How to Design Valances and Curtain Edgings, Part 2

There are many attractive ways to edge curtains. Straight 1-inch to 2-inch bindings of a plain material give a finished look and are rather in vogue. Silk ribbon bindings similar to that used on dress seams may be stitched on flat. This is easy, inexpensive, and washes well.

If the pattern of the cretonne has some black, the binding may be of black with a very chic effect. Thin cream curtains bound with color sunfast are very pretty. A little ruffle of taffeta ribbon gathered on to thin mercerized material is dainty. A sunfast, shading pink and silver, with a tiny taffeta ribbon ruffle, is a sweet idea for a child's room. The combination must always be in two tones of one color, or else very soft tones of contrasting colors, unless one goes in for such combination as a thin orange material with a binding of black taffeta. The same edging effects may be had by using a taffeta ribbon about 1 1/2 inches and gathering it on either edge and applying it to the curtain edge. This is more formal in effect and may be used on damask or taffeta.

Outlining a shaped valance, this makes a very complete and graceful finish. Silver and gilt or both mixed make a good finish on certain materials. It is a little stiff, however. New gilt galloon may be antiqued by dipping it into stale beer. Used with reproduction of old damask the new gilt looks rather too tawdry. Wide gold bullion fringe makes a striking finish for the bottom of a silk curtain. It is not wise to use it on the side edges.

Countless fascinating cotton edgings with or without fringe come for cotton hangings. If we feel that the colors in the material need strengthening a plain colored edging serves to bring out the colors. Imitations of netted fringes come, and they are as useful for bedspreads as curtains.

The valance may be trimmed with a wide guimpe or fringe, and the edge of the curtain left plain. This is an inexpensive and attractive treatment.

For thin silk under-curtains narrow edgings of silk come in stock colors. All colors and combinations may be made to order, but at considerable more cost. It is always wise to keep the same textures with edgings, i.e., do not put a silk edging on a cotton material unless the cotton is mercerized to appear like silk. Curtains should be left to hang straight and not loop back with cords or tassels. Sometimes, however, it is necessary, and then a simple band of the material or a suitable size simple cord is used. Old fashioned glass and colored curtain rosettes are coming back, to fasten the curtains on. They have a place, no doubt, but the straight folds of the curtains more than offsets any of their decorative charm.