EGERTON UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED COMMUNITY STUDIES

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CLOTHING TEXTILES, AND
INTERIOR DESIGN

CTID 314: SOFT FURNISHINGS FOR INTERIORS

LECTURE NOTES
COURSE LECTURER: DR. ONG’OA-MORARA

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 EGERTON UNIVERSITY

COURSE OUTLINE

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

BACHER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DESIGN

COURSE OUTLINE FOR CTID314: SOFT FURNISHING FOR INTERIORS.

CREDIT HOURS – 3.0: 15/60 LEVEL 3

COURSE LECTURER: DR. ONG’OA R.K.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

The purpose of this course is to equip the learners with knowledge that would enable them
design and produce ideal soft furnishings for use in decorating and transforming bare interiors,
thus making them comfortable and appealing environment. The learners would also be able to
refurbish or redecorate interior spaces by creating a new look based on changing design treads.

PREREQUISITES: CTID 312, 224, 222, 221, 121.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course the learners should be able to;
• Identify various soft furnishing and their use in interior
• Identify materials used in for constructing soft furnishing.
• Explain procedures involved in the designing and producing various soft furnishing.
• Construct sample items demonstrating mastery of techniques and skills learnt in producing various
soft furnishings.
• Design and finish selected soft furnishings for use in interiors.

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• 3.4 COURSE CONTENT

WEEK TOPIC PRACTICAL

1 View course outline/ course Identify necessary materials for
introduction. course /practical project
Introduce the basis required for the
course.
2 Introduce: various soft furnishing and • Identify various soft
their use in interior like windows, furnishing and their use in interior
floors, furnisher, and other fittings
like bedding, table tops etc

3 Identifying of soft furnishings used on Identify and observe various

windows and materials required to samples and material
design, construct and fit them ie:
curtains/draperies/sheers/blind
pelmets/valances/swags/tails/tiebacks
etc

4&5 Explain procedures and processes Designing and constructing curtains

involved in designing and and other window dressings
constructing Curtains, sheers ,blinds

6 CAT 1 Designing and developing pelmets,

Pelmets, valances, tails, tie
backs(procedures and processes
7&8 Procedure and processes in
producing furnishing for beds : bed
sheets, bed covers, duvets,
skirt/valances, tails and tie backs,
pillows, pillow cases, bolsters etc.
9/10 Procedures and processes in
constructing furnishing for chairs and
valances, tie backs, and tails.
Demonstration, designing, and
construction of various furnishings
for beds
- Construction of selected
furnishings for chairs and

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 seats: cushions cushion covers, seats
loose/fitted covers. - Make samples/projects
11 Table top accessories: Table clothes, -Construction of table top
matts, runners etc accessories.
-projects/samples
12 Project execution Selection, design, and purchase of
materials for the construction of a
full size furnishing item of choice
13 Project execution Construction of a full size a
furnishing item of choice
14/15 Revision and Exams Submission of complete projects,
assignment and sample files

3.5 MODE OF DELIVERY

Lectures, group discussions and demonstrations

3.6 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND/OR EQUIPMENT

Board, already made samples , practical sample making, computer

3.7 COURSE ASSESSMENT

CATS 30%
Project/folder file 20%
Final Examination 50%
Total 100%

3.8 CORE READING MATERIALS FOR THE COURSE

1. Willbank, Amy (2015): Textile for Residential and Commercial Interiors.4th 15 edition.
Bloomsbry Publishers inc. New York.
2. Neubauer, L.(2011): The Compete Photo Guide to Window Treatment, 2nd edition.
Creative Publishing Int. Minneapolis, MN.

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 3. Neubauer, L.(2007): Curtain and Drapes, Do-IT-Yourself Window Treatment. Creative
Publishers Int. Minneapolis,MN

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS

1.  Elsasser, Virginia Hencken (2004). Know Your Home Furnishings. New York, NY:
Fairchild Publications.  ISBN 1563672421. OCLC 53051985.
2. Willbanks, Amy (2014). Textiles for Residential and Commercial
Interiors.  ISBN  9781609019372. OCLC 953427784.

