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Home , Casement cloth, Cretonne

/27.5.21 U/:L7/J1i ~ ~ 9 ., ¥ II " I' I \ I" I I I " I I ' I I ''\ I I \ I I I ' I ,. ' \ I '' I I LIB R .A R Y ' I '' I CURRENT SER IAL ~~[CORD '\ ,I I MAY' . 6 1960 . ' I ''\ ,,• \ , '' ,I U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGr

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I TABLE OF CONTENTS Page To Help Determine Your Special Needs, Consider • . . . 3 Cafe and Cottage Type Curtains • . . 4 Sheer Glass Curtains • . . 4 Draw Curtains and . . 5 Stationar.y Draperies • . . • • 5

Fabrics . . . . • • • 5 Shades and Blinds ...... 6

Cornices and Valances .. . 8 ' . . Adequate Fullness for Curtains and Draperies . .• 9 Correct Lengths ...... 9' Hardware • . . . . 10 Ready-Made, Custom-Made or Make at Home 10 Points for Curtain and Draper.y Fabric 12 Required Label Information • . . . 12 Other Desired Label Information 12 . . . . . 13 Durability Factors • ...... 13 Use of Pattern • . . . . . 15 Color . . . . 16

Texture • 16

Will You Be Your Own Decorator • • . . 17 When You Go Shopping • • ...... 17

. ' ' March 1960 E.M. 2071 WINDOW TREA'IMENT

By Dorothy M. Clark Extension Home Management Specialist

A pleasing window treatment can contribute much to the attractiveness of a roam. For most windows a treatment that enables you to see the view, control air and sunshine, regulate light and privacy, soften the lines of the window frames, provide same insulation, and add a touch of decorative interest are desired. Your particular choice or\ a treatment is usually determined by such factors as where you live and how you live, the architectural style of your house, the character of the room decoration, the size, shape and number of windows in the roam, as well as your personal likes and the size of your budget.

For examples, draw curtains or draperies m~ be the ideal solution for large window areas in some contemporary homes but unsatisfactory for narrow, single windows in some of the early homes in the state. A working mother m~ prefer attractive cafe curtains for an informal atmosphere that best fits her busy schedule. These, in a material that will shut out the light, could be used without ~ other element as blinds, shades, etc. A more formal treatment would probably be more satisfactory in the home of a busy e:x-ecu tive. Elaborate window treatments such as those that include overdraperies, valances or c.orniees, draw curtains and glass curtains, all of luxurious materials,. create a feeling of formality. They may be used in large formal roams with other rich furnishings but should not be too elaborate as to interfere. with light and air from the window. Informal roams call far less elaborate treatments and less luxurious fabrics.

Informal E.M. 2071 Page 2

A decorative treatment such as this calls attention to a window and establishes it as one of the centers of interest in a roam. This can be achieved by a variety of w~s such as using ve~ beauti­ ful fabrics, unusual cornices and

valances 1 colors in contrast to the wall, patterned fabrics or l b,y skillful use of trimmings. I Decorative treatments can be 1 pleasing if the roam is of ade­ I quate size, the windows are of J----f I good proportion, and the other I I furnishings are rather subdued ' I in color and pattern and if the treatment is not overdone. ~W'

When you choose simple treatments and use colors near the same. value as the wall color, the window treatment seems to become a part of the background in the roan. This is usually desirable when the room is very small, when there are many windows and odd-shaped ones in the room, and when there are many pictures and accessories in the room. You will also probably prefer a background treatment when you have a very beautiful view. E.M. 2071 Page 3

TO HELP DETERMlNE YOUR SF$CIAL NE#EOS~ OONSlOEa

~~ose~ of Tr~~~~~pt Regulation of light, air, or privacy To· frame a view

To screen ~n unda~irable one

To soften a~chitectural features

~f!!~a~c~.Fe~z2rs

Char~cter CJ! eJther furnishings Design of draper.y or curtains TJll'e e>! window Col ott

Type of tre~tment Fabric Decora;ti,ve- Rods Bac kgrourl

Economic Considerations Initial cost

C~re :required

Cost of 'ij.pkeep Expected life Whether to make, have made, or P~y reidY mad~

Resources avail~ble E.M. 2071 Page 4

CAFE AND COTTAGE TYPE CURTAINS: Blend well with informal living. Have many design possibilities. Suitable for modern or traditional decor.

