Cutting and draping

by John W. Stephenson

The knife should be held perfectly true with the flat of the steel edge, allowing no play sideways, and with the handle slightly slanting toward the shoulder of the operator (Figure [82]).

While the weights are still in position measure with a six-foot rule the width the cloth is to be cut, measuring from the trimmed edge, and mark it at each end as x x (Figure [82]). Now remove the weights, and without allowing the trimmed edges to shift, change the cloth end for end on the table, bringing the pencil marks at each end directly above the side cutting edge of the table, and with the ends of the cloth projecting sufficiently beyond the end cutting edge; weight as before, and trim the surplus off end and side.

It is more difficult to trim a number of pieces than to trim one, but with a little practice it can be done quite easily and considerable time saved thereby.

As the cloth now lies it should be even with the steel edges at end and side, the left hand ends lying over the scoring lines, and as they lie one or more may be scored at once, according to the weight of the cloth. Roll back the rest a sufficient distance, and holding the rounded corner of the back of the knife in the position indicated by Figure [83], draw it across the first score line A; do not bear too heavy on the knife, but make sufficient indentation so that it can be folded over without trouble.

If the shade is to have the regulation two-inch hem score also at the second line B, if for a two and a half-inch hem score A and C, for three-inch A and D, and so on according to the width you desire to make the hem. All ordinary shades have a two-inch hem, but special cases require a variation from the rule.

Fold the hem over as illustrated in Figure [84], and press it flat with the side of the knife; it is then ready for stitching.

While almost any sewing machine will stitch a window shade, perfect results are only obtained by using a special shade-stitching machine.

Care must be exercised in stitching the hem so that it does not slide or pucker, but lies flat and even, with the line of the stitching as straight as possible.

If lace is to be applied to the bottom of the shade, as Figure [79], the knife is run over the bottom of the hem after stitching it to press it flat, and then passed through it, as Figure [85], and the lace inserted between the edges and stitched, as Figure [86].