Versatop gives traditional pipe and drape uprights a makeover.

versatop glide lock upright for pipe and drape

Versatop’s Telescoping Glide-Lock Uprights™ are a complete makeover of the traditional slip-lock telescoping upright. Glide-Lock Telescoping Uprights™ feature a smooth, slip locking mechanism which allows for easy lifting with a strong non-marring lock that keeps your hardware looking good use after use. The single button lock release makes raising and lowering your uprights easier than ever. Plus, the inner pipe stays inside instead of falling out, which can sometimes happen with traditional telescoping uprights. Fitted with the Versatop’s revolutionary 2.0® Crown™ and ready to accept Versatop™ Drape supports and all Versatop™ accessories, Glide-Lock Telescoping Uprights™ are a true game changer.

To learn more or see Versatop’s Glide-Lock Uprights™ in action, check out the video below. Shop Versatop™ Pipe and Drape 2.0® here.

An Introduction to Versatop™ Pipe and Drape 2.0®

Versatop™ Pipe and Drape 2.0® revolutionizes traditional pipe and drape with their innovative Crown™ and Ball Cap™ design and Glide-Lock Uprights™. Pipe and Drape 2.0® is built to last and provide you with years of hassle-free pipe and drape setup and take down, eliminating the possibility of torn drapes, bent or damaged hardware, and cut hands. As if that isn’t enough, Versatop’s inventive accessories make expanding your display, or adding lights and signage easier than ever. Learn more about Pipe and Drape 2.0® by watching the videos below.

Shop Versatop™ Pipe and Drape 2.0® or contact us for a custom quote.

How to Store Pipe and Drape Hardware and Drapery

Part of caring for your pipe and drape equipment is storing it properly when not in use. There are a few really great options to consider for pipe and drape storage. Additionally, many storage solutions also double as transportation – win win. Read about our suggestions for pipe and drape storage below.

canvas drapery bag for pipe and drape storage
Canvas Drapery Bag for soft goods and drapery

Canvas Drapery Bag

Canvas drapery bags are a cost-effective solution for storing your pipe and drape display’s soft goods. Constructed from heavyweight natural canvas, they’re durable and the grommeted drawstring closure ensures that everything inside stays snug.

canvas hamper drapery storage
Canvas Hamper for Soft Goods and Drapery

Canvas Hamper

Canvas Hampers are great for storing your pipe and drape display’s soft goods, like drapery panels and swags. Smaller sizes are available without but most include a hinged wooden lid to protect what’s inside. The reinforced bottom keeps your soft goods off the floor and protects them from tears or other damage. Caster wheels make this an easy choice if you’ve got lots of drapery to store and transport. Caster Doughnuts make it possible to stack canvas hampers for optimal use of space.

Base Bags

canvas base plate bag for pipe and drape storage
Canvas Base Storage Bag

Canvas base bags are an affordable solution for storing and carrying your pipe and drape bases. Made from durable and natural canvas, canvas base bags are equipped with handles to make transportation easier. Canvas base bags a great option for storage and transportation if you have a simple setup that requires just a few bases.

cordura base bag for pipe and drape storage
Heavyweight Cordura® Base Storage Bag

Heavyweight Base Bags provide more durability and functionality than a standard canvas base bag. Constructed from black heavyweight Cordura® fabric, heavyweight base bags feature a zippered pocket for your base pin(s), a strap for carrying, and a zippered enclosure for your bases.

Pipe Bags

Protect and carry your display’s pipes (or “poles”) with an economical but durable Canvas Pipe Bag. Canvas Pipe Bags hold anywhere from 15-20 pieces of pipe depending on diameter, and are available in a variety of lengths. Each comes equipped with a handle for easy carrying.

canvas pipe bag for pipe and drape storage
Canvas Pipe Storage Bag

For a heavier duty option, consider upgrading to a Heavyweight Pipe Bag. Constructed from extra-durable Cordura® fabric, it holds up to 20 pieces of pipe depending on diameter, and features zippered pockets, a carrying handle and zips closed.

heavy duty pipe bag for pipe and drape storage
Heavyweight Cordura® Pipe Storage Bag

Pipe and Drape Carts

If you’ve got a lot of pipe and drape gear to store or transport, you might consider investing in a Pipe and Drape Cart. Pipe and Drape Carts are designed to store and transport bases, pipe, drapery, or all three! If you’re looking for the ultimate in pipe and drape storage and transport, look no further. Available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations (as shown below).

