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Design Dilemma
jazpatel1

Curtain crisis

Jas P
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hi all, I need some advice please. I've just had curtains made for my patio doors but they haven't turned out as I expected - I want to cry!
I asked that the curtains be made such that they opened up completely and not cover any of the patio doors but this is not how it turned out. Part of the doors on each end is now covered up by the curtain as it can't pull back anymore.
There is blackout lining which is really adding bulk to the curtain and therefore there's lots of material. I don't want tie backs. Do I have any other options? Or do I have to start again?

Featured Answer
  • tezz4
    6 years ago

    Comments (39)

    • mayfly182
      6 years ago

      I'm sorry, that must be really horrible considering how much made to measure curtains cost. You should go back to the person/company who made them if possible and ask them for help.

      I'm by no means an expert but I have had curtains with blackout lining, and the bulk was a bit of a problem for me too.

      A couple of things which might help:

      - That looks like standard header tape. That sort of tape encourages lots of tiny folds which maximises the problem. Changing the header tape is likely to be much cheaper than doing whole new curtains - maybe look at doing that?

      - There's wall space either side of the curtains. Could you fit a longer curtain rail? I know longer curtain rails can be difficult to find / expensive but it may be an option. I think without extra space for the curtains you're going to have to choose between a decent lining and having the curtains pull right back.

      Good luck!

    • PRO
      julia
      6 years ago
      I also wanted curtains that didn't cover my bifold doors. I opted for a curtain pole from Laura Ashley with "passing" brackets and rings. It is designed for bay windows but it works great straight. My curtains sit nicely at the side of the doors when opened. It wasn't cheap but well worth it. Good luck

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    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      Thanks so much mayfly and julia - I will definitely look into your suggestions. I'm going to need the luck!
    • tezz4
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Don't despair!! As mayfly182 and julia suggested, you can work with what you have and their ideas are both very valid. You could also consider adding maximum width to your present rail and readjusting the tape; or else switching to a simple wall to wall rod and adding grommets through your tape. The grommets will allow the bulk to fold up further but it will mean manual drawing. I hope you solve it.

    • Juliet Docherty
      6 years ago

      If they don't pull back any more than this then I would ask for a refund as they have not done as you asked. They should have probably advised you to have eyelet curtains as these pull back very neatly into perfect folds. Stand your ground and good luck.

    • PRO
      Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven
      6 years ago

      I would add extra length to the pole, especially if the curtain supplier can't help with your request.

      Shannon

    • Daisy England
      6 years ago
      There's a lot of fabric in those curtains. I'd start with making the pole longer.
      Other option (as already said) is swapping the curtain heading. I don't think you'll have enough material for rings in the top as they take up more fabric for the folds. I found this out :-(
    • susanglascoed
      6 years ago
      Your problem is that either way, there seems to be too much fabric in these curtains. Changing the heading tape but using the same width won't work. Changing the heading tape having reduced the width, will. Releasing the strings will create looser pleats but even wider curtains. Eyelet headings are very neat on a big window but have to be closed manually and a portion of the length will be needed to create the eyelets, so check that there's enough left so that the drop remains the same. But I think the width might need reducing too.
    • tezz4
      6 years ago

      There may be some hem to play with for length.

    • PRO
      Sartorial Soft Furnishings
      6 years ago
      How far apart are the curtain hooks attached to the heading tape?

      There may not be enough space between the hooks to allow the fabric to fold forward when the curtains are stacked back. I normally allow at least five pocket spaces between hooks, you could go more if necessary.
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Thank you everyone, this has been so helpful for me.

      @colourhappy - I have told my curtain maker that I'm not happy but haven't been able to get in touch with her today. Payment is still outstanding so I'm sure she will get in touch soon. I will stand my ground! The curtains are actually really neatly done, its just not what I wanted.

      @tezz4 - There is a hem but I'm not sure if this is sufficient.

      @Sartorial Soft Furnishings - The hooks are on every second pocket on the tape, I believe this was because of the weight ( we started off on every fourth one I think).

      I am going to look into longer poles and alternative headings in the mean-time while I try to find another curtain-maker to help me.

      One last question - will it help at all to get rid of the blackout lining?

      Thanks again for all the advice.

    • PRO
      Catherine Lepreux Interiors
      6 years ago
      How stressful for you. Blackout lining has a rubberised coating on it and is nearly 3 times the weight of normal cotton lining, so yes, it is bulky.
      If you don't need blackout in the room - looks like a living room from your photo - I'd suggest asking your curtain maker to swap the blackout for normal cotton lining. That'll reduce the bulk immediately.
      It may also be worth discussing a different heading with the curtain maker. These curtains look very full, and something like a single pleat heading will stack back more neatly from the windows.
      Jas P thanked Catherine Lepreux Interiors
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Thank you Catherine, I will discuss a different heading. Back to the drawing board!

