Draperies are often interlined, particularly in very formal rooms, or
when the character of the material is such that the extra weight is
necessary for its protection. Interlining also adds to the draping
quality and elegance of the fabric.
For an interlining fabric, use good quality cotton flannel. Cut
interlining the exact measurements of draperies when finished; that is,
if draperies have 1½″ hems on each side and 3″ hems, top and bottom,
then cut interlining 3″ narrower and 6″ shorter than drapery fabric.
Spread material right side down.
[Illustration: Tack interlining to drapery at center and between
center and side hems.]
3″
TACK DOWN THROUGH CENTER
INTERLINING FOLDED LENGTHWISE FOR TACKING
1½″
[Illustration: Turn and baste hems—side, top, and bottom.]
UNDERSIDE OF MATERIAL
INTERLINING
Fold interlining through lengthwise center. Place fold on exact center
of drapery fabric and tack together loosely. Take a stitch in the
drapery; bring needle up through fold of interlining and leave a loop.
Space about 6″; take a stitch in drapery, then interlining, then
drapery, etc. Do not pull thread taut. When row is finished, fold
interlining halfway between center and edge on both sides and tack in
the same manner, making three rows of vertical tacking.
[Illustration: Catch-stitch hems to interlining.]
Turn side hems back over interlining. Pin and baste. Then turn top and
bottom hems. Pin and baste. Miter hems at corners. All hems may be
catch-stitched to the interlining, and the lining slip-stitched to top
and side hems. Linings may also be joined by machine. Turn hem and
baste; then pin lining to drapery and stitch, taking ½″ seam. Press seam
as stitched. Then clip and press seam open the same as for all lined
curtains and draperies.
[Illustration: Turn sides and top of lining under ½″. Pin in place,
slip-stitch.]
When lining is joined to drapery by machine, tack interlining and lining
together along seam. Take stitch in seam, then in interlining. Space
stitching 3″ or 4″ apart. Do not draw thread taut. Turn top and bottom
hems and catch-stitch. Pin lining to hem across the top and slip-stitch.
Turn hem in lining and stitch. Allowance should be made for a 2″ hem,
overlapping the hem in drapery approximately 1″. Use french tacks
between lining hem and drapery to hold lining in place. Use either
‘sew-on’ or ‘pin-on’ weight at bottom of side hems.
[Illustration: When lining is machine stitched to drapery, tack seam
to interlining.]
[Illustration: French tacks hold drapery and lining together.]
_Measuring for Pleats_
[Illustration: uncaptioned]
The use of pleats is one of the most effective ways of controlling the
fullness of a drapery that is made to hang in balanced, graceful folds.
The types most generally used are the pinch pleat, the French pleat, the
box pleat and the cartridge pleat.
Pleats should be made in groups of uneven numbers, 5-7-9, or as many as
are required to take up the amount allowed for fullness. For very sheer
fabrics, the allowance for fullness should be 3 times the width of the
window or space to be covered. To figure the spacings and amount to be
taken up in pleats, take the measurement of the space to be covered plus
the return; that is, the distance from turn of rod to the wall or the
bracket supporting the rod on either end, plus the overlap at the center
when curtains are drawn together. The width allowed for draperies minus
these three measurements is to be taken up in pleats.
The fullness of each type of pleat and space between depends on the
weight of the material and amount allowed for fullness of the curtain.
_For Example_: If one half of the width to be covered is 49″ then one
section of the drapery would be about 144″ wide after finishing side
hems. To width of window area (49″), add 3″ for return and 1″ for center
overlap. This totals 53″. 144″ minus 53″ equals 91″ for pleats. Allowing
7″ for each pleat, 13 pleats will be required to take up the fullness.
Please Note—3″ for return is used as an example. The return can be 4″ or
5″, depending on type of rod or bracket. Always measure the return.