| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| quixoticgeek |
CurtainsI would like to make some curtains to go in my lounge. The primary aim of them is to keep the heat in, I have venitian blinds currently to keep the light out/in as required.Chatting to the girl in C&H today she recommended some thermal lining stuff plus interlining, both at 3.99/m. What do other people recommend by way of linings to keep the heat in? Can anyone point me at good online guides to making curtains? I am reasonably competant with a sewing maching having made dresses and the like in the past, but am abit nervous about curtains. What do people recommend. Thanks Julia |
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| beean |
I just use thermal lining - but I guess it'll depend on the curtain fabric itself as to whether you need more than that.
As to tips...? None really, I hate making curtains! ... do match patterns up, it really helps to make the final result look good. But if you can make dresses and the like curtains will be dead easy for you, and you must be way better than me with all things sewing related |
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| marigold |
I'm no expert, but curtains are fairly easy to make - boring though! Thermal linings are usually a bit stiff, so if you use them and interlinings your curtains won't be very "drapey", if you see what I mean. I suggest you get a book from the library rather than working from online as a book is easier to refer to (IMO). Laura Ashley "make your own" home furnishings books are usually good (often found in CSs)..
Personally I think I'd use a thermal lining or interlining and a normal soft outer lining, but, as I said, I'm no expert and have never actually made curtains with interlinings. Your main objective to to ensure that the window is fully covered so that you keep draughts out and heat in, so don't skimp on width/depth. The extra bulk makes interlined curtains look very luxurious. Heavy curtains need heavy-duty curtain track or poles. Pattern matching can be a bit tricky, so if you buy a patterned fabric take extra care when measuring and cutting. In any case, take lots of care when measuring and cutting! If you've made dresses, curtains shouldn't be too daunting - just find a book you like and follow the instructions. It's very rewarding to have curtains you make yourself adorning your windows (says she who still hasn't got around to making up her living room curtains 2 years after buying the fabric  ).
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| judith |
The Alternative Curtains site has some good guides for making and measuring.
Curtains are essentially a rectangle, so they are much easier to sew than clothes IMO. The only tricky parts are matching the pattern and making the bottom corners - if you take your time making those well, the rest falls into place. As you will be lining them, you might want to consider putting weights in the bottom as the bulky fabric might mean that they don't drape so well without them. |
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| mochyn |
With a noteable exception, eh, missus? Have you done that one yet? |
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| judith |
Ummmmm.
I still have your measurements though. |
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| mochyn |
Perhaps we need a curtain making day. those ones for the parlour have been cut out and started since the spring... |
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| judith |
Good idea.
I also have the fabric for the extension curtains.... |
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| mochyn |
Sounds like that could be the beginning of a plan. When? Anyone else want to join in? | ||
| Anura |
CurtainsI want to make some curtains for my conservatory as I am overlooked. I bought some cheap bedspreads from Ikea with the intention of sewing curtain tape & hemming them. In such a large conservatory I'm rapidly getting cold feet at the idea & trying to find some linen voile with TIE TOPS to avoid curtain tape. La Redoute had them on sale but didn't have enough. Grrrrrrrrrrr! Linen voile is so expernsive & although I don't really want polyester, I might have to.For ordinary window curtains, why not look in a charity shop? Our local ones always have a good selection provided you only need them for one window. A few years ago I managed to get 6 sets of Liberty curtains from a charity shop! Not nowadays, everyone is too savvy! |
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| marigold |
You could sew some contrasting (or matching  ) tie tops onto your bedspreads if you don't want to bother with curtain tape?
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| Sherbs |
Alternately, you could put eyelets along the top of the curtain and put some kind of cord through them to form the loops, or simply make loops of cord and stitch them to the top of the curtain. It saves the trouble of sewing the tabs which can be very fiddly with something as fine as voile. |
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| Anura |
I did think it would be fiddly with voile. I'll have a look at them tomorrow to see how feasible it would be to hang the bedspreads from ties. | ||
| beean |
You could do tab-tops? Or sew strips of fabric along the top that you could put the pole through (go to Habitat, you'll see what I mean!) | ||
| Anura |
CurtainsTab tops are definitely out as I had curtain runners put in which are screwed on every 18". Nor could I buy tab tops & cut them as they are not long enough to tie!
I have some options from your suggestions like sewing ties on, making eyelets, could be difficult, or alternatively just sewing the curtain rufflet tape on, like normal people would do!!!! (I mustn't be normal) One day I think I might make a decision. It's too far for me to come to mid Wales to help with your projects. |
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| welsh veg grower |
going back to original post did any one suggest using old blankets as the middle bit of curtains, i.e your material a blanket and then a lining. my granny did that t keep the heat in damn heavy mind. |