Cutting and draping

by John W. Stephenson

The right side of the curtain is considered to be that side from which the hems were turned, and the cord is sewn from the right side, the ends being securely fastened and sufficient fullness allowed at the corners to turn them squarely.

In portières, as in draperies, cut the goods to be made with the pattern running up, and the nap of pile goods running down. When not shirred to the width of the space the portières are pleated to the width, the pins being inserted between the two stitchings X and O, Figure [113B], and the pleats turning to the back edge of the curtain, as Figure [113].

Figure [114] is an illustration of how a pair of portières can be applied to a narrow door to give it the effect of greater width. Hung in this way and for this purpose all woodwork must be hidden and the pole projected forward far enough for the curtains to clear the face of the door frame.

An appliqué lace is illustrated as a trimming on the left-hand curtain (Figure [114]), and the curtains are lined on the reverse side with a fabric to harmonize with the surroundings in the next room.

To apply the trimming, the curtain is first tacked out flat on the table face upward, true and even with the square table edge, and a guide line ruled where the lace is desired to be.

Open-work appliqué trimmings are usually started from the corner, and the trimming so planned that where the mitre is made a perfect pattern is made and the surplus cut away. When all laid on in place the trimming may be either basted, pinned or cemented, after which it is taken up and sewn permanently. For pile goods a splendid method of holding the trimming in place is to spread some paste on a piece of paper and then press the wrong side of the trimming on to the paper until it absorbs a quantity of the paste, then lay it on the fabric in position and weight it until dry, after which it can be stitched.

After the trimming is stitched in place, lay the curtain on the table face downward and turn a half inch (or more if desired) over on sides and bottom, as illustrated in Figure [114A] and [114B], and tack it temporarily, taking care not to stretch the material, but keeping it smooth and straight with the table; turn the surplus down at the top to make it the length of the finished curtain, less whatever allowance is necessary for cord or fringe, which projects beyond the bottom edge, and so must be included in the length of the curtain.

Lay the lining over it, as Figure [114B], turning under sufficient at sides and bottom to make it equal to the width of the tapestry or chief fabric of the curtain. Tack only half of this, as illustrated, and then fold the free half back over the tacked half and knot—stitch the lining and fabric together, as shown in [114C]. Pass the needle between the threads of each material in such a manner that the stitch will not show through on the right side of the curtain, and knot it to one fabric only.

When all knot-stitched, using one, two or more rows, according to the weight, texture and value of the fabric, finish tacking the lining, turning under the edges as before and baste the fabrics together all around, using a stitch similar to that illustrated in Figure [114A], which holds the folded edge well in place.