OT:curtains

Hanne, I don't have enough experience with what you're trying to do to be sure, but it seems to me that you're right to worry about the weight of the curtain being pivotal in how the curtain would hang when lifted (is this the same idea as what we call a Roman shade?). The linen, having more body, would likely hang better with less fussing on your part. JMHO ? and I could be way off!

Yes, I think it is the same as a roman shade (a flat roman shade?) - not balloon-style!

Hanne in DK

Can you have both? What about setting a sheer inside the window casing on tension rods and a well-behaved linen Roman shade over that? Polly

You don't mention the size of window and shade which would make a difference in fabric selection, number of cord tapes that you plan to use, etc. I would suggest that you consider an interfacing layer at the bottom to help support the folds when raised. barnyowl

Do a search on Roman Shades before you start. It'll give you a general idea of how they work, how to make them, and what should work best. Another place to look up is "Warm Windows" for how to's. I've made a number using the Warm Window fabric with 'Designer fabric on teh other side ......never anything as lightweight as you are thinking of. I made these to keep the heat out in summer and cold in winter: made a HUGE diff in electric bills in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

HTH Butterfly

Den 08-06-2012 02:39, Polly Esther skrev:

More info:

I don't need something to cover up the whole time - basically no neighbours overlook this window :-)

So I think this would be more than what is needed and maybe look fussy (given that it is not needed).

The room is very small, which is why I want to keep the window treatment really light, also the winters are long and dark up here.

But the idea of a well-behaved roman shade does appeal, and I'm not sure I can get that from a sheer. Even less sure now.

Hanne in DK

The window is about 120x120 cm, set 25 cm into the wall (by the outside of a 25 cm wall - don't know that vocab for this :-)).

I read that you should have no more than 30 cm between cords, and that uneven number of cords look better. So 4 or 5 cords, I guess.

Also, I thought it was standard to put a little pole/stick in the bottom of curtain? Is this what you mean to replace by interfacing, ro do you mean interfacing the whole curtain?

Thanks for helping me clarify in my head!

Hanne in DK

Den 08-06-2012 02:57, barnyowl skrev:

Yes, a rod in the bottom helps considerably. Cords should be placed about 10 inches (sorry my metric is no good) apart in width. I think it will depend on exactly what type of sheer fabric you're looking at. If it's a high poly type fabric you'll definitely get more 'ballooning' and less flat. The lower the poly content, the flatter it will lay. I've got sheers on most of my windows to difuse light and keep the neighbors from having too much fun watching what goes on here. The lace-type sheers I have in some windows would, I think, lie quite flat if done in a roman shade fashion. The 'typical' sheers that I have in other windows, not so much. Plus, you'll need something with a bit of 'substance' to be able to tack the cord stays (little plastic circles to run your pull cords) every 10 inches or so the length of your curtain as well.

I've made roman shades for our house. I found that that you need to use a fabric that holds a pleat in order for it to lie flat when pulled up. The first time I pulled it up I had to help the pleats form neatly (sort of finger pressed them into place). Allison

One more reason to look at linen or something similar -for sure I should be able to get a decent crease on that (even if it would not hold a full pleat by itself). Also, I guess that when it is pulled up, the weight of the upper pleats will help the lower ones stay down due to the weight, something that would probably not happen with a sheer that might just end up sticking right out.

I'll be in London in a few weeks, and will probably stop by John Lewis, they have some great furnishing and curtain fabrics, and since I only need for the one window, it is not such a big deal to spend a little more per yard to get a great fabric.

Thanks for all you guys' advice!

Hanne in DK