    • PRO
      Catherine Lepreux Interiors
      6 years ago
      A single pleat heading normally takes approximately 2 times fullness, it looks to me like you have 2.5 - 3 times at the moment. You may want to ask your curtain maker to reduce the width of the curtains, as well as swapping the lining.
      It'll involve some rework, but isn't very complex to do.
    • kikiamack
      6 years ago
      Having the curtain hooks on every second pocket is not right and is the reason the curtains won't open more. If you've just picked up some hooks from somewhere like Wilkinson then they are not strong enough to hold all that weight. You need to try some metal curtain hooks, Rufflette are a brand that make them, look on John Lewis' website. Then you should be able to have a hook on every 5th or 6th pocket, and see how that looks. Also, with regard to the pole, "normal" guidelines of bracket 6 to 8 inches from the recess would not apply with a doorway the size of yours. Could you post the following: The width of the doorway, the length of the pole from bracket to bracket, the distance from the edge of the doorway to the curtain pole bracket, and the number of widths of fabric in each curtain. I could then calculate whether the curtains are too wide, or whether it is to do with the pole.
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      @kikiamack - The curtain maker has used plastic hooks! I will look into the one you mention - thank you.

      Measurements (I've measured myself so might not be 100% accurate)

      Width of the doorway: 360cm

      Length of the pole from bracket to bracket: 465cm

      Distance from the edge of the doorway to the curtain pole bracket: 58cm

      Number of widths of fabric in each curtain: This one I'm not sure about. I ordered 17m of material and have 160cm left so thats possibly 770cm on each end?

      The curtain maker recommended this track which I'm not sure is strong enough as I've noticed this morning that its causing strain and damage to the wall when pulling on the cord to open/close. http://www.halliswebshop.com/hh_esa/esa/ItemDetails.jsp?@where.ItemID@EQ=U100W300550T&sessionkey=LZIQ-FSSD-5X2B-4TPB-1JVU-XQ3G-ZTSX-A3T1.

      I definitely need to look into getting a pole instead I think.

    • kikiamack
      6 years ago
      For your window, assuming a fabric width of 54" (137cm) and 2 times fullness, this calculates as 6.75 widths in total. This could be either rounded down to 6 widths (3 in each curtain) or rounded up to 7 widths (3.5 in each curtain). You can easily see how many widths you have by looking at the curtains - there is a vertical seam where each width of fabric has been stitched together. I can't work it out from the fabric amounts as I don't have the finished length of the curtains, the pattern match allowance or the top/bottom hem allowances, so you will have to count the widths (or panels) of fabric in each curtain, and remember there may or may not be a half width in each.

      Assuming that 3.5 widths have been used per curtain, the 58cm you have between the window and the bracket is more than enough to pull the curtains back off the window completely.

      For comparison, I have a 200cm curtain pole with 1.5 widths per curtain, with blackout lining. The hooks are placed 5-6 pockets apart and there are 12 rings per curtain. Each one pulls back fully into 15cm (from window edge to bracket), obviously allowing for the leading edge of the curtain to just cover the edge of the window recess.

      I hope this helps you decide on the best course of action.
    • kikiamack
      6 years ago
      I had to click out to see what you said about the track. It's steel and Swish is a good make so I suspect the correct fixings may not have been used. This is not really my area so I'll leave that to another Houzzer.
    • Gill Cefai
      6 years ago

      Hope you have been able to solve your problem with the curtains. I sympathise, it must be so frustrating.

      On another note, and I hope you don't mind me asking, I love your sofa, where did you get it from?

    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      Thank you Gill! I'm on hols at the moment so have not yet sorted it out.

      My sofa is from sofa.com. It's the Stella large in lagoon brushed linen cotton. I've only had it for a few weeks but it's very very comfy :-)
    • Rose Williams
      6 years ago

      Making the pole longer is a good idea, however the curtains are made to FIT, so wont draw right without releasing the gathering to fit the new width and backfire the problem. Large eyelet top curtains draw back flattest (not the ring tops) if you dont mind the curtains being more flat instead of fully gathered when drawn. Maybe get them remade with eyelet, and also put the pole to the ceiling and have them longer ... would make the doors look bigger. They really do cover a lot of the doors dont they, I'd be upset too

    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Hi everyone - just wanted to post a quick update on this. I had someone come over yesterday to look at the curtains for a second opinion. The curtain maker was quite shocked at what she saw so I think I made a really poor curtain-maker choice to start with. Live and learn!

      The advice I was given: The curtain rail needs to be removed (my wall fixed and re-painted!) and the rail re-fitted higher up and brought in a bit (not further out). The heading needs to be changed - she suggested pinch pleat. The interlining removed and blackout lining used instead (I didn't even know it was interlining as its not what I asked for!).

      However, all of this means that more length is needed and therefore I either need a plain border at the bottom or I need to buy a whole new set of material and start again. I'm really nervous about a border so I am still thinking about what to do next.

      Thanks for you all your advice so far, much appreciated.

