Making curtains?

[Dusty]

I've decided to replace my old curtains that let in loads of light, so today I went and bought some material.

G's lending me his sewing kit but before I start is there anything I should know? It seems like it should be a relatively simple task, but are there any hidden dangers/complications?
____________________
Gallery

[Dusty]

[Bendy]

Add 50% width to each curtain for a nice hang.

[hellkat]

[Dusty]

[Bendy]

[TheShaggyDA]

Remember to sew some prawns into the hem. Oh hang on, that's if you don't like the person you are making the curtains for.
____________________
Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[colin1]

next week on bcf, gardening tips
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[mazz]

Are you having tab tops, ring tops or ones with hooks on them?

Invest in a good pair of scissors and don't forget to measure and tack before you start sewing

[Jenks]

[Annabella]

You can make the linings seperately and use a three width tab at the top of the curtains and hang the liners from the curtains (just make sure you make the liners about 4 inches shorter than the curtains.

If you make the hem at the bottom of the curtains quite sizeable (turn up around 2 inches) they will hang better from the extra weight.

One trick for the hems is to pin them, then press them, then when you sew (because you are hand sewing) they won't twist out of shape.


Good luck. I get bored of sewing after about two minutes of hand stitching and you've got a lot more than that ahead of you!!
____________________
Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
www.bikepics.com/members/bella

[Dusty]

[map]

[quote="hellkat"]

[Clanger]

Its best to leave the bottom unhemmed till you hang them, that way you can pin them, step back and adjust the length as and when.

I would advise you to borrow a machine, you'll be at it for hours, its not that good being hunched up sewing, your neck will hurt.

Sewing a coin in each corner of the hem will help them hang properly.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[msgander]

dusty and curtains in the same sentence??

Just dont rush them take your time!!!
____________________
Always believe that your guardian angel flies a bit faster than you...............

[Paivi]

My tip no 1: When buying material for curtains, check if it shrinks after washing. My ready made Habitat ones shrunk by almost 20% instead of the alleged 10%, so don't trust the figures given by the labels or shop assitants.

Tip no 2: Forget making curtains, go and buy some Venetian blinds instead!

[hellkat]

[Paivi]

[Laura]

[hellkat]

Prolly less hassle to chuck em out when they get dusty.

hellkat
slovenly
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[queen of string]

might be easier to hem them with that bonding stuff you use for reparing hems. These days it is often cheaper to buy ready made, especially if you can bear to go to TJ Hughes or similar.
____________________
"Eat food, not edible, food-like items. Mostly plants."

[bennett211085]

i prefer beef curtains myself

[sickpup]

[map]