayon or mohair. Some made with part boucle yarns have Metallic Fabrics a rough texture and arc good for usc Metallic fabrics are the rayon, cot­ with colonial or provincial furnishings. ton, or wool warp fabrics with metal­ lic filling yarns of silver or copper­ Trimmings colored aluminum. Most widely used Trimmings such as brush fringe, are the continuous strands of thin guimpc braids, eyelet embroideries, aluminum foil which can be woven, cording and tasseled eficcis arc not braided, or knitted into fabrics for necessities but can be correctly used decorative c!Icct. This foil will not to blend curtains and draperies with tarnish, can be cleaned and laundered. room furnishings. If successfully han- CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 9

dled they will show a close relationship Removable slat blinds are in the mar­ in color, design, and texture to the ket. Easy cleaning and the fact that fabric on which they are applied and the slats operate in a track on either to other furnishings in the room. side so a strong breeze cannot swing the Note the definite turn to the "decora­ blind away from the window make tive" which window treatments take them attractive. when used with the more elaborate Vertical Venetian blinds with slats furniture styles of the Empire periods. which draw from side to side instead With lavish and formal furnishings, you of up and down are new. They are very can expect to find trimmings featured useful in creating needed height effect which add color and interest in braids, in low-ceiling rooms and are frequently loops, fringe and tasseled effects. used for the same purpose on corner Because furniture is modern doesn't windows. mean your curtains have to be trimless. Roll-up blinds come in slender strips Brush binding in contemporary colors of woven-wood bamboo, plastic, and or flecked with metallic yarns can be other texturally interesting materials. used. It must be .-remembered, though, While not as practical for controlling that untrimmed, straight-hanging cur­ light and air as Venetian blinds, they tains of adequate color, design, and tex­ offer color and texture interest often ture serve best in modern rooms. If necessary for rounding out the furnish­ your furniture is provincial you could ing plans in rooms. find a "trim-mate" in the gay-colored Blinds are a form of curtain which boucle yarns, provided such treatment can be developed as a structural part of tends to develop the decorative effect any window treatment. Install them in desired. If you use trimming, select it long, uninterrupted slats, rather than right along with the window curtain broken up into small units. Try uni­ material. fying two or three windows that are Blinds and Shades close together with them so that the The extensive use of glass in modern window frames and the wall space be­ homes makes control of daylight ex­ tween them are covered. Or if you have tremely important. Both blinds and two windows that are different in size shades control daylight from the inside and shape, make them look alike by but are more effective if exterior de­ using a roll-blind, with end draperies vices are used also. A deep overhang of or draw curtains hung under a cornice the roof, solid or partly open to admit board. light and air; a set of louvers, like an Roller shades have always been use­ outside Venetian blind; an awning, roll­ ful to control light and air at windows. back canvas, or shutters all offer ex­ Usually they are of standard shade terior control. On the inside, roll blinds, cloth in white and eggshell colors. But window shades, and draweurtains offer they can serve as the decorative feature Practical and flexible control. of the window if made of glazed chintz, Venel:ian blinds can be adjusted patterned or plain cloth, oil cloth, or easily to allow light and air to penetrate reinforced plastic material. into a room. They arc inexpensive and Fire-resistant window shades, coated easily hung. Used in modern rooms they with vinyl plastic, which promise safety accentuate the horizontal lines of mod­ and easy cleaning, are available. ern furnishings. But the general over­ all effect they create requires a fairly large room. Once made mostly of wood, New Hardware Helps Your Windows today you find them of steel, aluminum, Now you can buy adjustable flat rods glass fibers, and plastic. of single, double, and triple extension 10 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264 types which are, useful for widening the to control light, air, view, and privacy effect of windows. These are metal rods, needs. Traverse draw-cord rods are invisibly reinforced for greater used for this purpose where a pull of strength, and their enamel finish is the cord closes the draperies at the baked on to insure long use. The old center, overlapping them for privacy, round brass rods for hanging sheer and another pull opens them evenly a curtains and double rods for windows desired distance from the side casings. where glass curtains and side draperies Swinging extension rods for side dra­ are used are still goad equipment. pery use and swinging door rods far Today many rooms feature double, cord-drawn curtains at single or double corner, picture, and bay windows where doors are· available. Poles with rings the new design for curtaining (the "out­ are featured for doorways and windows doors-in" idea) makes a type of easily where draperies are to be hand-drawn. drawn curtains and draperies necessary Many types of heading hooks are

G CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 11 stocked to attach the curtain or dra­ from the window treatment. Figure 6 pery to the rings or rods. shows some of the popular and useful Whatever your hardware choice, be types of drapery hardware. sure to gei correct size and good struc­ ture to carry the weight of fabric you Drapery Hardware Accessories are using. If you want satisfaction plus economy, buy good hardware from the Hook tape is available to reinforce supply of steel and brass fixtures now the heading where pin hooks are in­ available in the stores. Avoid ornate serted. Sew it on by hand or machine. fixtures which attract attention away (If the traverse rod has more slides

