I spent hours online looking at period interior photographs and old portieres to get an idea of what I wanted to create.
I have found lovely William Morris pattern fabrics made by Sanderson of England. The trims are a mix of time periods, based on simple flat tapes of cotton, rayon or viscose and silk. Usually longer runs are only found in newer pieces, but I have been lucky to find some wool and cotton trims. There were no patterns to follow, so each panel was designed around the size of the doorways and then the length and width of the fabrics. I backed them with a USA made Joann Fabric home decor solid color cotton. Color selection is limited, but I did manage to find three choices that would work well with the prints. The finished weight of each portiere is substantial enough to let them hang beautifully.
This is Blackthorn, designed by J.H. Dearle in 1892.
The portiere is simple enough to blend in with the room so that it does not become the focal point.
This is Leicester fabric that I absolutely love. It is another pattern designed by J.H. Dearle in 1911.
This portiere is for the parlor and has quite a bit more detail work to it..
This was originally straight across the top like the Blackthorn is, but after hanging it to check the length, I decided that it needed a shaped cut to fit with the elegant pattern.
The back of the fold is finished in blanket stitched embroidery (shown with basting on the trim).
The trim is a vintage find in one long continuous yardage that matches perfectly.Finally, the top needed the added touch of velvet. I added Scalamandre' Striae velvet in a deep red that matches the darkest areas of the flowers. The very top and underneath the fold has a vintage embroidered tape to add the finishing touch.
Closed the portiere make a bold statement in the room.
It also shows me that the raised plaster stenciling that I applied to the wall above the doorway may now need color added to it.
