Materials:
Fabric
Contrasting fabric
1 inch (2.5 cm) shirring rod
2 cup hooks
4-1/2 inch (1.3 cm) rings
MEASURE
WIDTH- Measure the rod and returns. Add 8 inches (20cm) for four side hems. This is the total for 2 panels. Divide by 2 to find the width for each panel. (No extra fulness is necessary because two pairs of drapes [four panels] will be mounted on the same rod.)

LENGTH- Measure from the top of the rod to the floor. Add 5 inches (12.5cm) for a rod casing and heading, and 8 inches (20.5cm) which will give you a 4-inch (10cm) double hem at lower edge.

TIEBACKS- Allow enough for two tiebacks. For each tieback you will need a piece of fabric 9 inches x 30 inches (23cmx 76cm).
I just made some tiebacks and I cut mine 9" x 25" for a side panel fullness of 88 inches.

WIDTH AND LENGTH FOR CONTRASTING DRAPE- same as for main fabric except no allowance is needed for tieback.

To find the amount of fabric and contrasting fabric needed, use the following formula.(Be sure to allow for tiebacks).

width needed "divided by" width of fabric = number of widths of fabric needed.

number of widths of fabric needed "times" length needed = amount of fabric

Divide by 36 inches (100cm) to convert to yards(meters).

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CUTTING AND SEWING

DRAPES OF MAIN FABRIC

Cut each fabric width to the proper length. Also cut two peices of fabric each 9" x 30"(23cm x 76 cm) for tiebacks.

For each panel, join half the total number of widths. If an uneven number of widths is needed, cut one in half lengthwise and use one for each panel.

Step One: Finish front and side edges of each panel with a 1"(2.5cm) double hem.

Step Two: Finish lower edge with a 4" (10cm) double hem. DOUBLE HEM DIRECTIONS: Turn under specified amount.Turn under same amount again. Press. For example, for a 1" (2.5cm) double hem, turn under 1"(2.5cm);then turn under 1: (2.5cm) again. Press.
Stitch in place by using the blind hem stitch on your sewing machine. OR, with a straight stitch, stitching close to fold. OR, hand-sew in place.

Step Three: Press under 3-1/2" (9cm) on upper edge. Press under 1/2" (1.3cm) on raw edge and stitch in place.

To form rod casing, stitch 1-1/2" (3.8cm) down from fold at upper edge.

Step Four:Fold tieback in half lengthwise, RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER. Stitch leaving an opening (about 4") on long edge for turning. Trim corners diagonally.

Turn RIGHT SIDE OUT, Press. Slip-stitch opening closed.

Sew a ring to back of tieback.

DRAPES OF CONTRASTING FABRIC
Same as drapes of main fabric omitting directions for tiebacks.
Insert rod through casing, having contrasting drapes at center.
Screw cup hooks into wall or side of window molding, at desired positions behind drapes to loop rings over.

CUTTING AND SEWING
Cut each fabric width to 36 inches (91cm) long.

Join the width. Finish side edges with a 1 inch (2.5cm) double hem.

Press under 6-1/2 inches (16cm) on upper edge. Press under 1/2 inch (1.3cm) on raw edge. Stitch 3 inches (7.5cm) down from fold at upper edge.

Slip lower edge 1/2 inch (1.3cm) under pressed under-edge WRONG SIDES TOGETHER.

Stitch pressed under-edge in place through all thicknesses.

After hanging valance, stuff with tissue paper.

FUTURE INSTRUCTIONS:

LINED BALLOON SHADE

SWAG

COMFORTER COVER

GATHERED DUST RUFFLE

PILLOW SHAM RUFFLED NECK ROLL

SQUARE PILLOW WITH PIPING SQUARE PILLOW WITH RUFFLES

SQUARE PILLOW WITH SHIRRED WELTING

WINDOW SEAT CUSHION COVERS

This page created on February 5,1999.

How To Make A Jabot (Drapery) for your window

MATERIALS: Decorator Fabric, Drapery lining, One and 1/2 inch Lathing strip, 2 thumb-tacks,thread, 4 finishing nails.
DIRECTIONS: Measure the window width and window length. Write these measurements down. Each of the four panels is as wide as the window. Length will be to just above the baseboard Or 2/3 of the window length, or any length you desire. Each panel will resemble a triangle.Make the panel the width of the window x desired window length. Add One and one-half inches at the top for turning under the lathing strip (this is used for securing to top of window woodwork).
Make two panels out of lining material.
Make two panels out of your decorator fabric.
With one lining panel and one decorator panel place the right sides together, Sew a half-inch seam down the straight side and up the diagonal side, sew across the top BUT leave 8 inch opening for turning. Turn inside out,press, whip-stitch opening closed. Repeat for the other panel.
Place finished panel's top on the lathing strip. Pleat twice,folding the pleat towards the (straight) outer edge.
Staple onto the lathing strip.
Roll over the lathing strip twice to cover the strip.
Attach the strip just under the window molding with nails OR attach on top of window molding.
To secure the bottom of the Jabot (pointed corner) use a thumb tack to secure to window molding.
This pattern was added April 9,1998.

