SOFTGOODS

The most typical load on a batten is usually some form of softgoods, 
a curtain of some sort.
Curtains: refers to a cloth that fills the stage opening.
	* Generally opaque
	* Usually in a dark or subdued color
	* Made from a heavy cloth

Basic Curtains

Fancy Curtains

CURTAIN FABRICS:
Velour
	* A dull finished knapped fabric, that is really a form of velvet.
	* Best at light absorbtion and blocking.
	* Also heaviest and most expensive fabric for curtains.
Duvetine
	* A heavy fabric with a brushed rather than woven knap.
	* Looks almost like velour and weighs less.
	* Doesn't work as well as velour.
Courduroy
	* Another substitute for velour.
	* Cheaper and lighter weight.
	* Works well if has a thin wale.
	* Wales give a definite directionality.
Repp Cloth
	* Heavy fabric.
	* Cheveron pattern woven in; no knap or wale.
	* Cheaper, lighter weight.

FIREPROOFING:
Should be redone about every ten years.
New Velour an exception; Stage Velour now permanently fireproofed at mill.

CONSTRUCTION of CURTAINS:

FULLNESS:
Consists of a gathering of the material of the goods to make it thicker. 
Expressed as a percentage of fabric folded back on itself,
-OR-
how much longer material is than the pipe length it takes up.
50% fullness is half again as long as pipe.
100% fullness is twice as long as pipe
	* Makes curtain look thicker.
	* Make it disappear in the light even more.
	* More attractive and finished than when hung flat.
SEWN VS. TIED:
Sewn fullness: Easier to put up; you need only stretch the top out and 
tie it to batten.
Works well with traveller systems; top pulled flat by the carriers 
while fullness stays evenly distributed.
-However-
Cannot hang that piece without fullness.
Tied fullness:
Curtains sewn flat but made longer than the pipe.
The piece then tied on with gathers.
More flexible, can be tied flat or with desired fulness.
-BUT-
Does not work well with travellers as carriers pull the fullness out 
as they extend.
You CAN tie a sort of pinched pleat in by tieing two grommets to each 
carrier, but that is all.
Still does not travel as well as sewn fullness.

OTHER SOFT GOODS

Scrims
	* Sharkstooth scrim
	* Bobbinette scrim.
	* Leno filled scrim.
Filled scrim is often used for:

CYCS
Cycloramas or cycs: are large scrims used for simulating sky.
	* Cycs are rigged far upstage
	* Often on curved pipes to wrap around scene.
Cycs are usually hung with a bounce, a white canvas curtain just upstage 
of the scrim cyc.
The cyc gives the effect of distance and the bounce gives opacity.

TRANSPARENCIES
Scrims can be "painted" with dyes to create a drop.
Opaque and visible when front lit but which will disappear to reveal a scene 
behind when back lit.

DROPS, or backdrops,
Meant to be seen.
Large pieces of canvas which are painted to be scenery. Must be stretched to 
get rid of wrinkles.
	* Pipe pocket in the bottom edge of the drop; waterpipe inserted for weight.
	* Wooden battens sandwiching drop.
	* Chain in a chain pocket.

Roll Drops
Tubes were once made of wooden strips, but today usually plastic or aluminum 
tubing.
Aluminum irrigation pipe for wider drops.
Cardboard rug cores also work for smaller drops.