The Sewing Place

The Emporia => House Beautiful => Topic started by: Puzzler on October 24, 2017, 07:22:55 AM

Title: Options for window dressing
Post by: Puzzler on October 24, 2017, 07:22:55 AM
Hi all

I haven’t been very active on here lately due to some major life changes. I just moved into a rented property to find the last tenants have taken all the curtain tracks and poles. I’m currently deciding on what to put up at each window and this bedroom window will be a challenge due to where it sits in the wall, i.e. very close to the corner at one side. I’m considering an asymmetrical curtain. What do you people think?
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Ploshkin on October 24, 2017, 07:54:10 AM
I've got a window in an identical position.  I've got a standard pair of curtains on a wooden pole  but left the finial off so the pole butts up against the wall. The bracket for that end is about an inch from the wall so there is room for one ring between the bracket and wall.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Greybird on October 24, 2017, 08:48:36 AM
Like Ploshkin I had a window in just that position too. I found that as long as the fabric wasn't too bulky it was fine having two standard curtains. I did use tiebacks to hold them as clear of the window as possible. With mine, the radiator extended quite a long way to the left of the window so long curtains didn't work but yours would be fine either long or sill length.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: BrendaP on October 24, 2017, 08:54:24 AM
My bedroom window has even less wall on one side - the adjacent wall goes straight to the window.  I have a standard pair of curtains on a track - which touches the ajacent wall one end and extends past the window by several inches on the other end and it looks OK.

I see that you have a cupboard door on the problem side, so presumably you need to get into that so maybe one large asymetrical curtain would be the solution.  Make it floor length and with plenty of width so that when it's hooked open there is enough fabric to drape nicely.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Vegegrow on October 24, 2017, 09:16:06 AM
My first thought was a roman blind.. as Brenda says if you need to open that cupboard door completely it can't be anything too bulky
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Francesca on October 24, 2017, 10:25:44 AM
Could you go with a blind, and then if you want a bit of softness, a single non-functioning curtain that is attached all along the top but drawn back to the left and tied, so that the right hand side of the window is unobstructed by fabric?
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Sewbee on October 24, 2017, 11:29:52 AM
My sewing room has a similar window with white horizontal blinds (Venetian?) there are no curtains there and I am considering making some curtains for it. My window has about 3 feet either side of it, though. Perhaps some sort of pull down blind would be best since it juts almost up against the wall. Or, use Venetian blinds with a nice gathered window topper that you could sew.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Puzzler on October 24, 2017, 19:50:56 PM
Hmmm. Lots to consider. Yes, that's a closet door with wonderful storage space behind it. There's a similar one in the upstairs hall that currently houses four of my machines. I'll be setting up the sewing room soon. I have to, don't I? Must sew my curtains and blinds in there. 

For this window I thought of a blind, not a Roman, but a roller. I had a Venetian in my last house with a pole above that I never did make curtains for.  I'd still like the softness of a curtain though. I have to watch what I spend as the home is temporary. The landlord said he'd contribute to the cost of the fittings. I don't intend to take those when I leave. I don't want to spend heavily on fabric, either. So glad I can create furnishings myself.

I'm also in a quandary about all the different tracks and poles out there. Do I go fixed, extendable, steel track, aluminium track? I've been researching and reading different reviews but I'm still undecided.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Ploshkin on October 24, 2017, 21:09:02 PM
I got extendable metal poles for my living room which made life easy as I could have them just the right size.  But ... when closing the curtains the rings won't slide over the join in the pole.  I have to stand on a chair to draw the French window one and on the arm of the sofa for the other window  :S
They slide open just fine.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: BrendaP on October 24, 2017, 21:50:27 PM
I've just bought a curtain pole.  The advice of DD, who makes curtains professionally, was to go for a one piece pole because it's stronger, and to get brackets like this (https://www.polesdirect.com/product/28mm_allure_signature_polished_chrome_ball_curtain_pole), but not like this (https://www.polesdirect.com/product/28mm_allure_stainless_steel_effect_ball_curtain_pole) as they bend.

A one piece pole can be cut to the exact length required with a hack-saw or one of the twisty things used for cutting water pipes if it's a metal pole, or with a tenon saw if it's a wooden one. 

Another thing she told me is that as well as having one ring between the bracket and the finial on each side, put a ring onto the bracket itself - at right angles to the other rings, parallel to the wall.  That means that the edge of the curtain can be taken right back to the wall and held in position.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Puzzler on October 26, 2017, 18:23:09 PM
Ploshkin, that's what reviewers say about extendable poles.

Brenda, that's really useful advice about the brackets. Will keep that in mind in my quest for a reasonably priced pole. I must stop dithering and just get on it.

Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: BrendaP on October 26, 2017, 22:43:08 PM
We finally got my pole up this evening; which means that tomorrow I can measure properly and do the calculations for the spacing of the pleats.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Vegegrow on October 27, 2017, 08:38:21 AM
We finally got my pole up this evening; which means that tomorrow I can measure properly and do the calculations for the spacing of the pleats.
ahhh sums.. but your good at those Brenda
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: BrendaP on October 27, 2017, 23:41:25 PM
You wouldn't have thought so this morning the number of times I pinned and then moved the pins :pin:
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Iminei on October 29, 2017, 10:11:20 AM
Imself ran our dining room curtain pole straight into the boxing that comes down alongside of the wall and it works well...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PPC1161ctx3pHQVOBdRe3r28Q2fd5uFVOefLgDvEj0LpJM-X76s6UkDl-sPkLcY-FQUZlILnJg_yXoz0OJhW8XDo6nUAhggbK0XsBlUAjdeqlFDryYwWr_51nZgQJ5lI0vE9Yaqh8sodtAbzDt0TyA3eLorAEmoNwVmDCsarJRhOWWYHoEvaVqKUbnlwW2ZhYDoxZwGGpPsKVWP0CgYF5IVpMUSYLqf0vUcmrnbnyanHuSG-YwNu7WvjiDA_qGQ5esbGtXopGLQZ5zxgi6a4QWOs1HC39ufdYCbnEotXfTz_55wtdN0Wz_P2zO_Z5Z_7YhMWSGH-h5xrt0Y0mMZDHVuaAL5wmd9HVkEJT3mnGJX_52Q8Kjr2fkW2LNL2_7iFi6nHan2L_btMil7ZJQKG7kbhwwGVTo3Ca1PCc6mpisnrf99daRnMKiqV5Xq2FTbB4TB7WtJ7B7lky1apvdGLb5qDOM4Tg5D3GE2H6ovLUCdUGQ-VGRVc6ncfHcIsxfkgbiu55XflyumvMj6hRWhcpTbRl07uDUGwkXG9VURVFNCgWEyvvHxgBs8_4sNOW8_-UPLHXsvCf-lXicjXaKW_SlXS9elEW7ZTIMAqucNt1QPQS4Ypzl_7QoNULJF9IoJtQ9isHLvdz2zsIwfbpBtRItShOYkOpw=w987-h788-no)

but very interested about the "attach a hook to the bracket at a right angle to bring the curtain back to the wall" thing. I just might try that!

BTW Please excuse the mess in our back yard ... Imself says he will clear it all up one day (Methinks hes going to need a skip in the end)
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: BrendaP on October 29, 2017, 15:07:51 PM
Can't see you photo  :'(
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Vegegrow on October 29, 2017, 15:26:59 PM
What is it with Imi's photos ...I saw it earlier but it's gone now  :S
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on October 29, 2017, 15:32:06 PM
No piccy here either, Iminei  - I think you have a pic gremlin that steals them before they get to us.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Sewbee on October 29, 2017, 15:32:11 PM
I don't see Imi's photo either, just a small square.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Surest1tch on October 31, 2017, 22:25:06 PM
My bedroom wall is like that, I didn't make a pair of curtains I just made 1 wide curtain, because the wall is wallpapered in similar colours it doesn't look stupid when it's pulled back.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Maximum on November 01, 2017, 08:51:15 AM
If you need to keep costs down, how about a blackout roller blind in the window recess and down to the sill with a lightweight decorative curtain hanging from a pole outside the recess? I agree extendable poles catch the rings but if curtains are light you can still flick them across.
Sounds like a major upheaval so take your time to settle in and get sorted
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Puzzler on November 01, 2017, 20:34:40 PM
Having considered just about every window treatment, I've made a decision. On another thread last week I asked Francesca what a blind kit was. Last week was a particularly bad week - well most weeks are these days. The lounge windows have Roman blinds that thankfully were left when the previous tenants moved out. What do you think holds them up? Blind kits. (Apologies, Fran)  I have now ordered one for my bedroom window. It's due here on Friday.

For the Roman blind, I'm considering two fabrics:
http://www.curtainfactoryoutlet.co.uk/products/5650-allotment-curtain-fabric-nutmeg.html (in keeping with the farm theme) or https://www.stoffstil.co.uk/fabrics/half-panama/woven-white-w-black-pine-twigs

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I'll post pictures when projects are completed (have other windows to do). And thank you, Maximum, for acknowledging the turmoil I'm in.
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Vegegrow on November 01, 2017, 21:06:45 PM
Lovely fabrics .. do consider that most of the time the blind will be pleated up so what you  see is a strip of fabric about 25/30cm wide at the top of the window so pick which will be the best
Title: Re: Options for window dressing
Post by: Iminei on November 02, 2017, 07:13:24 AM
Much prefer (for what its worth) the second of the two fabrics .... very classy!