The Sewing Room

jerez

ClickSim wrote: »

Dear Sewing Room,

Apologies if anyone else has posted this question but I hope you can help. I need at least three pairs of curtains for a house I'm moving into. A quick look around the shops shows me curtains are stupidly expensive and there's never anything in my local charity shops.
I was hoping to make some myself but wondered
a) is it a bit ambitious for someone who doesn't have a sewing machine and hasn't sewn since school (cough*) 15 years ago?
b) is there a really simple pattern I can use?

My little sis has a machine but it would be too awkward to pick up from where she lives, so I'll either have to invest in a machine or hand-sew - not something I'm good at. Any ideas for a sewing simpleton?

I agree with what everyone has said about curtains being easy. However, do, do, do get a sewing maching. All you need is the most basic type. Check out 2nd hand on ebay, in machine shops, newspaper and so on.

The crucial part is measuring up so I hope you don't mind this wee step by step guide:

1. Install the curtain rail (if you don't have one already)
2. Decide where you want the bottom of your curtains to be.
3. Measure the window width. Measure from the rail to where you want the curtain to finish.
4. Decide how full you want your curtain to be when they are closed. This determines how many widths of fabric you need for each curtain. I like the curtains to be at least 2 times the width of the window. You can get away with 1 1/2 times but it can look a bit skimpy.
5. Most curtain fabric is 137cm wide. Divide the total window width by 137 thenmultiply by 2. For example: Window width=274cm divided by 137 = 2 x 2 = 4. You need 4 widths of fabric in total for the curtains. ie. 2 widths for each curtain.
6. If your fabric has a large pattern ask the store to tell you what the pattern repeat length is or measure it yourself - what is the distance from the start of the pattern to the start of the next repeat of the pattern. Whatever that length is you need that amount x 3 to be sure that the pattern repeats at the same place across the window.
7. Cut all of your lengths remembering to measure the 2nd, 3rd and 4th length starting from the same place in the pattern as the first length - you can always use the extra bits in between for tie-backs or cushions.
8. Join the lengths - either cut off the selvedges (finished edges along the length of the fabric) or snip into them every 15cm or so after you have sewn the seams. If you don't do this the seams will pucker.
9. Turn about 4cm to the inside along the top edge of your curtain and press flat.
10. Lay your curtain heading tape along close to the folded edge and stitch close to the edge of the tape. Pin the bottom edge of the tape and stitch close to the edge.
11. Measure from the finished top edge down the length and mark where the curtain should finish. You can do this with a pin or even, very lightly, with a pencil. This is where you will turn up for the bottom hem. You should find that you have lots of extra fabric so measure again about 18cm from the hem line and cut off the excess.
12. Turn up 8cm and then 10cm and pin. Press flat then stitch either by hand or topstitch by machine close to the first turned edge. A good size hem like this will help your curtains to hang well.

That's it. Gather up your heading tape, slot in the hooks and hang.

I hope this helps and isn't too much info.

Keiss_21

Kaz2904 wrote: »

I'm only using materials which were going in the charity bag like old quilt covers at the moment. I may have to nip to a charity shop for a little more variety soon but I will only get stuff from their sale rails if I do. That's why I chose to start with this one because the duvet cover I have now is pink gingham one side and a pink with other colour pattern on the other. Another duvet cover I have is blue stripes. There is another green jungle young childs one but I'm not sure if that would go.
Do you have any old bedding or anything you could use?
I'm going stalking shortly to see if I can find the PP who wanted to make a quilt. Hopefully they'll join me .

I sent a message to my local WI to enquire about joining. I've roped a work friend in. I did have to ring her after the initial text to check she knew I meant the women's institute and she said she had had visions of us sniggering in the back row singing Jerusalem :eek::rotfl:.

Well, I had a BIG clear-out of bedding a couple of years ago, so I have very little extra left now...really kicking myself now!! At the time I wasn't sewing much, and certainly wasn't entertaining any ideas of quilting...so really need to head off to some CS's sometime. I do have a few plain white fitted sheets for the old 2'6" beds the boys used to have....so no need for them now. I should really have a root around again sometime.

