SELECTING THE FABRICS Your choice of drapery fabrics is influenced by the type of Window, style of drapery and the general effect you desire. You may

Transcription

1 \. ndow treatments ttv..t\..,.a1, w Oy. t ijilpv 90.9 Mainlilublflfiflx :s\. Mm.AA «-«ml 000%... Iv... 1 mmmmm: <05. 92: M. I lsdojium. Hg}; I L Niki/nauwa lugputazlifréfla husk... View.», flush}.,lil... DRAPERIES : machine-sewn Ii ned Draperies are the most often used style of window treatment. They may be either stationary or drawn, lined or unlined, hand- or machine-sewn. These step-by-step directions will help achieve satisfactory results with the machine-sewn method. Making draperies by machine does not require much skill in sewing. All seams and hem are straight and very little handwork is needed. How- ever, accurate measurement is very important in all ( steps of the process. In order to handle the fabric and do a good job, on0n m.h w3p D 3mm.u,Da.I3 dm.33 m. mm.va. m D Jm m.xm m. mm.dmu1. m mm11..m

2 SELECTING THE FABRICS Your choice of drapery fabrics is influenced by the type of Window, style of drapery and the general effect you desire. You may choose fabric to filter the light, provide privacy, soften the background for your furnishings, frame a lovely view or create a center of interest. In either case draperies are an important part of the decorating plan and should be in harmony with other furnishings. Drapery Fabric A satisfactory fabric for draperies has some or all of the following characteristics: 0 is colorfast to light. 0 is colorfast to laundering and/or drycleaning. 0 will not shrink or stretch. 0 will resist soil. 0 has resistance to deterioration from light or heat. 0 has excellent draping qualities. 0 will resist abrasion (fibers will not break easily). Lining A lining may serve one or more useful purposes. It may protect the drapery fabric, improve the outside appearance, provide insulation, control the light or simply make the drapery hang better. Select a lining fabric width that is approximately the same as the drapery widths. While cotton is most often used, blends of cotton and synthetics are gaining wide acceptance. Some of the new lining materials resist stains, have insulating qualities and resist wrinkles. When selecting the color for the lining, consider the effect it will give to the exterior of the house. For example, if all the linings are uniform in color, the overall exterior View will be orderly and pleasing. MEASUREMENTS NEEDED ( In order to be accurate, install rods before you take measurements. A steel tape or yardstick is preferred to a cloth tape. Draperies may cover the window area plus additional wall space or the Windows only. If you wish to take advantage of light and a View, you may extend the draperies far enough on each side of the window for the glass area to be completely exposed when draperies are open. This also applies to side draperies that do not draw. Draperies should begin and end with some structural part of the wall or window. The top of the drapery may extend from the ceiling, top of the window - frame or the top of the sash of a recessed window. The lower edge of drapery may extend to the window sill; to the bottom of the apron, if there is no frame, approximately 1 inch below the opening; or to the floor; no more than 1 inch above the floor. Measure accurately and record each measurement for reference during the construction process. Width To determine the finished width of each panel, measure the length of the face of the rod. One-half this( length will be draped with one panel. To get the width of one panel divide the total length of the rod by 2 and add 1 inch for ease or drag plus the return and overlap. * Stiflening A stiff interfacing will help make the heading stay erect. Permanent finish crinoline is the most satisfactory stiffening and may be purchased in 3- and 4- inch widths. The 4-inch width is more appropriate for long draperies and the 3-inch for short ones. Trimmings Trimmings do for draperies what accessories do for a costume. They come in such a wide variety of, colors and types that it is easy to find just the right one for any style of drapery. The way trims are applied can also vary and add individuality to your window treatment. When you are shopping for fabric, select the trims to go with the fabric and the style of the window treatment.

3 Return. When using a plain traverse rod, the end should. be covered with drapery. The distance from the face of the rod to the wall is known as the return. This usually is 3 to 4 inches. Adjust rod to the desired distance. When using a decorative traverse rod, the drapery hangs only on the front of the rod. Overlap. Draw draperies should overlap at center 3 to 4 inches when closed. When possible, the overlap and return should be the same as the space between the pleats. This allows for transferring panels from one side of the window to the other and also gives uniform space between pleats when the draperies are closed.. Hems and Seams. Side hems should be 11/2 to 2 inches wide finished. Seam allowances should be at least 5/8 inch. Pleats. Draperies should be full and should hang in even folds. At least 100 percent fullness is needed. The amount of fabric in each pleat and the distance between the pleats will determine the fullness. Allow 4 to 5 inches for each pleat. Buying 2 to 21/2 times the total area to be covered is a simple method of estimating total width needed. Very full draperies would require three times the total width. Length Measure for the desired finished length of the drapery. Determine if it will hang to the sill, bottom of apron or floor. Figure 1. DRAPERY CONSTRUCTION Cutting Straighten the fabric by pulling a thread. If you do not work with the grain of the fabric, the drapery will tend to roll to one side. However, if you are using printed fabric, it may be necessary to work with the pattern rather than the grain line. Measure and cut the drapery lengths allowing one inch for heading and the desired amount for bottom hem. If the fabric has a design, use the first panel to match design for other panels. If the design has an up and a down, be sure to cut all panels in the same direction. Cut the lining 3 inches shorter than the drapery. The lining when finished should come to within 34 inch of the top and should hang about 1 inch shorter than the drapery at bottom. The top of drapery hem and lining hem should coincide. Cut lining 6 inches narrower than the drapery width for 11/2-inch side hems. When more than one width of fabric is used in each panel, pin sections with right sides together, allowing for a 5/8-inch seam. Fold all pieces needed for each panel together. Hem. For long draperies allow 4 to 6 inches for bottom single hems. For apron or sill length allow 3 to 4 inches. If double hems are desired, double the seam allowance. Heading. Allow 1 inchgfor top heading. Allowance for Design Repeats. If a patterned fabric is used, begin or end with a complete'pattern where it shows most prominently. As a rule, the bottom repeat is more important than the top. To determine additional yardage needed for placing and matching pattern, measure from the edge of one motif to a corresponding point in the next. Divide the total length of the unhemmed drapery by the length of the repeat to estimate the number of repeats you will need. Example: If the total unfinished length of drapery was 95 inches and the repeat 10 inches, then 91/2 repeats would be required for the first width. Each additional width would require 10 repeats one half repeat for each additional width would be a waste. Joining the Lengths Thread machine with heavy duty thread. Set stitches 10 to 12 stitches per inch. If more than one width of fabric was cut for each panel, stitch seams on wrong side making a EVs-inch seam. Clip through selvage every 2 or 3 inches. Press seam open. Fold and stitch 14 -inch single turn at top of each lining panel and the bottom of each drapery panel. This helps to control raveling. Turn up bottom hem of lining and stitch with machine. The lining hem should be 1-inch smaller than the drapery hem (3-inch lining, 4 inch drapery).

