| How to make a Festoon Blind - Part Three |
Please note that our series on Festoon Blinds is currently being updated to reflect the use of new techniques and materials. This article still contains excellent information, but some of it may be changed as a result of our review.Check back here soon for the updated articles. Meanwhile, if you need any advice on materials for your projects, call us on 0208 331 4383.Making the Festoon Blind - STAGE TWODraw up the heading tape cords until the blind is at the required width and loosely tie off. Even out the heading and pleats. Follow the procedure for attaching the blind to batten as described in stage three of making an Austrian Blind. Now begin to draw up the blind to the required drop by pulling up the cords protruding from the centre of the heading tape one at a time. Ease the blind fabric down each cord working about 12” of each cord at a time. It will be an easy task and enjoyable to see the blind taking shape, if two persons work, one holding the batten and pulling the cords whilst the other adjusts the ruching and ensures that the bottom scallops are formed evenly and level with each other. If the rings are also levelled this will even the ruching. When the right drop has been obtained knot the cord to where it appears out of the heading tape and secure it to the tape with one or two stitches. Do not cut off the surplus cord. Form a neat roll and stow it away within a pleat fold, so that the blind can, if need be, opened out fully for cleaning. When a blind is made in voile or silk it may be necessary to place a few stitches by each ring to catch the cord and fabric to prevent movement of the fabric towards the bottom of the blind. When certain fabrics are formed into ruching the weight of the gathered cloth can cause the sides of the blind to close slightly together. This tendency can be prevented by attaching cloth covered weights to the quick release rings at the bottom of the blind. The weights are attached by means of a loop of cord on the top of the weight. Take the loop, with the weight above the ring, and pass the loop through the ring and hook the loop over the top of the ring. Bring the weight back over the top of the ring. Allow the weight to hang down. To prepare a batten for the blind follow the instructions here . Then cord the Festoon blind in exactly the same way as the Austrian blind. Attach a cord connector and a wall cleat when the blind will be ready to operate. As with all soft shade blinds some tome must be spent in training the ruching and folds for the best effect. A chart of the quantities of the accessories required for specific sizes of blind closes this tutorial on the Festoon blind; the most decorative of the ‘soft shades’. |
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