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Table of Content

COURSE OUTLINE.......................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................8

What are soft Furnishings?..........................................................................................................8

Window treatments......................................................................................................................8

Styles of curtains..........................................................................................................................9

Contemporary or Modern curtains...........................................................................................9

Traditional curtain style..........................................................................................................10

Decorative curtains.................................................................................................................11

Specialized curtains................................................................................................................12

Types and styles of blinds..........................................................................................................13

Roller blinds...........................................................................................................................14

Roman blinds..........................................................................................................................14

Festoon blinds.........................................................................................................................14

Box Blinds (Pleated Festoon Blinds).....................................................................................14

Austrian Blinds.......................................................................................................................15

Balloon Blinds........................................................................................................................15

CHOOSING CURTAINS..........................................................................................................15

MAKING CURTAINS..............................................................................................................16

Choosing Curtains..................................................................................................................16

Types of Headings..................................................................................................................18

PRODUCTION OF SELECTED ITEMS FOR USE IN INTERIORS.....................................19

Simple Unlimited Curtains.....................................................................................................19

Curtains With Sewn-In Linings..............................................................................................24

Lace And Sheer Curtains........................................................................................................28

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 Net Effects..............................................................................................................................28

Traditional Fabric Pelmets.....................................................................................................29

Making Curtain Valances.......................................................................................................33

Tailored Shaped Curtain Tiebacks.........................................................................................39

Draped Swags And Tails........................................................................................................42

Making Blinds........................................................................................................................46

Austrian Blinds.......................................................................................................................47

MAKING CUSHIONS...........................................................................................................52

MAKING LOOSE COVERS.................................................................................................63

MAKING BED LINEN..........................................................................................................66

Pillowcases.................................................................................................................................66

One-piece pillowcase.............................................................................................................66

Oxford-flap pillowcase...........................................................................................................67

Fitted sheets............................................................................................................................67

Duvets.....................................................................................................................................69

Duvet covers..............................................................................................................................69

Simple duvet cover.................................................................................................................70

Bed covers..................................................................................................................................70

Throwover with a rolled edge................................................................................................71

MAKING TABLE LINEN............................................................................................................72

Table Runners............................................................................................................................72

Table Cloths...............................................................................................................................72

Table Napkins............................................................................................................................73

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LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION

What are soft Furnishings?

Soft furnishings are the fabrics used in the interiors of a space. They include; upholstery fabric,
cushions, curtains, pillows, seat covers, sofas, linen, and carpets. When used in an interior, these
fabrics create an ambience that makes the living more comfortable and easy

Window treatments
This includes all furnishings that are hang in an interior such curtains, blinds, and shutters.
There is a variety of curtains categorized according to the fabric they are made of and the style.
The choice of curtain fabrics and styles would depend on the kind of window that is being
dressed. If privacy is necessary, then you need to go in for thick curtains.
Window locations and sun exposure also play a role in deciding the right kind of fabric. Direct
exposure to the Sun and its harmful Ultra-Violet radiation can quickly fade the fabrics,
upholstery and rugs. So it would be prudent to use non-fabric shades to mask the sensitive
fabrics from direct sunlight.
The most common styles of curtains include;
 Contemporary/Modern Curtains
 Traditional Curtains
 Decorative
 Specialized Curtains
 Blinds

Styles of curtains

Contemporary or Modern curtains

Contemporary or Modern curtains tend to have minimal decoration, pattern and frills.
They have simple headings and tracks. Less fullness and more of a rigid rectangular look, tie
backs are replaced with hold backs, or the curtain is left to hang straight rather than being pulled
in.

