INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT
LEFT A bedroom
well lit by wide windows has inner curtains in white voile to filter the
sunlight. The main curtains are gathered along a white pole and draped back as
a symmetrical duo, covering a good deal of the window but not enough to cast
the room into shade. The charming floral print is given a mark of formality
with the cord and tassel tie-backs. RIGHT An arched window must be dressed to
mirror its shape. This means either fixing a curving track or hand pleating the
heading to follow the line oj the arch. Curtains that curve can never be drawn;
they must be either tied or draped back. By looping back these curtains to show
a contrast lining and edging, a rival symmetry is offered within the frame of
the arch.
WINDOW DRESSING
MAKING SPECIAL HEADINGS
Cafe curtains
may be made in the same way as curtains, with a cased, slotted or hand-made
heading. A scalloped heading, with or without pleats between the scallops, is
another popular finish. These curtains are usually hung from rods fitted across
the window. There are many styles to choose from: a simple, scalloped heading
can be used to form a fiat curtain looped over a pole. Pinch pleats between the
scallops, hooked to rings on the pole, give a more formal effect. Ready-made
shower curtains are norm- ally made in a plastic fabric. Shower curtaining is
available by the meter for making up curtains yourself.
You can create a
soft effect by using cotton for the outer layer of the fabric and a plain white
or colored plastic or plasticized fabric on the inside.
SCALLOPED &
FACED HEADINGS
Decide on a
suitable fullness - one and a half times the window width is usually
sufficient. Allow 4 cm for side hems, a total of 35cm for loops and facing and
10 cms for hems. Turn under 2 cm double
hems down each outer edge and turn under and press a narrow turning across the
top edge. Stitch in place. Turn over 25 cm to the right side of the curtain
across the top edge to form the loops and facing.
Decide on a suitable depth
for the scallops and length for the loops, say a total of 20 cm - and a suitable
width for the loops, say 5cm, spaced 10 cm (4in) apart. Make up a paper
template and mark the scallop seam line along the top of the curtain. Stitch
along the marked seam line, then cut away the fabric from the scallops,
layering seam allowances. Turn the facing right side the ends of the loops to
the curtain and check for length the hem by hand.
