Window drape with selectively adjustable appearance

A window drape includes a face panel and a liner having marginal portions secured to a back side of the face panel and an intramarginal portion carrying plural lengths of shirring tape oriented to extend vertically between top and bottom marginal portions of the liner and a plurality of guide elements arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The face panel includes a pair of laterally opposed marginal portions folded against laterally opposed marginal portions of the liner and secured along respective vertically extending lines to define a pair of finished lateral edges for the drape, a lower marginal portion folded against the bottom marginal portion of the liner and secured along a laterally extending line to define a finished lower edge for the drape, and an upper marginal portion folded against the top marginal portion of the liner and secured along a pair of first and second laterally extending parallel lines to define an upper hem between a finished upper edge of the drape and the first line of securement and a rod pocket between the first line of securement and the second line of securement. The intramarginal portion of the liner is not secured to the face panel so that only marginal portions of the liner transmit lifting forces to the face panel thereby permitting arrangement of the window drape in a plurality of free-hanging and gathered styles without detracting from the overall appearance of the drape. Preferably, a plurality of loops and/or fasteners are affixed to a back side of the upper hem to define points of attachment for rings and/or tabs, respectively, without detracting from the look of the window drape when rings and tabs are not used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to window drapes and, more 
particularly, to a window drape capable of being selectively arranged in a 
number of styles. 
2. Discussion of the Related Art 
Window drapes are commonly used in homes to cover all or part of a window 
in a decorative manner. The drapes are typically supported on rods secured 
to the top of the window casing or to the wall adjacent the top of the 
window casing, with an upper portion of the window drape either being 
provided with rings or straps that encircle and slide upon the supporting 
rod, or with the upper portion of the window drape defining a loop or 
pocket through which the rod is passed before being attached to supporting 
brackets. 
Most popular styles of window drape are commercially available in a variety 
of colors and fabrics, with standard widths and lengths to fit a wide 
range of window sizes. Thus, if a homeowner or decorator knows what type 
of style would look best for a particular application, they may purchase 
that style of drape, and any necessary supporting hardware, and thereafter 
install the window drape without much difficulty. If, however, the 
homeowner or decorator is unsure which style would look best, they must 
engage in a method of trial and error whereby they purchase a window drape 
of a first style, along with any necessary hardware, install the drape and 
then evaluate the appearance or suitably of the drape in the context of 
their decorating plans. If the style of drape is found to be unsuitable, 
the drape must be removed from the window, often with the hardware, and 
returned or discarded so that a window drape of a second style can be 
installed and evaluated. This process can be time consuming and 
frustrating, with repairs often being required to patch holes formed in 
the window casing or walls where supporting hardware was removed. 
Even if the homeowner or decorator knows what style of window drape they 
desire at the time of purchase, it is not uncommon for a homeowner to grow 
tired of a particular look or for their taste to change thereby 
necessitating removal of the old window drape and installation of a new 
one. It is expensive and time consuming to continually purchase and 
discard window drapes, and many people are thus prevented from updating 
the look of their windows to achieve greater satisfaction and comfort in 
their homes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to overcome 
the disadvantages of prior art window drapes and to provide a window drape 
capable of being selectively arranged to achieve different styles. 
Another object of the present invention is to facilitate redecoration of a 
window without the need of having to replace the original drape by 
allowing the drape to be rearranged into a different style. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a window drape 
which is selectively adjustable in appearance while being attractive, 
durable, relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive to manufacture, and easy 
to install. 
Some of the advantages of the present invention are that restyling or 
adjustment of the window drape does not require special hardware, that 
features of the drape allowing the drape to be restyled are hidden from 
occupants of a room and are not visible after the drape has been 
installed, that the look or style of the drape can be changed without a 
lot of expense or effort, that the length or width of the drape can be 
made to accommodate any size window, that more than one drape can be 
mounted on a single rod to cover wider windows, and that the drape can be 
fabricated using any type of facing fabric or liner material in accordance 
with the desires of the consumer. 