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Heading tapes commonly used for contemporary curtains
i. The inverted pleat is a common form of heading used for contemporary curtains. It
creates a subtle fullness to the curtain head whilst the curtain can continue with a neat
flush look.
ii. Grommet top or eyelet top is very popular and is actually a very versatile heading type.

iii. Pencil pleat, this simple heading type is probably the most common form of curtain
heading and creates a full curtain of crisp even upright parallel pleats (like a row of
pencils). The pencil pleat curtain requires 2 ¼ - 2 ½ times curtain fullness.

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Traditional curtain style
The traditional style of curtain has an appearance of more opulence, probably due to the fact that
they are generally a fuller curtain than the contemporary, and they often have many more layers
at the window. The use of fabrics plays a big part and the curtain track selection, and the use of
Accessories is vast; braid, trims, tie backs.
The most common form of heading for the curtain, which generally dictates the style of curtain is
the triple pleat, French pleat, pencil pleat, casement, goblet pleat.
They are often coupled with pelmets and valances.

Heading tapes commonly used for traditional style curtains

i. French Pleat, Triple Pleat, Pinch Pleat Curtain are all names for the same heading tape.
This tape forms spaced pleats which can be straight or fanned out. It is suitable for
medium- to heavy-weight fabrics and can be hung from rings or to cover the track.
This heading looks well on long curtains and suits more traditional styles of furnishings.
The regular, full folds look good in velvet.

i. Pencil pleats are the most common form of pleats and heading tape used in traditional
curtains. The heading tape forms neat pleats (like a row of pencils). It is suitable for lined
and unlined curtains in a medium weight fabric. The curtain can be hung from rings or
hooked to stand up in front of the track and so does not need a pelmet or valance. This
heading suits most furnishing styles, particularly rooms with a modern look.
ii. Goblet Pleats are formed similar to french pleats, instead of three pleats one large pleat is
formed and stuffed to form a goblet look on the heading and is fixed at the bottom. This
form of heading can be done by hand or a heading tape can be used. It is suitable for
heavier, floor length curtains in an elegant setting
iii. The casement curtain is more often used for nets, or sheers at the window for privacy.
Either on a thin curtain wire or small rod or pole fixed inside the window. They are not
generally used for the main curtain.

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Decorative curtains
This style of curtain design is closely coupled with traditional curtain design as these elements
are often used to create the traditional look in curtains. They include window valances, pelmets,
swags and tails, scarf drapery, rosettes, nets and sheers and call upon the high use of decorative
trims, braids, lace and tassels. See photograph examples here.

i. A valance is a short curtain at the top of a window, which usually has a deep frill of
fabric framing the window and hiding the curtain track or rod and usually has a gathered
or pleated heading, it can be in the same fabric as the curtains or contrasting, it is often
embellished by using trimmings, braid, ribbon and tassels.
ii. A pelmet is a stiff paneled heading to cover curtains. It is a solid structure that is mounted
above the windows and covers the curtain heading. It is often upholstered and can be
decorated in numerous ways - from shaping the lower part of the pelmet to adding
trimmings and tassels.
iii. Swags are fabric that forms a decorative element over a window, hanging from two fixed
points either side of the top of the window, draping down through the center. There are
numerous variations of this form of decoration.
iv. Tails are the fabric that hangs down from the end of the swags.
v. Sheers and Nets are a form of curtain that is named after the fabric that is used. They are
predominately used as privacy curtains often under the main curtains. Nets tend to be

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 used in a more traditional situation as the net fabric designs are usually more ornate than
the simple sheer.
vi. Scarf Drapery is simply a panel of fabric which is draped over a decorative rod. It is less
formal or tailored than swags and tails and can be made easily at home. It is often used as
a valance over curtains or as a decorative feature for bathroom and kitchen windows. It is
a simple decorative element, it can be enhanced by using a contrasting color on the other
side for more effect, or a trim added for more decoration, or a cord and tassel draped
through with the fabric for more drama
vii. Rosettes are a focal point for a curtain arrangement. They can be a finishing touch for
curtain headings, tie backs, swags and tails.
viii. Trim is fixed to the edge of the curtain so when the curtain is open you can see the detail.
The contemporary version of this is using a contrasting fabric called a binding or lipping.
This is fixed to the edges of the curtain or tie backs.

