Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s the best! Double pleat hand made. Why: 1. It looks elegant. But not fussy! 2. It pulls back into a small amount of space (which we call ‘stackback’) when drawn back. Handy for London. 3. It doesn’t need that much fabric, so saves money. 4. It can be adjusted accurately vertically by moving hooksContinue reading “My Favourite Heading”

If you’re choosing a fabric for sitting on, such as loose covers or cushions, consider its ‘rub test’. The fabric is rubbed repeatedly on a machine to see how long it survives. A value of 60,000 is very hard-wearing. Around 35,000 – 40,000 is a good quality fabric. If you only sit on it onceContinue reading “Which fabric to buy?”

Depending on what you would like to have on your windows, the hardware – meaning curtain rods, rails and blind mechanisms, as well as pelmet shelves (to which the rails and mechanisms can be attached) and all the different operating mechanisms – chains, hooks, rods and electrical motors. Please, before you choose the hardware/curtain fabric,Continue reading “The Hardware”

Roman blinds are enormously popular. They look smart, do not use a lot of fabric (and are therefore cheaper to make compared to curtains), can be made in ‘standard’, ‘waterfall’ – sometimes called ‘cascade’ or with a border or other embellishments. Depending on your window furniture they can be hung inside or outside the recess.Continue reading “Fabric tips for Roman Blinds”

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, industrial and overlocker. I have one of each. 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, both layers are moved at the same rate. This is useful toContinue 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 …”