~------FIGURE 6 A. Extension curtain rods, flat or rounded, are available in single, double, and triple styles to fit windows 18 to 86 inches in width and in projections from 1112 to 4 '12 inches. One piece extension sections can also be had. Extension rods curved to lit bay windows, arches, and similar settings are avail­ able. Curtaining hung on these rods stays put. B. Sash and door rods come in extensions varying from 12 to 50 inches, with lf.l.inch projection. Some styles are available with no projection for installation be­ tween casings. C. Rods lor comer and bay windows are offered in single and double extension rods fitting windows up to 86 inches wide. Cut-to-measure, bay and comer extension rods can be made to fit your windows. Angle supports come with the rods to support corner weight. Single rods project 21/2 inches and double rods 3 'h inches from the window frame. Other types of rod assemblies for comer windows include hand-drawn or cord traverse installations. The sides of bay windows can also be handled with traverse rods if two one-way draw cord traverse rods are used. D. Extension traverse rod3 with hand-drawn or draw cord installations come in a wide range of combinations. Practically any drapery problem for windows ranging in size from 28 up to 120 inches can be solved with extension traverse rod installa­ tions. Note the overlap master slides which permit a 3-inch overlapping of draperies to insure exclusion of light. E. The hand traverse track is useful for curtains and draperies installed in window recesses or for portieres in doorways. If you are using heavy draperies at wide windows install the heavy weight rods. Otherwise regular weights should be sufficient. Traverse tracks can also be made to fit curved bay windows. They provide flexi­ bility so that curtains fastened to them either hang in place or draw easily back and forth. Theso tracks are often installed in window walls where they serve to space material ovonly and also to keep fabric in pleasing folds when it is hung at right angles in a room. Traverso tracks can bo attachod noar the coiling for floor-to-ceiling use of curtain fabric. They are modorately priced and offer effective solutions for special window problems. F. Swinging oxtondor rods aro useful as side drapery supports to widen the offoct ol a window that is too narrow or too high for attractive draping. G. Swinging do_or rods aro uvailable in draw cord or hand traverse assemblies lor right- and loll-hand doors and for single or double doors. With these rods the door or doors can be swung back to the wall without disturbing the position of the rods or draperies. -12 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264 than are needed, place them at ends of the rod where they will not interfere with operation of the draw curtains or draperies.) A valance pleater is a device which pleats the fabric between the fingers of the pleater and fastens them into a swag. Use it if your room requires a formal window treatment and you want to achieve a swag efiect in the drapery. Weighted tape will help traverse dra­ peries to hang more evenly if it is fastened in the hem. This tape is available in several sizes and weights for use in light, medium, and heavy FIG. 7. Heading hooks are sewed to the cur­ tains or draperies, then hooked over the rod weight draw curtains and draperies. or into the slides. Pin hooks which require no Pin-on weights prevent corners of sewing are shown in row A, number l. and draperies from rolling or curling and row B, numbers 5 and 6. Chp hooks also need are easily removed for cleaning. Sew-on no sewing. The last hook in row B is a clip weights in various sizes are also avail­ hook. able.

What Type of Fabric?

In window curtaining, as in all furnishing, your first thought should be of the interests, habits, and tastes of the people who live in your home.

Suppose you want a cozy room­ low and red; for example, light yellow­ then select plain fabrics with rough green with rust and brown, or soft texture, or try gay prints which radiate pink and rose with a touch of dark warmth. green for accent. Be sure to buy plenty of material and If it's a cool effect you want­ use it generously (see pages 17-HJ on use fabrics of smooth texture. Rayon estimating yardage.) You'll get a better gabardines and sharkskins give this efiect with yards of cheap material, efiect in draw curtains. such as muslin, than with one expen­ Patterned fabrics look cool when sive width split lengthwise. Weight and the design is widely spaced on a white scale in fabric are also important. Too or light background. In the informal much heavy material in a small room is room, draperies made of these fabrics as undesirable as too little. Try semi­ arc hung full and straight to the floor. sheer fabric of some nubby texture for For more formal decor, they are often use with contemporary furnishings. tied back. Draw curtains help to soften struc­ Light tints of blue, gray, or green tural lines in a room and make it cozy will give your room a cool feeling. Add and inviting. Sometimes ruflled cur­ accent by working in touches of deep, tains are used, then ruffled finishes warm colors in trimmings and linings. may also be seen on slip covers and For informality in a room-you'll pillows. find Lhat fabrics of gay color and pat­ Warm and cheerful colors belong in tern or dull texture will give you just the cozy room. Try using shades of yel- the efiect you're looking for. Combine FIG. 8. Here color. design, and texture of floor covering. cabinet wood, and wall paper are successfully accente d by the draw cur­ tain of unbleached muslin- proof that muslin is a fi rst-rate fabric for window curtaining.

