Window treatments are still so expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

Actually I was the OP who said that and I definitely do want to pay the workroom. I’m trying to cut out the decorator/retailer, whom I also respect, but I don’t think I need this time because:

- I can measure and install myself
- I don’t mind ordering fabric samples online and/or going to the design center
- I’ve done this enough times to know if I want 1 width or 1.5, what pleats and interlining etc.

So what I’m looking for is a workroom that will sell to a non trade person.

None of this requiring crapping on my curtains or anyone else’s blinds or whatever. We can all have different window treatments. It’s okay.

They’re still going to be insanely expensive, and I get why. I think I can save on the fabric, the labor for measuring and install and the retailer showing me fabrics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

Actually I was the OP who said that and I definitely do want to pay the workroom. I’m trying to cut out the decorator/retailer, whom I also respect, but I don’t think I need this time because:

- I can measure and install myself
- I don’t mind ordering fabric samples online and/or going to the design center
- I’ve done this enough times to know if I want 1 width or 1.5, what pleats and interlining etc.

So what I’m looking for is a workroom that will sell to a non trade person.

None of this requiring crapping on my curtains or anyone else’s blinds or whatever. We can all have different window treatments. It’s okay.

They’re still going to be insanely expensive, and I get why. I think I can save on the fabric, the labor for measuring and install and the retailer showing me fabrics.

I sew professionally, high end fashion, not curtains.

I hate, hate, hate when customers provide their own fabric and will only work with fabric I source myself.

Many professionals are the same.

It is not about a retail markup.

A lot of creating professional quality products, and separating amateurs from couture artists, is the fabric quality, knowing what fibers and weaves work, how a fabric is going to drape, flow and hold shape, and how the fabric wears.

The lining needs to work with the visible fabrics. All types of fabric react differently when cleaned, and many fabric fibers require very different cleaning processes, pressing temps, etc. Your fabric might look great when you hang it up, but the first time you have it professionally cleamed it might turn into a mess. Seams that are needed for certain styles might not look good with certain fabrics. Some fabrics simply don't work for the design or product the customer wants created.

If something happens and there is a mistake where they need to replace fabric, it is difficult if not impossible to resolve using fabric the customer sourced.

These are some of the reasons why many seamstresses and tailors do not use customer sourced fabrics, or charge more in labor for working with customer sourced fabric.

I only use my own fabric, but if I did accept fabric from customers my labor would be at least doubled in anticipation of any potential hassles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

Actually I was the OP who said that and I definitely do want to pay the workroom. I’m trying to cut out the decorator/retailer, whom I also respect, but I don’t think I need this time because:

- I can measure and install myself
- I don’t mind ordering fabric samples online and/or going to the design center
- I’ve done this enough times to know if I want 1 width or 1.5, what pleats and interlining etc.

So what I’m looking for is a workroom that will sell to a non trade person.

None of this requiring crapping on my curtains or anyone else’s blinds or whatever. We can all have different window treatments. It’s okay.

They’re still going to be insanely expensive, and I get why. I think I can save on the fabric, the labor for measuring and install and the retailer showing me fabrics.

I sew professionally, high end fashion, not curtains.

I hate, hate, hate when customers provide their own fabric and will only work with fabric I source myself.

Many professionals are the same.

It is not about a retail markup.

A lot of creating professional quality products, and separating amateurs from couture artists, is the fabric quality, knowing what fibers and weaves work, how a fabric is going to drape, flow and hold shape, and how the fabric wears.

The lining needs to work with the visible fabrics. All types of fabric react differently when cleaned, and many fabric fibers require very different cleaning processes, pressing temps, etc. Your fabric might look great when you hang it up, but the first time you have it professionally cleamed it might turn into a mess. Seams that are needed for certain styles might not look good with certain fabrics. Some fabrics simply don't work for the design or product the customer wants created.

If something happens and there is a mistake where they need to replace fabric, it is difficult if not impossible to resolve using fabric the customer sourced.

These are some of the reasons why many seamstresses and tailors do not use customer sourced fabrics, or charge more in labor for working with customer sourced fabric.