Specialized curtains
Specialized curtains are curtains that are designed for a specific purpose, portieres, to cover the
Doorway, coronet drape to go over the bed, etc.
These types of curtains are used less frequently than the other curtain styles we have learned
about, but you will get opportunities to use these, so it is important that you have an
Understanding of their form and function.
i. Portieres - Heavy fabric portieres were originally used to stop the drafts between rooms.
Basically they are a double sided curtain that covers a door opening. Today, portieres are
used at doorways for purely decorative purposes, they add softness, color, and pattern to
a room. The main thing to remember is to have a means of keeping the fabric away from
the door opening when you do actually want to generate an access way, using hold backs
or tie backs.
ii. Four Poster Beds - Originally these had four posts and a tester (the upper rectangular
panel) from which the curtains hung to keep out the drafts at night from the bed. Now
days the four poster is purely for decorative purposes ranging from the traditional
luxurious look and feel to the soft and flowing romantic look and feel of using sheer
fabrics as curtains.

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 iii. Canopy Beds - similar to the four poster, but the tester is replaced with fabric, so it does
have a "ceiling". There are basically two styles of canopy beds today: traditional or
contemporary. The traditional canopy beds tend to have a Victorian feel using either
metal rod frames or intricately carved timber frames and posts. They used very elaborate
draping, with pleats and ruffles, using heavy fabrics. Modern contemporary canopy beds
are much simpler to design. They have cleaner lines, the posts are made of simple timber
or metal rods and the drapery is usually simple and flowing.
iv. Coronet Drapes - (also known as a bed corona) A coronet bed drape is a casement or rod
pocket curtain and a valance which are draped from a curved board or circular rod above
the bed head. The board or circular rod is fixed to the wall at a convenient height above
the head of the bed. Lined curtains are hung to softly drape down either side of the bed
and then held back with either tie backs or hold backs

Types and styles of blinds

Blinds differ from curtains as they are raised by a cord or roller system and curtains are drawn
side ways to expose the window. Blinds are a wonderful design tool for decorating difficult
windows. They are practical and functional and take up minimal space, allow a good deal of light
to still enter the room and can be as simple or as complex as you choose

Roller blinds
A roller blind is a rectangular piece of stiffened fabric on a wooden roller mechanism that allows
the blind to move up and down and stay at the desired height. It fits inside the window reveal and
when rolled up is unobtrusively on the window. Decorative borders and trims can be used on the
bottom edge to add design flair. They are frequently used in combination with other window
treatments like valances and pelmets. Roller blinds suit kitchens, bathrooms, where heat and
steam are a factor and they create a minimal design effect, and are sometimes used on bay and
bow windows

Roman blinds
Roman blinds create a simple tailored look for a window. They are essentially a piece of
rectangular fabric when lowered and when raised up by cords at the back, form symmetrical
concertina pleats. They take up a small amount of space at the top of the window. This type of

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blind is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and other busy areas where you want the minimal amount
of flowing fabric as possible, like children's bedrooms and playrooms. They are easier to keep
looking smart in the long term. Roman blinds should be lined, they hang better, the lining
provides insulation and protects the fabric from uv damage, keeps out more light at night and
Hides the code system at the back

Festoon blinds
The festoon blind is like the roman blind in the fact that it is raised and lowered by a cord
system, but it is gathered across the blind. So it has quite a different look to roman blinds and is
very full when lowered. When raised it has scallops and the lower edge is often finished with
frills. It is used frequently in cottage interiors and bedrooms. It covers a great deal more of the
window when raised, so if maximum light is required, then this won't be the best option.

Box Blinds (Pleated Festoon Blinds)

The same as a festoon blind except instead of a gathered head, it uses inverted pleats at regular
intervals across the top. It still creates the scallops at the bottom like the festoon blind.

