Hiya, I have been asked to shorten 2 big curtains and also split them in half so they make 4 curtains.. they are lined, but I have no idea what to charge? help appreciated. thanks

shop_tiludrop - 2021-01-18 18:20:00

bump

shop_tiludrop - 2021-01-18 19:08:00

Hmm. To make a decent job it would take me around 4 hours. There's a bit more work than just cutting and sewing. How much is your time worth to you?

hazelnut2 - 2021-01-18 20:14:00

hazelnut2 wrote:

Hmm. To make a decent job it would take me around 4 hours. There's a bit more work than just cutting and sewing. How much is your time worth to you?

Yes exactly my thoughts, easy to underestimate how long it can take..

shop_tiludrop - 2021-01-18 20:48:00

$100 probably.

yapper - 2021-01-19 12:27:00

Just to throw an idea to you. I had 4 panels of lined drapes each 40 inches wide x 84 long, pole top. [approx 101cm x 213cm]. Yes they were American! I wanted two panels joined together making for a total of two pairs of drapes. Took it to a professional with the instructions of joining two panels and adding header tape. IIRC the first time I went in to inquire if they could do the job the lady estimated at least one hour's labor plus tape quoting $60 for each pair. I was more than happy with the price as I couldn't find anything like these in NZ. Made a wonderful job!

I have more this time thermal drapes that I want shortened and the pleated header removed/tape added. The first question asked was 'we need the finished length' which I still have to figure out! As the fabric is thick and the window is smallish, tempted to have cut down width wise as well. Expect to pay more than above for each drape! Set of 2 drapes each measuring 80 inches wide x 84 inches long which is a standard width & length to buy in US stores.

coralsnake - 2021-01-22 03:10:00

Finished length is important, as this determines what work is required at the top! e.g. it can be very simple to measure UP from the hem, and cut the curtain shorter at the top to add the tape. If the top needs to be unpicked to add the tape, then that's a ton more work.

Measure the required length of your curtain from the top of the track.

Though the fabric is thick, I wouldn't reduce the width as the strings in the new tape (assuming you want these gathered) can be pulled up to fit your width. Standard curtain calculations for fabric requirement is 2X the width, though 2.5X and 3X are better. Eventually the edges in the sun when they're pulled back might fade and then you'll have the extra fabric to work with to remove the fading and make them look like new again.

Edited by hazelnut2 at 9:15 am, Fri 22 Jan

hazelnut2 - 2021-01-22 09:12:00

hazelnut2 wrote:

Finished length is important, as this determines what work is required at the top! e.g. it can be very simple to measure UP from the hem, and cut the curtain shorter at the top to add the tape. If the top needs to be unpicked to add the tape, then that's a ton more work.

Measure the required length of your curtain from the top of the track.

Though the fabric is thick, I wouldn't reduce the width as the strings in the new tape (assuming you want these gathered) can be pulled up to fit your width. Standard curtain calculations for fabric requirement is 2X the width, though 2.5X and 3X are better. Eventually the edges in the sun when they're pulled back might fade and then you'll have the extra fabric to work with to remove the fading and make them look like new again.

I gave up making/altering drapes when I moved to the U.S. Such a choice of ready made we finished up with at least 3 sets per room!

Re the thermal drapes - the tops could easily be cut off due to the length of each drape v the length of the window even allowing for some extra length [I don't like drapes hitting the floor]. They are dutch pleated and easy to undo if necessary. I have used a tag gun to pleat here and there!

Oh remembered I think most drapes I brought back also have valances! I also brought back triple tracking i.e. valace rod, drape road, net rod.

I never saw one pair of gathered drapes in the U.S. You couldn't even buy the tape unless you sourced it from Canada.

Have now bought many m of a non-thermal fabric to have made into drapes for said room - tailored pleats! Will use ready made black outs with it. And no, I am not making them - back to the same store.

Now having said that I have more large sized thermal drapes with dutch pleats which I will probably just sell off. There is somewhere in my garage a couple of suitcases of long [prob at least 80"] velvet like drapes - some 6 pairs, obviously professionally made/gathered. I saved them from a friend who was replacing them after his earthquake repairs were done. Most of the linings had old mildew stains which I couldn't remove. Started cutting the linings away and was going to use ready made black out liners. There is no way I will try and undo the knots on the tape strings!

May just do take the best of 4 panels and put aside for temporary use etc.
I don't particularly like gathered tops.

coralsnake - 2021-01-26 03:22:00