How to Make Portable Drapes

Portable drapes are especially useful for theatrical performances as well as decorating a windowsill.

Portable drapes are useful for theatrical performances and/or decorating a windowsill anywhere. For drapes to be portable, they must be adaptable (e.g the tubular hole at the top should be large enough for pipes of different sizes to pass through). Making portable drapes requires measuring out the desired drape size, acquiring the preferred materials, and sewing part of the material to itself such that a tubular loop is created at the top for a pipes of various sizes to pass through.

Things You'll Need

• tape measure
• drape material
• sewing kit

Instructions

1. Decide on the required size of the drapes. The drape size is based on the average height of the drapes (e.g. how far off the ground you expect them to be and how high in the air overall) and the overall length of the area the drapes are expected to cover (e.g. a stage). Use the measuring tape to take a sample size of the types of areas you would expect the drapes to cover. Overall, the drapes should be estimated at least 8 feet longer (from side to side) and 1 to 2 feet higher (from top to bottom) than your estimation of the height and length of the area the drapes are supposed to cover.

2. Acquire the material to make the drapes. The drape material should be suitable for the occasion(s) you expect to be using the drapes for. For example, for a theatrical performance, a bold red or blue might suit well for opening and closing scenes, whereas something darker and with complicated designs may be more suitable for a drama performance. By contrast, portable drapes for kitchens should be designed with the average type of kitchen in mind and the type of design a person in a kitchen might like. Observe the drapes in spaces you would expect your portable drapes to cover for ideas on what type of material to acquire.

3. Fold over the top of the material, creating a tubular hole that is substantially larger than the one you would expect to be needed to pass pipes through. For example, a major stage performance may have pipes pass through the top of the drapes (to hold the drapes up) that are 1 foot or more in circumference. Thus, your tubular hole on the drape would need to be at least three times that circumference to fit those pipes and other varieties if your drapes are to be more major stage performances.

4. Pass the needle and thread from one end of the drape to the other at the bottom of the area where the drape has been folded over. This will help create that slightly bunched-up look that drapes always have, while also creating the area that drape pipes will pass through. Pass the needle and thread through that entire part of the drape at least a dozen times to ensure the drape can be stably situated with a pipe passing through it, even if someone tugs on the drapes.

References

• Sew What?: Drape Overview