  uncaptioned Drapery fabrics are available to us today in an overwhelming variety for every decor—not only in the traditional fabrics, but also in the many new synthetics and blends. Whether the room is traditional, modern, formal or informal, you need only visit the drapery fabric department to realize what a wide choice of fabrics are available in either group. Windows are so much a part of the background that the fabric chosen, its texture, color and line, and the design of the curtains, draperies and slip covers must be in keeping with the atmosphere of the room and contribute to the over-all effect. For the very formal treatment, you’ll want to choose something in the Damask designs, taffetas, moires, brocades, satins, brocatelles or the many blends of the pure and man-made fibers, some with metallic threads woven in. Fringes and tassels are used as trims, and the window treatment would include draped valances, swags, cascades, elaborate cornices, tie-backs, etc. For the less formal or informal Many of the new synthetic fibers are a real advantage to the home-maker because of their easy washing and quick drying properties. Some require very little pressing, if any. In estimating the yardage required, consider the length of the drapery, before finishing hems and heading, and the width of the window or space to be covered. An allowance of 2½ or 3 times the width should be made for fullness. When using sheer fabrics, draperies should be full enough to hang in easy, graceful folds. Over-curtains or draperies of medium weight fabrics require a fullness of 2 to 2½ times the width. Also, if you select a fabric with a large one-way design, some allowance should be made for matching the design so all lengths will balance. For example: The window is 64 wide which requires 4 widths of 48 wide fabric for a 3 to 1 fullness. The drapery lengths are 2? yards long. If a plain fabric or overall design is used, the fabric required would be 9? yards, but if the fabric has a 24 repeat pattern, you must allow 1? yards more, or a total of 10? yards for matching the design. Consider the width of the fabric when figuring the number of widths for fullness. Some fabrics are only 36 wide—chintz and some polished cottons, for example. Others may run 40—48—even 54 or 60 in width; but the average is about 48 wide. Grain lines of fabric.
Draperies must be cut on the true lengthwise and crosswise grain of the fabric so that when hung, they fall straight from the rod in even, graceful folds. In weaving, yarns are threaded lengthwise on a loom which form the warp of the fabric. Another yarn is interlaced back and forth crosswise and is called the weft or filling thread. This is known as the plain weave. Linen, voile, chintz, etc., are a few of the plain woven fabrics. There are variations of the plain weave, such as the pile weave, with velveteen and corduroy as examples. The basket weave is another, with Monk’s cloth as an example. The diagonal line halfway between the lengthwise and crosswise threads is the bias of the fabric. The twill weave is perhaps one of the most durable. The filling yarn forms a diagonal line, passing over one warp yarn and under two or more. Denim, drill cloth and ticking are examples of this weave. The satin weave is an irregular weave where one yarn passes over several yarns of the other set before interweaving, forming a floating, lustrous surface. Weaves are used in combinations to obtain the various patterns in Damasks, brocades, Jacquards, etc. Cutting on true crosswise grain. The yarns made from the different fibers—the natural, man-made and blended fibers—are of various sizes, weights, smoothness and fuzziness. The type of yarns used in the different weaves influences the texture of the fabric as well as its weight, lustre and durability. When cutting drapery lengths, be sure to start with a true crosswise grain. Most firmly woven plain weave fabrics can be torn. Snip the selvage before you tear the fabric. Linens, loosely woven and nubby fabrics, novelty weaves and many others will not tear satisfactorily. To straighten these, it is necessary to pull a thread crosswise and cut on pulled line. After cutting lengths, check to see if the ends of the fabric are square. If not, square the crosswise edge by pulling the low corner on a true bias from opposite side of the fabric. Sometimes dampening the fabric will relax the threads and make straightening easier. ESTIMATE OF YARDAGE
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