The present invention is generally characterized in a window drape 
including a face panel and a liner having marginal portions secured to a 
back side of the face panel and an intramarginal portion carrying plural 
lengths of shirring tape oriented to extend between top and bottom 
marginal portions of the liner and a plurality of guide elements arranged 
in a plurality of rows and columns. The face panel includes a pair of 
laterally opposed marginal portions folded against laterally opposed 
marginal portions of the liner and secured along respective vertically 
extending lines to define a pair of finished lateral edges for the drape, 
a lower marginal portion folded against the bottom marginal portion of the 
liner and secured along a laterally extending line to define a finished 
lower edge for the drape, and an upper marginal portion folded against the 
top marginal portion of the liner and secured along a pair of first and 
second laterally extending parallel lines to define an upper hem between a 
finished upper edge of the drape and the first line of securement and a 
rod pocket between the first line of securement and the second line of 
securement. In a preferred embodiment, the intramarginal portion of the 
liner is not secured to the face panel so that only marginal portions of 
the liner transmit lifting forces to the face panel thereby permitting 
arrangement of the window drape in a plurality of free-hanging and 
gathered styles without detracting from the overall appearance of the 
drape. A plurality of loops and/or fasteners are preferably affixed to a 
back side of the upper hem to define points of attachment for rings and/or 
tabs, respectively, without detracting from the look of the window drape 
when rings and tabs are not used. 
Another aspect of the present invention is generally characterized in a 
method of fabricating a window drape including the steps of attaching 
plural lengths of shirring tape to a liner having marginal and 
intramarginal portions, attaching a plurality of guide elements to the 
intramarginal portion of the liner in multiple rows and columns, 
positioning the liner against a face panel such that the plural lengths of 
shirring tape and guide elements are disposed between the liner and the 
face panel, securing lateral and lower marginal portions of the liner and 
the face panel together to form laterally opposed and lower finished 
edges, inverting the liner and face panel such that the plural lengths of 
shirring tape and guide elements face outwardly from the lining, folding 
an upper marginal portion of the face panel against an upper marginal 
portion of the liner, and securing the upper marginal portion of the face 
panel along a pair of laterally extending parallel lines to form an upper 
hem between an upper finished edge and the first line of securement and a 
rod pocket between the first and second lines of securement. The 
intramarginal portion of the liner is left unsecured to permit arrangement 
of the window drape in a plurality of free-hanging and gathered styles 
without detracting from the overall appearance of the drape; and, 
preferably, a plurality of loops are secured to a back side of the upper 
hem to define points of attachment for a corresponding plurality of rings 
with an equal number of fasteners being affixed to a back side of the 
upper hem for attachment to matingly configured lower ends of a 
corresponding plurality of tabs having looped upper ends.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A window drape 10 according to the present invention, as illustrated in 
FIGS. 1-3, includes a face panel 12 having upper, lower and lateral 
marginal portions 14, 16 and 18, a plurality of loops 20 extending 
upwardly from the upper marginal portion of the face panel at a respective 
plurality of laterally spaced locations, a corresponding plurality of 
button fasteners 22 secured to the upper marginal portion of the face 
panel adjacent the loops, and a liner 24 secured between marginal portions 
of the face panel and carrying a plurality of ring-like guide elements 26 
mounted on plural lengths of shirring tape 28. Face panel 12 is of 
generally rectangular configuration and is preferably formed of a fabric, 
such as cotton or linen, or some other supple material. Lateral marginal 
portions 18 of the face panel are folded against a back or "wrong" side 30 
of the face panel and secured with vertical lines of stitching 32 to form 
laterally opposed hems 34 between the finished lateral edges 36 and the 
lines of stitching. Lower marginal portion 16 of the face panel is folded 
upwardly against the back side of the face panel and is secured with a 
single laterally extending line of stitches 38 to define a lower hem 40 
between the lower finished edge 42 of the drape and the line of stitches. 
Upper marginal portion 14 of the face panel is folded downwardly against 
the back side of the face panel and is secured with a pair of laterally 
extending parallel lines of stitches 44 and 46 to define an upper hem 48 
between the upper finished edge 50 of the drape and the first line of 
stitches 44 and a rod pocket 52 between the first line of stitches and the 
second line of stitches 46. The vertical spacing between the upper 
finished edge and the first line of stitches is preferably chosen to 
define an upper hem having a height, for example 2.0 inches, to accept 
curtain rods or poles having vertical dimensions up to about 2.0 inches, 
while the vertical spacing between the first and second lines of stitching 
is preferably chosen to define a rod pocket having a height, for example 
3.0 inches, to accept curtain rods or poles having vertical dimensions up 
to about 3.0 inches such as, for example, so-called continental curtain 
rods. The unfinished top edge 54 of the panel is folded upwardly to a 
position against the back side of the face panel and is held in place 
between the upper marginal portion and back side of the face panel by the 
second line of stitches 46. 