I only use my own fabric, but if I did accept fabric from customers my labor would be at least doubled in anticipation of any potential hassles.

Yes, but do you think it’s easier with home decor fabrics that are labeled for drapery, or multipurpose? Like buying “suiting” fabric for a tailor?

But yes, I expect COM to come with extra labor costs.

[Anonymous]

I’ve used Etsy for custom window treatments (Roman shades) and been very happy.

Windows by Melissa I think was the shop but I’m sure there are others. It cut out the “middle man” though still an expense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have not purchased window treatments, but have found some incredible furniture items on Gone Girl Home. Have also sold with them and its a smooth process. They do not have super discounted prices, but everything is in great condition and the owners have great taste in what they accept imo.

https://www.gonegirlhome.com/window-treatments

Thanks for sharing! I just checked them out and will see if they can take a couple of big and heavy pieces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

Well, let's get real: you can live without custom drapes, so it's about whether the cost is worth it to you. For me, paying $15k for drapes wasn't a viable option so I am pretty content with my homemade ones.

[Anonymous]

I just can’t fathom paying more for curtains in one room of my house than I paid for my car.

We’re pretty well off by national averages, so apparently curtains are for rich people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drapes are not THAT difficult to make and there are some great YouTube tutorials, I borrowed a sewing machine and made lined pinch pleat curtains for a bedroom using a Schumacher fabric. They looked great.

I did this too once, but it took me (a very basic and infrequent sewer) hours upon hours, a lot of it spent doing research on buckram etc. And my euro pleats are noticeably DIY.

And yet, people are complaining about paying skilled artisans a living wage for hours of work that they are unable to do well themselves.

Well, let's get real: you can live without custom drapes, so it's about whether the cost is worth it to you. For me, paying $15k for drapes wasn't a viable option so I am pretty content with my homemade ones.

So... right?

I think we are saying the same thing.

Custom drapes are expensive because they require a ton of fabric, but also because they are a niche artisan skill that very few people have.

Either pay them a living wage (which is not a couple hundred dollars or even a couple thousand dollars, btw) for their luxury artisan skill, or learn to use a sewing machine and create your own drapes.

Complaining about the cost of a custom, skilled, artisan, luxury item that you lack the skill, training or knowledge to do on your own is very distasteful.

[Anonymous]

I don’t mean to be snarky. I genuinely don’t understand… on a single curtain, three sides are simply a straight line. How long does it take to sew a 51” pinch pleat on the one side?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there's anything I hate in a home, it's window treatments. Blinds are all you need.

That’s…that’s a window treatment? For an interrogation room, but still a window treatment.

So true. Dcum at its finest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to be snarky. I genuinely don’t understand… on a single curtain, three sides are simply a straight line. How long does it take to sew a 51” pinch pleat on the one side?

Buy a machine and go for it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to be snarky. I genuinely don’t understand… on a single curtain, three sides are simply a straight line. How long does it take to sew a 51” pinch pleat on the one side?

There are three layers in the drapes. Face, lining, and interlining. The fabrics aren’t attached at the bottom, so you have to hem them. If it’s more than one width, you also have to pattern match and join the face fabric. The interlining doesn’t have to be hemmed because it’s only attached at the top and then gets sandwiched in. You might have to do something to stabilize the face fabric if it’s really droopy, too. And add weights.

The side seams are tricky because you don’t want a row of stitches on the front of the fabric. So you do a blind hem (forgive me because I’m sure there’s more specific terminology) either by hand or with a special machine foot. It’s not rocket science, but it’s tricky and time consuming.

Then at the top, you do a big fat hem with a strip of buckram inside. This is where my little sewing machine gave up and quit, and I also had the wrong needles and tensioning. I mean, I learned to sew in MoCo county home ec class.

I did the pleats by hand with increasing fatigue and you can really tell. I also spend like an hour figuring out the pleat math.

[Anonymous]

I made my own roman shades.

[Anonymous]

It's happening again! I am so here for the 2025 version of this thread. Can we pick a fun name?

CurtainGate?
Drapageddon?