Pipe and Drape Road Cases

Finally, if you’re taking your pipe and drape show on the road, you might consider investing in primo pipe and drape storage and transport: Road Cases. Road cases are ATA-rated, built from ABS coated plywood with an aluminum frame and a carpeted interior. In short, that means the best possible protection for your traveling pipe and drape gear.

From economical storage solutions to premium protection, there’s a wide variety of options to consider for storing and transporting your pipe and drape hardware and soft goods. Shop all Pipe and Drape Storage Solutions.

What is the best fabric to use for pipe and drape displays?

While there isn’t exactly a BEST fabric to create drapery panels from for your pipe and drape display, listed below are some of the most common choices and customer favorites.

Valdosta Velour for pipe and drape panels and event drapery

Valdosta® Velour

Valdosta® IFR is an economical, inherently flame retardant (IFR), all-purpose, medium weight, opaque, polyester velour with a matte finish. Available in weights of 10 oz, 14-15 oz, and 22-23 oz, its versatility makes it a customer favorite. Plus, velour always classes things up by adding visual “heft” to the room. Valdosta® Velour drape panels create a luxurious backdrop for any elegant event. Available in seven classic colors. Pre-made Valdosta® Velour pipe and drape panels can be found here.

Royal Blue EventTex fabric for pipe and drape panels and event drapery

EventTex®

EventTex® DFR is a durably flame retardant (DFR), medium weight (12 oz), versatile, polyester knit fabric that takes light well. Its medium weight, and gorgeous sheen make it a great choice for any event where your drapery will be lit. It’s perfect for backdrops, trade show booths, exhibits, special event curtains, theatrical draping, tent liners, and more. Available in a wide variety of colors. Pre-made EventTex® pipe and drape panels can be found here.

Black Commando Cloth for pipe and drape panels and event drapery

Commando Cloth

16 oz. Commando Cloth FR is an economical black, flame retardant (FR) masking fabric with a light-absorbing brushed matte finish. Commando Cloth is the most widely used black masking fabric in tv and film production. Because of its heavier weight, black color and density, it’s a natural at blocking light. To quote Spinal Tap, there’s “none more black”. Pre-made Commando Cloth pipe and drape panels can be found here.

Purple Banjo fabric for pipe and drape panels and event drapery

Banjo

Banjo IFR is the go-to fabric for trade show drapery for a reason: It’s inherently flame retardant (IFR), the most affordable and looks great with its lightly patterned, satin-like sheen. If you’ve got A LOT of pipe and drape booths or backdrops to outfit with drapery, you might consider Banjo. Available in a wide variety of colors. Pre-made Banjo pipe and drape panels can be found here.

White Voile fabric for pipe and drape panels and event drapery

Voile

Voile IFR is an inherently flame retardant (IFR), plain weave, light weight, semi-transparent, polyester fabric. It’s great for creating light and airy backdrops, swags, ceiling treatments, tent liners, and looks great when lit from behind. Available in a wide variety of neutral and brilliant colors. Pre-made Voile pipe and drape panels can be found here.

To sum up, while any fabric can be made into drapery for your pipe and drape display or event, these are the most commonly requested. If these fabric choices don’t quite fit your vision, we can make pipe and drape panels out of almost any fabric. Just let us know what you need! Shop the entire collection here.

What size bases should I use for my pipe and drape display?

We often get questions about what size bases to use for pipe and drape displays. We put together the following guide to help you decide.

Note: These are general recommendations and your particular pipe and drape display or environment may require otherwise.

8 x 14 pipe and drape base

8″ x 14″ Slip Fit Base

8″ x 14″ slip fit bases are recommended for use with:

  • 1.5″ diameter 3′ uprights

16 x 14 pipe and drape base

16″ x 14″ Slip Fit Base

16″ x 14″ slip fit bases are recommended for use with:

18 x 18 pipe and drape base

18″ x 18″ Slip Fit Base

18″ x 18″ slip fit bases are recommended for use with:

18 x 18 powder coated pipe and drape base

18″ x 18″ Powder Coated Heavyweight Slip Fit Base

18″ x 18″ heavyweight slip fit bases are recommended for use with:

24 x 24 powder coated pipe and drape base

24″ x 24″ Powder Coated Heavyweight Slip Fit Base

24″ x 24″ heavyweight slip fit bases are recommended for use with:

Be sure to check out our entire selection of pipe and drape bases and uprights.

