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Sewing curtains - where to begin?

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Hello,

I was daft and bought curtains that were to long (couldnt find any the right size and i have electric heaters under the windows that i now know cant be covered up)

So i went into two dry cleaners to be told that alterations would be £10 a curtain, and as i have two pairs... well £40 seemed a lot as the curtains were only £16 a pair. Mum is suprised that i dont know anyone in my area that can alter them, and i was thinking it might be fun to learn to do alterations myself, i really enjoyed the year of textiles we did at school, erm about 15 years ago :-) and im sure it would come in handy in years to come.

Where to start? any ideas for a low cost start, i assume i will need a sewing machine and maybe a course...

Many thanks for any replies.
Snootchie Bootchies!
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Comments

  • Olliebeak
    Olliebeak Posts: 3,167 Forumite
    Are these curtains lined or unlined - much simpler if unlined?
  • Hi grey_lady

    What kind of fabric is it made of? If it is a wooly kind, I would cut it to size allowing for the hem, then fold the hem, iron it, pressing the hem, then sew it by hand using 'blind' stich (the one which you can't see on the front side).

    Hope this above does not sound too confusing.

    SoS
  • Hello G-L :hello: this isn't too difficult a job, and shouldn't need a machine.

    Decide how much you want to remove from the curtains (remember to cut once, measure 10 times :T ). Turn up a hem, and then blind stitch by hand.

    HTH, Penny. x
    :rudolf: Sheep, pigs, hens and bees on our Teesdale smallholding :rudolf:
  • remember to cut once, measure 10 times :T ).

    HTH, Penny. x

    Well I was taught measure twice, cut once, but I think your way would result in even less mess-ups!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl:
    You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
  • Well I was taught measure twice, cut once, but I think your way would result in even less mess-ups!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl:

    Maybe you can guess how often I've cut without thinking ;)

    Penny. x
    :rudolf: Sheep, pigs, hens and bees on our Teesdale smallholding :rudolf:
  • grey_lady
    grey_lady Posts: 1,047 Forumite
    Thanks for the quick replies.

    The curtains are unlined and cotten material rather than wool, the blind stitch is something i hadnt heard of. Maybe i will try it out first on an old pillow case. Will ordinary kitchen scissors be ok for the cutting bit though
    and any tips for cutting in a straight line? i dont have a ruler that long :-) but i do have a desk or dining table.
    Thanks all - i've been using sheets as curtains for over a week now and they're at the front!
    Snootchie Bootchies!
  • As long as they're sharp any scissors will do the job. To get the line straight measure up from the bottom and make a mark, then move along and make another. You can do this all the width of the curtain, then join up the marks ( I know what I mean, does it make sense?) Make the marks shorter apart than the length of the longest straight edge you have!

    Good idea to have a practise on something old first;)
    You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
  • Rikki
    Rikki Posts: 21,625 Forumite
    I cheat. :o

    I cut the header tape off, un pick it and sew it back on so the curtains are the right length, then I don't have to muck about with the hem and hand sewing.
    £2 Coins Savings Club 2012 is £4 :).............................NCFC member No: 00005.........

    ......................................................................TCNC member No: 00008
    NPFM 21
  • Or you could do what my mum did once, hung the curtains, turned them up to the correct length, pin & leave, for about 4 years!

    Never let success go to your head, never let failure go to your heart.
  • Unless curtains have a fancy hand stitched top, it's always easier to shorten them from the top, just take off the heading tape, cut off the surplus leaving enough to turn over at the top and stitch the tape back on. If you haven't got a sewing machine you can always stitch the tape on by hand using small stitches, close together.
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