4 Place the right side of lining to the right side of the drapery with the lining down 11/2 inches from top. Pin and stitch %-inch seam. Clip through selvage every 2 or 3 inches. Press seams open. Turn the crinoline under to wrong side so that the full width is between drapery and lining. Be sure: crinoline is pushed tight to top. Pin at right angles to top of drapery. The top of drapery will be about 34 inch above the lining. Fold or miter corners, slip s-titch by hand. Do not stitch through stiffening. Turn right side out and fold so that the side hems are the same on both sides from top to bottom. Press carefully. Adding Crinoline Cut a piece of crinoline 5 inches longer than the width of the finished panel. Using a yard stick draw a heavy pencil line from end to end, one inch from lower edge of crinoline. Place crinoline on flat surface, fold each end back about 21/; inches or until it fits inside the, drapery width. Making Pleats Pleating is one of the best ways to distribute full ness and make draperies hang in graceful folds. The number and size of pleats depend on the amount al lowed for fullness when estimating yardage. This should be from 2 to 21/2 times the width of area to be covered. Spaces between the pleats should be no wider than the amount allowed for the pleats themselves to assure proper folding when draperies are open. For draw draperies it is necessary to allow for the exact finished width before you begin to make pleats. Use your record to work out the amount of material for each pleat and the space between pleats for one panel or one-half of drapery. Pin top edge of drapery (right side up) along pencil line. Stitch with long machine stitch. If crinoline is placed next to the presser foot, it will not be as likely to stretch the fabric.

5 Hemming and Finishing Place drapery flat on table. Turn up hem allowance and pin at right angles. If double hem is allowed, make the second fold the same width as the first. The drapery hem should be one-inch deeper than the lining (3 lining, 4 drapery). Hem by hand, using a blindstitch or catch. stitch. Catch as few yarns as possible on right side. Make stitches 1/2-inch long and do not pull tightly. Begin hemming at edge of drapery. Fold side hem over bottom hem. Sew drapery weights to top of hem on wrong side. Put a weight at each corner and at each seam line. Make a 1-inch thread loop every 15 to 18 inches, connecting hem of lining and drapery hem. With needle and thread make small tacks in side hem line, catching front of drapery. Tack every 6 to 8 inches. This will prevent lining from rolling to front. Press carefully. HANGING DRAPERIES After the draperies have been pressed, lay out flat; fold pleats in position. Tie in place with tape, not too tightly, every foot or so. Leave tied for several days. This will train the pleats to fall into position when hung. Pin the hooks at the correct height for the length of the drapery and the style of rod. The'top of drapery should extend 1/2 -inch above a plain. rod. The» top will be attached below the rings of a decor-ative rod. Use one hook behind each pleat and one at each end to hold the corners. The hook in the first pleat at the side is placed at the turn of the rod; the end hook: is fastened at the back of the rod. The hook in» first pie-at at the Center is placed in the hole of the master slide nearest the plain slides. The end hook should be» placed about 1/2- inch from the edge. of the. panel so that it Will be completely hidden from View.. If the outside edges of" the drapery panels should hang close to the wall, and they do not, sew Tings near the top and bottom of the side hems and fasten to cup hooks screwed into the wall or window frame.

6 n. Window Treatment Materials Available From Your County Extension Office ce..< cu g w-vfi-i t«r-. A ; ~.' -._I- design your own window treatments DRAPERIES: UNLINED II. DRAPERIES: MACHINE-SEWN LINED III. DRAPERIES: HAND-TAILORED IV. SWAGS AND VALANCES V. CORNICES AND LAMBREQUINS Prepared by Charlotte Womble, Housing and House Furnishings Specialist Published by THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University at Greensboro, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperating. State University Station Raleigh, N. 0., Chester D. Black, Director. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, The North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race. color, or national origin, and is an equal opportunity employer. I 4.-"84-3M (Reprint) Home Economics 149