How To Set Up a Pipe and Drape Backdrop

You’ve got your pipe and drape base plates, uprights, drape supports, and drapery panels, right? If you do, then read on and we’ll teach you how to construct a basic pipe and drape display. If not, check out our article on what you need to build a pipe and drape backdrop first.

Let’s start building!

Step 1 – Assemble and place your bases.

Before beginning this step, we recommend putting on some work gloves as base plates can sometimes have sharp edges and corners. We also recommend having a screwdriver handy.

Your base plates and base pins will arrive unassembled so you’ll need to put those together first. Your base pin will come with a threaded bolt. Take that bolt and slide it through the bottom of your base plate. Thread the base pin onto the bolt with your hands until you get to a point where you can no longer tighten it. Use your flat head screw driver to finish tightening until the pin is secure. This will be the foundation of your setup so please ensure that everything is snugly assembled before continuing.

Once your base plates are assembled, place them the desired distance apart wherever you intend to build your pipe and drape display. Remember that these are the “feet” of your display.

Step 2 – Install your uprights.

With your bases placed, slide an upright (whether fixed or adjustable) onto each base pin.

Step 3 (optional) – Add a base weight or sand bag.

Once your uprights are placed, you can optionally create more stability for your pipe and drape display by adding a rubber base weight or sand bag.

Step 4 – Adjust the height of your upright.

If you’ve installed fixed height uprights, you can skip this step. If your uprights are adjustable, open the locking clamp on your upright and extend the inner pipe to the height required. Secure the upright by closing the locking clamp.

Step 5 – Install your drapery and drape support.

Extend your drape support to the desired width. Slide your drapery panel(s) onto your drape support. Once complete, align the drape support’s hook end with one of the slots at the top of an upright and lower into place. You may need to rotate your upright to get a slot to line up with your the hook end. Do this for both sides. Depending on the width of your drape support and weight of your drapery, sometimes it helps to have someone else assist you.

Step 6 – Marvel in your pipe and drape accomplishment.

If you followed the steps above, you should now have a beautiful pipe and drape display that looks like the one pictured below.

Banjo pipe and drape backdrop in royal blue
8′ x 10′ pipe and drape backdrop with royal blue Banjo panels at 50% fullness

Check out our full selection of pipe and drape backdrop kits, hardware, drapery and accessories.

What parts do I need to build a Pipe and Drape Backdrop?

velour pipe and drape backdrop kit
8′ x 10′ Pipe and Drape Backdrop, with pewter Valdosta® IFR Velour drape panels

This how-to explains the parts needed to construct a basic pipe and drape display like the one shown above. A typical pipe and drape backdrop is made up of four components:

Base Plates and Base Pins

pipe and drape base plate
16 x 14 slip-fit base with 1.5″ diameter base pin

Slip Fit Bases are the foundation or “feet” or your pipe and drape display..Bases are available in a variety of sizes and weights depending on the height of your pipe and display. For a basic pipe and drape backdrop, you’ll need at least two.

Uprights (Fixed Height or Adjustable)

pipe and drape upright
1.5″ diameter fixed height upright

Uprights are available in fixed and adjustable heights, and in widths of either 1.5″ or 2″ diameters, depending on your pipe and drape display requirements. Uprights are the components that define the height of your pipe and drape display. For a basic pipe and drape backdrop, you’ll need at least two.

Drape Support (at least one)

drapery support
Adjustable width drape support

Drape Supports are available in a variety of adjustable widths, depending on the needs of your particular pipe and drape display. A Drape Support is used to define the width of your display and give your drape panels something to hang from. For a typical pipe and drape backdrop, you’ll need at least one.

Drape Panels

eventtex drapery panel for pipe and drape
Drape Panel made from EventTex®, a heavier weight polyester fabric with a sheen that looks great when lit – a smart and affordable drape choice for trade shows and events.

