Curtain raiser.

Byline: Nan Ensor

OVER the years, Home Record decorating experts have passed on top tips on everything from wallpaper hanging to special paint effects.

But if you've got designs on a well dressed home, you also need to get to grips with soft furnishings.

So starting this week, Angela Hendry and Jason Russell will be showing just how easy it can be to draw a stylish curtain over drab windows, and turn the hardest seat into a cushy number.

As ever, the secret of success is in the preparation. And when it comes to window treatments, that means getting the measurements spot on before you start snipping away at your fabric.

To get a fixed stating point, first fit your curtain track or pole, and measure from this to the floor or the required drop and add nine inches to allow for hems and headings. Then measure the width of the pole and multiply by two to get the total width of fabric required.

Most curtain fabric is 54 inches wide so, if the pole is 81 inches long, you will need one and a half widths of fabric for each curtain. Remember, if you are using a patterned fabric, allow extra to get a pattern match when you're cutting.

Start by stitching any seams to get the required width of curtain, then press up a three-inch hem, followed by another three-inch hem and sew by hand using a slip stitch.

Cut the lining four inches shorter and three inches narrower than the curtain fabric, again joining any seams to get the required width. Press up a one-and-a-half-inch hem, then a second two-inch hem, and machine stitch.

With the lining and fabric right sides together, attach the lining to the curtain by stitching down the outside edges. The final length of the lining should be one-and-a-half-inches shorter than the hemmed curtains.

To mark the position of the header tape, lay each curtain on the floor and measure up from the bottom hem, then chalk or pin a line along the required drop.

You can top your curtains off in a variety of ways, from pencil pleats to a pelmet. For this window treatment, Angela opted for a flip top. To copy this idea, simply cut a piece of fabric the exact width of each curtain and 22 inches deep.

Fold the material in half, lengthways, with the right sides together and stitch up each end of the flip. Trim off any excess fabric at each seam, turn right sides out and press the bottom and outer edges flat.

Position the flip top along the top edge of the curtain, and pin on the header tape, making sure the pins have gone through the flip top, curtain and lining.

Machine stitch the tape in place one inch down from the top.

Now fold the bottom edge of the header tape over to the back of the curtain and stitch in place. Although this line of stitching will be hidden by the flip top, try and match the thread colour as closely as possible to the curtain fabric.

Knot the three strings at each end of the header tape and pull up to the required width.

Finally, attach curtain hooks to the top row of tape, hang the curtain, then flip over the flip top to the front.

MATERIAL MATTERS:

Butterfly embossed Ninette curtain fabric: pounds 19.50 per metre from the Fabulously French range at www.theshic.com Tel: [phone].

Curtain design and makeup by Angela Hendry at Material Interiors, Paisley. Telephone [phone].