    • tezz4
      6 years ago

      Could you border the top instead?

    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago

      Hi Jas P, sorry to hear about your dilemma, I think that it has been mentioned before, but the curtains heading seems to be a pencil plate tape. I normally only make hand finished curtains, but you should definitely request that the tape be changed out to a wave tape or a cartilage pleat finish.That way the curtains will be more in keeping with the rest of the room, ie. a little more contemporary, and fold back on themselves a lot neater and tighter. If you want more or a traditional look (not recommended for that room) a double pinch pleat will also make a difference, although not as significantly. The other thing is (for future reference) - for the curtains to look like those you see in the magazines, you either want to go unlined for something like a floating light linen look, or interlined for a beautiful neat drape. Face fabric with only a black out lining will never look the best. In regards to the track you should be able to order additional fittings to make it more secure, however the correct screws given the surface is also important. Annika x

      Jas P thanked ig. design & interiors
    • kikiamack
      6 years ago
      Looking at the picture, I'm not convinced that the curtains need lengthening. You need to ask for the pole to be positioned at the correct height for the length the curtains are now. This will be a bit higher than the rail is. When you put curtain hooks in the tape to use on a rail, you use the lower part of the tape so that the curtain hides the rail when closed. When using a pole , whether using tape or sewn in pinch pleat, the hooks are positioned nearer the top of the curtain so that the curtains hang below the pole.

      The fact the curtains are interlined does explain a lot though about the bulk and weight of the curtains. Usually that we be the more expensive / luxurious option, but I guess that's not always the way to go!
      Jas P thanked kikiamack
    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago

      PS. sorry about my typo of Pleat (plate) :-) x


      Jas P thanked ig. design & interiors
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Tezz4 - I could do a border at the top or top and bottom - but I can't really decide whats best.

      ig designs and interiors - Thank you for your comments. I had actually suggested wave tape to the lady I met yesterday but she dismissed it straight away, She seemed adamant it needed to be double pinch pleat! No prob about the typo :-)

      kikiamack - you are right, interlining definitely doesn't seem to be the right choice in this room. Useful to hear your thoughts about the track - thank you. I am going to look into this further.

      I stay in the Wimbledon area - does anyone by any chance know of someone else I can contact that might be able to help me?

    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago

      Hi Jas P,

      one of my interior design clients, who I am working with again at the moment, has sent me a photo (for you) of a cartridge pleat curtain I did for him a while back (the panel you can see is 2 drops of fabric. As you can see it folds really neatly into itself. I would absolutely advise you to keep the interlining and if possible get this hand finished heading done. Good Luck with it all. Annika

      Jas P thanked ig. design & interiors
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Thanks so much Annika for sending me the pictures, it looks great. I'm definitely going to suggest this to the new curtain-maker.

      Quick question - do you know if I would need more length if I used this heading (I have a pencil pleat heading at the moment)? Reason for me asking is that I am wondering if I really need a border or if the heading could be changed using the existing material (and then I would have to keep the track where it is now).

      Thanks again.

    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Your curtain maker should be able to unpick the heading (which will take time) and insert buckram to enable him/her to do this hand sewn finish. She will have to take a look and see whether it can be salvaged. Although, I cover the whole of London for full interior design projects, I only do smaller projects locally. If you were local I would definitely offer to pop round. Please let us know how you get on. x

      Jas P thanked ig. design & interiors
    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      No problem, I wish you were closer :-) The curtain-maker said to me that there won't be enough length in the material to go from pencil pleat to pinch pleat (maybe its different for cartridge pleat but we didn't discuss this) and hence the need for the border. I'm just not totally convinced by this so I might try to get a third opinion. I still have 3 other sets of curtains to make so I need to find the right person before I make any of the others!

    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago

      If you get stuck, email me at annika@loveiginteriors.com and we can try to get together for a phone chat. If you are happy to pull out the tape measure ( I can guide you on this one), I would be able to give you an estimate for all your windows excluding fabrics and we could take it from there. Hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago

      Thanks so much. I already have measurements so can pop them in an email :-)

    • PRO
      ig. design & interiors
      6 years ago

      Could you pop a contact number on the mail as well. My work number is 0203903 4935 or you can reach me on my mobile during the week and Saturdays at 07815140959 x

    • Jas P
      Original Author
      6 years ago
      Hi all, my curtains are finally sorted so thought I would post a picture after all the wonderful advice I was given on this forum.
      Changes - heading changed to double pinch pleat, track extended and interlining changed to blackout. Phew. I'm very relieved it's all over and think I'll take a bit of a break before starting the other rooms!!
    • Daisy England
      6 years ago
      That is soooo much better. Looks good.
      Jas P thanked Daisy England
    • Rose Williams
      6 years ago

      oh brilliant, they look fantastic, so well proportioned around the door frame. :)

      Jas P thanked Rose Williams
    • tezz4
      6 years ago

      So glad to hear you are happy!

      Jas P thanked tezz4
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