Denim Edges Question

I don't see why not. How are you going to attach the tabs?

I made denim tab-top curtains with a contrasting fabric for my last living room. It was both very easy and slightly disappointing. While they looked very nice I found that the denim didn't "gather" like I wanted when I pulled the drapes back. They were bulkier than I expected. They were also virtually light-impermeable, which was great, and exactly what I wanted.

-Charlotte

I haven't decided yet. I'm leaning towards attaching them on the outsides of the denim then sewing a button in place to make it look like they're buttoned. I haven't mastered button-holing and am not up for attempting it on a project that would require many button-holes on each of 4 panels :) I think I'm going to do the front edge of the tab in a V shape and I do plan to finish the edges on those, at least that's the plan.

I'm planning on a straight panel look when they're down, a panel that only just covers the opening without any gathering. Then to open I'd pull the panel off to one side and tuck into one of those iron tie-back arms. That would create some gathering but I hope its not so much that the weight of the fabric would produce a bulky look. I haven't actually held a piece up to the window yet to see if I really do want the flat panel look or if it would look better with at least a little gathering. I was afraid to do anything and get my hopes up if there was a strong chance that leaving the edges unfinished would present a problem.

Thanks for your input Charlotte.

That's exactly what we did, flat panel with the wrought iron hold-backs and a wrought iron rod. One thing I did which helped was to iron in a crease so that the panels would fold up in the "gathered" position. They were still very bulky. The window was probably 100" wide (haven't lived there in 4 years) so we're talking serious denim! I had also fully lined them in the contrasting fabric, which came around to the front of each curtain on all sides. It was mostly poly, which I hoped would help keep the denim from fading. We moved out and I gave them to the girl whose sofa they matched, I don't know if she's kept them.

As I mentioned, they blocked a lot of light so they were back 98% of the time (closed only for the rare daytime tv-watching or house guest on the sofa bed...) You'll want to make sure you like the way they look open.

-Charlotte

In article , Tee of uttered

I think I'd be inclined to run a line of zig-zag stitching in matching thread just in from the edge so that any natural fraying stays contained.

G'day AJH

That's what I was going to suggest too......it will give a nice frayed-fringed look to the edges and be very casual. Should look nice though.

Many years ago I made a denim roller blind in son's bedroom, bedside table had a denim book-bag, bed had a denim skirt (not gathered) the furniture was painted red full gloss and I stitched all the denim items with red thread. Looked really smart.

Bronwyn ;-)

She who would like to be obeyed > In article , Tee of uttered

Thank you to all who responded. I'm going to do the zigzag stitch about