How to Make Your Own Draperies for Home Decoration

One of the most important parts of your home is the windows. They set the decorative scheme from the inside of the home, and even passers-by judge you by what they see from the outside. Therefore, it is a matter of great pride with you that these draperies should be perfect, that they should be correct for your decorative scheme and for the type of architecture you have chosen.

You can make lovely draperies for your home if you know even a little bit about sewing. If you can sew a straight seam or stitch a hem, you have all the sewing knowledge that is necessary. So let's see what you need to know beyond that. Only a few tricks of the trade, only a few of the ideas that decorators introduce into the loveliest of homes.

What are these ideas and this know-how? They consist of knowing what materials to use for draperies and glass curtains, which fabrics should be lined and which unlined, how to treat a modern window wall, what to do with a bay window or a French door.

Originally published in the 1940s, this book tells you these things, gives you the knowledge that has been taught to hundreds of interior decorators and to thousands of homemakers through department store lectures and books on home decoration. It shows you diagrams of methods, so you can see clearly how to make pinch pleats or how to mount the draperies on a transverse or traverse rod. It shows you how to make dainty glass curtains, heavy velvet draperies, or richly formal swags that you have thought so difficult to accomplish.

It suggests the styles that will be suitable for all the rooms in your house, that will go with the type of home you live in and with the furniture you have accumulated. It is not necessary that your draperies cost a lot. Some of the most attractive effects may be obtained with inexpensive fabric, providing the draperies are well made. If you make them yourself at home and do not have to pay "labor charges" to a store or dressmaker, then you can afford to spend more for the material -- to make them richer looking by making them fuller and longer.

Like many home dressmakers, you may prefer to use a pattern when making curtains. These are available, as well as patterns for valances and swags. Though they are not necessary, if they do give you confidence and make it easier for you, by all means use them. Directions for making them are given in this book.

Contents Covered:

• Preface
• List of Illustrations
• What Sort of Draperies Should You Have?
• Let's Start with Glass Curtains
• Trimming Makes Them Pretty
• Draperies or Curtains, Lined or Unlined
• How to Hang Glass Curtains or Draperies
• Valances Made from Fabric
• Swags Are Attractive and Easy To Make
• Tie Backs with Glass Curtains or Draperies
• Window Walls of Drapery Are Fashionable
• Curtains for Nursery, Bathroom, Kitchen