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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Are any of you good at sewing, particularly curtains? I have just bought ready made curtains but they need shortening. I have made and shortened many curtains in the past but for obvious reasons I want to keep things as easy as I can. I need to shorten the curtains by 8". I know they need to be cut and shortened ideally but I was wondering what you think about leaving the current hem and turning them up 8" (hope you are still with me  ) Basically, do you think that an 8" hem is too much? Please be truthful because I am being blinded by the amount of work and I want them to look right because they cost a lot of money. Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi Sheila, I find things like this much more difficult now than i used to. As they cost alot of money i would maybe think about having them shortened professionally. It depends on how long the curtains are, wether 8 inches is too long or not, sometimes if they are very long any way the extra weight at the bttom may be is not a bad thing. I always miss my mum when it comes to curtains she always knew the right thing to do with them and made most of our curtains at one time.
Good luck
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Bev
Thanks for your reply. I have considered having them professionally done but pride stands in my way and the fact that I can or could do them with no problems.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sheila, I also do altering when I'm in the mood, I would not however have an 8ins turn up it just wouldn't look right. I would not give any more than a 2.5in hem, they would be too bulky and you would notice them all the time. Get them altered by someone and don't worry about it. I like to do things myself too but sometimes it's good to let someone else do it for you. Have fun putting them up without the hassle of the work first. Lorna xx 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Lorna
I think you have just voiced what I really thought anyway. I just wanted to have less work but you are right. They are quite heavy curtains anyway so would look very bulky. Thanks for the honesty. Speak to you soon.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Sheila,
me and my Sister spent all Sunday afternoon altering two pairs of 90 inch x 90 inch curtains,
we hemmed them up a hem length which i have just measured and that was almost 3 inches.
we were able to hem them to the lining, i pressed the hem up first and then although it was time consuming it was easy to hand stitch along.
and now they are gathered and up at my windows and even though i say it myself they look nice.
so i agree with Lorna, i think 8 inches is too long to hem ... my curtains aren't overly heavy they are a nice thick cotton from John Lewis.
hope this helps,
Suzanne x
P.S.
i did look into the Wonder Web stuff but felt anxious using it as you have to have a damp cloth and was worried that might ruin the material and also if it get's on your iron it won't come off.
i suprised myself at how much sewing i did, as i am left handed and that hand isn't so good .. but i think my Sister would have been here all night doing the lot on her own !!
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Turning up curtains! No wonder you aren't getting in enough cannon practice. I must be plain lazy - I'd have them "done". In my book, life is too short to be fiddling around with curtains!!! xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Thanks Suzanne and Jean.
I have just found out an easier way to do them. You might know of it but it hadn't occurred to me. Take the header tape off and cut off from the top and put header tape back on. That way the professional hem is still in place. Will get hubby on to it tonight.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Wow, that's a good idea Sheila!
I would never have thought of that.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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As long as you haven't already gathered them up, that shoud be great, Sheila xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Thanks Doreen and Jean
Fortunately I hadn't gathered them up. Hubby and I have just cut and pinned one set so they are ready for sewing. Just have to spend the rest of the evening unpicking the 90" wide heading tape. I will sew these tomorrow and we will do the same on the other pair tomorrow night, sew on thursday and up on friday. Thank goodness. I am sure they will look lovely when they are up. I certainly hope so or I will be posting on the steam room on saturday.
Cheers me dears
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Sheila, you could use the material you cut off to make bunting for us!  Won't take you long, just cut into triangles and hem the three sides............ 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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OR you could make little covers for the cannons!
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Great idea girls. I'm on it  Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Yippee!!!  Curtains are up and they look great. What a relief. Although I am not sure it is easier cutting the top off instead of the bottom. What I am sure of is that I will never do it again. Sheila x
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