Mine were made at a local drapery/upholstery store. I feel they really finish a room.

They are worth the cost and are timeless. Do you have a fabric district where you live? If you do, you can save a bundle on fabric and they may be able to refer someone to make them for you.

I use a local drapery workroom. Most fabric stores can give you references or check the Yellow Pages. I think there's nothing more beautiful than well-made draperies to finish a room. It's so sad to see a room that someone has spent hours decorating and then finished with ready-made panels. Of course, sometimes budget constraints dictate choices, but I'd rather save in another area if I could.

I used a local blinds and drapery shop to make my living room curtains. The shop does carry a full line of upholstery and drapery fabric, but I started out with fabric I purchased online. I had two plain 82" rod-pocket panels made, with lining, and with me providing the decorative fabric (but not the lining) myself it cost $100.

Many here on the list encouraged me to sew them myself since I do sew and already had the fabric, but for me it was well worth the money to have it be someone else's project--I was already swamped at the time.

The shops in my area that sell upholstery fabric all have names of seamstresses they recommend, too.

Someone on this forum posted a link to the Village Workroom a while back. I haven't used them yet but plan to. So far they have been very responsive to my questions via email. you can also provide your own fabric and they can make the drapes for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Village Workroom

I'm a seamstress and advertise on Craigslist under Creative Services. There are a couple others in this area that do the same, though one is a design business and not an independent seamstress, you might want to check your area for ads.

I also put my business cards up at Hancock Fabrics. They'll not recommend any one seamstress for legal purposes, but they do allow offer a spot for our cards.

On my CL ads I share pictures of my work so potential clients have an idea of my skills. Before I'd hand off expensive fabric and supplies to anyone I'd want at the very least to know their skill level so you might want to ask for examples too.

Justgotabme-What city on CL do you advertise in? I may be looking for someone to make me some pillows for my LR.

lishanna, let me know if you use Village workroom. I ordered samples from them today.

I think I was the one who posted Village workroom. I've ordered from them several times. I have unlined linen drapes, lined linen drapes, Flair Pleat dupioni drapes, and rod pocket dupioni drapes. Village Workroom is professional, fast, and reasonable. Their customer service and their workmanship is impeccable. I will admit, though, I've never paid for anyone to construct true custom drapes by coming to the house, measuring, installing, etc. so I wouldn't compare them to that.
Dee

I got mine through a designer--panels and sheers--so all the fabric was purchased separately and a local workroom came out and measured, made and installed. They are pleated, lined, interlined, weighted and probably gilded, too, somewhere. I launched into this venture because my mother had custom curtains when I was a kid, and so I wanted them too. I kind of forgot that there are a lot of things the middle class could afford in the 1960s but not so much now. Anyway, they cost six and a half fortunes, but they are spectacular.

Jerseygirl, please email me by clicking on my nickname. I don't want to reply here because I believe it would be considered advertising and I didn't intend it to be that way. I was only suggesting that was a way to find a seamstress locally.

Marcolo,
If those are chiang mai curtains, you must post a pic. I love that fabric. So beautiful. I hope you did the aquamarine colorway. Sarah richardson even did some upholstered bed with it. I had forgotten I loved it until I saw it a few weeks ago.

My parents had custom drapes too (she used to own a drapery shop). I'm obsessed with drapes, I think that my mom started me on them. I'm always checking out people's drapes. Looking for interlining, weights, etc. But, sadly, I never see them. I think you have to come from a home that had them to really appreciate them. I was reading that Faudree's book the other day. He suggested that if you could only spend on one thing in your house, spend it on drapes.

I think that custom drapes that are (now) in our pool room were at least a couple of thousand (might have been around 1500). They are lined, interlined, weighted, etc. They are in a striped gold and green silk. I wish that I loved them as much as I did as my style as changed. I'm trying to brighten up the house and they look like they belong in a study. Oh! Also, they are double width too. That makes a difference. They could be cut down into four drapes that would be 50 inches across each. I think that I got a decent deal now that I think about it.

Gerrie Bremermann's curtains are my ideal. Three widths, lined, interlined, weighted, extra length (unless prohibited by space), natural fabric, preferably silk taffeta. I also use a lot of linen. I love statement curtains. Yes, it's worth paying a professional to do them--for two reasons: 1) They have the tricks of the trade in working with e.g., various fabrics of various weights and weaves, various cornice designs; etc., and 2) They have access to fabric sources to which non-designers do not. None of this is to say that other kinds of window treatments are never appropriate or desirable, just that when it comes to curtains, there is a world of difference between half measures and beautiful curtains.

