Most curtain fabric is horrible, either glaringly retro-modern or populist posh with shades of tobacco in the background. It also seems to cost 87 euros per metre, which is not what one wants to hear when one's window is rather large, at a time of year when the Chevy will soon need tax, insurance and a replacement left sidelight bulb before it can be legally driven to the levee.
I should hoist out the sewing machine, buy these attractively striped sheets, line and interline them, casually add some heading tape and there we are, Heaven On Earth for a fraction of the cost of Made To Measure, just like the wonderful
Jaboopee.
That's what I'll do. Right after I've made
the bag that came free with Cath Kidston's Sew, two and a half years ago. The bag will be perfect for my trip to the levee, to carry handkerchiefs, perfume, little essentials that they might not sell in the levee gift-shop and café. Maybe some photos of my curtains to show new people I meet there. Very few people aren't interested in curtains.
Hi Mise,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should sit on your delightful pink sofa with a whiskey and rye and contemplate the curtain issue further under the influence of drink....everything seems easier once you've got a few whiskey and rye's under your belt. XXXX
Thank you, Jacqueline, a sterling tip there. And thank you for your unwavering interest in curtains.
DeleteI love the sheets. I am a lazy curtain maker. I just stitch a hem and a pocket to slip the rod through. Even better--get a rod with clips.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of doing just that, Jen, but thought they'd be a bit light for our cold, cold winters. And then I had the brilliant idea of turning pretty blankets into curtains but my nerve failed me.
DeleteFor sure you'll fine both myself and my coworker Betty there, being Ms. American Pies and all....
ReplyDeleteWe can't sew or hem but we can hum so come on down for a sing a long. Maybe bring some fudge?
xo Jane
I am VERY interested in curtains! This week I covered every window in our house with delightful curtains. I don't want to stop. I want to now add layers, but the budget has had enough.
ReplyDeleteMy mother always sewed her curtains, and when I got married and moved into a house with bare windows I felt overwhelmed by the idea of choosing fabric, measuring and cutting and sewing curtains. What if I made a mistake? Think of all the time involved and then they might come out crooked, or too short or something. I'm not good at measuring and math, nor sewing either. When I realized I could BUY curtains a whole new world opened up to me.
Door curtains, Karen, when the budget revives? I've been learning about the most ingenious portiere rods that open up whole new opportunities with fabric.
DeleteAnd now the end is near
ReplyDeleteand so I face the final curtain, you've stated your preference for pink and white and that there then is certain.You planned each zig zag stitch and might I say not in a sly way Oh no, not our dear Mise, she did it her way! All together now. For what is a window, what has it got, if a not a curtain then it is not....oh no, oh no not Mise she did it her way. (it was the whiskey and rye that Jacqueline poured that made me do it)
Helen, that is a beautiful musical tribute to Curtains and Curtains worldwide will thank you for it. Bless you, and bless the whiskey and rye.
Deleteor....you could just fling them over a bit of string and peg them in place. If anyone asks a question tell them the levy was dry which led you to embrace boho chic! xx
ReplyDeleteWe don't do curtains in California, if can help it. The sun is too expensive here:).
ReplyDeleteI am so interested in curtains I once made some for my son's room. They were 3.5 metres high and a nightmare. Once completed I actually thought this will be the day that I die.
ReplyDeleteNow I buy them online or force everyone to wake at dawn.
Waking everyone at dawn is certainly thinking outside the box. We should all be more like Jane.
DeleteI know all the words, and yet...I still haven't sewn that bag either.
ReplyDeleteNow I hate my new enormous curtains. They have shades of tobacco in the background. I thought I was in luck -they only cost 19 euros a metre.
ReplyDeleteYours are bound to be beautiful, Lucille. May we have a blog post on them? Joofindia will be interested too, I know; he looks like a man who would appreciate fine curtains.
DeleteThink yourself lucky, Mise. Most other people who can't make curtains simply turn the fabric into ball gowns, then get photographed wearing them whilst standing on the red carpet outside the Oscar nominations. Good luck with the MOT.
ReplyDeleteCould your women of the parish help and make you some curtains?? I once went to evening classes and MADE yes, MADE some interlined curtains for our then dining room (this was over 25 years ago) but alas now I would not know where to begin... Old age and forgetfulness and all that. xx
ReplyDeleteI shall swiftly examine my own curtains for any trace of 'populist posh with shades of tobacco'. But I think I am safe - my mum went for 'suburban fern' in my room years ago and what did for the 1980s must surely still make do. However...
