Recently, Lavadna Hines, president of the Friends of the Collins House, and Friends/ Collinsville Garden Club member, Trisha Haislar, volunteered to take on the window covering project.

 

Although it is nice to be able to see into the house, especially of an evening, the sunlight that filters in poses a threat to the furnishings and could be detrimental to the furniture and upholstery fabrics. So it was recommended that period appropriate curtains be made for the windows. Also, due to the original location of the D.D. Collins House, we know that the house when originally built, would have had window coverings, if for no other reason than for privacy.

 

Lavadna and Trisha researched the archives to learn about the type of curtains that would have been used in the late 1840s to early 1850s. Original fabric that would have been in a good enough condition to use for all of the windows was not available, so they decided to use a light-weight cotton that has all of the appearance of muslin. Washable and easy care also benefitted this project.

 

Trisha was in charge of measuring the windows and sewing the curtains. No easy trick because although all of the windows appear to be the same size, when measured each window is its own size. But Trisha met the challenge and proceeded to make the curtains.

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