The Sewing Place
The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: sewingj on September 13, 2017, 16:43:38 PM
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Yes the top edge will be sloping, but it won't be at the same angle as the roof, it will be shallower.
To work out the size of the curtain measure the length/height at the highest point (h1 on my scrappy drawing)and measure the length/height at the short side (h2). Then measure the width (w) and multiply that by at least 1.5 though x2 or x2.5 would look better. Then add hem allowances top and bottom.
At the top just make a casing - it will be a pain because you'll be sewing off-grain - and slot a wire or rod through to hold the curtain. Depending on the length a very ordinary curtain hook should suffice to hold the curtain clear of the door.
If you use calico or some other plain fabric which doesn't have a nap the two curtains can be cut in opposite directions for maximum economy.
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I wouldn't use wire I don't think it will be strong enough.. it will sag in the middle..only other though was that calico will shrink so prewash as rental curtains will need to be cleaned
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If it doesn't stay put you could sew a hook to the top edge and hook it round the rods support hook... are these going to be pulled or are they decorative? edited to finish reply ....would renters be able to hook curtains back onto a curtain holdback at that height?... ...you can make the curtains pull back on cords these are called Italian strung /corded curtains but top/rail fixing would have to be strong enough to pull down on
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Depends on the diameter of the rod, but you can buy bracket ends for rods to fit into. I think they are intended for the rails which hang downwards in a wardrobe, but we have used them for towel rails on the back of a bathroom door. If the casing is fairly tight it shouldn't slide down the rod. You could use a curtain holdback (not a tieback) to keep the curtain clear of the door.
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Fix the gathered curtain on to the slope by velcro. Use the sloping line to mark an arc down to the middle line. You can then sew little rings at reasonably close intervals along the back along that line and use a cord, hook and cleat to hold each curtain open. You will need to put the rings a bit lower than the line so it will drape, more in the centre and down to nothing at the side. Experiment with folds before you fix it permanently.
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My experience is that it shrinks quite a bit and comes out of the machine appallingly creased. You can buy pre-washed calico for not a great deal more - I hope that pre-washed means pre-shrunk!
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you can use this sort of tape it gathers but has a strip of the soft side of Velcro on it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contact-Curtain-Heading-Tape-3Inch/dp/B00KVZ7E5S
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Depends how much time you want to spend ironing.. DD bought some heavy calico to print on.. washed to shrink and it was pretty much unusable because even a good steam iron wouldn't move the creases.. methinks preshrunk would be the way to go.. and then do a shrink test with a measured sample
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But, how often will they be washed?
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In my experience rental property tenants are very unlikely to wash curtains but on change of tenant they will need washing (or replacing). Again my experience is that most tenants in private rentals generally only stay for 18-24 months.
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When I was a student in a flat, I washed the landing net curtains, which were filthy. Black water, strong smell of sulphur and traffic fumes, white curtains hanging in shreds.
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You could always make the curtains from double width curtain lining which is about the same weight as regular calico, is washable on cool and would resist the sunlight better. Or if you search online it is possible to get double width curtain fabric.....or even better if you can get to a fabric warehouse for some.
https://www.the-millshop-online.co.uk/curtain-lining-ivory-satin.html (https://www.the-millshop-online.co.uk/curtain-lining-ivory-satin.html)
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Thanks HB - the lining fabric looks ideal. I didn`t realise you could get extra-wide