Coronet Bed Drape Instructions

A coronet bed drape consists of curtains and a valance which are draped from a curved board. The board 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 are held back with either tie backs or hold backs.
An unlined curtain provides a backdrop which can be used with or without a headboard, but this is optional.
To complete the effect, an unlined valance is attached to the front of the board. The bottom edge of which is bound in a contrasting colour to enhance the shape.

The instructions below are for a straight valance with a pencil pleat heading but other styles of valance can be substituted to coordinate your bed drapes with the window treatments in the room.

All the measurements in these instructions can be adjusted to suit your own requirements.

Colour code key to diagrams

Requirements:

Curtain fabric of your choice.

Lining in a contrasting colour or design. Make sure to purchase lining in the same width as the fabric.

Pencil pleat heading tape, enough for 3 widths of fabric.

Press n drape heading tape, enough for 3 widths of fabric.

Press n drape "grip" tape, enough for the curved edge of the board.

Pair of tie backs and hooks, or hold backs.

Small tacks and a hammer.

2 curtain rings.

Matching threads.

Bias binding in a contrasting colour, enough for 3 widths of fabric.

Piece of M.D.F. (or similar block board), approximately 0.75" (18 mm) thick, and 3 angle brackets for fixing.

12 screw eyes and 12 curtain hooks.

Paint to match the lining (optional).

Preparing the Board:

Lay the M.D.F. on a flat surface with the longest side from left to right.
Measure halfway [10" (25 cms)] along the front edge and mark.
Measure 12" (30 cms) at right angles to this, and mark.
Draw a curve from 1 front corner to the other front corner, passing through the centre mark. Make sure both sides are symmetrical.
Cut around the curve.
Paint both sides of the board, if required.
Insert the screw eyes into the underside of the board, 1" (2.5 cms) in from the curved edge. Space them approximately 3" (7.5 cms) apart. These will hold the side curtains.
Attach the "grip" half of the press n drape heading tape to the front edge of the board.

Measuring and Estimating Fabric Quantities:

Decide on the desired height of the board and mark the wall.
For the back curtain, measure from the marked position on the wall to the floor, or the required length. Add 3" (7.5 cms) to this measurement for hem allowances. One width of fabric is sufficient to give a fullness ratio of 2 for the width of the board.
For the side curtains, measure from the marked position to the floor, draping over one side of the bed. Allow extra length for pattern matching if necessary. Add 1.5" (3.75 cms) for hem allowances. 1.5 widths of fabric and lining are sufficient for each curtain to give a fullness ratio of 2 around the curved edge.
For the valance, allow 3 widths of fabric. Cut each to a length of 12" (30 cms) including hem allowances, allowing extra for pattern matching where necessary.

Making a Coronet Bed Drape:

To make the back curtain, cut the fabric to the required length, including hem allowances.
Lay the fabric on a flat surface, wrong side up. Turn in a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at each side edge and pin.
Turn up a double 1" (2.5 cms) hem at the bottom edge, mitring the corners and pin.
Stitch the side and bottom hems.
Turn down 1" (2.5 cms) at the top edge and press.
Work 2 rows of gathering stitches along the top edge, through both thicknesses.
Pull up the gathering threads so that the curtain fits across the back of the board and fasten the ends securely. Adjust the gathers evenly and stitch in place. Remove the gathering threads.
Attach the curtain to the back edge of the board with tacks. Make sure that the right side of the curtain is facing the front (curved) edge of the board.
Fix the board to the wall at the marked position with 1 bracket at either side and one in the centre.
To make the side curtains, cut 3 widths of fabric and 3 widths of lining to the required length, including hem allowances. Cut 1 piece of fabric and 1 piece of lining in half lengthways.
Lay 1 piece of fabric on a flat surface, right side up, and lay a half width on top, wrong side up, matching the selvedges. Pin and stitch along the selvedges 0.5" (12 mm) in from the edges, matching the pattern where necessary. Repeat for the other piece of fabric and the lining. Press the seams open.
Place 1 piece of fabric on a flat surface, right side up, and lay 1 piece of lining on top, wrong side up, so that the seam lines are on top of each other and matching the raw edges.
Pin and stitch down both sides and along the bottom edge, 0.5" (12 mm) in from the raw edges. Turn right side out, turn down 1" (2.5 cms) at the top edge and press.
Cut the pencil pleat heading tape in half. Knot the cords at 1 end and free them at the other end.
Pin the heading tape along the top edge of the curtain, on the wrong side close to the fold, tucking 1" (2.5 cms) under at each end to neaten. Make sure that the end with the free cords is attached to the side where the half width is stitched. Insert a cord tidy bag close to this edge. Stitch the heading tape in place, making sure to stitch both sides in the same direction to avoid puckering.
Repeat for the other curtain.
Pull up the cords on the heading tapes so that both curtains fit around the front (curved) edge of the board and knot to secure. Adjust the pleats evenly, roll up the excess cords and place them in the cord tidy bags.
Insert curtain hooks evenly along the heading tapes, in the top row of pockets, and hang the curtains from the eyes on the board so that the sides with the half widths of fabric are at the back of the board.
Hold back each curtain, draping it over the side of the bed and mark the positions of the tie back hooks or hold backs.
Fix a tie back hook or hold back at each marked position.
Stitch a curtain ring on each side of the back curtain at a convenient height and slip it on to the tie back hook or hold back, to spread the back curtain.
Fasten a tie back around each curtain, allowing them to drape softly to frame the bed or tuck each curtain behind a hold back.
To make the valance, join the 3 widths of fabric together using French seams.
Bind the bottom edge to neaten.
Turn in a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at both side edges and stitch.
Turn down 1" (2.5 cms) at the top edge and press.
Knot the cords at 1 end of the press n drape heading tape and free them at the other end.
Pin the press n drape heading tape along the top edge, on the wrong side close to the fold, turning 1" (2.5 cms) under at each end to neaten. Insert a cord tidy bag close to the end where the cords are free.
Stitch the heading tape in place, making sure to stitch both sides in the same direction to avoid puckering.
Pull up the cords, adjusting the pleats evenly, so that the valance fits around the front (curved) edge of the board. Roll up the excess cords and place them in the cord tidy bag.
Attach the valance to the board by pressing the press n drape heading tape onto the press n drape grip tape.

Remember that the Bedding and Bed Drapes ebook contains many more detailed projects which go much further that these web pages will permit. All the ebook instructions are interactively linked to the comprehensive Sewing Guide. 48 bedding and bed drape projects with over 260 colour diagrams.

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