DH and the boys need to get my two trunks out of the loft, which will be quite a challenge. I'm not sure if there is any material there, but lots of other stuff ..., then there's where I can put them. I sort of have an idea, but it means moving everything completely around in our bedroom...except the bed! The other alternative is my shed...which is all higglety pigglety atm, with far too much junk/stuff i there....oh what a lot of moving about needs to be done...and all in the name of crafting! I'll get there some day!

Must get to bed soon...very tired tonight.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Kaz2904

Keiss, I did the same too but we just redecorated DD's bedroom so she has got rid of one of her older duvet covers (the kids have 2 each and we have 1). Same for DS and they are quilts that I chose so not awful Dr who patterns etc!

Savvy_sewing

I sometimes look at the Homeware Clearance sales, this brings in cheap duvet covers and sheets. I have found that the Charity shops are now getting dearer and dearer alas! I try to stick to the smaller lesser known charity shops, then tend to have lower prices, and less fussy structures from above and therefore sell a bit more in the higgledy piggledy ways. Alas the shops like I used to manage, are all governed by guidelines that actually end up ragging perfectly good stuff! Which annoyed me intensley at the time!
I look back now and think of all the stuff that could have been of great use to the likes of crafters that ended up in the rag bag. OK they got 50p a kilo for it, but could have got a lot more if they had even sold things off at a £ a go!. Oh well I have no control so I cannot do anything about it. Onwards and upwards. I recycle with my sewing as much as possible.! Friends and family are always giving me what they clear out! problem is storing it until I am ready to use it. I wish I had a defined crafting area, and storage area. I still am living out of boxes since I moved in here at Christmas!
Decluttering is high on the agenda now, as this is getting rediculous, and i waste so much time looking for something I know I have Somewhere!!

I never did achieve the targets for yesterday at all. Enjoyed the sun instead, and in the evening I was so glad to have the laptop back, I was busy catching up with things!!

sethsgran

A friend is calling round today with her overlocker which she is selling to me. I am really excited as I have wanted one for a long time but couldn't justify buying 1 new as I wouldn't use it too much. The price is great and she is so careful taking care of everything she has

Savvy_sewing

sethsgran wrote: »

A friend is calling round today with her overlocker which she is selling to me. I am really excited as I have wanted one for a long time but couldn't justify buying 1 new as I wouldn't use it too much. The price is great and she is so careful taking care of everything she has

Oh lovely, I really like my overlocker, I have had it for donkeys years. Its great for wizzing things up on.! Basic stuff is always good.! You will get hooked on it to start with! Mind you I think all of us like minded people do!:D

Savvy_sewing

DD has been over and collected her moses basket, she is pleased with the results.
I have put the pictures of the glasses case and makeup bag on my blog! Ha. I am not good at this lark. I could do with some lessons!
Now I have got to get back to the packing! Having to sort out DGD's clothes as so many do not fit her anymore.!

hart44

Love your make-up bag and glasses case Mooloo :T
Hope you are enjoying the sunshine

irishgirl62

sethgrans you will love the overlocker I have had mine for over 20 years and love it!!

I have been looking for shabby chic type of fabric or curtains for my kitchen been to dunliem mills and local fabric shops and nothing :-( I am after something with white and red and pinks seen a few for bedroom curtains but they only did them to 72" drop and I need 90" drop as I have patio doors.....can anyone recomended a cheap and cheerful fabric shop online??/

wendym

I had seen a Vogue pattern I loved, and was trying to persuade myself that I deserve it as a reward for shortening 2 pairs of trousers for DH (a job I loathe out of all proportion to the actual work involved) but just could not justify the price.

But....on vogue.com at the moment, it seems that all patterns are $4.99, which is £3.04. So I have just very naughtily ordered 3 patterns that retail here for £14.75 each (total £44.25) for £18.29 delivered. Delivery is $15 for 3 patterns, but then jumps to $25.