Weighted Draperies, Devices and Methods

Abstract

Weight devices, draperies and methods for weighing down draperies include a weight wrapped in a pocket of a weight holder which weight holder is connected to vertical seams and/or vertical hems of the drapery. The weight is elongated and vertically oriented and connected along the vertical seam at a backside of the drapery which in some instances is an overlocked serged seam and provides concealed placement. Drapes are also retrofitted with the weight holders and weights which in some aspects the weights include lead rods.

1 . A drapery comprising:
 a first drapery panel connected to a second drapery panel along a vertical seam; and at least one weight holder configured to hold a weight, the weight having a longitudinal length greater than a transverse width, the at least one weight holder having a longitudinally oriented edge tab oriented generally vertically and connected to the vertical seam along the edge tab, at least a portion of the weight holder positioned above a hem located along a bottom of the drapery.   
     
     
         2 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the at least one weight holder is made of fabric and contains a weight oriented vertically along the vertical seam, the at least one weight holder sewn to the vertical seam. 
     
     
         3 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the weight holder is sewn to the vertical seam along the edge tab, the vertical seam being an overlocked seam. 
     
     
         4 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the weight holder includes a weight, the weight being a lead rod oriented vertically. 
     
     
         5 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the vertical seam is an overlocked seam, the edge tab sewn to a margin of the overlocked seam, the margin positioned between a safety stitch line of the seam and an inner edge of the seam. 
     
     
         6 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the first drapery panel is made of a sheer material, the at least one fabric weight holder is made of the sheer material. 
     
     
         7 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the longitudinally oriented edge tab is stitched to the vertical seam, the weight being vertically oriented, and a bottom edge of the first drapery panel having a Merrow-hem containing bead weights. 
     
     
         8 . A weight device for connecting to a vertical seam and above a hem located along a bottom of a drapery, the weight device comprising:
 a cylindrical lead weight having a longitudinal length greater than a transverse width; and   a weight holder having a closed pocket in which the weight is positioned, the weight holder having a longitudinally oriented edge tab configured to be connected to the vertical seam utilizing a straight vertical stitch line such that the weight holder extends rearward from the drapery and above the hem.   
     
     
         9 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the weight is sealed within the pocket, the edge tab being flat and spans an entire length of the weight holder. 
     
     
         10 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the weight holder comprises a holder fabric layer, the edge tab defined by the holder fabric layer wrapped upon itself. 
     
     
         11 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the weight holder is made of fabric and has a maximum width, at least a portion of the edge tab has a tab width at least ⅛ the maximum width. 
     
     
         12 . The weight device of  claim 8  where at least a portion of the edge tab has a tab width of at least ⅛ inch. 
     
     
         13 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the weight is a lead rod having a length of about 8 inches and a diameter of about ⅜ inches. 
     
     
         14 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the edge tab has a width sufficient to sew the edge tab to the vertical seam. 
     
     
         15 . The weight device of  claim 8  where the weight holder comprises a non-woven fabric layer, the edge tab defined by the non-woven fabric layer welded to a non-woven fabric layer. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 providing a weight holder having a weight positioned within a pocket of the weight holder, the weight having a longitudinal length greater than a transverse width, the weight holder having a longitudinal edge tab; and   connecting the weight holder to a drapery by vertically orienting the weight and connecting the tab to a vertical seam which seam connects two panels of the drapery at a rear side of the drapery, the weight holder extending rearward from the drapery and at least a portion of the weight holder positioned above a hem located along a bottom of the drapery.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  where the weight is a lead rod encased in the pocket of the weight holder, the weight holder comprising fabric material, the connecting the tab to the vertical seam including sewing the tab vertically along the vertical seam, the vertical seam being an overlocked seam. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  where the vertical seam is an overlocked serge seam, at least a portion of the tab connected to a seam margin of the seam. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising connecting another weight holder to the seam at a position above the weight holder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  where the connecting the weight holder to the vertical seam includes stapling the weight holder at the tab. 
     
     
         21 . A drapery comprising:
 a first drapery panel connected to a second drapery panel along a vertical seam, the vertical seam comprising a first stitch line and overlock stitching; and   at least one weight holder having a pocket containing a metal weight which weight has a longitudinal length greater than a transverse width, the at least one weight holder having a longitudinally oriented edge tab, at least a portion of the edge tab stitched to the vertical seam along a second stitch line parallel to the first stitch line and between the first stitch line and the overlock stitching, at least a portion of the weight holder positioned above a hem located along a bottom of the drapery.   
     
     
         22 . The drapery of  claim 21  where the pocket is a closed pocket, the weight is a cylindrical lead rod, the first stitch line comprises a safety stitch, and the overlock stitching includes thread positioned over edges of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         23 . The drapery of  claim 21  where the second stitch line is a straight stitch line. 
     
     
         24 . The drapery of  claim 1  where the vertical seam is positioned at a back side of the drapery, the weight holder extending rearward from the drapery.