Period Curtains?

[jocelyn plummer]

I'd go for the paisley, very suitable and right bang back in fashion too.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I bet your fingers are sore today!

You know my thoughts on the hand-sewing making work for yourself debate, but I can see they're very beautiful, and there's a bulk to those gathers you don't get with heading tape that I'm sure will achieve a sumptuous drape.

 

[Moo]

Nigel, you are wonderful!
I know the traditional techniques are time consuming, but you just wouldn't have got the quality of finish (nor, indeed, the satiosfaction) by bashing away with a sewing machine and commercial heading tapes.
To increase the satisfaction level to an even high pitch, I suggest you find out how much it would have cost to have them made professionally. And let us know, of course.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Moo you are so kind. Actually I did try to machine the pleats on my first curtain and made a terrible mess. Becasue of the swags none of the pleats themselves will actually be visible, but the effect they have on the way the curtain hangs is important I think.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

It's incredibly difficult to get the machine tension just right, it seems that hand sewing wins every time, leaving you with soft pleats and folds. Also linings seem to hang better when hand sewn into place.

How do you find the patience Nigel!

 

[Nigel Watts]

This is coming up for auction in a couple of weeks (about 12 feet long):

Cant quite tell how green it is. Colours might work for my living room but I'm not so sure about the design.

I had intended to view this carpet before today's sale at Christies South Ken, which I couldn't attend, but yesterday I was holed up with a cold. It went for £688 including premium, below its £700 to £1,100 estimate.

If I had liked it I was prepared to offer a little more, but I wasnt going to bid without seeing it. Bit of a bummer, but I live to fight another day.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Does anybody recognise this fabric? I found this curtain in a second hand shop, and want to match it for the other window in the room.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Nice find Joss! I don't recognise it, but I'll be on the look-out for you.

 

[Penners]

I can't help with the fabric, Joss, but is that a silk purse on the table? If I send you a sow's ear, could you make one for Mrs P? :wink:

 

[ilona73]

Joss
Don't quote me on this but it looks to me like it could be a voyage silk .I am not too sure,i do recognise it but offhand i just can't place it in my mind. The trouble is a couple of years ago everyone and his dog did variants on this type of design from LA with Lucille to Voyage, Dreams

Voyage have a new Carporali is very similar in its design but doesnt have the flower embroidered on it but does have the pin tuck design
View attachment 1
Having said that the Byron has the flower but not the pin tuck design too


It depends which you would rather match the flower detail or the pintuck ?




These are great people for silks
http://www.queenshill.com

Good luck

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I'll follow up your idea Ilona, thank you. I did have a quick flip through Queenshill, but will try again.It does not have to be an exact match,the pin tuck would be fine if I can find the yellow.

Penners, that is a little lavender bag I got from the Burnham market Craft Fair!! :wink: .

 

[ilona73]

http://www.hansson-silks.co.uk

I don't know if you have looked here or not but it might be worth a try . Also you could drop them an email with your curtain picture attached to see if they could help shed any light on its origins?
you never know it would be worth the ask.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Some very close matches, but not that yellow!!

 

[ilona73]

Some very close matches, but not that yellow!!

Photographs can be very deceptive. If i were you i would ask for lots of samples as until you see them in the "flesh" as it were you can never be too sure, although some may look more yellow etc it could just simply be due to the camera or lighting in the room at the time the picture was taken.
Good look in your quest and i will keep my eyes peeled,

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks very much for the Hansson silks link Ilona - fantastic! Been drooling over the lace... some of which is insanely priced - but the plain silk is very reasonable, and could well be perfect for the hall.

 

[ilona73]

If you are just wanting a plain silk these people are really helpful and will actually dye the silk to your own colour specifications
They are all reasonable priced too.

http://www.beckfordsilk.co.uk/

 

[jocelyn plummer]

All really good sources for silk. Thank you. Looks like I'll have to go for a plain in the background colour. Lucille is about the nearest so far.

 

[Nigel Watts]

When I have finished my current curtain project (currently lock stitching interlining to silk on last curtain) I am thinking of embarking on something like this before I try to make something more fitted, like the dress I am planning for my wife:

"Silk brocade" is one of the recommended fabrics. Any ideas?

 

[ilona73]

These people have a few "manly" silk brocade designs for your perusal.
They will send swatches and are a direct silk house in Nepal.

http://www.baronboutique.com/brocade.htm

 

[Moo]

Ilona - you're an absolute treasure. At last I know of some sources of fabrics that I can afford.

xxx M