Can be used alone or with another treatment. Are easy to make and launder. Fabrics Are available rea~-made in a great variet,y of fabrics, colors and sailcloth designs. homespun Indian Head and many novelt.y weaves fn and man-made .

SHEER GLASS CURTAINS Soften and diftuse the light. Give partial privacy. Contribute to a light, cool effect. Are informal in nature. Are available in many thin fabrics, in a variety of colors and in white, cream and ecru. Are usually used with another element as bl.inds, shades, draperies. Are fairly inexpensive. Should be laundered frequently to remove the dust that shortens life of fabric. Are very unattractive when they · are uneven, droop, or are dirty.

Materials bobbinet casement cloth organ~ dotted Swiss lawn theatrical gauze and sheer man-made fabrics E.M. 2071 Page 5

DRAW CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES Are very good for large window areas .Are used mU:ch in contemporary hanes STATIONARY DRAPERIES Can be used alone or with another element Are for deQoration only Can be made from maqy fabrics Contribute to a for.mal look

Are available ready-made Are little used tod~ except in roams of period style Are custom made by many firms Should usually not cover the window glass when open c·an be lined or unlined Headings· are. generally French pl.eated, although box and _ o~er variations m~ be used

FABRICS It is a1Jnost impossible to give a canplete for draperies. yardage displayed in the average stores does not always give the fabric- name, so selection is usually based on weight, color, pattern, texture and care required. Some of the -fabrics suitable for heavy draperies include , broca­ telle, damas~, monk's cloth, hopsack~1~, , , sailcloth, some boucle, corduroy, , and .

M~ of the fabrics that are suitable for curtains are also used for lighter weight draperies. Other satisfactory fabrics include burlap, osnaberg~ , sailcloth, denim, duck, ticking, , , , , Jaspe cloth, India print, and a var~ety of novelty weaves. E.M. 2071 Page 6

SHADES AND BLINDS

Venetian blinds regulate light and Roll-up blinds of slender strips air more effective~ than aqy of of bamboo, plastic or other interesting the other elements in window treat­ materials can be used effectively in ments. The,y are available with informal roans. They do not give the vertical or horizontal slats and privacy of venetian blinds nor regu­ in many colors. Their disadvantage late the light and air as well. is that they collect dust and dirt which are time consuming to remove. Wood fabric draperies and roller Metal and plastic ones are pre­ shades are on the market in a variety ferable to wood. Lacings and draw of colors and combination effects. cords should be washable. White ones are more economical for those who change color schemes often.

Roller shades are available in a variet,y of colors and textures. Printed patterns are also avail­ able. Some, as the vinyl-coated plastic ones, are eas.y to wash. They offer privacy but do not regulate the air and light very well. Less durable ones begin to show signs of wear in a few years if regulated daily.

You m~ design interesting shade treatments b,y selecting material and making them. I I , "Bottoms-up" shades let you have I light or see a view from the upper portion of the window while enjqying I I! privacy. Mount shade rollers at top of window sill or baseboard. :j__ ----:::::t l Cords and pulleys are used to adjust shade to height desired. "Bottans-up" shade

In living areas the above treatments are usually softened b,y the addition of curtains or draperies or occasionally b,y both. E.M. 2071 Page 7

Austrian shades or curtains are enjqying a wave of popularity. Th~se can be suitable to modern or traditional decor depending on the character of the fabric chosen. Light weight fabrics that drape well are satisfactory. On the market now is a tape that shirrs the curtains with the cord rings attached in position to raise and lower the curtain. Tapes are also available to make a more tailored version of the Austrian shade as that shown here. This version requires much less fabric and time to make them.

