“ When purchasing your fabrics for curtains, draperies and slip covers, keep in mind the overall effect. Consider the room exposure, light, size of room, furniture arrangement and what color and design will do to create a room you will always enjoy. Since windows are a very important part of the room as a unit, the fabric chosen for curtains or draperies should also be used to slip cover a sofa or chair, a dressing table cover, or a dust ruffle for the bed. ”

“ Draperies must be cut on the true lengthwise and crosswise grain of the fabric so that when hung, they fall straight from the rod in even, graceful folds.
In weaving, yarns are threaded lengthwise on a loom which form the warp of the fabric. Another yarn is interlaced back and forth crosswise and is called the weft or filling thread. This is known as the plain weave. Linen, voile, chintz, etc., are a few of the plain woven fabrics. There are variations of the plain weave, such as the pile weave, with velveteen and corduroy as examples. ”

“ The yarns made from the different fibers—the natural, man-made and blended fibers—are of various sizes, weights, smoothness and fuzziness. The type of yarns used in the different weaves influences the texture of the fabric as well as its weight, lustre and durability.
When cutting drapery lengths, be sure to start with a true crosswise grain. Most firmly woven plain weave fabrics can be torn. Snip the selvage before you tear the fabric. Linens, loosely woven and nubby fabrics, novelty weaves and many others will not tear satisfactorily. ”

“ Draperies are lined for the protection of the fabric. Linings also give weight to the draperies, causing them to hang in deeper folds. A sun-fast white, soft gray or cream colored sateen is generally used as the lining fabric.
Linings, just as drapery fabrics, must be cut straight with the crosswise and lengthwise grains.
Always start with a straight crosswise edge. This is obtained by drawing a crosswise thread and cutting on drawn thread. If fabric slopes up on one edge, then it should be straightened before pieces are cut. ”

“ Very often, when fabrics are rolled on the boards at the mills, the fabric is rolled more tightly on one end than at the other, drawing the crosswise threads (weft) in a diagonal line. This is apt to be true in loosely woven fabrics and particularly lining fabric.
To straighten fabric, first remove selvages, pull fabric gently but effectively, stretching it diagonally from corner to corner; then alternate. Grasp the fabric so that you will neither injure nor wrinkle it. Press before seaming.
Lining should be cut to allow for a 2′′ hem at the bottom and a 1⁄2′′ seam across the top and sides. ”

“ Sewing thread should blend as nearly as possible with the fabric in color, fiber and size. Silk and wool fabrics are stitched with silk thread. Cottons, linens and some blended fabrics are stitched with cotton thread or mercerized thread. The synthetic fabrics and blends of the pure and man-made fibers may be stitched with silk, mercerized 9 cotton, nylon or Dacron (DuPont) thread. The needle is selected with consideration to both the thread and the fabric. ”

“ Most any type of top finish, shirring or pleats is suitable. A plain valance or cornice board may be used. For a pleated heading, allow 51⁄2′′ at the top for heading and 51⁄2′′ at the bottom for a 21⁄2′′ double hem. Cut strips of crinoline or lawn for stiffening 4′′ wide and 3′′ shorter than the width of each drapery length. Pin strip to underside of heading 1⁄2′′ from the top, starting 11⁄2′′ from the edge. Stitch along lower edge of strip, then turn top edge of fabric over stiffening 1⁄2′′ and stitch. Turn top hem to underside along edge of stiffening. ”

“ Use a simple fixture, an oval or round rod, and a draw type of drapery. If drapery is to be shirred on the rod, take measurement from top of rod to lower edge of window. To length measurement, add 21⁄2′′ for a 11⁄2′′ hem which forms the casing and heading, and 23⁄4′′ to 21⁄2′′ bottom hem. If sew-on or clip-on rings are used, measure from lower circle of ring to edge of window. To this measurement, add depth of top and bottom hem.
14 Awning Window
The type of drapery determines points of measurement. ”

“ Pin lining to hem across the top and slip-stitch. Turn hem in lining and stitch. Allowance should be made for a 2′′ hem, overlapping the hem in drapery approximately 1′′. Use french tacks between lining hem and drapery to hold lining in place. Use either ‘sew-on’ or ‘pin-on’ weight at bottom of side hems.
When lining is machine stitched to drapery, tack seam to interlining.
French tacks hold drapery and lining together.
26 Measuring for Pleats
The use of pleats is one of the most effective ways of controlling the fullness of a drapery that is made to hang in balanced, graceful folds. ”

“ Sometimes dampening the fabric will relax the threads and make straightening easier.
ESTIMATE OF YARDAGE
These figures are the approximate requirements. Always, where possible, take careful measurements for more accurate estimate. It is much better to have extra material than not enough.
When using materials with a large floral pattern or plaid, allow one full length of the motif for each additional length required for draperies.
7 Color and Design
Color has a language all its own—It expresses, it soothes, it stimulates, it creates ”

“ Together they make up a complete dressmaking—home decorations library. Fully illustrated, each one covers its subject step-by-step, answering all your questions—in as few words as possible—almost before you ask them. ”

“ Color and line apparently change the size of the room. Cool, light colors and vertical lines make walls appear higher and the room larger, while warm colors and horizontal lines seem to lower the ceiling and draw the walls nearer. ”

“ Draperies CONTENTS page Fabrics 3 Color and Design 7 Selection of Needles and Thread 8 Window Measurements 11 Construction Details 15 Measuring for Pleats 26 Copyright© 1960 by The Singer Company
Copyright under International Copyright Union • All Rights Reserved under Inter-America Copyright Union • No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.
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3 Fabrics
Drapery fabrics are available to us today in an overwhelming variety for every decor—not only in the traditional fabrics, but also in the many new synthetics and blends. ”

“ Pinch Pleat—Divide the large pleat evenly into three smaller pleats; press in firmly and stitch across the three folds at lower edge of heading. The Pinch pleat is a favorite finish for most types of draperies and is particularly good when draperies are made of a heavier fabric. ”