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Drapery/sewing experts please help

16 years ago

This is a followup to my earlier post (titled "would this look odd") regarding my dining room windows and wanting to hang stationary panels on my windows. I would like to go ahead but I am still unsure and would like to know whether 18" of wall space is enough to hang the panel so it doesnt look skimpy?

Comments (7)

  • 16 years ago

    I think it will look fine as long as you use lots of fabric so you have a look of fullness. Most panels are 40-50 inches wide. That should be fine unless they are very thin fabric, in which case you should double up two panels on each side. By the way, some of the responses to your previous msg posted pictures and I think the one with the curtain rod going all the way across the window looks the best. There is something odd about the short rods that are only as wide as the panel. So go with the full rod look and fullness in the fabric so it will at least look as if they could be closed across the window even if they can't.

  • 16 years ago

    Good point. I am another who doesn't love the short rods.

    Red

  • 16 years ago

    Thank you donaldsg for your response and advice. I dont think I could do the short rods anyway because it would take up too much space with finials on both ends, I do prefer the longer rod. I am not knowlegeable at all about fabrics, what would be a good fabric to look for to give me that fullness and elegance I am looking for?

  • 16 years ago

    If you find a fabric that is not all that heavy, you could interline the panels to give a luxurious look.
    Interlining really adds a richness to any drape.

  • 16 years ago

    chloe, I had to look up what interline meant. Not sure yet if I am going to be able to find premade panels I like or perhaps have to go custom but I will definately keep your suggestion in mind, thanks.

  • 16 years ago

    roseabbey, there are just too many fabrics to mention to say what is heavy and what is not, but if you want a rich full look then velvet, brocade, damask might be some of the names to look for. Some cottons are heavy and some are light; some synthetics are light and some are heavy: it depends on the weave. You really only need to understand fabric weight if you are ordering them sight unseen and have to rely on the description, but if you are in the store buying panels or picking out fabric then just see how it feels in the hand. You want a fabric that is soft enough to drape (not stiff) but densely woven enough to feel substantial and not be floaty. So if you are buying panels open up the package and see how they feel or check the samples if they are hanging nearby. You want them to feel about the weight of a suit or light coat material. If you are in a fabric store like Joanne's fabrics you definitely want to go to the section of upholstery fabrics and avoid the dressmaking ones (the latter will be too light for curtains unless you buy suiting material). But having said that if you find a print you love that is say a light cotton, then do as chloe suggests and line it or interline as well to give it more heft.

    If you want a more traditional look then Country Curtains (catalogue and website) has some reasonably priced options. For more modern prints Ikea has some good choices. If the description says the curtains are lined then you know they'll have the weight you need.

  • 16 years ago

    Once you have some selections why don't you run them by the forum and we can give specific comments about the fabrics.