An Austrian type valance can be used over plain curtains •

...... --~-

-t- -+ Inside wood shutters can be used + ~ effectively in a variety or w~s 1- without curtains and draperies -+ for attractive treatments, last - ~ indefinite~, and have been very "* acceptable in t·ecent years. t + + ( +- + --i 1- Panels of Shoji, plastics, or fabrics can be used quite + -~ effectively at some windows. +- + ) -t + t-

.+ ~ + ~ E.M. 2071 Page 8

CORNICES AND VALANCES

Cornices and valances are often used to cover rods and other window equip­ ment, to change the architectural line or a window, or . to add color or pattern to a room. However, their use is optional and neither is used today as much as in former years.

A cornice is usually made of wood or metal. You can paint it to match the wall or wood­ work or cover it with fabric. A permanent-finish, heav,y r..------·---.------·-- that o an be sewed on the machine oan also be used for making cornices. Cornices can help correct poor~ shaped ~~...... /...,..,.__' ..,._? windows. Widen your window by extending the cornice beyond the window trame. Add height by raising the cornices several inches ~bove the window frame. r;ll~~ Before cutting a cornice, make I a paper pattern of' the type you want, and try it on the window to be sure the width and le:ngtb are correct. 'Ihe hetght of cornices var,y, but four to eight inches are most eommon, except for a high­ ceiling roam. A. closed top protects the curtains.

A val.anee is a narrow length or material matching or contrasting with the draperies, usually tacked to a valance board. The simplest type of valance board. is a w~oden shelf about four inches deep and one-half inch thick, either sarewed or nailed on the top of the window casing.

Simple ruffled and pleated valances go well over stur¢1 curtain and drapery rods-. E.M. 2071 Page 9

ADEQUATE FULLNESS FOR CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES

To be pleasing, curtains and draperies must be of adequate fullness to hang in ample, graceful folds. If they are on traverse rods, allow full­ ness of at least twice the distance of the rod; fullness of as much as three times the distance m~ be desirable for sheer, soft faqrics. It is better to buy sufficient material at a lower cost than to skimp on more expensive fabric.

Allow Stack Space for Draperies

/ ~------~~ If drapery rod rod If drapery rod extends far ' is placed as enough out on shovm on this the wall, the side, part of drapery will the winqow glass cle-ar the win­ and ventilation dow when drawn area are always back. This is covered when the referred to as draperies are allowing stack drawn back. space for draperies.

CORRECT LENGTHS Curtains and draperies can begin just at the top of the frame or at the ceiling. They look best when they stop at sane structural point of the window as at the sill or at the bottan of the apron. Formal draperies go to the floor or to the top of a narrow baseboard. Lower· rods for cafe curtains should be placed, when possible, at a structural division of the window. The curtains for the long narrow strips of glass sometimes used for windows ma_y look better when they are made longer than the glass area. E.M. 2071 Page 10

To Line or Not to Line Draperies are used both lined and unlined. Factors such as type and weight of material, color, and amount of exposure to sun determine the feasibility of lining or not lining. Almost any colored fabric can be expected to fade same if exposed to the rays of the sun day in and day out. Large, bold-colored drapery patterns look best from the outside of the house when the.y are lined (that is if the design shows through to the wrong side of the fabric) . When there are many windows facing a street, lined draperies or draperies all of the same color give a more unified appearance from outside. A lining helps same of the lighter and medium weight fabrics to hang better. It is usually made of sateen; a1 though preshrunk sheeting is occasionally used when economy is a factor. Color­ fast, man-made fabrics are also used, especially when a colored lining is desired.

HARDWARE Select good rods, rings, and pins to suit the type window and treatment. Poor hardware does not last long and can detract from the appearance of the treatment. Rod manufacturing companies offer a great variety of rods to fit just about any type of window treatment desired.

READY-MADE, CUSTCM-MADE OR MAKE AT HeME The decision to make curtains or draperies, have them made or purchase rea~~made .ones depends largely upon the type treatment desired, market offerings, the type -window to be treated, and your present resources.

The; marke-t offers cafe curtain headings, pleater tape, snap-on rings and Austrian shade tapes that can simplify making your own.