your colors fr ely. Work with three or less colors and the various sh ades and tints of those colors. Try unifying the decorative plan by using the same gay fabric for draperies and slip covers. Then get contrast by using a dull-textured fabric in a re­ lated color on an upholstered piece. Combine striped fabrics and floral prints with a plain fabric of dull texture which blends in with the color scheme. Be sure, though, to use a plain fabric if you have figured rugs or wallpapet·. Here, you can use dull-textured fabric­ hopsacking, basket cioth, novelty twill, or nub-like weaves-for draw curtains and draperies. off r many attractive and interesting Unlined draperies are often used in combinations. an informal room. These are hung un­ Perhaps you prefer a formal decor­ der valance boards or from traverse then your curtains and draperies will rods or wooden poles withou t glass b elegant, in keeping with the digni­ curtains. Plain glass curtains are made fi d effect. to hang full and straight to the fl oor You will want rich brocades, failles, or to the bottom of the w indow frame. velv t n , or damask in fully lined Ruffi ed curtains are good for infor­ drap ri s. Th se \\'ill hang floor-l ngth mality wh n used on standard sash­ und r valanc or ornice boards. type windows. Th y hang eith r full­ Us restful color s h m s, with clear, length or apron- or sill-length. d cp hu s. You might like to try differ ­ Sash curtains made in one or two nt shad s of one olor. or differ nt sections for the upper and low r sash,

Is Yours a Problem Room?

Mayb lh r is liltl y u an do toward a tually changing th siz and shap of your rooms. But you can us fabri s in windo\ hangin s lo point up the room's b st f atur s. Your ,, indow curtains can also be used to camounag any size and shap probl ms you might have.

If your room is too large. use a strilt­ Try m of th r c ently d v lop d ing window lr atment. Heavy fabrics blind (h rizontal, vcrti al, and roll of warm color, la rg patt r n, and bold types) or valan or cornic boards design ar rr cliv here. with draw curtains. Th s should ti in 14 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264 with the color, pattern, and texture of usual hangings. Valances, cornice the hangings, and they will help to pull boards, interesting trimmings, and lin­ the walls of the room together. ings attract attention away from boxy Are high ceilings your problem? walls., Use a valance to connect two Use horizontal effects to break the windows on one side of the room. Under height of the walls and windows. it install full-length curtains of definite Choose a fabric with horizontal 'design print or striking color. or use plain draw curtains with horizon­ In a long, narrow room avoid skimpy tal trimming bands at the bottom. Deep draperies which make it'look narrower. valance and cornice boards will also Widen the narrow wall by extending break the height of the ceiling. If used, the curtain rod beyond the window they should blend closely in color with frame and add a valance board. Choose the draperies and floor covering. Try fabrics of medium-sized design. Dull­ narrow-slat roll shades at the windows textured draw curtains that blend with draw curtains at the ends, operat­ closely with the wall color extend the ing on extender rods against the wall. effect of the short wall; sharp color With so much attention drawn to the contrasts shorten the long wall. Bam­ windows you will have to be careful boo or narrow-slat Venetian blinds add in using color and pattern. Blend your horizontal effect. patterned curtains closely in color with plain rugs and vice versa. FOR YOUR SPECIAL WINDOWS Low ceilings are a problem, too. To Many homes have special windows create a feeling of height, use straight­ which cannot be curtained in the ordi­ hanging, floor-length curtains and dra­ nary way. Arched windows, for ins­ peries. Vertical stripes or a vertical tance, require different treatment. Here effect created in the pattern of curtain you can hang curtains on shaped rods, materials also add to apparent height. cut to fit the arch (figure 9). The lock The rich folds of draw curtains, when slides on the rod permit fastening the made of fabrics with subtle patterns curtain in any position desired. and soft colors, permit the eye to travel Transoms may be curtained with ma­ easily up and down the walls of the terials shirred on rods placed near the room. Full hanging panels of contrast­ top and bottom of the frame. Sometimes ing colors give height and variety and they are painted the color of the wood­ interest. Try green and turquoise or work or walls to be less conspicous. biege and pale rust side by side and Casement windows are hinged to note the effect. open in or out or to slide in a track on To make a small room look larger the window sill (figure 10). paint your window frames the same soft color as the walls. Use simple draw curtains, straight-hanging draperies, or sheer floor-length curtains. Tie backs, valances, swags, or large­ patterned draperies overshadow a small room. Draw curtains and draperies matching or blending closely with wall color present a unified effect which makes the room seem larger. Light colors convey a spacious feeling when used in small rooms. FIG. 9. Shaped redding for arches. Note use In a square room draw interest to the of hook tape at positions where hooks are windows with brilliantly colored or un- inserted into the fabric. Draw curtains, sill- or floor-length, are frequently used where casement windows or doors open in. Use floor­ length where the heightened effect will balance other high furnishings. Hang your draw curtains from rods which extend well up above the actual line of opening (figure 6G) . Then when the window or door swings, the edge of the frame will clear the heading of the curtain. In-swinging casements can also be hung with glass curtains shirred on up­ per and lower rods which you would fasten inside the sash. Another choice FIG. 10. Sliding casement windows can be might be use of casement fabrics made lifted out easily for complete ventilation dur­ as draw curtains and hung from swing­ ing warm weather. As shown, they permit ing extender rods. flexible ventilation for year-round use. A canopy curtain or fabric shirred on rods Casement windows which open out softens light glare. are completed with draw curtains (fig­ ure 11) . The point is not to have the curtain swing out with the window. French windows usually open in, and You might also fill in the space of the if curtained, are hung with glass fabric bay window itself with ftoor-length shirred on rods placed at the top and glass curtains. Be sure to use full widths bottom of the window frame. so that the curtains cover the entire French doors betwe n rooms or lead­ space and hang in easy folds. ing to a porch are often counted as Sash curtains could also be used to architectural features and are not cur­ cover the entire bay unit. Hang these tained. If draw curtains are u:;ed at the in two sections from two sets of rods, windows they might also be installed at the Fr nch doors on hand-drawn traverse rods. Or th s doors can be treated as units with side draperies at FIG. ll. Here a distinctive and cool effect the out r edges, conn ct d with a cor­ results from using a chintz of light back­ nice or valance. ground with large pattern to contrast with the dark wan trim and bed-covering. Many older hom s have smaU, high windows on ithcr sid of a sideboard or fireplace. Build a frame around such windows, th n add sh -lves or cupboards betw en them in the sideboard or fire­ place rcc sses. Usually th se small, high windows are not urtain d, but you may want to us glass or draw ur­ tains styled like other curtains in the room. If you hav bay windows t urtnin, hang wid , ftoor-1 ngth draperi s over the wall spac at th nds of the win­ dows. Use a valan or cornice board at the top to tie the unit together. ------

