How to Make Dramatic Theatrical Curtains From Taffeta

Theatrical drapery.

Home theaters are becoming increasingly popular and often homeowners spend considerable money transforming a large room in their homes into this entertainment space. For some homeowners a theater isn't a theater unless the screen area is surrounded by theatrical curtains. These curtains may be fixed or functional, but they are frequently luxurious and evoke the feeling of being inside a stately theater.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Double-fixed rod
• Power screw driver
• Taffeta
• Scissors
• Buckram for pleating
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Ribbon
• Felt
• Drapery pins

Instructions

1. Mount a double-fixed rod from wall to wall, just under the ceiling, using the bracket and screws provided with the rods and a power screwdriver. Measure the width of the curtain panel. For most home theater applications the curtains are fixed and positioned to each side of the viewing screen, much like you see in most movie theaters.

2. Calculate the fullness of the drapery by using a pleating fullness gauge or chart (often these are part of the packaging for pleating header tapes). Most home theater drapes are unlined. Add 6 inches for the reveal and hem.

3. Measure from the floor to the ceiling plus six inches when the fixed double curtain rod will mount just under the ceiling (typical).

4. Cut your taffeta. Taffeta is very silky and smooth and often has a glassy appearance that is very dramatic. Double hem the side closest to the wall for each drape. Fold the other side at 2 1/2 inches and hem. This gives you a 2 1/2-inch reveal close to the screen that hides the inside of the drape.

5. Double hem the top of each drape and then fold the hem down the back of the drapery 3 inches and sew your pleating buckram across the top of each drape. Pull your pleating strings to create the pleat you want and tie off your strings.

6. Cut contrasting ribbon 6-inches wider than each drapery panel. Cut felt (the same color as the drapery) 1 inch smaller than the width of each drapery panel and 3 inches tall. With the taffeta face down, fold the bottom edge up 3 inches. Insert the felt, and pin 1/2-inch from the top edge of the felt and taffeta. Turn the taffeta over and pin the ribbon along the line of pins so that it wraps the reveal corner by at least 2 1/2 inches and the side hem.

7. Sew through the top 1/8 inch of the ribbon across the width of the drape. Your seam should go through the ribbon, taffeta, felt, taffeta. Sew through the bottom of the ribbon the same way.

8. Cut a thick fringe trim to sew along the bottom edge of each drape. Hang your drape with drapery pins and pin the trim to the drapery so that the fringe just brushes the floor. Remove the drape and sew the trim into place.

9. Measure the full width of the curtain rod and determine the fullness of your drapery valance. (Follow the steps above.) The valance is made exactly like a drape except you determine the length of the drape based on the top of the viewing screen. Your valance should mount to the top fixed rod and span the entire wall, hiding the rods. Trim your valance with the same ribbons and trim as your fixed drapes.

Tips & Warnings

• Add additional drama by positioning theatrical spot lights in the form of track lights directing or washing color down the drapery panels. These track lights can be painted black to mirror those in a theater.

References

• Old And Sold: How To Make Curtains And Drapes
• Sew What: Theatrical Curtains FAQ
• Dazian: Theatrical Taffeta

Resources

• Astor Theater: Theater Curtains