Liner 24 is positioned against the back side of the face panel with 
marginal portions of the liner being secured between the folded marginal 
portions of the face panel and the back side of the face panel by lines of 
stitching 32, 38 and 46 extending through marginal portions of the face 
panel and the liner. The central or intramarginal portion 56 of the liner 
is not secured to the face panel, and a plurality of vertically extending 
parallel lengths of shirring tape 28 are secured to the intramarginal 
portion of the liner without being sewn directly to the face panel so as 
not to be visible when viewing the front or "right" side 58 of the face 
panel. Five parallel lengths of shirring tape 28 are shown extending 
vertically between upper and lower marginal portions 14 and 16 of the face 
panel at equal lateral intervals of about 12 inches; however, any number 
of lengths of tape can be secured to the liner at any angle relative to 
one another and with any regular or irregular lateral spacing 
therebetween. Each length of shirring tape 28 is preferably about 1.0 inch 
wide with at least one and preferably a pair of drawstrings or cords 60 
disposed within vertical pockets or channels 62 defined by the tape and 
having lower ends secured to the lining adjacent the lower marginal 
portion of the face panel. Guide rings 26 have a diameter approximately 
equal to the width of shirring tape 28 and are secured to each length of 
shirring tape at a respective plurality of vertically spaced locations. 
Six rings 26 are shown affixed to each length of tape at intervals of 
about 9.75 inches between points of attachment; however, any suitable 
number of rings may be affixed to each length of tape using any regular or 
irregular vertical spacing. 
Eleven loops 20 are shown affixed to the back side of upper hem 48 at 
laterally spaced locations across the width of the drape; however, any 
suitable number of loops can be used. Each loop 20 is preferably made of a 
strip or band of material, for example a two inch length of fabric ribbon, 
folded in half lengthwise and secured through its opposed end portions to 
the backside of the upper hem by stitches 64, or any other suitable 
fastening means, to provide points of attachment for a corresponding 
number of support rings. Loops 20 extend upwardly from stitches 64 to form 
an eyelet having an upper end preferably positioned below upper finished 
edge 50 of the window drape, for example about 0.375 inches below the 
finished edge, so that the loops and/or rings extending through the loops 
are hidden from observation when viewing the front side of the face panel. 
The loops are arranged symmetrically about a central loop aligned with a 
central longitudinal or vertical axis of the window drape; and, with the 
exception of the outermost loops immediately adjacent lateral edges of the 
window drape, the loops are preferably spaced at regular lateral intervals 
of about 5.0 inches center-to-center. The outermost loops are spaced at a 
slightly greater lateral interval, for example 5.25 inches 
center-to-center, to be disposed immediately adjacent the lateral edges of 
the window drape so that the drape hangs properly when supported by rings. 
Button fasteners 22 are affixed to the back side of upper hem 48 at a 
plurality of laterally spaced locations along the width of the upper hem. 
Eleven button fasteners are shown arranged symmetrically about the central 
vertical axis of the drape at regular lateral intervals of about 5.0 
inches center-to-center; however, any suitable number of button fasteners 
can be affixed to the drape at regular or irregular lateral intervals. It 
is preferred for the window drape to have an equal number of loops 20 and 
button fasteners 22 so that, with the exception of the outermost 
fasteners, which are laterally inset from the outermost loops, the 
fasteners can be sewn through respective end portions of each loop to 
reduce manufacturing time. The fasteners serve as a means for detachably 
affixing a corresponding number of tabs to the drape, with the spacing 
between fasteners being such that the lower portion of a tab affixed to an 
outermost fastener will not protrude beyond the finished lateral edge of 
the drape thereby concealing the mode of attachment. As best seen in FIG. 
4, each tab 66 is preferably formed of a strip of material, for example 
matching the face panel fabric, having a pair of slits or button holes 68 
formed along a longitudinal axis of the strip adjacent opposite axial ends 
of the strip. The tabs are preferably about 2.0 inches wide and about 10.5 
inches long so that, when folded in half, opposite axial ends of each tab 
can be secured to one of the button fasteners with the folded edge of the 
tab protruding upwardly beyond the finished upper edge 50 to loop around a 
horizontal curtain rod or pole. 
A method of fabricating a window drape 10 in accordance with the present 
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5-11. While the method steps are 
described herein as being performed in a particular order using specific 
dimensions, it will be appreciated that the order in which the steps are 
performed as well as the dimensions can be varied in accordance with 
manufacturing considerations and individual preferences. Referring now to 
FIG. 5, liner 24 is either supplied in its final size or cut from a larger 
sheet of material, for example to a final width of about 51.75 inches and 
a final length of about 57 inches, after which lengths of shirring tape 28 
are arranged in parallel columns on the outward facing or "right" side 70 
of the liner, for example about 12.0 to about 12.5 inches apart 
center-to-center, with respective outer edges of the outermost lengths of 
tape being spaced sufficiently, for example about 1.0 inch, from 
respective lateral edges of the liner to define lateral marginal portions 
or selvage for seam allowance. In the case of the shirring tape being of 
the so-called Austrian type, guide rings 26 may already be affixed to the 
shirring tape; otherwise, the rings can be affixed to the tape with 
stitching 72 before or after the tape has been secured to the liner. In 
either case, it is preferred that the lowermost or bottom ring be spaced 
sufficiently above the bottom edge of the liner, for example about 2.25 
inches, to define a lower marginal portion for seam allowance. Once 
positioned, the lengths of tape 28 are pinned flat to the lining and 
secured thereto with vertically extending parallel lines of stitches 74 as 
shown, for example, in FIG. 2. 