FIG. 12. The north·west exposure of this kitchen corner window brings steady light to the sink area. Straight·hanging muslin curtains, shirred on a rod, complement the design and color scheme. one at the top of the casing, the other Draw curtains are desirable for at the middle sash of the window. kitchen and bedroom corner windows GToup windows and double windows where ventilation and light are to be which are fairly close together are con trolled. treated as one unit. Floor-length glass P erhaps your view windows look out curtains or a roll-up shade can be used on a drab or unsightly scene and you to control daylight. Draw curtains or want to distract attention away from end drap ries with a valance or cornice the outside. Use draw curtains and board across the tops of the windows continue them across th wall area so and intervening space create a unified ther is no obvious cone alment of effect. the window. The fabric might be the Co1·neT windows are usually treated same color as the wall finish and nearly with straight-hanging curtains (figure the same textur . Or substitute for the 12 ). Use glass curtains or roll-up shades view by using a plant lif print or to soften the large amount of light choose a scenic or documentary d sign. coming in and complete them with draw Just as the view from some windows curtains or end draperies to make a should be excluded, others should be single-unit effect. A cornice board or framed. If you have a view, use it. valance treatment is often included to Make it an integral part of the room frame the tops of the windows and furnishings, using print or plain fabric unify them with nd fabrics. to keynote room needs. Wltelt Vott Make eurtailfS and Vraperies

