I have 7 windows in my LR and I also made panels for each. A good source is on ebay-do a search for large yardage fabric. I got 13 yds and the colors were true to what I saw on the screen & saved lots of $$ buying this way.

Hi Margaret,
Welcome to the forum. The first place I would look would be your local Wal Mart. IF you are lucky enough to have one that still sells fabric. Ours does and gets in large quantities of dollar a yard fabric. Ofcourse it depends on how much yardage you need, but some bolts have up to twenty yards of fabric. This time of year ours starts to get better dress type fabric and sometimes suitings that often can work for window treatments. Get friendly with at least one of the ladies in the department and they may even give you a call when they get a large shipment in. And remember you can always use more than one type of fabric such as in the following picture. Sorry it's such a bad picture, but I took it with my old cell phone. I used three fabrics. The top and bottom are the same except for background color with the middle in cheetah skin print to match the cheetahs in the other two. I've seen this done with solids too.
{{!gwi}}
Good Luck!
~Becky

I should add that the above was from Wal Mart, but not dollar a yard. It was on clearance though. They're regular prices are often less than fabric stores 40 and 50% off sales prices are.

Thank you to both of you for the info. I will enjoy hearing any other ideas too, while I follow up on these suggestions.

Margaret

From my experience, it is really hard to beat the price of ready made curtains at K-Mart, WalMart, Target, etc. 84 inch is the norm at those places, but the selection of 108 inch curtains is growing, especially at Penny's and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Margaret, I'm inferring from your post asking where and what kind of fabric, that you don't really sew?? Otherwise, you would know where to go and what to buy. If you ultimately decide to try this, be sure to get someone who sews to give you some tips on making your simple panels so that they hang right and look good. There is nothing more frustrating than thinking that you are going to save money by doing it yourself, and then, not really liking the results. House of Fabrics online is a good source. For local, I like JoAnns because they have 40% off sales on decorator fabrics very frequently, and they have nice choices. I got my Waverly chenille, which looks good and hangs beautifully, there, for maybe about $10 per yard for their sale price. (takes about 5 yards to make two panels 50" wide.) Hancocks has good sales too and nice choices.

Another possibility if you can find something that fits your style and color requirements, can be sheets. I have bought twin sheets many times for simple cotton curtains. They already have a hem and hemmed sides. You just have to work out the rod pocket, or even hang them on clip rings with the header folded over. A twin is usually 66" wide, so you can get a nice fullness that makes up for the fact that you are using a thinner cotton fabric instead of a heavier decorator fabric. Another bonus to fooling around with sheets? You can buy a nice flat sheet from Macy's (on sale please!) or wherever, bring it home, use clip rings to try it out on your window, and if you don't love the look/color/pattern, fold it up, bring it back for refund.

Someone else suggested buying panels. Well, if you do not really sew, you may just be much happier with readymades. Check out HomeGoods/Marshalls/Ross/JCPenney/Walmart/Target. Save your receipt in case you don't fall in love.

Red

Here is a link that might be useful: My chenille panels....Scroll down the thumbnails on the left side till you get to the curtains

Graywing and Red, Thanks to both of you for the ideas. I will be following up on everything/every place you both suggested.

Red, I do sew and have sewn a great deal over the years - clothing, costumes, decorative pieces, etc. But I have only made curtain panels a few times and that was for my son and his wife. They picked the fabric, not what I would have selected, actually.

I think the fact that we will need so much fabric scares me: about 75 yards for the two walls of windows. So the cost will be great.... and since this is our ultimate, retirement home, I feel this giant need to "get it right" and hesitation/insecurity/panic is beginning to take over.

The fact that I need such a large amount made me assume that I couldn't just go to JoAnn's (a favorite of mine for most situations). And then I wondered, should I just be looking at "drapery" fabrics and "home decorating" fabrics, or ????

This is the beginning of me trying to "get a grip" and I appreciate all the help I can get. I too think the 108" panels found on sale may well be the way to go. I am going shopping today - on the bolt and ready-made panels both!

Thank you....

75 yards for the two walls of windows.

You might want to post a photo of the two walls of windows and ask for suggestions of how to dress the windows. There are options besides simply covering them with drapes, such as a combination of blinds and stationary panels.

If you find a fabric that you like at Joann's, they can order it for you in any amount of yardage. When they have their 50% off sales, it usually applies to special orders as well. I have ordered fabric on-line from fabricsandhome.com. They sell by the bolt. When I ordered upholstry fabric, I purchased an entire bolt of two different fabrics at a very discounted price (less than 60% of what Calico Corners charged). I think each bolt was about 30-35 yards, but it varies. I would suggest visiting Joann's and taking notes of the fabric brand, name and color.

If you order online, make sure you request a swatch before placing your order to verify your selection.

The type of fabric you choose depends on the style you want. Some fabrics may need to be lined for sun protection or to hang right depending on the style.

Gray - That is a good idea... I need to figure out how to post a picture but I believe I can do it.

cindy - Good info re: online ordering. I will check fabricsandhome.com. I have been realizing how important it would be to order a swatch before making a final decision!!

And of course my husband has reminded me that the money cupboard is bare, and we may have NO window coverings for a while after we move in...

But at least I will be armed with information and ideas!!

Margaret