Author Archives: Sibylle@CurtainsW6

If you were able to bag a bargain by buying a whole roll of fabric at a discount, you might want to think about why it was cheap. Especially designer fabrics (but any really) may not be printed correctly. Pattern drift is when the design on the fabric does not repeat at the correct intervals.Continue reading “Pattern Drift”

There are three main types: domestic, professional and overlocker. I have one of each. Professional ones sew really fast but can normally only do straight stitches. Domestic ones can be adapted with a walking foot: without it, the feed dogs that move the fabric along can only catch the bottom layer, but with this attachment,Continue reading “Sewing machines”

This is used around upholstered surfaces to hide tacks and staples. The alternative is to use a braid, but there’s usually a strip of fabric or two left that can make piping. If neccessary, fabric strips are joined at 90 degrees. That avoids unneccessary bulk in the join. Then a special foot is used, visibleContinue reading “Double piping”

I can extend my work space for making blinds and curtains to a length of up to 3.6m (12′) by connecting a series of table tops. Here it is in action:

Now that autumn is upon is it may be time to reconsider your window arrangements. For drafty or single glazed ones, check that the curtain rail/pole can cope with heavy curtains that are interline. If you’re not sure I can recommend brushed flannelette as lining. It also works well for Roman blinds.

19 July 2024 – Can you sleep, take two (see below). If you’re after a good night’s sleep without being woken by an early sunup, go for blinds to fit inside your window recess. The pull cord mechanism that is commonly used means there might be a chink of light at one side to accommodateContinue reading “And summer arrived …”

3 June 2024 – It would appear to be sort of summer. Do you still need your lined and interlined curtains, or should they perchance need a dry clean? In the meantime, and in your living room, you might consider changing to summer curtains. Something a bit more transparent such as linen or a lightContinue reading “Linen, cheesecloth and winter curtains”

Here you can see how to shorten a curtain panel from the top. This particular panel had a lovely add on panel ‘extension’ at the bottom which my client wanted to keep, so I shortened it from the top. Some hand stitching was involved to replicate the original work exactly. You can see the whiteContinue reading “Shortening curtain panels”

14 May 2024 – Are you a film director? In case you’re not, the cheap sort of Director chair that is widely available can nevertheless be handy, but it seems to only come in plain canvas. The chairs themselves are really useful because they can be stored easily without overcrowding your dining room while beingContinue reading “Bored with your cheap Director chairs?”

10 April 2024 – If you prefer your bedroom to be in total darkness, the longer days will be an issue. I suggest long curtains with blackout lining that extends to all the edges of the fabric and generous returns at the sides. A curtain rail that allows overlapping curtain panels, with the opening facingContinue reading “Can you sleep?”