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Frequently
Asked Questions about Custom Silk Drapery
Remember
what your teacher told you...there's no such thing as a
stupid question!
OK
there is...but ask it anyway. Because we need to
be entertained!
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So
you won't laugh at me then?
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Yes, but not to your face. And even if we do, then
you'll get through it and emerge a stronger, more
interesting person. C'mon...we don't have all
day...let's see your best Christiane Amanpour
investigative researching face.
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What's the difference in a width and a panel and how
many do I need?
All of our silks are 54” wide fabrics. Each cut of fabric
(54” wide X ???” long) is called a “width”. Widths can be
sewn together vertically to make wider panels. We can also
split widths in half. For example, a full width sewn to a
1/2 width is called “1.5 widths”, and 2 full widths sewn
together is “2 widths”.
Please note that we require 3” for each side hem, so a “1
width” panel is 54” - 3” - 3” = 48” wide.
Pescara (Rod
Pocket)
,
Lolita (Tab Top)
and
Flat Panel
# of Widths
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Recommended size (some fullness)
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Max. Size (flat)
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1
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Up to 32”
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48”
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1.5
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Up to 50”
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75”
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2
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Up to 68”
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102”
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2.5
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Up to 86”
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129”
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3
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Up to 104”
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156”
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3.5
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Up to 122”
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183”
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4
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Up to 140”
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210”
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Pleated Panels:
Versailles (French Pleat)
,
Tipperary
(Pinch Pleat)
,
Puerto
Modero (Inverted Pleat)
,
Castledale
(Button Pleat)
and
Chaplin
(Goblet Pleat)
# of Widths
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Will Cover
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Panel size
BEFORE pleating
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1
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Up to 22”
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48”
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1.5
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Up to 34”
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75”
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2
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Up to 46”
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102”
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2.5
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Up to 58”
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129”
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3
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Up to 70”
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156”
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3.5
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Up to 82”
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183”
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4
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Up to 94”
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210”
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Le Rouche
(Smocked
Top Panels)
# of Widths
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Will Cover
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Size before
Smocking
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1
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Up to 17”
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48”
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1.5
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Up to 27”
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75”
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2
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Up to 36”
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102”
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2.5
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Up to 45”
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129”
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3
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Up to 54”
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156”
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3.5
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Up to 63”
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183”
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4
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Up to 75”
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210”
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What
styles of drapery are suitable for my space?
Really it's up to your own
personal style. Only you know the vision inside
your head, and we'd like to free you up to follow
that...wherever it takes you. But what we can do
is let you know the styles that are available.
We're sure you'll pick the perfect one for each room of
your home. And just to set your mind ease, despite
all those silly magazines...you can't make a wrong
decision about this...anything you choose will look
amazing!
Tab
Top with Silk Wraps - We call it the Lolita
A tab top is a flat
piece of fabric with wide tabs sewn in at the top that
slip over a fixed or stationary rod. Ours come
with silk wraps that serve to gather the bottom of the
tab and wrapping it in silk. Just choose any
coordinating silk for your wraps when you order your
drapery. Tab tops are a good way to go if you
don't want to fool with rings. Just take them out
of the box and slide them onto your rod! Tab tops
primarily get pleating from the natural folds of the
fabric that occur when the material is gathered
together. These drapes provide a free flowing pleated
look that can be formal or casual.
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French Pleat - The Versailles Drape
French pleated drapery is
what you see most often. Fabric is gathered into
pleats that are sewn at the bottom and fan out at the
top...exactly like a fan. To hang, pins are
inserted into the back of the pleat and looped through
the rings of your choice. Though you might've
heard differently, we don't recommend using clips with
silk drapery. Over time, this simply puts too much
stress on the drapery, and the metal will eventually pull
the silk.
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Pinch
Pleat - The Tipperary Drape
Pinch pleats are the
reverse of a French Pleat. Whereas a French pleat is cinched at the bottom of the pleat
and fans out at the top, a pinch pleat is "pinched at
the top of the pleat and fans out at the bottom.
