What is the difference in a soft cornice and an upholstered cornice?
Soft cornices are fabric and lining, stapled to a board frame. Upholstered cornices have the board padded with the fabric stapled to it, permanently. Soft cornice instructions are included in the pattern packages, upholstered cornices are not. Upholstered cornice instructions are in our "Manual Collection".

What stiffener do you recommend we use in a soft cornice?
A soft cornice should look “soft”. In my opinion, using a stiffener makes it look like you couldn’t afford a real cornice. A few ripples are appropriate. If the fabric is flimsy, use the fabric stabilizer (available from M’Fay Patterns or Rowley Co.). Also use an interlining and lining. Black out lining is an excellent choice.

I have three windows in a row that need to extend 13.26 feet. I want to make a single soft cornice by railroading the fabric to avoid a seam and just repeat the pattern to create one long piece. If I create a soft cornice that long, can I keep the fabric hanging straight? Do you have any tips on keeping the fabric taut? Would heavier fabric work better?
A soft cornice will not hang without “ripples” here and there, even a narrow one. Using a heavy lining in a light fabric will help. Black-out and interlining.

The fabric suggestion says to stay away from upholstery with rubbery backs. What will happen if I use this fabric?
A rubbery fabric will be hard to sew, easy to pucker. You might still get good results if you place tissue paper between the sewing machine and the fabric. The tissue paper will lead it through. All of this takes time and patience.

I am currently working on Pattern 9248 CP-3. We are making the double window, and have followed the instructions to make one large panel. Now we have placed the pattern on the fabric to make our large window topper. Is it possible to not cut the right and left return side pieces out and just make an allowance for those pieces so we would not have to sew those side pieces on? Or would the pattern not lie correctly on the boards when hung?
Bottom of page 3 shows return pattern taped to the cornice pattern to become one unit. The returns DO NOT sew on.