ReplyDelete... when comes the glorious day when I have my own place, and my own window for my own curtains, then I think I may just go curtain crazy. The possibilities for making a curtain faux pas will be immense, I fear.
Beware curtain sewing Mise...I once ended up in emergency for ten stitches to my foot after sliding down an aluminium ladder in bare feet while hanging newly-sewn curtains. Most recent house has shutters, installed by professionals...so much safer!
ReplyDeleteAll those people further down the page who say it is easy can't have read your timely warning, Jacqueline. They will only have themselves to blame.
DeleteSmall third world children can make your curtains for you, Mise. They are very clever with their hands.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a photo of the Chevy and the broken lightbulb. And right after I see that, then out of your posh Cath Kidston's 'sew' bag, you can whip out some photos of the beautiful curtains and possibly cushion covers to match, no?
ReplyDeleteYou have a sewing machine? I'm sure you can work wonders, Mise. The iron-on tape thingos are more my speed.
ReplyDeleteYou are not planning to drive off the levee from curtain angst right? I do not even remember what my sewing machine looks like! Have you heard of stitch witchery?
ReplyDeleteI do love those sheets. You can just toss that huge stack of sample fabrics away ( unless you have a craft project in mind!)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Making curtains is not complicated, not even the lined ones. Just think of making a big bag with the mouth at the bottom. Easy!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the bag - I haven't made mine either, despite owning a beautiful studio at the bottom of the garden to sew in!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Toffeeapple, curtain making is easy - go for it!!
Could you make some for me too?
ReplyDeleteDenise, it would be an honour. You're there in the queue, right behind the Cath Kidston bag and my sheet-to-curtain project. That's bound to be soon.
DeleteYes, large windows have been very popular and then there is the job of getting curtains to fit them!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could make YOU curtains , Joe said he'd bring me down
ReplyDeleteif scottish husband will lend him the harley while he's waiting .
I already have a beer cooling in the panier for him and some figurines of Jesus sprinkled round the guest bedroom for yourself. I've also got in touch with the motorway toll people asking whether they'll wave you through without payment. They're thinking about it.
DeleteCurtains are easy, just big rectangles. If I can make them I am sure you can. Have just been inspecting my dining room curtains for shades of tobacco, help! I spied some. However they are nearly eight years old, good grief I am a trailblazer.
ReplyDeleteHello Mise:
ReplyDeleteWell, as you may imagine, we are the last people on the planet to whom you can look for help in making curtains. However, we can provide entertainment for you while you sew merrily away. We have something in mind like 'Music While You Work' which was a very popular radio programme in the 1950s designed to keep factory workers happy at their conveyor belts. We can also make mean Martinis, lethal Gin and Tonics, or, should you need to stitch in a straight line, Tea and Coffee. We can amuse the children with fairy stories or, should they need something more energetic, we are dab hands with pots of paint,glue, glitter and all things crafty.As our culinary skills are even less adequate than our curtain making ones, we cannot promise anything edible from the kitchen. However, by way of a change from your usual delicious home cooking, we can surely arrange takeaways all round. Should this be of any help, do give us a call........we are always out!!!!
How incredibly kind, Jane and Lance! Luckily, in these days of email, it won't matter if you're out when I call. Two airline tickets to Ireland are in the post for you and I'm having talks with the local Parole Board this afternoon about a preliminary line-up of Mad Boys who might suit as quid pro quo. One of them, I'm told, has successfully grown rhubarb so I am hopeful that he might be the very person for you. Time will tell.
DeleteI think I have some old pyjamas that would do for curtains (maybe only for the powder room mind you) - they've already got a drawstring for pulling them up into dear little gathers and a Cath Kidstonesque print that's just the thing. All you need to add is a couple of tie backs - one for each leg and those could just be some old vintage ribbon that I know you'll have lying around somewhere.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that I can sew and need some curtains for the new house, but now have no money left to buy even the most modest of fabric with which to make them. Sheets it is...
x x x
hee hee, Mise.
ReplyDeleteMy advice is to leave the window uncovered...let in the light. Unless there are peeping Toms in the neighborhood...
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the fabric was 'meh'
ReplyDeletep.s. just stick them up with ring hooks. Fold down the tops. Say out loud "this is only temporary."
ReplyDelete