TEXTILE PROCESSING

In our section for standard textile processing, we would like to offer you a comprehensive insight into the basic standards and techniques of textile design.

Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting out in the world of textile processing, here you will find all the information you need to successfully realise your projects.

Creasing with webbing

The webbing sewn to the upper hem ensures the stability of the curtain and serves as an attachment point for the eyelets. An uncomplicated connection between the curtain eyelets and the existing structure (such as a tube, load bar or trolley) is created using ties. These can be attached quickly and make it easy to adjust the curtain height, for example if the material stretches or the stage floor is uneven.

For curtains with pleats, the actual width is greater than the visible "finished width". Excess fabric is used to form the pleats, whereby the amount of additional fabric depends on the filling quantity of the pleat volume. The distance between two pleats is 20 cm as standard, but can vary.

Smooth curtain, without pleats

A smooth curtain, without pleats, shows no differences between the visible width and the actual fabric area. The pleat allowance in this case is 0 %. The eyelets are placed every 20 cm along the stage band as standard, although the use of eyelets is also possible.

Tied-in pleats

Bound pleats are created by joining two eyelets together and securing them with binding tapes. This method ensures a neat drape and makes it easy to adjust the number and depth of pleats.

Free pleats

Free pleats are created by placing eyelets regularly every 20 cm, with the pleat allowance distributed evenly across the width of the curtain. This gives the curtain a wavy appearance, whereby the arrangement and density of the pleats can be customised as required.

Standing, stitched pleats

Upright sewn pleats offer a similar aesthetic effect to bound pleats and are permanently incorporated in the workshop. They can be attached with eyelets and ties, directly to the webbing or with carabiners on the webbing.

Knife pleats (inlaid pleats)

Knife pleats, also known as inlaid pleats, are sewn flat onto the webbing and offer similar fastening options to upright sewn pleats. They are particularly suitable for areas such as platform panelling or permanently installed soffits.

Box pleats

Box pleats are a special form of inlaid pleats and are characterised by a more harmonious pleat formation, but require a more elaborate finish.

Automatic pleats - stage tape

Automatic pleats, realised by stage tape, fulfil the same function as webbing, but are more supple and offer specific mounting options for different types of pleats. These tapes are typically used for lighter curtains.

Smooth curtain, without pleats

A smooth curtain, free of pleats, has an identical width of the visible surface and the actual fabric surface. Curtain hooks are placed along the stage band every 20 cm or at shorter intervals as required. It is also possible to attach eyelets.

Standing pleat with hook

For a standing pleat with hooks, the two ends of the pleat are held together using a curtain hook attached to the stage band. Both the distance between two hooks and the depth of the pleat can be customised within a certain framework.

Standing pleat with automatic pleat, 3-way pleat - 100% pleats

Pulling on the drawstrings incorporated into the stage tape creates a standing pleat with a distance of approx. 12 cm, which develops into a 3-way pleat with full fabric allowance. This method is mainly used for lightweight fabrics such as voile.

Standing pleat with automatic pleat, 2 pleat - 80% or 100% pleats

Two platform tapes enable the automatic formation of a 2-way pleat with a pleat distance of 20 cm. Variant 1 works with a fabric allowance of 80% and a smaller pleat depth, while variant 2 has a fabric allowance of 100% and a greater pleat depth.

Ruched pleats

Ruched pleats, formed with universal or heavy-duty ribbon, enable the creation of numerous small, tightly packed pleats. The pleat allowance and the distance between the eyelets on the tape can be freely selected. This type of pleat is particularly suitable for light and thin fabrics.

Standard processing Top edge

Webbing + eyelets + binding tape

When using webbing, eyelets and binding tape, the webbing is attached to the top hem of the curtain to increase stability and enable eyelets to be attached. Ties create a robust and height-adjustable connection to the substructure.

Webbing + eyelets + carabiners

Another option is to use webbing, eyelets and carabiners to attach the eyeleted curtain to the substructure such as a trolley or steel cable. This enables the curtain to be raised and lowered quickly, but without the option of height adjustment.

Stage strap + curtain hooks

Curtain hooks are anchored directly in the vertical loops of the stage belt when the belt and binding tape are sewn in from above. This method offers an aesthetically pleasing solution, but the ties cannot simply be replaced or removed from the curtain.

Webbing + tie ribbon sewn in from the top

The binding tape is sewn onto the centre back of the webbing. This makes a curtain attached to a load tube more aesthetically pleasing and at the same time conceals the tube. This method is suitable for curtains in the spectator area or for main curtain openings.

Webbing + tie ribbon sewn onto the back

The binding tape is sewn onto the centre back of the webbing. A curtain attached to a load tube in this way also covers the tube. Aesthetically pleasing, for curtains in the spectator area or for main curtain openings.

Webbing + sewn-on carabiner

Carabiners can be sewn onto the back of the webbing to allow the curtain to be quickly attached to steel cables, rings or eyelets. As the carabiners cannot be seen by spectators, they offer a discreet solution for hanging and unhooking curtains.

G-QUICK

G-QUICK enables quick hanging and unhanging of open curtains on load bars or other tubular substructures. A plastic clip holds the webbing and the eyelet, while a ball with a flexible tension cable creates the connection to the tube.

Seams

Topstitching

Two lengths of fabric are sewn together with a top and bottom stitch. The protruding seam seam is 2-3 cm long, depending on the respective selvedge.

Chain stitch

Two lengths of fabric are sewn together with a top and bottom stitch, the seam seam is shortened to 5-6 mm and finished with a chain seam to prevent fraying. Particularly suitable for transparent fabrics such as voiles to minimise shadows when backlit.

Simple fell seam

Two panels are first sewn together using a topstitch seam. The seam seam is then folded over and sewn a second time. This robust seam is particularly suitable for sewing floor cloths.

Double fell seam

With the double fell seam, two panels are sewn slightly offset over a topstitch seam. The resulting seam seam is then folded over and sewn again. This neat seam is ideal for dividing curtains that are to be viewed from both sides.