Curtain, Drapery, and Soft Valance Styles
Curtains diffuse light and give privacy. Draperies dress up windows or offer privacy, darkness, and insulation. Traditional lengths for both are to the top of the window sill, to the bottom of the apron, or the floor. Both can be stationary or can be designed to open and close on a traverse rod. The styles are varied. Soft valances can stand alone as a simple window dressing or add a finishing touch to curtains and draperies. Some valances have a board amount; others are casually draped over the curtain rod.
- Café curtain
Each of two tiers hangs from its own café rod by rings or a casing formed in the top of the panels. The bottom tier covers the lower sash. The top tier is about 1/3 the height of the upper sash.
- Priscilla curtains
Ruffles are the characteristic feature of this curtain. Usually ruffles appear on top, hem, and center edges but can also be on outside edges. A ruffled tie-back completes this curtain styles.
- Knotted, tied, or pouffed valance
Fabric sewn like a long rectangular scarf in one or two layers is draped as desired over the window, then knotted, tied, or pouffed at the corners before draping downward.
- Swag and jabot
This treatment has three parts: a swag across the top of the window and a jabot (the ornamental folds) at each side. The contrasting lining emphasizes the angled jabot hemline.
- Tab curtains
These panels hang from decorative rods by fabric or ribbon loops or two ties joined to form loops with bows or knots at the top. Muslin is a traditional fabric favorite for this window fashion.
- Pinch-pleated draperies
Pleats formed at regular intervals across the tops of the panels form the fullness. The pleats can be of many styles. The draperies can hang from visible or concealed rods.
- Side panels with a valance
A valance, often similar to the top tier of a café curtain, remains fixed. Side panels can be lied or not, fixed at the sides, or constructed to draw across the window for privacy.
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