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How To Make A Tablecloth for your cardtable
Materials: 44 inch width cotton fabric length 45 inches in color white; 2x2-inch scraps of velveteen fabric in colors red, and black; white, red, and black thread, optional Stitch-Witchery(Tm).
The above yardage will produce a 44-inch square tablecloth just the right size for a cardtable. Purchase fabric resembling linen, with a flowing body to drape nicely at the corners of the cardtable.
Directions: measure and trim the fabric so that all four sides are the same length (preferably 44- 1/2 inches). To hem: roll one side to wrong side 1/4 inch , press with iron, turn under again 1/4 inch. continue doing this on the remaining three sides.
Sew with a sewing machine or hand-stitch with an invisible slip-stitch. Press the hem.
On the Right-Side of the fabric you can decorate in each corner a Diamond, Heart, Spade or Clover.
On wax paper draw a four-inch by four-inch block and a centered vertical line and a centered horizontal line, you should have four 2x2-inch blocks.
In one block draw a Heart two-inches high by one and 3/4-inches wide, next block draw a Diamond two-inches high by one and 1/2-inches wide, next block draw a Club two-inches high by one and 3/4-inches wide,next block draw a Spade one and 3/4-inches high by one and 1/2-inches wide.
Cut the wax blocks out and pin with sewing straight pins.
Place the Heart and the Diamond patterns on the Red velveteen.
Place the Spade and the Club patterns on the Black velveteen. Carefully cut out the shapes.
You can either sew these shapes by hand onto the tablecloth, or by sewing machine,this technique is known as Applique. OR you may chose to use Stitch-Witchery.
Placement of each design: In the first corner place the Red Heart with the top of the design six-inches from the corner and centered between the left hem and the right hem. Sew in place.
The next adjacent corner place a Black Spade six-inches from the corner and centered between the left & right hem. Sew in place.
The next adjacent corner place a Red Diamond six-inches from the corner and centered between the left & right hem. Sew in place.
In the last corner place a Black Club six-inches from the corner and centered between the left and right hem. Sew in place.

Now you are already to call your friends over and play a game of cards!

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FABRIC TYPES VARIED
Here's a shopper's guideline on fabrics:
Basketweave: A plain straight weave similar to that seen in baskets.
Batik: A pattern printed by dipping in dyes of various hues.
Brocade: Heavy flat woven fabric with an intricate raised design, but usually without lustrous years. Chintz: A crisp cotton fabric usually printed with floral motifs and treated to give a polished look.
Corduroy: Developed originally for French royalty. A cotton velvet with pile cut in ridges or cords.
Crewel: An embroidered pattern of colored yarns in a long loose stitch, usually linen, cotton or wool blends.
Damask: Firm, lustrous figured fabric made of various fibers. Patterns and colors shown reversed on the back side.
Flamestitch: A brocade type fabric woven in wavy angular line patern, similar to angular line pattern, simmilar to a flickering flame.
Jacquard: Damasks, tapestries, brocades and other elaborate designs, produced on a Jacquard loom.
Jute: Tan fiber used in webbed based and other areas of construction.
Leather: Usually steer hide. Is carefully split, graded buffed then embossed or grained. Can be dyed in rich colors.
Matelasse: "To cushion or pad" in French. Figured or brocaded designs with quilted or raised pattern.
Moire: Cloth with random wavy lines such as watered silk.
Plaid: A woven pattern of contrasting yard lines crossing and interweaving at right angles.
Plush: Any cut or uncut pile fabric having greater depth than velvet.
Satin: Lustrous, smooth fabric woven with long surface threads.
Silk: Lustrous, rich and delicate fabric. Silk often blended with other fibers.
Silk Screen Print: A process that recreates multi-colored patterns such as florals and geometrics on cotton, linen blends and other fabrics.br> Shantung: Similar to satin but with a nubby texture.
Tapestry: A rich fabric with an intricately woven design which usually illustrates a story.
Tweed: Usually a basket weave but heavier in weight and texture and with flecks of contrast.
Velvet: A warp pile fabric with deep softness resulting when the woven loops are clipped. Designs can be created when loops are cut at different lengths.
Velveteen: Usually a short cut cotton pile fabric.
Vinyl: A synthetic, non-woven plastic material that can be embossed or printed in finishes that resemble leather, wood grain or other textures. Updated 7-1-99

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