Making curtains

[Anonymous]

I have windows that need coverings but are big enough to bump me into custom/insanely expensive range. I'd like to try making some but wonder what is harder: roman shades or lined curtains? The lines curtains would need to be atleast 110 inches long so I wonder about cost and also the time needed to make those. I love the look of roman shades but have heard they are tricky to make.

Anyone have thoughts and perhaps a good site for tutorials? There are a ton but I'd love some info on ones that have worked well.

We are moving in 2 years so I guess that is a check in the lined curtains category because I could take them...

[Anonymous]

roman shades are very difficult to make. I have a friend who took a class to lean how to make one and when it was all said and done it was not much cheaper than buying one, not to mention very time consuming. She is also a great sewer.

i have made a lot of drapes and they are pretty easy. I just sew all 4 sides and hang with ring clips. I don't line mine as tehya re mroe for looks than privacy. The rings also make them easyto open and close.Some material is less expensive than others (I like Premier Prints, ~$8/yard online and a nice weight).

[Anonymous]

Lined curtains are surprisingly difficult - you have to be extremely careful with measurement and placement of the fabric so it doesn't pucker if the lining doesn't match up exactly with the curtain. If you are set on making these, look at Jo-Ann's for curtain lining and use one of their many coupons to get it at a discount. For the curtain itself, try looking at the G Street Fabrics remnants section, especially the upholstery area which has thicker, wider fabric than normal bolts. You could also find an inexpensive shower curtain in a pattern you like and turn it into a curtain.

For pre-made options, try World Market when they're on sale, Overstock, or Target. Surprisingly, Home Depot and Lowe's have some decent options such as the Martha Stewart line.

[Anonymous]

I've seen a couple of tutorials for making roman shades out of inexpensive mini blinds. Here are a couple I found just by googling, but there are a lot out there. Take some time to explore on pinterest and google.

http://involvingcolor.com/involvinghome/no-sew-roman-shade-from-mini-blinds/

http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/diy-roman-shades-from-mini-blinds.html


If you do this, please come back and post how it went -- I've been curious to try!

[Anonymous]

Some ikea curtains are that long, in case you just want to buy.

[Anonymous]

^^^ I worked with a decorater who strongly recommended using Ikea, or some other pre-made curtains and then hemming to create a more custom look. The rooms look good, and we were able to splurge on hardware.

[Anonymous]

Overstock has curtains up to 120 inches for pretty reasonable prices.

[Anonymous]

I found a roman shade diy kit at JoAnn Fabrics that was perfect. I sewed a giant pillowcase-looking (lined) rectangle to fit my window, then used the kit (dowels, hooks, and special seam tape) to finish the shade. Looked amazing and was super inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

I have made a lot of curtains and they are really easy to make, although depending on the fabric you choose, can still be pricey. The easiest way to make them is with a small casement at the top that you just slip a rod through. I have also used IKEA curtains and hemmed or altered them to make them more custom. Another IKEA trick is to buy their sheets or bedspreads instead of buying fabric at a fabric store. Often it is cheaper to buy sheets or bedspreads for the amount of fabric you get than it is to buy fabric buy the yard. A king sheet is often enough to make curtains for an entire room. IKEA has cool printed bed linens.

If you don't want to line the curtains but need more privacy, consider adding a set of sheer curtains behind your curtains for a double layer without having to make lined curtains.

[Anonymous]

I just made curtains for my bedroom. It took me forever but they look very nice and professional. I had found a swatch of fabric I liked and I was able to track it down and order online from one of those places that sells "to the trade" fabrics" to regular people. My fabric was a nice linen and easy to work with. My previous experience was in making sheers, which seem like they would be easy but were brutal. Tips: I had one of those pinwheel pizza-style fabric cutters, which made cutting much easier than with scissors, and I used the cutter mat to cut and iron on the floor. One of the hardest parts is handling so much fabric. I hemmed by hand because I get a bunchy look if I try using a machine. And I did a 8" double hem which looks very nice and helps the drapes hang right. I cut my lining to be slightly narrower and slightly shorter than the finished fabric so the finished fabric would "wrap around" the edge by about 1/2" and end about 4" above the lining. I found a lot of tutorials online and used parts of different ones.

[Anonymous]

If you are going to make curtains, a good place to buy fabric is the warehouse/supplier in Thurmont, MD.

[Anonymous]

Very cool that you all are making your own curtains. I am impressed.

[Anonymous]

OP here. These are great tips! I'm going to check out ikea and that JoAnns roman shade kit. If I make my own I know they will cost a lot bc I tend to like the expensive fabrics.

[Anonymous]

Just an fyi that window treatments convey with the house. So if you're planning to take the drapes with you when you sell, you'll need to call that out in the contract. (Obviously if you're renting you get to pack them; but you'd be able to pack the Roman shades too.)

[Anonymous]

Just a thought here. I've rarely been successful in reusing curtains after a move because of different size and number of windows. I wouldn't use that as a factor in deciding what to do in this house. I've made lots of curtains in my life (never 4Roman Shade) and honestly don't find it to be a significant money saver. JC Penneys on sale, Bed Bath and Beyond offer good selections.