I forgot. You can always make your own. It's really not hard. And, you can afford the dream fabric (if you have one). I've made a few sets. It's really not hard. There are only two stitches, straight and blind. Honestly, I think anyone can do it if you really want to. I've sewn linen (the only problem with that is that linen can stretch, I'd probably go with a linen/cotton blend.) a few times. I wouldn't probably interline them if it's your first time. And, it's not hard to drop in a weight into the sewn folds. I'd go to amazon find a good book and then go to the library. You'll be surprised and happy with the outcome. Then, you'll be changing out the rest of your curtains. :)

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I never would have thought to order them on line, but really want the installation also~~the windows are quite high. I looked on craigslist, but there were no listings for any type of sewing work.

Kimiko(I worked w/a Kimiko at Nordstrom years ago, in San Diego)i've sewn a variety of things in my life, including *plaid*(i'm surprised i'm still sane!)Roman shades and bedspreads. I can *now* afford to have someone else do all the work, and just watch them being installed, which puts a big smile on my face. ;o)

Patty, if you have Hancock Fabrics call and ask if they put up business cards. Calico Corners is another place to check with. If you remember a recent post we found out they work hard toward having their product be "Made in America".

I've had some things done locally, but DD2 has used etsy.

In the past, I've used Calico Corners (highly expensive and seams on bedskirt and daybed cover came apart - curtains were fine though).

Finding a seamstress locally is pretty easy - Hancock employees usually know someone, if they don't do it on the side. Just try to find one with references or work you can see beforehand.

I have used a local workroom for some valances. They did a great job. Remembering the 60's and 70's when my mom had our whole (quite large) house done in custom draperies. It was the norm for middle/upper class homes in those times.

I really do not recommend Calico Corners.

I should add that I've never used Calico Corners. We don't have them anywhere near us. I was just thinking of what we learned from the CEO on the recent thread. I do know in comparison to what I charge they are extremely expensive. I have no overhead since I work from home though.

Having just gone through this I'd like to chime in about installation. I came very close to using Village Workroom for my drapes but was daunted by the notion of having to install them myself. After having the seven windows in the living room and four windows in the dining room done by a professional with an awesome installer, I know I made the right choice. It was some job! It cost more to go this route, but I believe that professional installation is as important as professional fabrication if you want windows that look like they came out of a magazine. If anyone can share the name of a free lance installer in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area (as I still have a few rooms to do) I'd be eternally grateful. :)

Cheri127
I was given the name of an installer while I was shopping for drapes at Country Curtains for my MIL. His office is in Berlin, NJ. Email him at drapesguy@yahoo.com.

Also, Pasquarellos Interiors is a great resource for custom drapes. Their price includes installation and measuring. Their located in Stratton, NJ. Family owned business. Very nice people.

I think J.C. Penney's does custom drapes. I've never used them, though, so can't comment on the quality or price.

Just because a "seamstress" makes excellent clothing, etc, don't expect them to know how to construct window treatments. I have seen the work of a local seamstress who top stitched the hems, used half-widths for panels, and other methods that resulted in custom draperies that were a huge disappointment. Just make sure you ask for some pictures of previous work, or at least a reference. Not that they are so difficult, compared to clothing construction, but there are a lot of particulars that will make a big difference.
You can also look at the WCAA website for someone in your area. I would still ask for photos and references, but at least these people are serious about window treatments. You really do get what you pay for, in most circumstances. And I agree that installation is very important. Usually they will install or have someone they can recommend.

Here is a link that might be useful: Search here for professionals

I have used the village workroom on many occasions. I doubt I will ever go anywhere else. I find their prices to be reasonable and the quality is great. I have no complaints.

I do not mind measuring and installing myself.

They have a selection of fabrics on their site but I have also mailed them my own fabric three different times. I even had them do some drapes with a contrasting band at the bottom. If you send them a picture, they will even copy what you want.

I am just not a person to spend thousands on draperies but want quality.

I recommended Village Workroom to my sister based on the recommendations of this board, and she was thrilled with the lower cost and high quality of the silk drapes she ordered, since she had so many to do. She then hired a local decorator she was working with to hang them as part of a bigger scope of work.