Updating Ripplefold Draperies

Ripplefold draperies are not just for hospitals and hotels anymore.  This clean and contemporary style of traversing drapery is a hot trend in upscale residential interiors.

 

Ripplefold is created by sewing a stiff, snap tape to the top of a flat drapery panel.  Corresponding snap carriers, which fit into tracks, are spaced to allow for several different amounts of fullness.  When the drapery is snapped to the carriers it creates a smooth, wavy heading that traverses with ease.

The photo shows the Ripplefold snap tape snapped to the carriers on the track.

When using this style, keep in mind that the drapery must hang below the rod, leaving the hardware exposed. This isn't always the best option in residential interiors, where a more finished look may be desired. 

There are two options to cover the tracks; install under a top treatment or fit the track into a painted pr upholstered routed pole rod.

Ripplefold toile drapery is installed under a custom painted wood pole fascia with matching finials.  www.FinestraDecorativeHardware.com

When using a routed pole rod, choose the two or three inch 4003/unfinished square or round wood poles and the 4003 series track with M-393 brackets available from Rowley Company.

To upholster the pole rods, simple staple fabric with tack strip starting at the front edge.  Wrap the fabric to the back and staple along the edge that will be placed next to the wall.  If using thin material, like silk or faux silk polyester, you may want to add interlining under the material.

After the brackets are mounted to the wall, the upholstered pole is screwed in place and then the track is secured into the brackets.

  

The drapery panels are snapped to the carriers under the upholstered wood pole.

Custom painted finial matches the fabric.

To learn more about making Ripplefold drapery view our recorded webinar "Clean and Contemporary Ripplefold Panels" which can be found in the recorded webinar area of our website.

It's All About the Details

Window treatment designs will turn into one-of-a-kind creations with the addition of custom touches.  
From pattern placement to hand pleated ruffles and other embellishments: it's all about the details.

Seam together fabric and lining, matching patterns.  Cut valance to shape and place face up on lining which is face down on the work table.
Detail: Pattern matching and pattern placement.

Sew bias banding to the bottom edge and press neatly with an iron.  Turn banding to the reverse side and fold under, hiding the seam.  Finish the banding by sewing or using an adhesive product.
Detail: Beautiful finished edge and mixing stripes and prints.

The ends of the valance are gathered or small pleats can be used.  A horn is created in the "up" portion of the scallop shape along the bottom of the valance.   The valance is ready to mount to the board.
Detail: The fabric design is highlighted in the style.

Box pleated ruffle is stapled to the front of the mounting board.
Detail: Hand pleated ruffles add texture and interest along the top of the valance.

A welt cord detail is added.
Detail: Repeating the stripe fabric and creating a beautiful join between the valance and ruffle.

The valance is placed face down and stapled with tack strip.  When it flips over, the welt cord and ruffle will be above.  Detail: Using an upholstery technique to create a beautiful finish.

Rosettes are made from leftover pleated ruffle and stapled at the top of each horn.
Detail: Rosettes add drama!

A piece of shade lift cord is stapled in the center, and a button embellishment is threaded onto the cord.
Detail: Buttons add a couture touch.

Tie the cord tight to hold the button in place.  Detail: Custom painted buttons from Finestra Decorative Hardware.

The proportions are perfect for this tall window with a transom.
Detail: A scale drawing was created to ensure good proportions.

Thai Pleats on Brass Hardware

The Thai pleat creates eye-catching texture, and in this sample showcases the stripe pattern in the sheer material. This pleat can also be used for lined or interlined draperies, or as a heading for pleated valances on decorative hardware.

To create Thai pleats, make a drapery panel with a double-fold heading at the top. The amount material used in each pleat needs to be twice the depth of the heading, for example; if using a 4" double fold heading, allow for 8" in each pleat. Fold-in the pleats and sew the bottom half vertically, stopping at the bottom of the heading.

The photo above shows that the top half of the pleat is "open",  and not sewn as you would with other pleats; which are sewn all the way to the top.

Gather or pinch at the base of the pleat and tack, using a doubled thread

After the bottom of the pleat is tacked, stab the needle through the top of the pleat, at the center, and pull the thread to bend the top of the pleat down.

Stitch to secure the top edge of the pleat at where it meets the bottom of the pleat.

This stripe sheer drapery with Thai pleats is shown hanging on Aria™ hardware from Finestra® Decorative Hardware.  The photo at the top of the blog features brushed brass pole rod, rings and ball finial.  The photos at the bottom of the blog features brushed brass pole rod, rings and plain end cap. 

For easy installation, clip-on rings can be used.  The clip will be hidden inside the pleat.
 

www.FinestraDecorativeHardware.com

If rings with eyelets are used, drapery pins can also be inserted into the back, stitched-are of the pleat.

www.FinestraDecorativeHardware.com

Behind the scenes...

Redecorating a room takes more than sketches, paint, fabric and hanging art.  A lot of work goes on behind the scenes and while the project may look-a-mess for a period of time, the magic happens and the room comes together.  

In our previous posts, you will see that Sarah Gleason,our designer for this project, chose a beautiful black and white print for the windows.  She consulted the workroom professionals here at Rowley Company about drapery and hardware choices.  Two of the options considered were ripplefold panels with a short, upholstered cornice to hide the track or pleated drapery on a wood pole rod rod with rings.  

The final choice: A square routed pole rod with traversing track and decorative Acanthus Leaf finials.  (To see a video of routed poles, click here) 

Instead of a contemporary Ripplefold heading, a pleated drapery will be used to blend with the traditional elements of the home.  The drapery pleats will sweep across the rod below the wood fascia.  Blackout lining will be used to keep the white background of the fabric from having an orange or yellow tint on sunny days.

After the hardware order was placed with Finestra Decorative Hardware, the talented painting and finishing team got to work on a black, high-gloss finish.

Acanthus Leaf finials #1099 hanging on the drying rack. 

Our projects 2" Square Pole is drying with other custom painted poles.

And while we wait for the paint to dry on the hardware, Sarah and her team are busy painting the walls, ceiling and trim.  Sarah will be recycling some pieces that were already in the home, like this mirror which is getting a fresh coat of paint.

This mirror will be updated with new paint.

For over the dining table, a black crystal chandelier was selected.  Sarah shares why she chose this style of fixture... "the shape of the chandelier is very traditional, like a classic crystal chandelier but in black, it looks super chic". 

Some assembly required!

Sarah is busy working on an abstract painting to use on the wall opposite the window and will be painting the existing mirror over the fireplace while Laurie Medford and Susan Woodcock are crafting the window treatment and slipcovers.

The final reveal of this room make-over, including how-to details of the drapery and slipcover fabrication and installation will take place with a live webinar on August 23rd at 11:00 am EST.  Join Laurie, Susan and Sarah for a fun and informative presentation, including door prizes!  

Click here to register:Glam for the Fam: A Dining Room Makeover