How to Design Draperies
Review lots of drapery catalogs to get ideas for designing them. Keep in mind that draperies must suit your taste and a specific room's décor. You are almost unlimited in types of draperies you can design. You can always find a seamstress to actually sew them for you. Or, you can make a prototype of your new draperies using inexpensive cotton fabric or old sheets. Then, buy high-quality fabric for making them after you're certain you like their shape and form. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Fabric lining
- Measure tools
- Large table
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
- Thimble
- Straight pins
- Paper and pencil
Instructions
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Measure the windows that will need the new draperies. Sketch in all sections of the windows and draw the room to scale in relation to the curtains. You don't want draperies to over-power the windows or look too flimsy for the windows' design and framing. Start to draw curtains you like by finding the exact middle of the window area. You want to create perfect symmetry on each side of the mid-point unless you are simply wrapping drapes across a rod in a random fashion.
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Consider how formal or informal the entire room is. Draperies will need to match the décor and furnishings of the room. Your personal taste for something modern versus Victorian is important as well. Never design drapes that are unlike what you'd typically choose from a showroom. They are too expensive to change often. Design something conservative if you're in doubt.
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3
Sketch the curves and design of the draperies using photos if possible. You can use a digital camera to photograph drapes you like in someone's home and upload those photos to your computer. Try to obtain larger swatches of material you will use. Select cording, trim or braiding that will match your chosen fabric. Bring pieces of these materials to your window to gain a feel for how they will work.
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Make a pattern out of newspaper or tailor's design paper. Cut out the drapes from an old sheet or inexpensive fabric. Sew the pieces together and place on the rods you intend to use. If the trial drapes are too large or too long, trim the paper pattern to reflect the changes.
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Cut the drapes from the selected fabric for your final product. Baste all pieces together using large stitches. Try the draperies on the rods you will use. If you like the results, go back and stitch all pieces on a sewing machine. Remove basting stitches as you sew. Press the curtains using a steam iron and pressing cloth. Add cording, trim or braiding to create the finished product.
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Tips & Warnings
In most cases, buy drapery fabric lining that matches the material you will ultimately use. But, consider how the curtains will look from outside your home. For example, you will want to use white lining for burgundy drapes if your home's exterior is white.
