Justmeinsd:
I started sewing again last summer after a 40-year hiatus. When I was young, I sewed most of my own clothes (and not so very well, but good enough). Last summer I made two pairs of full-length lined draperies and a shower curtain. It was unbelievably easy after sewing clothes! It's all straight sewing - no facing, setting in sleeves, etc. The main worry was handling big lots of fabric on the DR table and measuring 4 times to make sure the fabric was straight and the repeats would match.

I didn't use a pattern per se, but rather followed instructions in sewing books. And I read a lot, and picked up a bunch of tips. This summer I will be doing more complicated draperies (after consulting in this forum) and really can't wait to get started because the outcome last summer was so satisfactory. What kind of WT are you considering doing first? Let me know if I can help!

just
join the club! Do you have a machine? I started my venture the same way you did - Not willing to pay for custom window treatments and close exam of them told myself "I can do that" - I purchased a machine from a local dealer who also offered unlimited lessons. The machine Janome 3050 is a dream - makes sewing fun

I had very little sewing experience - HS home ec class & a few projects during my adult life - that were simple.

I have taken every book out of my local library over the past 3 yrs that had anything to do with sewing. I practiced on scraps, moved to small projects - skirt for utility sink, pillows, baby blankets and the likes. Yes, I ripped plenty of stitches out, got frustrated, allowed self doubt to enter and had fear each time I decided on a project.

Being on GW has helped inspire me to hone my skills - practice, research and getting some lessons have all helped along the way. The only way, for me, to get over the fear was to sew!

I did a recent post on this very topic called Decorating mistakes & fear of sewing. I have graduated to making my own roman shades - which took lots of research and the 1st one took an inordinate amt of time - but the next was a breeze in comparison. I searched for LR drapes forever, finally found some and had to hem them - my biggest fear was the cutting - they were lined & weighted - and came out beautifully.

It seems you have much more experience than I, so I'll use the old saying "it's like riding a bike" I'm teaching my 5 yo to ride a 2 wheeler now - She now says "I know mama, I need to not be afraid"

best of luck

Just like the above posters mentioned, I also checked out several books from my local library on sewing curtains & drapes. I used less expensive remnants/scrap pieces of fabric to practice on when I was learning how to make pinch pleats. I would suggest to start out with the smallest window
in your home and one that doesn't need to be lined.
I am a very low tech person. I use an old Singer Featherweight machine that's probably 50+ years old.

This site should help get you started.

Here is a link that might be useful: instructions

Laurie, I envy you your Featherweight! Mine was stolen in a burglary following a fire forty years ago, and I have never owned one that did a better job of a simple straight stitch. And it was so adorable, too!

You may find this link helpful ~ I did!

http://www.seweasywindows.com/articles

Barbara

Laurie...you have a marvelous machine! The Featherweight is one of my favorites (if not THE favorite). They have a stitch that the new machines can't come close to achieving.

Bronwynsmom...Say it isn't so! Someone stole your Featherweight? They have been red hot the last couple of years, but you can still find them on eBay. I know where there are two of them in a local antique shop. I keep telling myself I don't need another machine, but.....

Justmeinsd...Good advice from the above posters! I don't think I've ever used a pattern to make a WT. If you pick up a couple of books from the library on window treatments you can get all the info you need. Singer's "Sewing for the Home" is a good series. Start on smaller projects like valances or pillows. I figure that if you make something and it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, you've only lost a few dollars and a couple of hours. Give it a try!!!

I've never taken a class in my life, but do have a family full of accomplished seamstresses. My grandmother does some of the finest French hand sewing that you'll ever see and my aunt teaches classes for Bernina. My Mom designs patterns that are sold throughout the US. And then there's me. LOL Mom taught me the basics when I was really young, but it was torturous for a tomboy like me to be stuck inside sewing. I wanted nothing to do with it until DH and I bought our first house and I paid to have the first WT done. I decided right then that I could do that, so I bought a used machine and started sewing. Haven't stopped since. I now have 6 machines and the sewing room is the biggest room in the house. :o)

thanks for all the encouragement. I was feeling like such as sissy but feel like superwoman now.

persnicketydesign - I sure understand. My Mom had taken design classes and at one time made patterns for a dress manufactor. My baby clothes were all hand-smaucked. I was never as good as she was. Heck, even my brother did better hand work than I did!

I have just moved to a very small town that the only place that has sewing machines is Wallmart. I have been looking at Overstock but machines are so much more complex than the old singers I had.

I have booked marked all the sites and plan to head out for the library.

Once again. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement.

IMHO the old Singers are usually better than the new machines anyway. Check Craigslist, yard sales, etc. :o)

I was browsing eBay a few minutes ago and thought I'd check and see if anyone had those Singer books listed. There are a bunch of them available, but this seller has all 3 of them for only $5!!! That's cheaper than the gas to get to the library. LOL They really are good ones for beginners and great references to keep on hand. Here's a linky....

Here is a link that might be useful: Singer Books

justmeinsd, you read my mind with your post. I have never sewn a stitch in my life but want to make my own window treatments and pillows. I was going to take a $35 Intro to Sewing class at JoAnn's to get my feet wet and get advice on what features I should look for in buying a sewing machine. I hope to buy a used machine on craigslist. JoAnn's also offers a Window Treatments class for $75. You could probably jump right into that one as you're not a novice. Anyway, if you don't find the info you're looking for at the library or on-line or prefer hands-on instruction, maybe a local class would work for you.

Oh those books are the ones that you need! You should grab them, you'll refer to them forever. The step-by-step pictures are great. There are a couple of books by "Sunset" that are similar and a good reference, too.

If you're in a hurry to start, go ahead and get the machine at Walmart. No question that it's not as good as an old Singer, but it's not bad.

I am glad to know that I am not the only one with sewing experience that gets cold feet with the thought of sewing WTs.
I used to teach quilting and I am lucky enough to have 2 featherweights and one that is now for parts( it was dropped and a piece broke off. I just love those little things. Of course I bought mine about 15 years ago.
I learned to sew on an old singer of my Moms and then my DHs Dads( was his Mom's) I wore that out.
It doesnt need to have anything more than a straight stich and not goober up underneath.
I am glad to read about these tips!