Curtain help…jiggery pokery to make shop bought curtains fit!

GoldenOldy

Good evening

I am investing in some new curtains , however cannot find a fabric I like which matches the house.
I have however seen the exact curtain I want in a shop ‘The Range’.
As I have super long windows though they are 6 inches short, and probably a good few inches shy on the width.
Does anyone happen to know if a curtain maker might be able to utilize several pairs of this, and then use the fabric to make curtains of the correct dimensions? Or would I look like a fool to even ask?

They would also need to put new backs on them as they are rather flimsy for the job required.

Thankyou very much,

mebu60

Find seamstress / curtain-making person.

Show them picture of ideal The Range curtains, advise size of curtains and dimensions of window / rail plus drop.

They may be able to suggest alternate sources for finding similar fabric. And what might be possible with The Range curtains. 

Have you asked in The Range whether they do the fabric that the curtains are in? 

ElaniArtin

Not a fool! Sewers can make anything work! Perhaps it will have a crafty strip across the bottom or something...

I have some that are damaged and will be too short and I'm adding a heavier fabric on the bottom so they hang nicely.

GoldenOldy

Great , thanks both! Yes I have asked the range but they have not replied as yet.
I shall indeed ask someone then, I know nothing about sewing and the like so didnt want to appear daft!

Many thanks

twopenny

I've made my own curtains.
I've also added fashionable (at the time) inserts to lengthen. Ditto the new linings. That's very tricky to unpick and re do to keep it straight on the seams.
Making curtains is simple enough job if you do it yourself but I'd want a lot of reassurance if I did it for anyone else.
Adding bits is skilled. Very skilled.
If you can find the fabric by the yard that should go well.
If you want someone to unpick, add, sew on more you're going to have to really dig for someone to do it and hope they are really invested in the job.

To sum up, either look for something else that's ok or be prepared for possibly not perfect but the fabric you want.

YBR

I do basic sewing and it wouldn't be too difficult to turn 3 or 4 narrow curtains into two wide ones, and then to add curtain lining. Doing a horizontal join that matches and hangs well would be a bit harder but definitely not advanced! While looking for the fabric off the roll is easier sewing, often times the made-up curtains are substantially cheaper than the fabric alone (let alone curtain thread, tape, lining and effort.

With my daughters' curtains I kept the (blackout) lining separate - I usually sew it in but the fabric and lining were "dry clean only" and "do not dry clean". This way I can attach the lining to different curtains as the grow up and want different patterns.

Emmia

We've got very wide windows, and the curtains are actually 2 sets (4 curtains) which have been seen together to be 2 curtains - my mum did the actual curtains, but when I added insulating loose liners, it was again 4 curtains, but I hand sewed them together (admittedly not quite as neatly as a machine)

RedFraggle

What about a panel of solid colour to make up the length 

gwynlas

What size are the windows? Whilst it would be possible for an experienced person to join some to fit a horizontal seam would be noticeable so you might want a contrast panel installed. Using surplus fabric to make up cushion covers is also a good idea. However this type of work costs quite a lot to have done and it might be cheaper to have curtains made to order at somewhere like Dunelm. I paid almost as much to have curtains shortened as they had cost in the first place. There are a number of on line suppliers who offer swatches of fabric to help you decide. Not strictly money saving but you can buy longer length curtains in Paris as they have high ceilings.

Jasonsmith13

Hello,
If you try to join 2 ready made curtains you will have a hoizonal line in them we use curtain fabric which come in 3m widths which will be perfect.