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Messages - Hummingbird

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House Beautiful / Re: Buying upholstery fabric
« on: December 01, 2023, 08:40:09 AM »
@JohnSnug some upholstery fabrics can be heavy/thick so not ideal for softer curtains and cushions. The FR treatments on some of them can trigger skin irritation and breathing problems in those with allergies or sensitive skin, especially if you're working with them for a long time on a big project.

There are more interiors fabrics available now that are supplied as cool wash, look for that before purchasing if it's important. But, remember if you're making interlined or handmade curtains they will never be washable, and that linings (and other materials involved) may behave differently to the face fabric (even if all are listed as washable!)

2
Tech Know How / Re: Certificate expiry causing error message
« on: May 09, 2023, 11:16:57 AM »
I can now get in with a Firefox private window....

3
Tech Know How / Re: Certificate expiry causing error message
« on: May 07, 2023, 11:47:35 AM »
I got in yesterday on Windows 10 and Firefox after the fix, cannot get in this morning with that setup.
Tried MS Edge instead and that has let me login and post this. Not my preferred browser though.

4
House Beautiful / Re: Camper van curtains
« on: March 14, 2023, 08:47:11 AM »
Check the machine tension as it *might* need to be eased a little. Also use a slightly thicker needle (maybe a 90) and if the stitching seems 'punchy' as it goes through the tape a leather or microtex needle should help.

5
If you're making handmade pleats with buckram then you need pin hooks, not the ones with prongs which are just for tape. You will get a better quality finish and fit to your window if you use the buckram method, that's what higher end curtain makers do.

Don't be put off trying, work it out on paper first with the pleats and spaces. The maths is not difficult once you understand how the heading works.

Merrick & Day are a great supplier and will help over the phone if you need advice, they also run a high end curtain workroom so know what they are talking about.

6
When making double pleats you would put curtain buckram inside the top of the curtain instead of using Rufflette type tape.

The technique is the same as for making handmade triple pleats (sometimes called pinch or French pleats) but you create double pleats instead. You might have instructions for those in your book?

When calculating the pleats and spaces allow around 4/5 pleats per fabric width. Each space can be between about 10-15cm and double pleats use about 12cm each to create.

7
House Beautiful / Re: Cushions / Brush Fringe
« on: January 26, 2023, 10:32:39 AM »
You could try some of the online furnishing fabric suppliers, otherwise Ebay or Etsy. Some haberdashery sellers stock furnishing trims like Rickety Rose but as you have found, quality trimmings are not cheap. They need to be well made from good materials to be durable and fade resistant.

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Hi, I'm new... / Re: "Pimping" a mens blazer
« on: November 23, 2022, 09:04:14 AM »
And velvet will fray very easily and shed fluffy pile at every cut edge.....

Would you consider using a luxurious trim to pimp the blazer instead of fabric??? It would be easier to apply to various points around pockets, lapels etc. and there are some gorgeous ones available for soft furnishings including velvet options.

If you'd like some ideas, take a look at suppliers Houles and Samuel & Sons, but they're top end. You should be able to find similar online for slightly less. Also try VV Rouleaux....

9
House Beautiful / Re: Draught Excluder
« on: November 21, 2022, 11:09:05 AM »
If you need one on an internal door that opens often, consider sewing a flat channel down the centre of the fabric which is slightly wider than the door thickness. Stuff both sides of it then slide under the door. Then it can stay in place when the door opens and closes. (probably not useful if you have thick carpet though as perhaps too much friction).

10
House Beautiful / Re: shortening length of gazebo curtains
« on: May 17, 2022, 09:01:37 AM »
Cut off the bottom grommet section neatly with enough seam allowance to re-join. Then shorten the remaining panel as required and seam the grommet section back on.

Outdoor fabrics do not readily fray so it should be a fairly neat job.

11
House Beautiful / Re: Now that i’ve bought my first needle.....
« on: March 31, 2022, 11:20:34 AM »
Thank you for those answers.  Both have helped me to understand the way the machine works much more.....  but i cant get my head around what the needle is doing to create a stitch.

@Gavin e if you have time, there are some good videos and animations on line showing how a sewing machine creates a stitch if that helps.....YouTube and elsewhere

12
Tech Know How / Re: An hour trying to submit post
« on: March 30, 2022, 08:58:58 AM »
I log in at least once a day - usually at around 8.30am and have not experienced any problems accessing the forum or posting.
(laptop with Windows 10 and Firefox connecting via home broadband, I endeavour to keep Windows and my browser updated.)
I fully appreciate that does not help those with issues, but it does not seem to be that everyone is having probems.

13
House Beautiful / Re: How is cushion piping made?
« on: October 29, 2021, 08:40:53 AM »
Agreed - terms are different USA/UK. Here in the UK we don't tend to use the term welting in furnishings although I believe it's used in shoe making.....just piping whatever the diameter or application.

14
House Beautiful / Re: How is cushion piping made?
« on: October 28, 2021, 11:50:55 AM »
Agree about the wrapped (smoother) piping cord, much better finish, look for pre-shrunk if you want to wash the finished article.

I have a piping foot but always use my zipper foot as it gives you much more flexibility on how tight you can get the foot to the cord (and zip when you're attaching it to a piped piece), needle position, width of bias strip you use and the diameter of the piping cord (as it has to feed under a piping foot in a groove).

I find turning the corners on a cushion cover much more straight forward with a zipper foot too.


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