Important points on using patterned curtain fabrics

When choosing patterned curtain fabrics always consider the size of the design in relation to the length of the curtains. Full-length curtains take to large-scale patterns more happily than would sill length curtains. There is however, a simple rule regarding large designs that can be relied upon to be aesthetically correct in almost every case. There should be no less than four designs repeats and not more than seven in each length of curtain, Keep to this rule and you won't go wrong. With small scale design repeats this rule does not apply. It is also good planning to have a complete design repeat at the bottom of the curtain. This may result in having cropped-off motifs at the top, but this does not matter very much because the design is usually lost in a pleated heading or hidden by a pelmet and won't be so noticeable here.



About Stripes and Checks


Evenly spaced stripes and checks pose no problems, but if the design consists of varying widths and colors, more care is needed to see that they join up correctly. Such patterns have "direction" and are described as "one-way" or "two-way" designs. The direction of "one-way" stripes can be "read" by following the sequence of their different width and color graduations, both vertically from left to right and horizontally from top to bottom. With a "two-way" stripe the direction has a central starting point. With horizontal "two-way" stripes the sequence runs from the center to the top and bottom of each repeat and vertical ones it runs outwards to the left and right selvedges. In both cases there is often a break between repeats. When joining "one-way" panels see that they are all running the same way up, as this maintains continuity of design. It only takes one panel placed upside down to ruin the sequence of the stripes or checks. However with some one-way stripes or it is often more interesting to make one set of a pair of curtain upside down so that when they are hung as a pair, the stripes will converge to the center in a matched sequence, thus creating a central focal point.



About "set" and "drop" patterns, striped floral and matching patterns

A Set Pattern has main motifs that recur at set intervals across the width and along the length of the fabric. Cut each succeeding panel by placing the first cut length over the fabric to match exactly the design underneath.


A Drop Pattern has main motifs recurring at regular intervals along the length of the fabric but at staggered levels throughout its width. When cutting several panels for a pair of curtains, the first two cuts will differ from each other, then each succeeding panel will be cut alternately to match each of the first two panels. If six panels are to be cut, three of them will be cut from one point and the other three from a second. When each panel is joined alternately to another the design will flow continuously with the motifs running diagonally across the fabric, as they are meant to do.


About Striped Florals

Striped floral prints or weaves can have pattern direction as well as a "set" or "drop" pattern repeat. Treat them as outlined above.

About Matching Patterns

This must be done perfectly at all seams of patterned fabrics, so that the design will flow in a continuous line across the item you are making whether it is a bedspread or a pair of curtains. Extra fabric is always needed for pattern matching, even though this often results in unavoidable wastage. Buy sufficient material to allow one extra pattern repeat per curtain panel.

How to mix and match with patterns

Today's colorful fabrics and wall coverings offer a wealth of possibilities for introducing pattern into a room. Although one well-chosen pattern can make a significant design statement, interplay of patterns can produce an effect that is even more striking.

Pattern is always impressive and its ability to impress comes from a variety of qualities – each of value to a designer. Pattern can be spectacular in bold colors or an oversized design; it can be subtle, yet still quite impressive when repeated in various areas of room.

If you want to establish a particular mood, wallpaper patterns can make all the difference. Mini-prints, calicos, and lively little ginghams impart a country feeling; bold graphic, geometric, and large-scale stripes complement clean lined, contemporary design.

Finding a common color theme is one of the best ways to tie two or more patterns together. If you are working with several prints in the same room, start by selecting the predominant pattern, the one with largest scale or boldest color. You are practically assured of a successful scheme if you follow these simple guidelines:

1. Use the dominant color in the fabric chosen for the largest areas in the room – the wall or ceiling – and underscore that color in the floor treatment.

2. The second-brightest shade can be used for large, upholstered pieces, as well as for the window treatment, without overwhelming the eye. It is also a good idea to repeat a bit of this color in the floor covering.

3. The sharpest color in the fabric becomes an accent color in the room. Use it sparingly in art and accessories.

4. Never give two or more colors equal importance in a room; give one dominance, and let the other play counterpoint.

5. Never use a color just once; if your bring in a yellow throw pillow, add corresponding yellow touches elsewhere in the room.