Glass Curtains: You will usually not save much money by making glass curtains. The market offers all types of these at r~asonable prices. Making· ruffled curtains is very time consuming. However, it may not be possible to find correct sizes for unusual window types. Sheer paneling is available with hemmed sides--a helpful feature when sewing your own as it is difficult to keep sheer hems even and selvedges are unattractive and have a. tendency to draw. E.M. 2071 Page 11

READY -MADE, CUSTCM-MADE OR MAKE AT HCME (Continued)

Cafe curtains are fairly easy to make or you can find many attractive rea~-made ones if you prefer. Consideration points given below for draperies will also apply to making, buying or having these made.

Draperies: Are your windows small, large, or extra large? You should have no difficulty making draperies for small or picture windows. Space for home cutting and sewing becomes a problem when making them for huge glass areas.

How much time do you have for sewiD£? This may be a slow process for those who do not sew regularly. It is not something that will be enjoyed if only a small amount of time is available each day. You will need several large blocks of time for this work to be happy at the job.

How well do you sew, and do you like it? Some people may not have sewed at all but could do a good job if they wished. Most of the sewing is straight stitching. The important thing is to be accurate--accurate in measuring, cutting and sewing. Evenly hung draperies look smart. Uneven ones detract from the appearance of the room. However, small imperfections in stitching won't be noticeable when the curtains are hanging.

How much money is available for the window treatment? If you are doing a good job of budgeting, you will have a definite sum to spend on the window area. Only when you have some idea of an approximate figure can you· make the most intelligent decision.

You might wish to select a less expensive fabric, still good quality, and _use the savings in fabrics to have the draperies made by a profes­ sional.. Many drapery departments, chain stores and mail order houses have reasonably priced drapery-making services.

You can also find good quality in rea~-made draperies.

Whichever t.ype of construction you choose, don't compromise on a shod~ fabric or ugly design to save-work or money. Keep looking for something that is attractive. No matter how little something costs it is an expensive purchase if it does not add to the appearance of the roam. E.M. 2071 Page 12

CHECK POINTS FOR CURTAIN AND DRAPERY FABRIC

1. Is the color suitable for the room in which you plan to use it? 2. Is the texture of the material similar to the wall and other furnishings in the room? 3. If pattern is used, is it in proportion to the size of the room and other furnishings? 4. Is the material resistant to shrinking and stretching? 5. Is the material colorfast to sunlight and washing? 6. Does it have the finish you need? Is it crease resistant, fire resist- ant, and moisture resistant? Is the finish permanent? 7. Is the material easily and inexpensively cleaned? 8. Does the weave appear durable? 9. Is the fabric labeled well?

You should have a sui table fabric if you can answer 'tyes" to these questions. The following sections give information on same of these points.

REQUIRED LABEL INFORMATION

Ferleral law now requires companies to label all fiber products-­ yard. goods·;· clothing; draperies, floor coverings· and other fur­ nishings·; and bedding and other household --except fabric , . ABC Company on upholstered furniture. Drapery Fabric Tra¢e names for fi hers must be paired with the generic name for 65% Cotton the fiber. the first time this 35% information appears on each label. Labels must show the Guaranteed Washable percentage, by weight, of each Colorfast fiber that makes up more than 5 Will not shrink over 2% per cent ·of -the product. The fiber-s must b.e ~isted in order of greatest percentage as is shown in the s-ample.

In addition¥ labels must give the name of registered number of the company. Imported products must show the country where the product was manufactured or processed. product labels must show whether the wool is new or re-used.

OI'HER DESIRED LABEL INFORMATION

The law does- not require that the fabric label say anything about the fabric befng colorfast, resistant to shrinkage and stretching, having a permanent finish,. and the method of cleaning required. If we want labels that give information about these things, we should buy from stores that sell well­ labeled· products .. E.M. 2071 Page 13

FIBER

Many fibers are used for curtain and drapery fabrics. No one of these is perfect. Same fibers are more suitable for certain fabric uses than others. PNW Bulletin 20 gives the characteristics of the natural and man-made fibers and can be of help to you in deciding which fiber will best fit your needs.

