Prairie drapes are fabric misers that create a easy, swagged window therapy. Best suited to small windows in everyday interiors and especially suited to country interiors, these drapes are a project a homeowner can attempt with confidence.
Measure the circumference of the selected curtain pole.
Install the pole on the wall or window.
Measure the curtain rod in the left to the ideal side. Multiply this measurement by 1.5 for the necessary width of the material.
Measure from the top of the curtain rod into the necessary bottom edge of the drapes. For this measurement, add half the pole circumference and 2 inches for the cut length of this cloth. Cut one piece of material to such measurements. As an example, if the pole measures 3 inches in circumference and 24 inches from side to side, as well as the curtain must be 30 inches long, then the material required is 36 inches wide and 33 1/2 inches long. The curtain material must be the same on both the front and reverse sides, and must have no one-way layout or pattern.
Place the cut material on the table, together with the top edge toward you. Draw a line in the top left corner of this cloth to the bottom right corner. Cut the cloth on this line.
Turn the left piece over and rotate it horizontally. Place it on the very first piece, aligning the top width long and edge outside borders.
Locate the point on the width cut edge that, if extended down toward the diagonal cut line, is the duration of the circumference of the pole plus one inch. Cut a piece of cardboard the circumference of the pole and one inch long and 2 inches wide. As an example, if the pole is 4 inches in circumference, cut the cardboard 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. Align the 2-inch edge of the template with the very best width cut edge of the cloth. Move the template across the fabric until the diagonal cut line and the bottom edge of this template match. Draw a line in the top width edge to the diagonal cut line at this time, then cut the cloth at stake.
Turn the diagonal edge and the brand new cut line under 1/4 inch and then press the fold. Switch another 1/4 inch and press. Sew near the folded edge. Turn the outside edges under 1/4 inch and press; turn another 1/4 inch and press. Sew near the folded edge.
Turn the top edge over 1/2 inch and press. Turn a distance equal to half the circumference of the pole and 1/2 inch, then press. Stitch close to the first fold, producing the rod pocket.
Calculate the shirring positioning by dividing the amount of the curtain by 4. Place one mark one-quarter of this distance from the top to the bottom on the outside edge of the curtain. Measure down from this mark six inches and, using a carpenter’s square, draw a line across the wrong side of the curtain into the diagonal hem.
Fold one end of this shirring tape over onto itself twice and stitch the end, securing the cords.
Attach the secured end of this shirring tape into this markers on the diagonal hem. Bend the tape across the curtain to satisfy the one-quarter markers on the outside edge of the curtain; pin the tape in place. Sew the tape into the curtain with a single line of stitching on each side of the string. Cut the extra tape off 2 inches past the curtain edge. Snip a hole in the cord casing and then pull on the two inches of cord through the hole. Fold the rest of the tape onto itself and then stitch it in place; do not stitch over the cord.
Install the curtain on the curtain pole and then pull on the shirring cord, forcing the curtain into a swag. Tie a knot in the string and pin the extra cord to the rear of the curtain to fill out the prairie swag curtain.