FESTOON
BLINDS
Cut our the
fabric for the blind, joining widths if necessary, to make a panel allowing at
least 1 times fullness both across the blind and down its length. Turn under
and press 2 cm double hems around the sides and lower edge of the blind and
make up and attach a top stitched frill for all three sides. Make a cased
heading at the top of the blind to fit a pole placed across the window.
Decide
on a suitable spacing for the channels and make a row of buttonholes in the
blind, just below the cased heading, one for each channel. Cut strips of fabric
for the casings 4 cm wide, and turn under and press 6 mm down each side edge
and across the ends. Pin and tack the casings to the back of the blind and
top stitch in place.
Estimate and cut
the lengths of the cord or ribbons and thread them through the channel,
bringing each one our through the buttonhole at the top. Stitch across the
lower edge of the casing to hold the cords firmly in place. Draw up the blind
to the required length. Stitch a short length of matching cord or ribbon to the
front of the blind, just below the button hole, and tie the ends together to
form a decorative bow.
Stitch rings to the back of each channel, every 20 cm
or so, down the length of the blind. Tie the ends of the cords to the lowest
rings and thread up the blind in the usual way. Slot the heading onto a rod or
pole and fit screw eyes to a batten behind the rod or pole to carry the cords
across the top of the window.
MAKING THE
WINDOW DRESSING INDIVIDUAL TREATMENTS
Special situations call for a particular kind
of window dressing. Where an unattractive view needs to be screened or privacy
is required, cafe curtains reminiscent of French brasseries come into their own
- a decorative alternative to muslin and voile. Made in the same way as
standard curtains, and hung from metal or wooden poles or rods placed halfway
up the window frame, they can have a variety of decorative headings. Arched
windows are a beautiful architectural feature and care should be taken to show
them off.
Cased headings
can be used in such situations: curtain fabric is threaded on to wire which is
then fixed into place, accentuating the shape. Locations other than windows can
benefit from a curtain treatment. A full-length curtain hung from a decorative
pole above a doorway will provide an extra element of warmth in the Victorian
tradition; or do away with internal doors altogether and use curtains reefed up
to one side instead. Cupboard doors can be given an elegant finish by infilling
the glazed area with fabric gathered onto curtain wires.
Shower curtains
need special treatments too: they can be hung from ceiling-mounted curtain
track, or fixed by hooks and rings from a pole or rod. Use shower curtains or
light cotton lined with waterproof fabric.
This tiny
bathroom window can be given a voluptuous window treatment because oj its wide
sill. The small frilled curtains fit the space perfectly without interfering
with the inevitable bathroom accessories.
RIGHT The
cupboard doors have been cleverly utilized in this dressing room by lining the
once glazed panes with fine fabric gathered at the top and bottom onto curtain
wires and hung inside the frames. The folds of the fabric offer a textural
dimension while hiding the clothes and accessories from view.