London Blinds
This is a variation of the Box Blind (Pleated Festoon Blind), instead of having the inverted pleats
across the entire head of the blind, it only has one at each side of the blind, when the blind is
pulled up with cords it forms a single scallop to create a draped or swagged look.

Austrian Blinds
Often confused with Festoon blinds, these have equal spaced gathers across the blind which
remain gathered when the blind is fully down, creating a very full and decorative look. This blind
does not work well on tall and narrow or small windows as there needs to be at least 3 or 4
curves created by the gathers for the effect of the blind to work.

Balloon Blinds
The balloon blind is similar to a roman blind but only has two rows of cords that pull up on
either side of the blind. This means that the middle forms a simple scallop form when it is
lowered and as it is raised the scallops increase creating a ballooning effect.

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There are other rigid (non-fabric) blinds available in the market. These include; cane blinds,
honeycomb blinds, venetian, vertical, pinoleum, mini blinds, micro blinds, paper, pleatex, and
timber venetian blinds.

CHOOSING CURTAINS

What to consider

i. Shape of the window

The style of the curtains should complement the décor as well as the shape of the window.

View out of the window and orientation to the sun-If there is a spectacular view, keep the
curtains simple. If the view is unattractive you can disguise it with a permanent curtain made
from a sheer fabric or, if daylight is not important choose curtains that are fixed at the top and
held back at the side

ii. Lined or unlined—lining makes a curtain look and hang better, as well as adding
insulation and protecting the curtain fabric from fading
iii. How Long?

Sill-length curtains work well in cottagey rooms (modest, cozy dwelling in rural location) or
with horizontal windows in modern homes. Curtains should barely touch the sill.

Below sill length can look untidy when drawn back but if you have a radiator under the window
you can finish the curtains just above it.

Floor length curtains work best with sash windows, in bays and bows and of course, French and
picture windows. The curtains should almost touch the floor with no visible gap.

Café curtains give privacy at the lower half of a window while letting in light at the top.

What qualities of the fabric should I consider?

It is usually better to be generous with a cheaper fabric than mean with an expensive one.
Consider the following factors

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1. Light resistance—Curtains, being so close to windows, take a lot of punishment from
sunlight. Make sure to choose fabrics that are resistant to fading and rotting by the sun’s rays,
particularly for rooms which get the sun throughout most of the day.
If the fabric you choose is subject to fading – a dupion for instance – line it with curtain
lining fabric or add some form of sunscreen such as sheer curtains or plain roller blinds.

2. Fabric weights Look at the weight and quality of the fabric. In general, all but the lightest
curtains are worth lining, and even some of the thinner softer cloths which drape well look
very limp unless they are lined. It is worth taking trouble to line or interline an expensive
fabric – this will enhance the appearance of the fabric and also help to insulate your room.
Heavy weight curtain fabrics are best made up into, full-length curtains, as they can look stiff
and bulky when made up into sill-length curtains.
3. Weave—before the fabric is cut for you in the shop, check that there are no flaws in the
weave.
4. Pattern matching—If it is a print, make sure that the pattern is printed square on the fabric –
if you are joining widths to make up the curtain and the pattern is printed off the grain by
more than a couple of centimeters, you will not be able to match the pattern without
distorting the fall of the ditch.
Most manufacturers disclaim responsibility for faults ones the fabric has been cut, so it is
important to make sure that there are no faults in the fabric before picking up your scissors.
5. Fabric care --It is always recommended that lined curtains should be dry-cleaned. This is
because the various components, the fabric, the lining and the thread, as well as the cord and
tape, do not necessary shrink at the same rate.
If curtains are going to need regular washing it is sensible either to pre-wash the fabric, lining
and tape, or to make curtains with detachable linings.

Full-length curtains where the shrinkage potential will be more noticeable should have
generous hems, loosely stitched in case they need to be let down later on.

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