Drapery Panels define the look and feel of your pipe and drape backdrop. Drapery Panels are available in a variety of fabrics like light and airy Voile, economical EventTex®, or luxurious Valdosta® Velour (pictured above) The number of drape panels needed is determined by the width of the display and the amount of fullness desired. See our article on determining fullness here.

And that’s all you need to build a simple pipe and drape backdrop!

You can also save yourself some time and purchase a pipe and drape backdrop kit, which includes everything you need.

How to Determine Drapery Fullness For Your Pipe and Drape Display

pipe and drape event setup

Pipe and drape is an easy, convenient and simple way to dress a space for events, exhibits, weddings, and more. A typical pipe and drape setup is comprised of bases, uprights, crossbars and drapery panels. In this post, we’ll focus on how to determine how much and what kind of drape you’ll need to create a beautiful and memorable pipe and drape setup for your event.

When deciding on how many drapery panels to purchase, you’ll need to consider the desired fullness for your drapes. “Fullness” is essentially the gathering or bunching of fabric to create a luxurious ripple effect in the drape. Before we determine how much fullness you’ll need, it’s important to consider some other key factors:

What is the purpose of your drapery?

Are your event drapes meant to create walls or barriers in your space? Perhaps you’d like to hide unwanted operations like catering, the sound booth, or undesirable features that are permanent to a room. Maybe a sheer fabric is necessary so attendees can still see through the partition. Drapes can also help absorb sound in a room when a thicker fabric with fullness is used. Most of the time, drapes are used to simply provide a beautiful backdrop or frame a space.

What fabric will work best for your pipe and drape setup?

Depending on your event’s aesthetic, drapery panels for pipe and drape can be sewn from a variety of fabrics. For example, if you’re looking for something light and airy for a wedding or bridal shower, Voile is a great choice. For added elegance, you might spring for a luxurious velour like Valdosta®. Georgia Stage offers fabrics in a variety of weights and colors to give life to your event drapery dreams. Looking for more color or fabric options? All of our drape panels for pipe and drape displays are custom sewn so just ask!

If you still have questions, check out our complete guide to choosing fabric for your pipe and drape backdrop.

What is the budget for your drapery?

The final factor to consider for event drapery is budget. Economical fabric choices include Banjo, the trade show standard, and EventTex®, a slightly richer looking, but affordable fabric. Additionally, our convenient, all-inclusive Pipe & Drape Backdrop Kits make creating a drapery wall a cinch. To get a quote on a custom pipe and drape set up, contact one of our Stageperts. Whichever route you choose, we’re happy to make suggestions to help you stay within budget for your pipe and drape project!

Drapery Fullness Explained

pipe and drape display with flat drapery
This pipe and drape display shows two Banjo drape panels and is “flat” or has 0% Fullness.

0% Fullness aka “Flat”

A drape that hangs with no bunching or ripples is “flat” or has 0% fullness. A flat drape backdrop can be used to create a more modern or minimalistic aesthetic. You can also use a flat drape display to create a photo backdrop at your event like you might see in a photo studio. It can also be a solution to create a simple barrier or drapery wall in your space. To determine the width of fabric needed to create a “flat” drape backdrop or one with 0% fullness, measure the distance between your two uprights.

pipe and drape display with 50% fullness
Adding a third Banjo drape panel to the display above creates a display with 50% Fullness.

50% Fullness

To achieve some bunching in your drapery panels, 50% fullness is a great place to start. Your pipe and drape display will still appear to have some movement and dimension without looking too intricate. To determine the width of fabric needed to create 50% fullness, measure the distance between your two uprights and multiply by 1.5.

pipe and drape display with 100% fullness
Adding a fourth Banjo drape panel creates a display with 100% Fullness.

100% Fullness

To achieve the fullest look for your event drapery, opt for 100% fullness. This provides a level of fullness which achieves a rich, luxurious, and voluminous feel. Drapery with 100% fullness can also help decrease fabric opacity and absorb sound (both dependent on choice of fabric). If your event requires an extra flowy backdrop or drape wall for a truly memorable look, this may be the choice for you. To determine the width of fabric needed to create 100% fullness, measure the distance between your uprights and multiply by 2.

