Help for a Bloke making Curtains?

Mr_Proctalgia

Thanks for that Stilernin. I am determined to have a go myself and try to make a "nice curtain" I do own a sowing machine but so far all I have really done is hem trousers and turn collars so I am not a total newbie but am stuck as to the mechanics of this job.

As I see it now I want a finished drop of 200 cm and you say 75mm tape (but there was lots of different types in the shop) The hooks on the rail are 5cm below the ceiling of the recess and if I remember correctly the hook thingies you put on the curtain are a little taller than the slots on the tape. Soooooooooo 200cm + botton hem + at least 75mm at the top for the tape and the tape has to be "right" so when the curtain hooks are in and it is hanging on the runners the top sticks up 5cm??? I had better buy 3 meters then!!!!!

Another question if I may - I assume that I will sow the tape onto the right side then fold it over? should I put a further small hem in once the top is foldeed over to keep it all neat and can I at this stage put some lining in and sow through all 4 layers, or should I treat the lining as a seperate item and hang it behind the curtain? I would like not have stitching visible on the front so can I use a "hemming stich" like when you turn up trousers?

Thanks so far BTW

Rikki

When you make the curtains you make them like a tube.

Right side curtain fabric facing right side lining. (Best side in the middle)

Lining facing up.

You fold the curtain fabric side edges 3" back on themselves.

So after you have sewn down both sides and turned the right way out.

The lining is not the full width. [2" curtain][............lining........][2"curtain]

When you sew the header tape on you fold the top of the curtain fabric and lining in and it is sewn with the header tape and this neatens the edge off.

Does this make sense. Its difficult to explain in words.

Rikki

The header tape. I like the 3"one as it gives you a 3" pleat at the top which is neater and a choice of three height to place the hooks.

Once you've sewn the header tape on along both edges. I normally hang the curtains up so I can pin them the exact length I'd like.

Mr_Proctalgia

Right I think I have got it now, at least I can visualise it. Thanks for all your help and the useful link. Some fun will be had in the coming days. (apart from w**k this weekend)

Lillibet_2

Mr_Proctalgia wrote:

half hour later it is fitted but I need some curtains to dangle off it.

So how much fabric do I need and how much "oversize" should it be, what about that tape stuff at the top, should I get some lining material, should it be attached to said curtain or loose.

So you've actually fitted the thing which you bought & now you want to make the curtains to hang off it?!


Will you marry me?

Rikki

Mr_Proctalgia wrote:

Right I think I have got it now, at least I can visualise it. Thanks for all your help and the useful link. Some fun will be had in the coming days. (apart from w**k this weekend)

We want pictures.

wendym

Rikki's instructions are brilliant.

All I would add is that I hem the main fabric and the lining separately at the start, then when you put them face to face you have the lining about an inch shorter so you don't see it hanging below the curtain.

AND firmly sew one side edge of the header tape OVER the threads for pulling it up, so you don't risk pulling them right out when you're ready to use the threads to adjust the width.

I'm seriously impressed!

Rikki

wendym wrote:

Rikki's instructions are brilliant.

All I would add is that I hem the main fabric and the lining separately at the start, then when you put them face to face you have the lining about an inch shorter so you don't see it hanging below the curtain.

AND firmly sew one side edge of the header tape OVER the threads for pulling it up, so you don't risk pulling them right out when you're ready to use the threads to adjust the width.

I'm seriously impressed!

Thats the posh way. I just tie mine in a knot.

Mr_Proctalgia

Lillibet wrote:

So you've actually fitted the thing which you bought & now you want to make the curtains to hang off it?!


Will you marry me?

Only if you have a large tool kit - Please send pictures of it first!



One thing I learned fairly quickly is that when you live alone if you do nowt then nowt gets done - And its all your own fault.

I have been in the situation where I have too much on the go at once and am still playing catch up with some of my jobs. So now I try to start and finish things as fast as I can. That being said I reckon I have about a months work on hand just now :eek:. BTW Can you service a Rayburn??????

Mr_Proctalgia

Re my post above:-

Here I am sat with a nice cold glass of Magners in front of my woodburner just thinking about what to put in my sarines for w**k tomorrow, feeling all smug and comfy as its p***ing down outside when I have this thought that all is not well in Mr P's world

Then it hits me! :mad:










I've left ALL my washing out on the line - Yes including my work clothes :eek:




If you have seen 3 weddings and a funeral where HG is running around saying FFFFFFFF - Well thats me now and its all my fault.............

The clothes horse now has pride of place in front of the fire! :doh:



....and it is home cooked Gammon in Cherry Coke with German mustard for w**k before you ask! :drool: