A manual of home-making

When curtains are to be lined, they should be placed face down on the table. After cutting olT the selvage^ which is otherwise likely to draw, the e<lges are turned in and l>asted down. The lining should be basted on to the outside first at the top, then across the curtain at frequent inter\'als throughout the length of the curtain. The edges of the lining are then tiu*ned in and basted to the outside, letting the edge of the lining come to about */io ^^^ from the etlge of the outi?ide. The curtain is finished at the top, and if it is of heavy material^ uLs- ■ I HOME FURAISHIXG 73 allowed to han^i: for thrive weeks or more lief ore finishing either the sides or the bottom. Valances. The ordinanr^ valance of cretonne oi- thin material is gathered or plaited and made with a headinp;. Gathered valances are made in the same way i\s gathered curtains. For plaited val- ances, the br»x plait is generally used. The plaits may be very near together or at some distance apart. The width of plaits and spa(*es must be carefully estimated, and if the plaits are a wide distance apart, this spacing must be determined with great accuracy. In figurcil material,fthe figure often indicates the best spacing. The plaits may he taken up like a tuck, basted carefully, presstHl to produce the boxplait, the basting ripped out, and the valance allowed to hang free from the rod. The easing for the rod is stitched to the iiack at the base of the healing. The casing should l>e so wide that the outline of the rod is not visible on the right side; or a flat tape may be sewed on at the base of the heading and hooks attached to this, Plaitcil valances are moi*e formal and finished in appearance than gathered or shirred valances. They should Ijc measured accurately, sewerl firmly, pressed well, and hung straight. The shaped valance made over buckram and with interlining is suitable for the richest material, such as velvet, velour, or damask, and for the most stately rooms. When such materials art* use<b a professional can generally l>e employetl to make them up; therefore, only the simplest type of tlat valance will be de- scribed here. A simple sliape shoukl be chosen with few or no cun^es. A pattern Ls cut from heavy paper and fitted carefully to the window over the rod or other fixture to which it is to be fastened* The heavy cotton or canvas lining is then cut. Can- vas 18 better than buckram, }>ecause the latter is likely to crack or l)ecorne limp in damp weatlier. The canvas form is laid on the table and the lining basted carefully on it, a little tighter from left to right than the canvas, if the valance is to go on a curved rod. The lining is laiil on the gootls on a table. If the lobrtc 18 figured, the pattern should be studied carefully, to be 74 A MANUAL OF HOME-MAKING sure that the figuj^es come in the right plarp. The goods shouM be cut 1 inch larger all around than the lining. In basting the oiilsidf' to the stifTciied linirig, it should he as much looser than the (^anvtks as tli(* lining is tighter^ in order that the valance may fit well around the curve of the rod. Such a valance may be finisheti by a gimp or cord or other slight finish » It may be hung from a ? 4 -inch l>oard fastenetl to the top of the trim, and projecting 3 or 4 inehei; from the wall. The shaped valance is seldom retiuired for home-made curtains.