Drapery Detail Tutorial

Last week, I posted about a master bedroom installation I completed for this great couple who live in Mountain Brook.  I mentioned you can get a high end custom look with your drapery panels by adding trim detail to the lead edge of ready made panels.  It's very simple to do and will save you lots of cashola.

  Here's what I did . . . 

Find high quality 100% linen panels with 100% cotton lining.  These days they are really more available than you might think.  Think mainstream interior design stores (you know the ones you get a catalog from every other day or so?) and you'll find lots of options.

Also, these panels were actually a tabbed top style.  But, we chose not to use the tabs and installed them with rings and rod hardware.  This is another great way to get a really high end look.

 You will need to iron the inside edge of the panels where the tape will be applied.  The key to a great finished product is not the quality of your sewing machine, but rather, in the time you take to iron everything really well.  Since these panels were very wrinkled when I pulled them out of the bag, I ironed the lead edge front and back (no starch, just steam) before even thinking about pinning the tape to the panel. 

Turn under the cut edge of the trim and pin it to the back side of the top of the first panel where you want the tape to go.  This will prevent the tape from raveling.   In our case, we added the tape just to the inside or "lead" edge of each panel.  But you could add it to the top, bottom and/or sides depending on the look you would like to achieve.  

Carefully sew the tape to the panel on the back side.  You will not be able to see this seam on the front side since the tape will cover it. 

Flip the panel back over to the front side and begin pinning the tape in place.  I never apply the tape right to the edge of the panel.  To really get some contrast, I like to apply the tape 1/4" from the edge.  I make this measurement the entire time I am pinning the tape down.  

You want this edge to be exactly the same all the way down else you eye will be drawn to the difference and the tape will look very uneven.

Sew the tape onto the panel.  You will need to do this on both sides of the tape.  I like to make this seam as close to the edge of the tape as I can get it.

First the right side . . . 

Then the left . . . 

When you get to the bottom, you will need to tuck the tape under just as you did at the top.  For this seam, I tack it down by hand as to not see it in the finished product. 

I always use a monofilament thread when I am doing this type of top stitching.  Monofilament thread is clear like fishing line so you will not see it in the finished product. 

If you are using a graphic tape with a longer repeat (like what we used in this project), it is very important to make sure the pattern matches on the two panels that will be flanking the window.  If you don't do this, it will not look right in your finished product! 

That's it!  If you don't sew and are feeling a bit frustrated right about now, consider begging, pleading or even bribing a friend or relative who sews to do it for you.  I called several workrooms here in Birmingham and the price varied from $25 - $50 per panel to add this type of detail.   So, it will serve you well to do a little groveling! M.