Referring to FIG. 6, face panel 12 is either supplied to size or cut from a 
larger sheet of material, for example to a final width of about 54.0 
inches and a final length of about 65.0 inches, after which the "right" 
side 58 of the face panel is positioned against the "right" side 70 of the 
liner, with a lateral edge of the liner being aligned with a lateral edge 
of the face panel and respective bottom edges being aligned, as shown in 
FIG. 7. Aligned lateral edges are secured together with a single line of 
vertically extending stitches 32, after which the seam is pressed open 
and, as shown in FIG. 8, opposite lateral edges of the face panel and 
liner are aligned to be secured together with another line of vertically 
extending stitches 32, after which that seam is also pressed open. Face 
panel 12 is wider than liner 24 so that lateral edges of the face panel 
can be folded over against the "right" side of the face panel and pressed 
to form finished lateral edges 36 as shown in FIG. 9. Bottom edges of the 
face panel and the liner are then secured together along a single 
laterally extending line of stitches 38 to form the lower marginal portion 
16 of the drape. 
Referring now to FIG. 10, the face panel and liner are turned inside-out or 
inverted so that "wrong" sides 30 and 80 of the face panel and liner, 
respectively, face one another and "right" sides 58 and 70 of the face 
panel and liner, respectively, face outwardly together with the shirring 
tape 28 and guide rings 26. Top edge 54 of the face panel is folded 
downwardly against the "wrong" side 30 of the face panel along fold line 
76 and then folded downwardly again against the "wrong" side of the face 
panel along fold line 78 to define the upper marginal portion 14. Fold 
line 76 is preferably located about 1.5 inches from the top edge whereas 
the location of fold line 78 is determined by measuring upward from the 
finished bottom edge 42 to the desired location of the upper finished edge 
50 thereby establishing the ungathered length of the drape. Loops 20 and 
button fasteners 22 are secured to the upper marginal portion of the face 
panel adjacent finished upper edge 50, as shown in FIG. 11, with the 
folded top portions of the face panel being secured by lines of stitching 
44 and 46 as described previously above. 
In accordance with the present invention, window drape 10 can be installed 
and operated in a number of different ways to obtain a variety of 
different drapery styles. For example, the window drape can be installed 
to resemble an Austrian style drape as shown in FIG. 12 by inserting a 
conventional curtain rod 82 or 84 through rod pocket 52 or upper hem 48, 
respectively, and attaching the rod to supporting structure (not shown) 
mounted at the top of the window casing 86 in one of a number of 
conventional ways. Operation of the drape then involves elevating the 
lower edge of the liner, for example by simultaneously pulling several of 
the drawstrings 60 extending from shirring tape 28 in a generally upward 
direction, looking at FIG. 2, to exert a lifting force along the length of 
the intramarginal portion of liner 24 thereby elevating the lower edge of 
the liner. Marginal portions of liner 24 are secured to face panel 12 so 
that, as the intramarginal portion of the liner is elevated, the marginal 
portions will transmit a lifting force to the face panel, causing the face 
panel to be gathered upwardly and softly pleated along substantially all 
of its length as shown in FIG. 12. When a desired elevation is achieved, 
drawstrings 60 may be tied off in one of many conventional ways to 
maintain the desired appearance and style of the drape. 
Installation of the window drape 10 to resemble a balloon shade is 
illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 and is similar to the installation 
described above with the exception of using a number of drawstrings 88 
threaded through guide rings 26 to elevate the drape. Each drawstring 88 
is secured to the lowermost guide ring of a corresponding length of tape 
28, for example by knotting the drawstring to the ring, and is threaded 
upwardly therefrom through the other guide rings and toward a common 
lateral edge 36 of the drape. Operation of the drape like a balloon shade 
involves pulling any combination of the several drawstrings 88 upwardly to 
exert a lifting force on only the lowermost rings of the tape, thereby 
elevating a lower end of the intramarginal portion of the liner which, in 
turn, causes a lower end of the face panel to be gathered upwardly into a 
gently scalloped, billowing shape as shown in FIG. 14. The number of 
scalloped portions is dependent upon the number and position of the 
drawstrings drawn upwardly, with the solid lines in FIG. 14 being the 
result of pulling on the outermost and central drawstrings, and the broken 
lines being the result of pulling on only the outermost drawstrings. 
