Craftsman Era Curtains

Curtains help control light, absorb sound, provide privacy, and add warmth and color, all key ingredients for a homey and welcoming atmosphere. Most period homes had two sets of curtains at each window: a translucent sheer strung against the glass to filter the light, and an outer drape that could be drawn at night for insulation and privacy.

Fabrics used for sheers (or “glass curtains”) were usually simple, an “honest” linen scrim (an open-weave, lightweight linen) or a plain cotton casement that would let in light but still provide a filter; muslin was good for a more informal, cottage appeal. Curtains with decorative borders usually required a more opaque weave. Usually inspired by nature, these borders could be stenciled (with a band of pinecones, perhaps), hand appliquéd (floral designs such as poppies or ginkgo leaves were popular), or, for the more accomplished seamstress, embroidered. Color was an important consideration, with ivory, ecru, or similar “neutral tones” most common, although Gustav Stickley recommended “corn yellow” or even copper for a warmer glow.

Sheers were occasionally designed to mimic stained glass, with colorful patterns intersected by heavy lines to represent leading. Sheers were finished with a simple bottom hem (typically about 2-½") that hung just above the windowsill. Plain brass rings or drapery hooks were sewn onto the back of the fabric, then hung along a brass rod mounted with very basic brackets. (Colorful iron brackets were not seen until the late 1920s, when automobile manufacturers branched out into hardware.) A simple pocket rod could also be sewn across the top of the drape; fabric tabs were not common, probably due to the time involved in their construction.

Outer curtains were meant to provide insulation and privacy. Often they were a heavier-weight linen, cotton, or velvet, and more decorative, perhaps printed with a pattern or design. Mounted on brass gooseneck rods with brass rings, outer curtains were not meant to be too full or heavy like their Victorian predecessors: typically just 1-1⁄2 times the width of the window for soft, gentle folds of fabric. Outer curtains were sometimes mounted inside the window frame, especially if there was a decorative element such as a plate rail or frieze on the nearby wall. They were usually short, ending in the middle or bottom of the apron below the sill trim.

Curtains were not limited to windows. Portieres were often hung across open doorways, or to enclose closets or other utility spaces. Sheer linen curtains were also strung across bookcases to keep off the dust. French doors were also lined with a linen panel—mounted top and bottom to keep it from fluttering or catching in the breeze.

Here are some resources to help you find the finishing touch to your Craftsman windows.