Hello!
I am having difficulty with a home-decorating project that I started. I purchased 100% cotton drapes from IKEA. Because they are too casual for my needs, I thought that it would be fairly simple to turn these inexpensive tab-top curtains into custom window treatments by adding a lining and rod-pocket for the panels, and making arched lined and interlined valences with piping to match. I pre-washed and dried the curtains as per the manufacturer's suggestions, pressed the panels to remove wrinkles using a pressing cloth, then cut the tab-top and side seams off so as to have a large piece of fabric. Then I cut the lining fabric so that it was both shorter and not as wide as the now cut IKEA panel. Before any cuts were made, I checked and double checked using quilting rulers to ensure that the cuts would be "square." After hemming both the lining as well as the panel with a blind stitch I then attempted to put the first panel together. My problem? The IKEA fabric stretches. Every time I pin and attempt to sew the lining to the panel, "wonkiness" ensues. Short of using spray starch/sizing is there anyway to stabilise the panel to minimise the stretch? I need to create window treatments for 5 windows before the holidays.
TIA,
-dlm.