Again, pins are inserted in the back of the drapery and
used with rings to hang.
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The
Castledale Drape
The Castledale is a
sophisticated twist on either the French or Pinch
Pleat, created by adding a button either to the
bottom of your French Pleat or the top of your Pinch
Pleat. Buttons are handmade and covered in the
same silk as your drapery.
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The
Goblet Pleat or Chaplin Drape
The Chaplin gives the
traditional French Pleat a little lift...literally...as
each pleat is hollowed out and filled with
batting to create the look of a (say it with me) goblet. Ah, it's all starting to come together
now, right?
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The
Pescara or Rod Pocket
Everyone has seen this one
and done it, no doubt, as it is the easiest of them all.
Constructed with a pocket at the top of the panel.
Slide it on the rod and Bob's your uncle!
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The
Back Pleat or Puerto Modero
The exact reverse of the
French Pleat, the inverted pleat is smooth on the front
due to the fact that all the gathering is done on the
back of the panel. This is a very sleek, simple
look with clean lines. Good whenever you want
something classy but you don't want to gussy it up too
much.
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The
Le Rouche or Smocked Panel
Very special...almost as
special as those dresses your mama used to smock for you
when you were little. Each panel is gathered or rouched at the top, creating the look of real smocking.
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The
Flat Panel
So
basic we didn't even give it a fancy name. Here's
how flat panels work -- pins are inserted into the back
of each panel at regular intervals and then those pins
are used to hang the drape on the rod, just like with
French Pleats. Only in this case, since there
isn't a sewn pleat, the drape will fall forward in
between each ring creating it's own soft pleats.
It actually looks a lot cooler than you might think!
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What is buckram?
Buckram is a stiffener
used at top or head of drapery in order to give strength
and shape to the pleating.
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What are sheers?
Usually made of organza,
sheer drapery is used behind your main drape and serves
to provide filtered light, while maintaining some
privacy. Sheers also give your window treatments
depth and can create a very dramatic space. Sheers
are available in any of our 9 drapery styles.
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Do I really need to line my drapery?
Lining your drapery
provides three advantages over an unlined drape:
1) Insulation from
winter cold and summer heat 2) Noise reduction from outside sources 3) Privacy -- you can't see through lined drapery 4) Protection from sun damage to your drapery -- lined
drapes can last 10-15 years longer than unlined drapes 5) Light reduction -- and if you really want to darken
the room, maybe for sleeping, choose a blackout lining
(see below for more details). 6) Aesthetic -- lined drapery looks more full and
finished than unlined -- the extra layer creates more
fullness to your drapery
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What is blackout lining?
Blackout lining is what
you find in most hotels...that's why you sleep so well,
because with that lining, the room becomes very dark.
This is an especially good choice for bedrooms.
And when you're up and awake, open your drapes and let
the light pour in! Blackout drapes also reduce noise
from the street. You can add the blackout lining
option to any of our custom made drapery.
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Do
you offer valances?
Our workroom is happy to
make standard valances for you...the labor cost is the
same as for a regular drapery panel, but because they
are short, considerably less fabric is required.
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How
do I measure for drapes and curtains?
Measure for the length and
width of the panels. For fuller panels, you'll need
several widths of fabric. For panels that will draw to
close, the rule of thumb is that the fabric panels
should be about 2.5 times the width of the window
opening plus overlap at the center and the return on the
sides. If you're using sheer fabric, you might decide on
5 times the width of the window for a sensual look.
Width: If a ROD
EXISTS, the width is the total number of whole inches
across the front or face of the rod from tip to tip
(side to side or left to right); DO NOT add anything to
width of the rod -- simply measure the face of the
current rod. When NO ROD EXISTS, measure the total
number of whole inches across the front or face of the
window casing or opening (side to side or left to right)
and add 6". We will automatically make allowances for
the overlap in the middle (for pair of drapes - opening in
the middle) by adding extra fabric to each drape.