Often windows in a room are not identical so measure each window separately for curtains and draperies. Fasten curtain fixtures, then meas­ ure with a yardstick figuring length from top fixture down, plus heading allowance. Width is measured according to fixture length, which includes the end projections and style of curtain. Length Measurement these additional measurements are: For Glass Curtains-add 9% inches to the length measurement; ::r: ::r: 3 inches for 2%-inch bottom hem, t; f- ::r: allowing for %-inch turn-under; z w z ~ 5% inches for H'2-inch casing, _, ~ z w having 1/4-inch tum-under and z ...J ...J ~ ...J 0: Pit-inch heading; 1 to 2 inches 0 a. 0 <( ...J per yard for shrinkage, depending u. on material (see page 18). For Draw Curtains and Dra­ peries-hem and heading allow­ ances are deeper than for glass FIG. 13. Measure all lengths from the top of curtains. the window frame or cornice. Bottom hems added to length meas­ urement vary according to the weight Measure for length of curtains and of fabric used. Four to six or as many draperies as indicated in figure 13. as twelve inches are allowed. Glass curtains can be made to cover Headings for draw curtains and the casing leaving the frame in view or draperies vary according to length of to cover the frame to the bottom of the the curtain and the depth of stiffening apron. Where used with side draperies used in the heading. Use 3-inch stiffen­ of floor-length they should cover the ing if curtain is under 7 feet in length entire window as full-length hangings. and 4-inch stiffening if it measures over Casement curtains should be meas­ the 7- Coot length. ured for length the same as glass cur­ Washable crinoline and lightweight tains. buckram are stiffening materials. Fold Draw curtains and draperies require crinoline two or three times to get full-length measurements unless some needed thickness. structure under the windows prevents If you are using 3-inch crinoline, add them from hanging to the floor or un­ 5 inches to the length measurement. For less hemline meets a prominent dado. 4-inch crinoline add 6 inches, and if 6- To these measurements add sufficient inch crinoline is used (as for floor-to­ al~owance for raw-edge turns, hem ceiling draw curtains) add 8 inches. Widths, casings, headings, shrinkage These additions provide 2 inches of and "bouquet repeat". Suggestions for fabric to turn under the stiffening and 18 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264 keep it in place. Be careful to have the Shrinkage Allowance top fold of the heading come to the top edge of the window frame. Check your Shrinkage allowance can be taken measure from the point where curtain care of by basting a tuck in bottom · or drapery is fastened to the rod and on hem to be let out before washing or dry up to top of the frame. cleaning. Test~ indicating maximum percentage Width Measurement of shrmkage are often printed on the selvage or labels attached to the fabric. Width in curtains and draperies is These percentages in terms of yardage determined by the weight and design of mean: 1 per cent, shrinkage less than fabric plus requirements of window size '12 inch per yard; 2 per cent, shrinkage and curtain styling. of ~bout % inch per yard; 3 per cent, Sheer, fine fabric should hang quite shrmkage of about 1 inch per yard. If full. For long, glass curtains allow at no claims are made about shrinkage, least double the width of the window allow 1 to 2 inches per yard. and plan on 1% the window width for. Frequently the terms "vat dyed" and short ones. Very sheer curtains of ny­ "guaranteed fabric" appear with shrink­ lon, ninon, or orion, if hung straight, age data. "Vat dyed" means the color should measure 2'12 to 3 times window has been developed on the fiber and is width. part of it. "Guaranteed" usually indi­ Heavier fabrics hang well if each 1 cates a more satisfactory fastness to panel is 1 /2 to 2 times the width of the laundering than to light. window. Drapery and draw curtain width is also determined by the projection of Bouquet Repeat the fixture from the window frame and by type of pleating used. Pinch- and Patterned material with a large re­ box-pleats should be at least 4 inches peated bouquet or other motif is called deep in light- and average-weight fab­ "bouquet repeat" and requires extra rics. In heavy fabrics, use 5-inch pleats·. yardage to space the pattern so that it See page 21 for division of panels for falls in an identical position on each pleating. hanging. If you have a large pattern, If you have an average window and plan to have the lower part of it near plan to use draw curtains use 1 or lVz the floor. Measure depth of the pattern full 50-inch widths of fabric at each from top of one bouquet or motif to the side of the window. Measurements for corresponding point on the next motif. draw curtains should include a 3-inch T~is depth must go evenly into the lap at the center of the traverse rod. amount of yardage allowed for each Ready-made plastic and paper drap­ curtain. If it does not, you add the extra eries usually require additional full­ inches. For example: If the size of the ness to establish harmony between the bouquet repeat is 25 inches and the window treatment and other furnish­ amount needed for each curtain is 95 ings in the room. The narrow effect of inches, you increase the 95-inch allow­ ready-made plastic draperies which are ance to 100 inches, the next larger figure 48 and 54 inches wide to the pair, and evenly divisible by 25 inches. of paper draperies which are 58 inches wide to the pair can be overcome if two or more pairs are bought for each Valance and Tie-Back Allowance side panel of the drapery. To sew them A ruffled or flat valance can do much together, top-stitch one panel to the to camouflage the proportions of a win­ other on the machine using a lap seam. dow not pleasing in shape. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 19

·Fabric valances, whether gathered on a rod or stretched flat over a padded board, give most curtained windows a substantial, finished look. (See page 5 for making a valance board.) Valances do not work well in small rooms with low ceilings. The depth of the valance material depends on the size and shape of win­ FIG. 14. A curved valance. dows, height of the ceiling, and effect you want. A pleasing depth measures If you are using a patterned ma­ 1/6 the length of the window casement. terial which has "bouquet repeat," cen­ However, a valance can vary from 1/5 ter the repeat motif at the middle of to 1/8 of this measurement. the valance, then work out minor at­ To figure material, start with valance tractions to suit fabric and curtain type. depth, then determine the length of the Tie-backs are made from a shaped strip as indicated in the following sec­ piece of material, usually 4 inches wide tions. Allow for l-inch seams. af center fold, 18 inches long, and For a gathered valance, measure the tapered to about 2lh inches at the over-all width of the window· frame, rounded end (figure 15). Add liz-inch then allow 2ljz times this measurement seam allowance. You can allow enough for needed fullness. Add the depth re­ material to make tie back double, but quired, plus bottom hem, headin?, this depends on weight of the fabric. casing, and seam allowance. Make thrs The modern treatment of long, easy valance the same as a glass curtain, pre­ folds in curtains offers guidance for ferably with heading, side, and bottom position of tie backs. Usually this is at hems all the same depth. a point marking the top third of the A plain, flat, or shaped valance will window length or at midsash. require a muslin or paper pattern which covers length of the board plus end pro­ jections and l-inch seam allowance. Thumb-tack this pattern to the valance board to test it for size and shape. A plain straight-edge valance is al­ ways good. Avoid sharp contrasts in the lower hem line. Even lines or a slight difference in curves are more restful than' high and low curves or large and small curves joined together (figure 14). FIG. 15. A curtain tie-back.

