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Show WOMAN'S WORLD New Window Curtains Give By Ertta Haley JUST BEFORE the warmer weather makes its appearance, many a woman is apt to take a good look at her windows. The curtains look very dirty and sleazy after a winter's heating. If you're certain they won't stand another laundering session, then get out the tape measure and sewing machine ma-chine It's time to make new window win-dow dressings! Glass curtains are among the easiest items that can be made at home. Mi st of them require only long stretches of straight seams. There's no fancy stitching or cutting, cut-ting, no elaborate patterns, and hardly ever any ripping if you follow the simplest rules. Soft, full gathers will make the simplest materials exquisite when they're made into curtains. First measure the windows, as to height and width. The curtain material should be purchased twice as wide as the window. You'll need at least two inches at both top and bottom for seam allowances, and from two to four Inches for a shrinkage tuck, so add at least eight inches to window win-dow measurements on the length. Net. marquisette, scrim, sheer rayon or nylon are all used for glass curtains. A good quality, firmly firm-ly woven material will give you the most satisfaction and most wear and is well worth the few cents more a yard which it costs. Measure windows carefully . . It's very important to buy good material if you live in a community that's dirty or smokey, because then curtains will have to withstand with-stand frequent washing. Have Edges Straight For Good Appearance Because curtains are so large, It is best to cut them on the floor where you'll have enough space to spread them out. If you place the curtain material on a rug, the fabric adheres to the rug and you cloth to catch any dirt, or you will soil the curtain. Whenever possible, tear the curtain cur-tain fabric, rather than cutting it, as this will give you straighter seams to sew. If the fabric does not tear, draw a thread and cut on the thread line. If you , cannot pull a thread use a yardstick or ruler, and draw a chalk line on which to cut. Pay special attention to the grain of the fabric in cutting, folding and stitching so the curtain will hang straight. Selvage edges are woven tighter tight-er the the curtain fabric and should be removed before cutting and sewing sew-ing the seams. Why? After the curtain cur-tain is washed, you may find yourself your-self with baggy curtains which never nev-er can be ironed smooth. This selvage does not show up in the new curtain, but it will almost al-most always show up after laundering. laun-dering. Use Iron to Save Basting Stitches Professional seamstresses always work with an iron and ironing board set up, ready to use, in their sewing room. Many edges can be pressed immediately after cutting so that the fold is sharp. This may be stitched without basting. As soon as the curtain is cut or torn, turn the side seams, using an iron to fold them neatly. The hem edge on these is one or two inches when finished. Press first a quarter of an inch turn, then a second one inch turn. Pin the hem on the outside edge and then stitch, thus saving basting. The top edge is turned In casing, cas-ing, Dut this usually is basted first so that you can hang, die curtain for a trial to see that it fits your curtaj) rod. This fitting will also help you in seeing that the curtain bangs properly. For nice, full curtains. ' need no pins to secure it Use the vacuum cleaner on the rug, and run over it with a damp |