Besides colors, you should also consider the scale of your pattern. In general, strong patterns work best when given top billing. A large-scale floral will work well with a medium-scale geometric pattern and a mini-print. Small-scale patterns can add punch to a room without vying for attention from the dominant patterns because they often appear to be solid colors when viewed from a distance.

If you are still in a quandary over how to mix and match patterns, a convenient solution is to use pattern collections from the same supplier. You can select from as many as five or six patterns, all designed to blend compatibly. These products are usually categorized by color. You simply decide on the primary color, then choose from a selection of patterns that share those hues, you will find that these collections include a broad range of color-coordinated products; wall coverings, fabrics, bed linens, bath accessories, paint, paper ware, ceramic tile, lampshades, comforters and window shades. These collections not only take the guesswork out of mixing and matching patterns, they also can offer inspiration for a fresh new color scheme.

Today's collections range from contemporary to traditional in style and are available in a variety of price range. You may be familiar with brand name collections; the full access of internet search for international flavor has become evident. If you are looking for mix and match from different suppliers on the internet, you should give allowance to actual color to screen color of the actual item. Monitor setting can vary greatly. Same color name from different merchants can differ a great deal in real. Download product pictures from web pages to compare and play around the patterns and colors.

Finding the best bedspreads

An attractive bedspread can be the magic ingredient used to give character to a bedroom. The whole mood of the room can be enhanced or ruined by your choice of bedspread. Both the fabric choice and the bedspread style should suit the décor of the room. There are many different types of beds; all demand their own special style of spread.

Choose fabrics with some weight and body. Spreads should not be so light that they slip off the bed or are troublesome to handle. A bedspread should be thick and heavy enough to hold its place on the bed without wrinkles or slipping about. If the fabric is light such as lace, gingham or chintz, it should be lined to give it more body. Choose a fabric that can be cleaned easily; if you intend to have a washable spread make sure that the fabric and lining are pre-shrunk.

Bedspreads look best when made full length to the floor. A spread that hangs mid way between mattress and floor, showing empty space under the bed is never attractive and will always annoy the onlooker by its air of untidiness. It looks as mournful and depressing as a flag at half-mast. A short coverlet should be teamed with a separate skirt such as that in a two-piece style. This skirt is known as the dust ruffle. Full length spreads and dust ruffles should fall to within 1 cm of the floor; corners on simple throwovers should be curved. These last two points saver wear and tear and keep spreads clean for a longer time than if they are allowed to come in contact with the floor.
Some beds demand more in the designing and construction of spreads than others. Beds with open footboards and corner posts need covers with splits in the corners to accommodate these features; beds without these features have covers which hang simply to the floor. Bed with paneled footboards, which reach almost to the floor need covers that reach to the floor from the sides only, and just long enough at the foot to tuck under the mattress.

The many variations of bedspread styles, whether tailored or frivolous, all stem from the same three basic styles:

The Simple Throwover

This is unfitted and made to cover all three sides of the bed. It can reach to the floor as a complete over or be the top part of a Two-piece Style.

The Fitted Spread

This is a more tailored style. It has a center section that fits the flat expanse of the bed exactly, with side and foot overhangs attached to it, falling to the floor. This skirt or overhang is joined or pleated at the corners giving it is a tailored fitted look. A shorter version of this style used with a dust ruffle becomes a Fitted Two-piece Style.

The Two-piece spread

This style has a top cover, which can be made as a Simple Throwover or as a Fitted Spread teamed with a dust ruffle. The dust ruffle is a skirt attached to a piece of calico or some other strong inexpensive fabric, which fits over the base of the bed under the mattress concealing the base completely. This is a most practical way of dressing a bed; when the top is removed the bed still looks neat and attractive. The dust ruffle may be a gathered or pleated flounce or perfectly plain and simple falling straight to the floor. The top cover should long enough to just cover the top of the dust ruffle.

Measurements needed for buying the right size bedspread

Measurements should be taken over a full made-up bed with all its usual bedclothes on, including pillow if the spread as intended to cover them. Pillows are left off if you intend to have a bolster at the head of the bed.

- Length from head to foot
- Width from side to side
- Side overhanging, from top edge to floor
- Foot overhanging, from foot edge to floor
- Depth of mattress
- Depth of base, from top edge of base floor