Construction Aids

Buy large spools of thread and fill several bobbins before you start machine work. Use 8 to 10 stitches per inch for machine work on all curtain and drapery fabrics with the exception of plastic materials where 8 stitches per inch work well. 20 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264

Mercerized sewing cotton can be had a plain hem, leaving ends open for in­ in a wide color range. It is made only serting the rod. Carry your stitching in one size, approximately No. 50. out to ends of the hem and back %-inch Heavy-duty cotton, sizes 30 to 36, also to prevent it from pulling out. comes in many colors. It should be used If a casing with a heading is to be for stitching pinch-pleats in draw cur­ used, the top hem must be folded down tains and draperies. the depth of the casing, plus the head­ Before cutting, straighten material. ing, plus the 1/4-inch turn-under. A flat Lay a yardstick parallel to the selvage rod requires at least a 2%-inch casing, and clip the selvages every 6 inches. a round rod at least a 2-inch casing. Then catch one crosswise thread and Always check the shape and thickness pull it gently out of the fabric. This of the rod, and then make a casing will make square corners along both which permits the fabric to move selvages from which you can measure easily. length. Keep the material stretched flat Shrinkage allowance of 2 inches can on a board, table, or on the floor while be put in as a basted tuck just under you are measuring and cutting. Draw a the casing on the wrong side. If 3 · or chalk line between length points on more inches are allowed for shrinkage, each selvage. Then cut on this line, divide the amount in half and baste being careful not to draw or lift the tucks at both top and bottom hems. material as you cut. When making the heading and casing in ruffled curtains, carry stitching out Glass Curtains through the ruffle, keeping crosswise grain of ruffle in line with crosswise 1. Make side hems. Before you start, grain of curtain fabric (figure 16). cut the selvage off. A l-inch hem is A stiffened heading for glass curtains usually a good side hem width; how­ is used for a wide heading or material ever, width is determined by the ma­ which is very soft and sheer and will terial and the size of the window. Dou­ not stand in position. Then use light­ bling bottom and the side hems on sheer weight, washable crinoline or heavy or­ materials hides raw edges inside the gandy to stiffen the heading. Cut stiffen­ hem. Side hems may be single or ing the finished width of the curtain. double. Lay it '12-inch from the top edge with Use a cardboard gauge for turning the ends in from both sides the depth of hems. Place pins at right angles to the edge of the fabric, and press. Turn and pin lengthwise hems, work­ ing from the center down to lower hem. For uniform appearance make the side and bottom hems the same width, or make the side hems narrower, if you like. Similar width in side hems permits you to interchange the curtains at the window, alternating parts faded by the sun. Hems in most cottons and some rayons can be pinned, pressed, and stitched without basting. 2. Make the heading and casing. If you want just a casing, make it deep enough for the rod to slip in easily. Crease a V4-inch turn-under and stitch FIG. 16. Stitching a ruffled curtain heading. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 21 the side hems. Turn the %-inch top edge same length complete cutting the of the curtain over the edge of stiffen­ panels. ing and stitch. Make the side hems, then If a short drapery is also needed in turn top hem in position and complete the room, measure and cut it so that with a stitching of the casing and head­ the design matches other lengths, thus ing lines. bringing all designs in the same place Fo1' 7'Uffled cu1'tains, sew ruffle£ on in the upper part of the room. both sides so they may be interchanged. Plan the width needed, remembering Ruffles made of crisp materials such as that a skimpy drapery is worse than organdy or gingham should be cut on none at all. A width and a half are the bias. Limp materials-marquisette, usually required in 48- to 50-inch ma­ and ninon-should be cut crosswise of terial for each panel of the average the material. Plan on ll/2 yards of window. Sometimes two, four, or five ruffling for each yard of curtain length. widths are used. Before pleating, the Ruffles are easily made with the small­ curtain panel must total at least twice est hemming foot. Join them to the the width of the area to be covered. curtain with either a french-fold or Seam the sections of each panel where flat-fell seam. you cut the selvage off. 3. Next, the bottom hem. Make a %­ 1. Make the side hems. In firmly­ inch turn-under. Then fold bottom hem woven draw curtain or drapery ma­ to desired depth and crease on a thread terial, crease a Y4-inch turn-under; in line. Before you turn this hem up over loosely-woven material make it lh inch. the side hem, fold outer corners on a Then turn 1 1/.,-inch hem. Pin and press slant the depth of the side hem. This side seams and sew by hand with the eliminates rough edges yet gives all of slip stitch or stitch by machine. the hem allowance for lengthening the To make the slip stitch, work with curtain if necessary later on. the hem side toward you. Fasten thread To weight glass curtains, lay round in the hem. Directly above this fasten­ string weights along the fold of the ing, pick up 2 threads on the body of bottom hem, catching one end in the the fabric. Point your needle directly side hem and the other on the inside back into hem in a vertical line to it. of the hem fold. Then slip needle to the left just under top fold of the hem for ~~ inch. Repeat this stitch being careful not to draw the Unlined Draperies thread tightly. Unlined draperies, draw curtains, or 2. Stiffen and. make llead.ing. To make so-called traverse curtains are made the a stiffened heading, cut washable crino­ same way. Cut the wide selvage away line or lightweight buckram in strips to prevent tightening of the edges or the finished width of the curtain. if it is a narrow selvage, clip it at 6- Lay crinoline on wrong side of fabric inch intervals. 1',~ to 2 inches down from top, pin in Cut the lengths of the draperies or place. Turn fabric down over crinoline, draw curtains so they are square at then fold over the whole top, crinoline both ends with crosswise and length­ and fabric. Pin heading in place at bot­ wise threads running straight. Refer to tom-pins at right angles to hemfold. length measurement page 17. :~. Divide t:he panels for pleating. For If you use a patterned fabric, plan draw curtains requiring double fullness, Your draperies carefully for best effect figure twice the over-all space to -be· in the room. After the first length is cut covered. If curtains are made of one and checked, cut another matching and a half widths of fabric, figure one length. If your windows are all the and a half times that space. 22 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264

