Making curtains, need advice

Alfietinker

Ooh - are you all mind readers? I was getting really frustrated at the weekend trying to man handle 11 metres of fabric for my bay window! (add to that "in middle of decorating - filthy house , and dry clean only fabric :rolleyes: )

This is how I'm doing mine which may or may not be correct but works for me and looks fine.

Join 2 widths of fabric with machine, iron seam flat. I pinned in side hems and pressed. Mitered bottom corners and put in penny weights. I used double width lining fabric which is already folded down the middle. Leaving it folded in half I pinned it to the seam on the main fabric. Then I effectively can work with half the fabric at a time. With me so far?

At regular intervals (60 cm in my case) I pinned lining to fabric (wrong sides together) then folded the lining back over the pins. (Right side lining to wrong side fabric). I then slip stitched the lining to the main fabric this way - stitches come out virtually invisible when all finished) When I get to the sides, I fold lining over and slip stitch again. End up with neat side seams and attached lining.

Easiest way to handle fabric for me was keep it all carefully folded and do it on my lap.

Then fold over top of fabrics, attach heading tape and machine stitch. Pin bottom hem (folding over lining), hang up to check length, then take down and slip stitch.

Works for me If it's not expensive fabric or for the kitchen etc then I just machine stitch all the way, but this fabric is too nice for stitching to be seen.

tootles_2

I must admit I copped out when we moved into this house the window was 18' wide and 8' to the floor, so I went to Dunelm and got them to make them for me. In the past I have made curtains this big, but put in loose linings so that I could take them out and wash them as required......ironing them was another thing though.

ChocClare

All my curtains are interlined, emr - mainly because we live in an old and very draughty house - and I have usually just bought bump when I buy the lining, but I must admit that on a couple of the shorter curtains I have used old blankets, so go for it! The only caveat is that both curtains really need to be interlined with the same stuff, so it will depend on how big your blanket is (and your curtains) whether you can use it. The reason I say this is because the light still shines through your curtains to a very slight extent (not much, admittedly, and I'm pleased to say that none shines out into the road so it's obviously insulating nicely!). If you have interlining in one curtain which is in any way a different colour from the interlining in the other one, it'll make your curtains look mismatched. I speak from experience - different interlinings in the one-day-soon-to-be-replaced pale blue curtains in one of the windows in the dining room - which makes it look as if I haven't managed to get quite the same shade of fabric for one curtain as for the other three - very annoying as I spent forever lining up the pattern etc!

maryb

You can sometimes get curtain lining and interlining cheaply at street markets - the one at Bromley North on thursdays has a very good stall, much cheaper than John Lewis or Allders back in the days when it actually sold things oldies like me wanted to buy (funny how it went bust after it decided to stop stocking the things I was interested in).

Otherwise it's worth doing a google search for mill shops - very good value for that sort of thing

Ticklemouse

This thread is making me feel very guilty. I still have 60+ metres of curtain material in my attic, along with lining and I haven't started However, I need my mum to show me what to do - so much easier having a personal tutor in the room and my machine can go in for an overhaul after Xmas. With that much expensive material, I'm not starting without mum to show me (she can't manage the sewing anymore, but she can point )

Alfietinker

"You can sometimes get curtain lining and interlining cheaply at street markets "
I found The Range shops cheapest for lining round my way - £1.99 per metre for double width. Equivalent 10m lining for £9.95

Tina_D

I always feel so inspired when reading this site, especially OS. I have always wanted to have a go at making my own curtains but havent plucked up the courage before. First I need to get a sewing machine, so with that in mind do i need a super-dooper one or is a basic model sufficient?

squiggles

I would think all you would need for making curtains would be a straight stitch and a zig zag one.So yes a basic one would be fine,i would love a sewing machine and was gutted the other week when aldi sold out within 30 seconds for the £39.99 one.

mah_jong

Thanks for the info folk...... I have been unble to spend time to make them, but will make progress today, ( I hope!).

I shall be attaching the linings to the curtains, (as I did with the wee ones I made years ago), do I need to make any attachments between the two other than the seams? I am thinking of quilting, perhaps!!!!

Thankfully there is no pattern but am wondering about a pile ...its a kind of suedey look. The real problem is size .... I cant hang them to check length either (not for me and the house is far far away!!). 3 metres long and 2 and a half fabric widths across each curtain.....I just havenot got the space even to lay them out flat.... oh I will start procrastinating soon!!! Tell me to get a move on!!!!

squeaky

Get a move on!



Well, you did ask!