Greater than 100% Fullness

For some events, drapery with greater than 100% fullness may be desired to help create an air of opulence or extravagance. This level of fullness looks incredible with lighter fabrics like Voile that look better gathered.

Georgia Stage is your one stop shop for pipe and drape panels, hardware and accessories. Shop pre-sewn drapery panels here and easy to set up pipe and drape backdrop kits here.

Shop our complete line of pipe and drape products here.

Or contact us for a quote on your custom pipe and drape project.

Seat Covers, Section Covers and Masking Curtains for Arenas and Theatres

As businesses start to reopen and we navigate the new normal, employee and customer health and safety is top priority. In an effort to continue serving our community during challenging times, our incredible Seam Team has been sewing furiously to help with efforts to resume business while following social distancing guidelines. We’ve put together a list of some social distancing items we think will benefit our friends across the many sectors of business we serve – theaters, arenas, schools, universities, churches and more.

Custom Seat Covers

Custom-printed seat covers automatically create distance between seated patrons so you don’t have to. Perfect for schools, churches, venues, auditoriums, airplanes or anywhere with large seating areas. Made from high-quality stretch fabric, our seat covers fit snugly on the backs of seats or chairs and feature your full color logo for a brand-right look.

Learn more about our Social Distancing Seat Covers here: https://www.gastage.com/supplies/custom-branded-seat-covers

Custom seat or chair covers automatically create social distance so you don’t have to.

Section Covers for Arenas, Stadiums and Theatres

When it comes time to re-open your theatre, arena, stadium or other venue to the general public, section covers are a convenient solution for blocking off entire seating sections. Durable and simple to setup and take down. For more info: https://www.gastage.com/curtains-backdrops/arena-masking

Block off entire sections in your arena or stadium with our custom section covers.

Masking Curtains for Arenas, Stadiums and Theatres

Masking Curtains are a timeless solution for decreasing the size of “the house.” Start planning and preparing for limited capacity attendance today! For more info: https://www.gastage.com/curtains-backdrops/arena-masking

Masking curtains allow you to close an entire portion of your arena, theatre or auditorium. It’s the ideal solution for planning for limited attendance in your venue.

Antron Fleece FAQ (aka A Brief History of Nylon Puppet Fleece from the People Who Make It)

We get a lot of questions from customers about the status of “Antron” Fleece and how it compares to Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece. As the makers of both, we figured it was our duty to provide you with an online guide to puppet fleece, including some historical anecdotes and excerpts from an interview we did with Larry Guild, the elusive creator of beloved “Antron” Fleece.

What is “Antron” Fleece?

“Antron” Fleece is a special nylon fleece fabric used by professional puppet builders as a “skin” for their finished puppets. It is sometimes referred to as “nylon fleece”, “puppet fleece”, or “Muppet fleece”.

White Antron Fleece texture
Unfortunately, 12 oz “Antron” fleece is no longer being manufactured or sold. The unique nylon fibers used to create this product can no longer be sourced.

Why do puppet builders love it so much?

Professional puppet builders and costume makers love “Antron” Fleece’s fuzzy pile, “stretchability,” excellent seam hiding capabilities, and ease of dyeing.

Why is it called “Antron” Fleece?

We’ll try to keep this short. “Antron” Fleece was manufactured by Larry Guild, who owned a company called Hampshire Textiles. When the fleece was first knitted, it was made using a blend of nylon fibers, one being a proprietary fiber known as Antron, which was made by the Dupont company. At some point, Dupont decided to reserve Antron fibers for use in their carpet products exclusively and it became hard to source. A non-name brand version of the fiber was eventually sourced and used instead. The resulting fabric was identical to its predecessor. While it technically no longer contained name-brand Antron fibers, the puppet building community still referred to it as “Antron” Fleece.

How did it become popular?

Interestingly, zero marketing was done around the product. It was originally used for apparel. All it took was one revolutionary puppet builder to decide that he and his team enjoyed working with Larry’s Antron Fleece. At a textiles trade show in the 1970s, the Jim Henson Company placed an initial order consisting of “Miss Piggy Pink” and “Kermit the Frog Green” and the rest is history. Word spread amongst the puppet building community and before Larry knew it, a loyal customer base had formed around his niche product.

Larry Guild, the creator of Antron Fleece
Larry Guild, the creator of Antron Fleece, with a puppet made in his likeness by the Jim Henson Company.