Let's say the space to be covered by For good appearance plan on 4 to 5 each curtain panel is 20 inches, making inches of material for each pleat. an over-all measurement of 40 inches. Usually 5 pleats are made in 48-inch The draw curtains you are making re­ material so we will divide our pleating quire double fullness (2 x 40 or 80 space (19 inches) by 5. The result in­ inches). Now add 3 inches for the rod dicates that we will have 3% inches in projection, plus 3 inches for overlap at each pleat. Remember that the first the center on each panel, making a pleat is set 3 inches in from the inner total of 12 inches to be added to 80 hem and also 3 inches in from the outer inches. Thus, fabric width for the entire hem so that it falls at the bend of the space will be 92 inches. Therefore, with rod projection. 48-inch material you need two widths To figure the space between pleats, to cover 40 inches of space. With 39- deduct the center overlap (3 inches) inch material, two and a half widths plus rod projection (3 inches) from are needed to cover the same space. the pleating space (26 inches) which We'll figure pleating directions for leaves 20 inches, as the total space left. 48-inch material which is the width There will always be one less space most frequentlY used. than there are pleats so with five pleats To divide the panels for pleating we we have four space measurements left. add the over-all measurement of space These are figured as lj4 of 20 inches or to be covered (40 inches) plus 12 inches 5 inches for each space between pleats. (allowance for overlap and rod pro­ When wider material is used follow jection) which gives 52 inches as neces­ the same procedure to divide the panels sary panel width. Divide 52 by 2, for pleats and space between pleats. leaving 26 inches for each panel pleat­ 4. Make and stitch the pleats. As you ing space. measure for pleats, mark their position Next consider the side hem allow­ with pins at top and bottom of the head­ ance. Let's say 1/4 inch selvage has been ing (figure 18). Bring the two pin cut off. With a l-inch side hem and a marks together to form pleats. Pin and %-inch turn under, we take 1% inches stitch with heavy-duty thread from from each side of the panel. The 48- top edge the depth of the heading. inch material with both side hems in This stitching holds heading in place. place now measures 45 inches. Then divide each pleat into a cluster To get the actual amount of fabric of three or four even pleats. Pinch to­ to be put in pleats subtract the pleat­ gether and tack in position on right ing space for the panel (26 inches) side at the hem line just below stiffen­ from the panel width after side hems ing. Start stitch in right fold. Point are made ( 45 inches) . This will leave needle through all folds to left, then 19 inches of material for pleats. back to right fold. Repeat several times.