A 1957 nationwide survey showed that at that time more cotton fabric than any other was used and preferred for living roam draperies.

DURABILITY FACTORS

Fading: Any fabric will fade after a time on being exposed to the reys of the sun. Such fibers as and delustered forms of reyon, acetate, and are extremely vulnerable to sunlight damage. If curtains are to receive considerable sunlight exposure, the following fibers will prove most satisfactory: Fiberglas, dacron, cotton, and "bright" non­ delustered forms of reyon, acetate, and nylon. Sheer should never be used in sun-exposed places if you wish to receive much wear from them. To counteract fading on any fabric, buy fabrics labeled sunfast, line or use shades, blinds, etc. With draperies that are exposed to the sun very much, rotate draperies from a sunny exposure to a shadier one. If possible, turn them upside down occasionally--don't let them cover the window panes during the sunny hours.

Same acetates ~ed blue mey turn pink or bronze from gases in the air. Smo~ acid fumes cause curtain fabrics to be weakened.

Do not allow fabrics to become wet from rain. The moisture in the presence of heat from the radiator mey cause sizing rings to occur as yellow streaks or circles.

It is advisable to select mildew resistant fabrics in damp areas.

Shrinkage: Look for materials that have been preshrunk or stabilized for shrinkage control. One per cent shrinkage means the material will not shrink over one-fourth inch per yard; two per cent will shrink one­ half inch per yard, etc •

Some materials have a tendency to shrink and same have a tendency to sag when exposed to excessive heat and humidit.y. Starchless finishes applied at the factory can help prevent same of this. Look for a label or hangtag to see if any information is given concerning this. If none is given, remember loosely woven fabrics and filmy nets lose shape easily. E.M. 2071 Page 14

Shrinkage (Continued)

Same fabrics sold directly from the factory are not preshrunk, yet are durable. In such cases, preshrink the fabric or make the curtains and draperies according to the manufacturer's directions.

Resistance to fire: A few homes m~ have windows near fireplaces, ranges, or other heating outlets. To avoid fire hazards, draperies for these windows should be of Fiberglas (the only fiber classified as fireproof) or of fabrics given a flameproofing treatment. Of course, the best safety precaution would be to not have draperies near an open flame, as flame­ proofing treatments cannot alw~s be relied upon.

Such treatments can be applied to fabrics at the manufacturing plants or at home.

Cleaning: It is up to you to find out whether the fabric can be washed or if it requires dry cleaning when you buy it. If it can be washed, you would also like to know if it can be machine washed or if it requires ironing. Drip-dry fabrics call for space to be hung while they are dripping.

Dry ~leaning is recommended for silk, wool, Fortisan, and same of the r~ons and acetates. It is advisable to determine the cost of dry cleaning if the fabric you wish requires this. Most of the man-made fibers and most are washable, providing fast-color ~es are used. They c·an usually be dry cleaned, also. Dry cleaning may be advisable for certain fabrics of these fibers as tapestry and velveteen. Large lined draperies usually require dry cleaning because of bulk.

Medium weight -and heavy weight materials can be dusted with the upholstery attachment of the vacuum cleaner. Dust accumulates on any kind of fabric as it d.oes on other materials. Thin fabrics, like marquisettes, nets, , and organqy have to be laundered often to remove this.

Same fabrics hold more dust than others because of a textured or surface. I! you have heavy dust at your home, you might wish to avoid the sheers and , burlap, , rep, tapestry, velvet, velveteen and corduroy.

Finishes.: Ma.tzy" finishes can be applied to the fabrics at the manufacturing plants. Same of the finishes impart permanent crispness, soil resistance, crease resistance, and greater durability. Since all fabrics are not treated, it pays- to read the label and ask for information concerning the treatment you wish. E.M. 2071 Page 15

USE OF PATTERN

The amount of patter n used in other areas of the roam i nfluences the choice of a patterned fabric for draperies. Plain draperies or solid colors with trtmming are advi sable when walls are patterned, when much pattern is used in other areas of the room, when there are many windows i n the roam, or when the room i s very small.

