To Hang Window Shades.—To ad just the spring on new window shades, roll them tight, fasten them into the sockets, and draw them down full length. Take them out of their sock ets, roll them up again by hand, and again draw them down until the spring is as strong as desired.
To Prevent Blowing Window Shades. — To prevent the window shades from being drawn out at the top of the window or blowing back and forth when the upper sash is low ered for ventilation, attach the cord from the bottom of the shade to the back of a chair, and move it a suffi cient distance from the window to give a free circulation of air under neath it.
Substitute for Window Shades.— To economize on window shades, the upper rooms of a house may be fitted with shades of white cotton, having the selvage on one side and a very fine hem on the other. By the addi tion of a little glue size or gum arabic to the starch, they can be made very stiff. They look from outside almost equal to ordinary shades of Holland linen. They can, of course, readily be laundered when soiled.
Draperies.—Portieres and other dra peries must be selected with due re gard to the size and shape of the room, as well as to the color scheme. Heavy, thick draperies make a small room look close and stuffy. But light, airy hangings are equally out of place in a large room. To improve the effect of a room that is too narrow and high between joints, or a room having too high and narrow doors and windows, lower the window shades twelve or fifteen inches from the top and fill in the space with a grill, a rope network, a shirring of silk, or similar decora tion. If the doors open outward, or if a door is taken down and hung with draperies, lower the rod twelve or fifteen inches and fill in above with shirred silk or silkoline to harmonize with the portieres or draperies.
Or run a shelf or plate rack across the top of the door on a level with the top of the window shades; by these means the room is made to seem lower and larger in proportion to its height.
Or lower the curtain from the pole by means of cords to match the dra pery. Lade over the pole and through the hooks on the pins.
Portieres.—In addition to the vari ous grades of draperies on the mar ket, burlap and other suitable farbrics may be made up for this purpose at much less expense.
Or brown leather scraps may be purchased from bookbinders at a few cents a pound, cut in strips about half an inch wide, and tied in lots after the manner of carpet rags. These make very cheap and effective dra peries for libraries and living rooms.
Choose preferably materials that will not catch and hold dust more than is necessary, and avoid flounces, fringes, and tassels coarse enough to allow dust to accumulate in them. It is a good plan in summer to take down heavy draperies, shake and clean them, and pack them away until fall in a moth-proof box or chest. They will last longer, and the house will be much cleaner, more airy, and comfortable without Them.
Or, if desired, replace the winter draperies with cheap draperies of dark green or other color of burlap. Lower the pole a foot or more from the cas ing to let the air pass through, and let them swing clear of the floor.
Curtain Eings.—Rub the curtain poles occasionally with a rag dipped in kerosene oil to make the rings slip easily.
To Clean Draperies.—Draperies and tapestries hung upon the walls may be cleaned by pouring gasoline into a shallow pan, and brushing them with this by means of a soft brush or whisk broom.