<-> r'l\1111111 f'1 FIG. 17. Measure and pin pleat spaces as in· dicated by arrows, allowing for rod projec· tion and center overlap. See step 3 for divid· ing panels for pleating. FIG. 18. Make and stitch pleats. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES 23

Draw thread to back of pleat and fasten in fold. 5. Make the lowe1· hem. Use a %­ 8;ing inch turn-uncler; then fold up the = / amount you have allowed for the hem (3 to 6 to 9 or more inches). de=-~· Insert and tack string weights in FIG. 19. Cat-atitch lining to SCCIIIUI of drapery fabric and outer hem. lower corner of the hem. "Pin-on" and "sew-on" weights in various sizes are 2. Cat-stitch lining to seams of dra­ also available. pery fabric. This is necessary if you Pin hem in place, turning it over side have used a width and a half or more hem. Press and slip stitch. When you of fabric. Press drapery seam open, come to. the corner, slant a fold ap­ then cat-stitch on one side of seam. proximately the width of the side hem. (figure 19). 3. Finish inner side hem. Turn lining Lined Draperies over drapery fabric at inner side hem Buy lining material of same width line which has been pressed back 1% as drapery or curtain fabric. Remove inches and cat-stitch in place. Slip­ selvages from both. stitch lining to front side hem of the Cut lengths of drapery fabric to al­ drapery. low for hems plus a 5-inch turn-under 4. Make the stiffened heading. Place allowance at the top to cover the stif­ stiffening, cut the finished panel width fening. 2 inches down from the top of the Cut linings the finished length of your fabric on the lining. Keep lining and drapery plus hem allowance. This al­ fabric under the stiffening. Turn 2 lowance is usually 3 inches for the inches of fabric down over the stiffen­ bottom hem. Machine-stitch a 3-inch ing. Fold whole top, stiffening and fab­ hem at the bottom of the lining. ric, down and pin in place at bottom. 1. Make outer side hem. Turn and Divide and stitch panels for pleating press side hem allowance of 11h inches as described on page 22. on drapery fabric. Machine-stitch back 5. Turn bottom hem. of the drapery or outer side hem of drapery and lin­ fabric the depth you have allowed and ing, laying right sides of both together. catch-stitch it in place. Start stitching 2 inches from the bottom To make the catch-stitch, fasten hem and make this side seam %-inch tht,ead at the left-hand edge where the deep. Stitch to top of lining. raw edge of the bottom turn and the Tum lining over drapery fabric so rest of the drapery fabric meet. Carry that side hem which had been pressed the needle to a point on the body of back lies flat in place. Cat-stitch raw the fabric a little to the right and above edges of lining and drapery fabric seam the raw edge. Pointing needle to the to wrong side of drapery fabric. Use left, pick up two or three threads and a single heavy-duty thread which return to the raw edge side. Here pick matches background of fabric, and work up two or three threads to the right of from left to right. Pick up one thread of the last stitch taken. Repeat this criss­ drapery fabric just above seam. Keep­ crossing all the way on the bottom hem. ing thread to left of needle, take a In heavy fabrics loop the thread around small stitch 1 to 2 inches to the right the needle each time it is crossed over near the seam. Point needle vertically the raw edge. This adds strength. Do down into the seam. Repeat, always not allow stitches to show on right keeping thread to left of needle and side. fairly loose. Place and fasten string weights or 24 EXTENSION BULLETIN 264

round weights at corners of hems and for l-inch seams and cut buckram or always at seams if there are any in the folds of crinoline the exact shape and drapery panel. Slip-stitch end folds of size finished valance is to be. hem in place. Cut interlining % inch longer than 6. Swing tack Lining to hem; fasten stiffening material all around. Lay in­ swing tacks. To keep the drapery and terlining over fabric on wrong side an lining together fasten a swing tack be­ even distance from the edge-pin and tween both bottom hems every 18 stitch together. Center stiffening on inches apart. Use a double thread and interlining. Turn edges of fabric over sew back and forth four times, making it, notching where needed and catch­ a bar of stitches 2 inches long. Fasten stitch in place (see figure 14). the bar threads together with a slip A twill tape sewed across the top of knot every half inch. the fabric valance makes good rein­ Plain flat o1· shaped valance. Use your forcement for tacking it to the valance paper or muslin pattern which allows board.

CONTENTS page WHEN YOU SELECT CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES...... 2 When You Plan the Color Scheme ...... 3 Exposure affects color; How many colors? ...... 3 Check your lighting for color effects; Exterior effect is important ...... 4 Changing Window Size and Shope ...... 4 To gain height; To gain width; Valance boards; Cornice boards ...... 5 Curtain Fabrics ...... 6 Nylon; Plastics; Gloss fabrics; Orion; Dacron; Dynel; Metallic fabrics; Rayon; Cotton; Ninon; Casement cloths; Trimmings. Blinds and shades; New hardware helps your windows ...... 9 Drapery hardware accessories ...... 11 Who t Type of Fabric? ...... 12 Is Yours o Problem Room? ...... 13 For your special windows ...... 14 WHEN YOU MAKE CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES ... . 17 Length measurement ...... 17 Width measurement; Shrinkage allowance; Bouquet repeat; Valance and tie-bock allowance ...... 18 Construction Aids ...... 19 Glass curtains ...... 20 Unlined draperies ...... 21 Lined draperies ...... 23

UNIVERSITY FARM, ST. PAUL 1, MINNESOTA ·cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Minnesota, Agricutural Extension Service and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Paul E. Miller, Director. Published in furtherance of Agricultural Extension Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. 23M-4-61