If the weave of the fabric is suitable, the patterned drapery fabric m~ also be used on a chair or two in an average to large size roam. Too much of the same design can get monotonous. The size of the design in a patterned drapery fabric should be i n scale with the size of t he room and other furnishings. Small designs are desirable for small windows in small rooms. Larger designs call for larger windows in larger rooms, however, very large designs m~ get tiring. The larger distinct designs require matching at each wi ndow and to other windows in the r oom.

The colors and l i nes in the design should be attractive i n t hemselves and in keeping with the character of the room. Before selecting one, be sure that you will be happy with it the length of time you plan to use it.

This small scale pattern i s quite active because of the number of lines, so would not be too safisfactory if pl aced in a much used room or used to any great extent . E.M. 2071 Page 16

COLOR

The color of a window treatment should be considered along with the color scheme and the amount or light in a room. The window treatment is so

related to the wall area that this sometimes largely influences the window J, treatment color. You may wish the latter to be very similar to the wall eolor if you need to make the room appear more spacious, if there are many windows or odd-sized ones in the roam, if you have a beautiful view, if the roam is very small, or if there are many pictures and other accessories in the roam. However, if the wall color is very dark, a lighter color window treatment will general~ be preferable even in the situations listed above.

The window treatment may pick up the colors used in some other area in the roam, as the floor or upholstery, if these colors are not in too great contrast with the wall color. Very dark curtains against light walls are very noticeable and can get tiring unless you are striving for a dramatic effect.

Curtains in off-white, beiges, ecrus go well with many other colors. If these are chosen for the windows, they should be repeated in same other area in the room.

It pays to buy or borrow a yard of the fabric and try it at your window before final selection. Then you can see how it looks with other fur­ nishings and the amount of natural and artificial light in the room.

TEXTURE

This refers to the effect of the weave~ fiber, and finish on the looks and feel of a fabric. Textures may look and feel coarse or fine, lustrous or dull, smooth or rough, crisp or soft, heav,y or light, pliable or stiff, slippery or clinging. The texture determines the draping quality of a fabric, and curtains should drape well or fall in graceful folds.

Color, line, and shape also contribute to the texture of a fabric. Dark colors usually appear heavier than light colors of the same fabric. Small designs in soft colors appear lighter than larger designs in bold colors.

The texture of the curtain or drapery fabric should be in keeping with the character of the roan. Smooth walls require fair~ smooth-surface fabrics. Coarser textured materials are suitable for rough, plastered walls. He av,y textured materials tend to make the window look larger and the room smaller.

Curtain and drapery fabrics used together should show some similarity in weight and feel. For example, fine silk drapery fabrics call for a fine sheer curtain. With cotton chintz, a cotton , voile, or organ~ can be used. E.M. 2071 Page 17

WILL YOU BE YOOR ONN DECORATOR

You m~ find it rewarding to create a new window treatment design for your windows. You may borrow and adapt ideas fran styles you have seen, yet have enough variation to show your originality.

You may gain ideas as you look at treatments in stores and homes, and at pictures in magazines.

Maqy w~en like to make their own selections of fabric after the,y have chosen a treatment. others prefer to depend on a decorator. Decorators, because of their training, experience, and contacts, can usually easily locate a beautiful fabric and suggest a suitable treatment for you. Naturally, you will expect to pay extra for this service. However, sane­ times :t. t may be secured without cost when you purchase a certain amount at sane stores.

WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING Take this information with you:

l. Character of room and other furnishings------

2. Si~~ of room type of window J. Size ------4· Nurober of windows '· Exposure of win9ows 6. Color of wall ----- floor ----- upholstery ____

slipcovers accessories ------7. Relationship to windows in other roams------

8. Use of pattern in other areas------9. Amount of money available for the treatment ------

lO-. Ally special requirements your fabrics m1.,1st Ineet as resistance to fire, washable, drip-dr,y, etc.

3/60 js