FRESH CURTAINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 711, 10 July 1929, Page 15

FRESH CURTAINS

HINTS ON RENOVATING Curtains of muslin and net have a way of shrinking and of becoming so untidy at the edges that the windows soon take on a bedraggled look. Here are some hints which will help to avoid this: After washing, run light wooden rods through both top and bottom ends of the curtain and throw it over the line to dry with the hems hanging downwards, so that there is a slight pull on the fabric which will militate against shrinkage. In order to preserve the sides of the curtain in a straight line, machine a narrow tape all along each selvedge. This will keep the edge in good condition more effectually than a hem. Coloured nets which are exposed continually to the light usually lose some degree of their tone. It is, therefore, wise to dissolve a small packet of home-dye in the same shade as the original colour, in the washing water. After the curtain is ironed, it is often difficult to insert the rods without damaging the delicate fabric; if the muslin has also been starched, the operation may lead to tearing away the hem altogether. To facilitate matters, drop a small thimble over the end of the rod. The curved surface will overcome resistance, and the rod will glide along quite smoothly. Tears in muslin are not easy to mend invisibly. If, however, a small portion of the same material be soaked in starch-w r ater, and placed just over the worn place, a hot iron will cause it to adhere quite firmly. It will hardly be noticeable.