Length (or Height):
If a ROD EXISTS, the height (up and down) is your
easiest measurement. Place your tape measure on the top
center of the rod and measure the whole inches down to
where you want the drape to hang. That's it. We are
looking for your desired finished length. When NO
ROD EXISTS: Determine what diameter rod you will be
using and where your rod will be positioned. Once
you've done this, follow same instructions above, using
your "imaginary" rod.
Puddle: You will
also need to determine if you would like your drapery to
"puddle" on the floor. Follow these guidelines:
1”
extra
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panels will
hit floor and “break”
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2”
- 4” extra
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moderate
“puddle” effect
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6”
- 8” extra
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generous
“puddle” effect
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Can you wash silk drapes in a washing machine?
All 100% silk fabric is recommended dry clean only.
You should never throw your silk drapes in the washing
machine unless you're the funky sort going for a
distressed and deconstructed look. If you do
decide to wash your drapes, please do not wash them with
the rod...leave that on the wall.
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What are the advantages to buying my drapes directly
from the manufacturer?
Obviously, cutting out the
middle man keeps the money he'd make in your pocket.
Drapery is often marked up in excess of 500%, so it's
much better for the consumer if they are able to find a
workroom they trust. When that workroom also
manufactures the fabric, that is the most ideal scenario
you could hope for. Everything is working together
and creating a high level of accountability. You
deal with one person who oversees your entire custom
drapery order from start to finish so there is no
passing the buck. And since your drapery is
literally being created from conception to finished
product all under one roof, you enjoy the maximum
possible savings. Our turn around time is also the
fastest in the business at around 3 weeks. Rush
services are available.
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How
do I get swatches?
Very important - we strongly recommend you see swatches
before ordering, and our swatch service makes this as
easy as pie...and free! You may order swatches directly from our online store.
Any fabric you click on has an ORDER SWATCH below it
under RELATED PRODUCTS. Swatches are $5-12/ea. initially,
but this is fully refundable with your order
when placed within 30 days. Swatches are shipped within
24 hours of your order. Also, when you order
swatches, be sure and choose the FREE SHIPPING option!
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How
true is the color I see on the computer to the actual
fabric?
Usually the coloration is
pretty accurate, but everyone's monitor is different.
Because of this, we strongly recommend you see swatches
first. This will also let you see the quality of
the silk you are considering as compared with other
silks you may be reviewing. And remember, once you
order, you are refunded for all your swatches -- not
just the one that you choose.
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How
do I choose my rods?
We recommend you measure the width
of your window and add 2 inches on either side whenever
possible. If you are running into a corner, this
may not be feasible. You will also need to choose
the diameter of your rod. You should consider the
size of your window, the weight of your drapery and the
overall look and feel of the room when making this
decision. Big dramatic rooms beg for big, dramatic
drapery hardware. Smaller, more casual rooms would
look best with smaller rods and finials.
HINT: Remember, if
your rod is over 8 feet, we strongly recommend a center
bracket.
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Do
you need different rods for sheers?
For sheers, you will need
either 1) a double rod and a double bracket or 2) two
separate rods with the front rod having a 6-inch bracket
and the back rod a 3-inch bracket so that the sheers are
mounted behind the main drapery.
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How
can I find out the status of my order?
Easy -- just log in to your
account in the online store, and you will see the up-to-the-minute status of your
shipment. As soon as it
ships, your tracking information will be posted, as well
as emailed to you. If you're a nervous Nellie you
can always call or email.
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Can
I get a tracking number?
Somebody isn't paying attention.
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What is your return policy?
With the exception of Sale
Silks and Custom Drapery, you may return your
purchase within 30 days if you like. There is a
20% restocking charge on all returns. You might enjoy checking out what
our customers are saying about HYENA in the Customer
Comment section.
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Visit the THE VAULT and see our collection of Silk Throws spanning 2 decades!
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