Draping Curtains gracefully is not an easy task. The newest way is to gather the curtains into the hand, beginning at the center of the bottom, gathering it in large folds and fastening it back at any required height. This shows whatever decorations there may be on the border down the inside edge. With windows raised two feet or more above the floor, the curtains are but little longer than the window, and do not touch the floor. In the Gothic the curtain is permissible at only the window's height ; but in the Renaissance and the Quatorze it may fall from the cornice of the room under its own top pieces, giving greater height and space to the whole room. Whatever be the outer and the inner curtain, it is necessary to have straight shades within the whole arrangement, either of holland or lace. A favorite plan, with respect to arranging lace or muslin curtains, is to drape them across the window, crossing each other half way up the window, rather high than low ; the curtain which starts from the right- hand side is draped or fastened back at the left, and an enormous bow of satin ribbon, either crimson or blue, or whatever harmonizes best with the furniture of the room, is fastened on the curtains where they cross the center; others have each curtain fastened back by a somewhat smaller bow. In Lace Curtains real Brussels and thread are the most desirable, and, in a certain way, the most economical. They are always beautiful, will stand any amount of laundrying, and are easily mended. Irish WINDO W DRAPERIES. 147 antique is not as fashionable as those of thinner and finer material. Nottingham lace curtains are coarse and not considered as elegant as the dotted Swiss. Scrim and bunting comes in a lovely, unbleached tint, has a bordering of antique lace, and an insertion of the same is set between rows of hem-stitching. Curtains of this material, while they are attractive, are but a passing fancy, and therefore are more expen- sive than either Brussels or thread, which are always in fashion. A lace curtain, the width and length of the window, is fashionable. This hangs from the cornice, directly in front of the window, without any fullness, and reaches to the ground. It softens and tones down the glare without darkening the room. These blinds are not used in the country when a good view is obtainable from the window, but are very general in city drawing-rooms. Some ladies use curtains entirely of book or spotted muslin instead of lace, with deep pleated frills at the edges. For Sitting-roo7n or Bed-room are curtains of Swiss or Madras muslin, overlapping and trimmed with a gathered flounce. The holders are of the same material. Or else double curtains in twilled silk, satin or foulard, with a wide band of embroidery or applique. Above the curtains falls a narrow valance, with fringe and heavy tassels if the cen- ter be festooned.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Draping Curtains gracefully is not an easy task. The newest way is to gather the curtains into the hand, beginning at the center of the bottom, gathering it in large folds and fastening it back at any required height. This shows whatever decorations there may be on the border down the inside edge. With windows raised two feet or more above the floor, the curtains are but little longer than the window, and do not touch the floor. In the Gothic the curtain is permissible at only the window's height ; but in the Renaissance and the Quatorze it may fall from the cornice of the room under its own top pieces, giving greater height and space to the whole room. Whatever be the outer and the inner curtain, it is necessary to have straight shades within the whole arrangement, either of holland or lace. A favorite plan, with respect to arranging lace or muslin curtains, is to drape them across the window, crossing each other half way up the window, rather high than low ; the curtain which starts from the righthand side is draped or fastened back at the left, and an enormous bow of satin ribbon, either crimson or blue, or whatever harmonizes best with the furniture of the room, is fastened on the curtains where they cross the center; others have each curtain fastened back by a somewhat smaller bow. In Lace Curtains real Brussels and thread are the most desirable, and, in a certain way, the most economical. They are always beautiful, will stand any amount of laundrying, and are easily mended. Irish WINDOW DRAPERIES. 147 antique is not as fashionable as those of thinner and finer material. Nottingham lace curtains are coarse and not considered as elegant as the dotted Swiss. Scrim and bunting comes in a lovely, unbleached tint, has a bordering of antique lace, and an insertion of the same is set between rows of hem-stitching. Curtains of this material, while they are attractive, are but a passing fancy, and therefore are more expensive than either Brussels or thread, which are always in fashion. A lace curtain, the width and length of the window, is fashionable. This hangs from the cornice, directly in front of the window, without any fullness, and reaches to the ground. It softens and tones down the glare without darkening the room. These blinds are not used in the country when a good view is obtainable from the window, but are very general in city drawing-rooms. Some ladies use curtains entirely of book or spotted muslin instead of lace, with deep pleated frills at the edges. For Sitting-room or Bed-room are curtains of Swiss or Madras muslin, overlapping and trimmed with a gathered flounce. The holders are of the same material. Or else double curtains in twilled silk, satin or foulard, with a wide band of embroidery or applique. Above the curtains falls a narrow valance, with fringe and heavy tassels if the center be festooned.

The household (of the Detroit free press)