Swisses, dimities, figured muslins, and madras, either alone
or supplemented by a valance, an over curtain, or both, of madras,
chintz or cretonne, are preeminently the bedroom curtains, and may
either be draped or hang straight, depending somewhat on the shape of
the window. The long, narrow window needs the broadening effect of the
draped curtain, the illusion of width being further increased by
extending the curtain out to cover the casement, while the
straight-hanging curtain gives additional length to the short window.
Frilled curtains are usually looped, and seemingly increase the size of
the room by enlarging the area of vision. An extra allowance of 6
inches is made for draping, with an additional inch or two for
shrinkage. The charm of simplicity is always to be borne in mind when
curtaining a room.

PORTIERES

Portieres must serve their purpose, which is most emphatically _not_
that of "drapery" in the sense in which the word has been so much used,
but of convenience and utility, beauty, of course, being the twin
sister of the latter nowadays. Figured portieres with plain walls, and
vice versa, are the rule, the coloring blending with both floor and
walls and coming between the two in density. Again the neutral tint
comes to the rescue if difficulty in matching is met. There is almost
an embarrassment of riches in portiere materials in plain and figured
velours, woolen brocades, soft tapestries, furniture satins, damasks,
velvets, etc., but we are learning the true art value of the simpler
denims (plain and fancy), reps, cotton tapestries, rough, heavy linens,
and monk's cloth--a kind of jute--for door hangings. The plain goods
in dull, soft greens, blues, and browns, with conventional designs in
applique or outlining, are not only inexpensive but artistic to a high
degree, and are easily fashioned by home talent. Plain strips, too,
are used for trimming, and stencil work, but the latter requires rather
more artistic ability than most of us possess. Whatever the material,
it must be soft enough to draw all the way back and leave a full
opening, but not so thin as to be flimsy and stringy. The portiere is
either shirred over the pole or hung from it by hook safety pins or
rings sewed on at intervals of four inches. Double-faced goods have
the hems on the side on which they will show least, with any extra
length turned over as a valance on the same side. The finished curtain
should hang one inc