Help please!!!!

I worked in the curtain industary for 30 years , and have made more curtains I care to remember , I would do this type of fabric at 2 times the width , DO NOT use pins as the holes will be there for ever ,the sames goes for unpicking if something goes wrong , I use painters tape but dont sew over it and be gentle when you remove it , Always measure twice , then mistakes dont happen , remove the selvages from the fabric or at least snip the selvage about every 12 inches ( becaues the selvages in curain fabric it woven tight, and will usually shrink when washed ) , Do not do narrow hems on the sides of your cutains as it will only fold in to the front when hung . . I have Bernina and for this type of fabric I would use my walking foot and very Good quailty thread . Best of luck Cathy

2 comments

by lyns 02 Jul 2013

Wow Cathy, thank you. That's great advise. xx

by sbott54 04 Jul 2013

Painters tape! What a wonderful suggestion. I never thought of it and appreciate the tip! I found out the hard way that pins are a no-no. LOL School of hard knocks is the best teacher. LOL Thanks Cathy!

One and a half is the rule, and with rubber backing that is all that is neede. and do try to sew a little first see how it goes, And please note what Chris said about the drag on rubber fabric.
I wish you luck. ugs Pam.

1 comment

by lyns 02 Jul 2013

thanks. xx

It depends on the fullness they want, but with the rubber backing I would suggest 1.5 times as nonna57 suggests. The rubber backing will prevent much gathering on the rod. With lighter material, I usually go with 2.5 to 3.0 times the width. Don't you just love being volunteered for something? LOL Hang in there.

1 comment

by lyns edited 02 Jul 2013

Yeah, my mum can sew! I am going to sticky tape my daughter's mouth!!! thanks. xx

Hi Lyn,

I did all the curtains for our grandchildren's pre-school and I did double the width as it looks so much nicer being fuller. I also did extra covers for the lounge suite, boxes, cupboards. I told them I'd do them for pay and they did pay me. Make sure you ask for payment as it is a lot of work.

A word of warning - when using the rubber backed fabric make sure you use the roller foot on the sewing machine, it runs along the rubber backing so much more smoothly. I have a Husqvarna roller foot but not like the one below, but you can see it glides across fabrics that are much thicker than normal. Good luck, love and blessings Chris

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1 comment

by lyns 02 Jul 2013

Thanks Chris. I'm off to buy a roller foot in the morning. Usually I cut 1" strips of stabilizer and run that under my foot but for a whole room of curtains I'll get the right foot.
And I did tell them I hate curtains and I want payment. xx

It depends on how much fullness they want, but with the rubber backing you might just want 1.5 times as nonna57 suggests. The rubber backing will prevent too much gathering on the rod. For thinner material I go with 2.5 or even 3.0 times the width.

1 comment

by lyns 02 Jul 2013

thanks. xx

Lyn general rule is twice the width but 1&1/2 is also good to go :)

1 comment

by lyns 02 Jul 2013

Thanks. xx