FIGS. 15-17 show an installation wherein the window drape 10 is suspended 
from a support member in the form of a pole 90 using plural tabs 66 
attached to button fasteners 22 on the back of upper hem 48 so as to give 
the appearance of a tab drape. The tabs 66 are detachably affixed to the 
back of the upper hem by folding the tabs in half to align the button 
holes 68 and passing one of the button fasteners 22 through each pair of 
aligned button holes. The tabs 66 extend upwardly from the button 
fasteners and are looped around the curtain rod to support the window 
drape 10; however, since the button fasteners are secured only to the back 
of the upper hem, an observer cannot ascertain the detachable nature of 
the tabs. Similarly, because the intramarginal portion of the liner is not 
stitched to the face panel, there is no visual indication of the presence 
of shirring tape or guide rings when viewing the face panel from the front 
or "right" side, and the window drape therefore gives the appearance of 
being a genuine tab drape. 
FIGS. 18-20 show another installation wherein the window drape 10 is 
suspended from a support member in the form of a pole 90; however, instead 
of tabs 66, the drape is hung from rings 92 and 94 attached to loops 20 on 
the back of upper hem 48 so as to give the appearance of a rod and ring 
drape. Each of the smaller rings 92 is generally circular in configuration 
with a small gap formed therethrough having a width large enough to 
receive the edge of a loop 20 when the ring is moved sideways to couple or 
link with the loop and small enough to prevent the loop from slipping 
through the gap in response to upwardly directed forces acting on the 
ring. Rings 94 are also of generally circular configuration but are 
somewhat larger than rings 92 to receive curtain rods such as, for 
example, the pole 90 shown in FIGS. 18-20. The larger rings 94 are linked 
to the smaller rings 92 and extend upwardly therefrom to be disposed above 
upper finished edge 50 of the drape. Since the stitches securing the loops 
to the upper marginal portion of the face panel extend only through the 
back of the upper hem, an observer cannot ascertain the presence of the 
loops, much less the shirring tape or guide rings, when viewing the face 
panel from the front or "right" side, and the window drape therefore gives 
the appearance of being a genuine rod and ring drape. 
The window drape 10 can also be installed to hang freely from a rod or pole 
inserted through at least one of the upper hem 48 and rod pocket 52 as 
shown, for example, by broken lines in FIG. 2. 
From the above, it will be appreciated that the window drape according to 
the present invention facilitates redecoration of a window without the 
need of having to replace or structurally modify the original drape by 
allowing the drape to be rearranged into different styles. 
Components of the window drape such as the face panel and the liner can be 
made of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cotton and 
linen fabrics. The face panel and liner can be made of the same material 
or of different materials, and it will be appreciated that the face panel 
can be provided in a variety of solid colors or with printed or 
embroidered patterns to match a wide range of decors. 
The upper marginal portion of the window drape, including the upper hem and 
rod pocket, can be formed as an integral part of the face panel by 
stitching a folded edge of the face panel against itself as shown or by 
attaching a separate marginal panel to the face panel. Any number of 
fasteners and/or loops can be secured to the upper marginal portion of the 
window drape along the back side of the upper hem and/or the rod pocket to 
provide points of attachment for accessories such as tabs and rings. 
Although button fasteners are shown for attaching tabs to the upper 
marginal portion of the drape, it will be appreciated that any type of 
fastener can be used including, but not limited to, snaps, clips, buckles 
and mating strips of hook and loop fasteners. It will also be appreciated 
that the tabs can be formed with opposite ends unattached to one another 
and carrying cooperative fastening portions, such as button holes, or with 
one axial end affixed to a surface of the tab to form a loop and one 
cooperative fastening portion mounted on the tab above or below the point 
of attachment. 
It is preferred that only marginal portions of the liner be secured 
directly to the face panel; however, dependent upon the texture or print 
of the face fabric and the desires of the user, intramarginal portions of 
the liner may be secured directly to the face panel. Moreover, while a 
number of installation options are shown to illustrate some of the styles 
that can be obtained with the window drape according to the present 
invention, it will be appreciated that the window drape can be installed 
in other ways to give the appearance of a multiplicity of other styles. 
Some of the styles shown and described herein may also be combined to 
create new styles heretofore unable to be formed. 
Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, 
modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject 
matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be 
interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.