What happened next?

At some point, Hampshire Textiles was manufacturing more “Antron” Fleece than they could store or distribute on their own. Georgia Stage, a long-time customer that originally purchased Antron Fleece for use in its own costume shop, was able to help Hampshire Textiles with storage and distribution. Eventually, Larry entrusted Georgia Stage with managing all of his orders and distribution and was able to focus solely on manufacturing. According to Larry, he always had a good relationship with Georgia Stage, even referring to them as “family.”

When was Hampshire Textiles sold?

Eventually Larry decided to retire from the textiles industry altogether, so he decided to sell Hampshire Textiles. Because of the existing relationship and over 30 years of experience he had working with Georgia Stage, he ultimately decided to sell the company to them in 2018. Larry cared first and foremost about the product (he recently called it “his baby”) and customers, and knew that both would be in good hands with Georgia Stage.

Were there challenges at any point with the manufacturing of “Antron” Fleece?

As explained above, the fiber blend originally used to make “Antron” Fleece became scarce, so a new, similar fiber blend was used instead. The resulting fabric had all of the qualities a puppet builder would expect from “Antron” Fleece but when dyeing the fabric, unexpected bands of color might appear. Under the guidance of Larry Guild, Georgia Stage worked tirelessly on the issue and perfected its manufacturing process. The resulting product was one that Georgia Stage and Larry Guild both felt was one that would continue to reliably meet the needs of present-day puppet makers as the fabric of choice for puppet and mascot “skin.” Larry called the new 13.75 oz nylon puppet fleece (now known as Nylafleece®) “wonderful” and one of the best versions of puppet fleece he’d ever seen.

What is the difference between 12 oz “Antron” Fleece and 13.75 oz Nylafleece®?

12 oz “Antron” Fleece was made with the original fiber blend explained above – aka the “original” “Antron” Fleece.

13.75 oz Nylafleece® is the latest iteration of nylon puppet fleece (there have been many over time as fibers come in and out of availability) described above and by all accounts, it maintains nearly every quality of the “original” “Antron” Fleece with the exception of having a little less luster than its predecessor. Our customers and resellers are quite pleased with it and many still refer to it as “Antron” Fleece.

Puppets made with fleece from Georgia Stage
Puppets made with Nylafleece® from Georgia Stage

Is 13.75 oz “Antron” Fleece the same as 13.75 oz Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece?

In terms of what’s available to the puppet building community and labeled as “nylon puppet fleece”, yes. The names are used interchangeably. Whether you purchase it directly from us or another reseller, it’s the same stuff.

Is 13.75 oz Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece available in colors?

The short answer is yes! In the early days of Antron Fleece, Georgia Stage’s and Hampshire Textiles’ customers were professionals who purchased only white as they could easily dye it to whatever colors they desired. As more and more people started building puppets at home and for hobby, there was a growing demand for Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece in colors. We began offering nylon puppet fleece in mill-dyed colors to customers and resellers starting 2019 and will be adding more soon! As always, if you require a custom color, please contact us.

Nylon puppet fleece in colors
Georgia Stage now offers colors in 13.75 oz Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece.

Can I buy “Antron” or Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece anywhere else?

Sure. We have a few resellers in the United States and U.K. but if you buy it directly from us, you’re going to save some money you can use for foam. And eyeballs.

Are there any substitutes for “Antron” or Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece?

You could build a puppet out of any material really but if you’re looking for the tried-and-true nylon puppet fleece adored by puppet makers since the Jim Henson Company first discovered it, there really is no alternative. We have had customers ask about using polyester but according to Larry Guild, it’s difficult to dye consistently, is more expensive, and results in a thinner product with a lower pile height which doesn’t provide the seam-hiding capabilities our 13.75 oz Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece provides.

Will “Antron” or Nylafleece® nylon puppet fleece fade in the sun?

Sure. Eventually. Most fabrics will fade when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Unless you’re building puppets that will need to perform for days straight in direct sunlight, we don’t think you should be concerned. This has never been an issue for any of our puppet or mascot building customers since the birth of nylon puppet fleece.

Questions about “Antron” Fleece or Nylafleece®?

Contact us here. We make the stuff and know it better than anyone!