Beautiful antique sari - can I make a curtain/drape ? ...terrified of damage but want to use this amazing fabric !

[Aintgointogoa]

Hullo creative MN'ers.

I have not been on this topic before and I am very much NOT an arty/crafty person (tho' I have dreams !)

Anyway putting this out there - I have an utterly stunning antique sari that was a gift from a friend in Sri Lanka. For years it has languished in protective packaging in a box, as I was too scared to touch it, it's so precious, couldn't use it as a throw because cats / messy friends etc. And terrified of cutting it and ruining it forever.

BUT I do not want this beautiful living piece to languish in the dark any more, I am in the 'forever' home finally. I hope the photos show it's colour palette and the stunning work in it. it is pure silk. It's VERY long - 228 cm / 90" (x 2) and 115 cm/45" wide (x 2). I have a large window in my bedroom (pic attached ) that already has a black out blind and an ultra functional pull down shade. It is 180 cm / 71" wide.

Would it be reasonable / feasible to make a fabulous curtain/drape and glow up my room ? That will give me pleasure every time I look at it ? Def not a bed cover / throw because see above.....and I have no idea how I would wash it.

OBVIOUSLY I wouldn't make it but I can access many talented tailor / furnishing studios here. I wouldn't have it lined because of said black out blind in situ and it might ruin the 'hang'.

So, make my day / year / Christmas clever MN'ers ! 🌠🙏❤️

Could you mount it behind your bed as a decorative hanging? If you use battens and velcro (this is often how textiles are hung in museums) this would be relatively reversable and safe. Google is not being my friend here but if you look up french cleat/ split battens and inmaging one length with the hooky velcro on it and then you sew/tack a length of the fuzzy velcro to the sari.

You could also get someone to back it with something - which would support the fabric from sagging or any wear. You may need curtain weights too to keep it hanging properly

Is this making any sense?! Its gorgeous by the way!

Or just drape it over a pole! (much simpler!)

Silk rots if exposed to sunlight for long periods, so I wouldn't use it at the window.

Thank you @MotherofAdults ! Yes I had thought of hanging it but it’s SO long…and that is a very boring window…it would be more of a decorative feature than actually function as a curtain. The window doesn’t get a lot of direct light so it wouldn’t fade or at least not quickly. I can’t bear the thought of it staying in its box. Do you think a lining would be advisable in any case. Curtain weights a good idea 👍

OP, the problem with making it into curtains is that your lovely fabric will fade on the edges nearest the window. Do the cats go into your bedroom? If not, could you make it into a throw for your bed, with maybe a couple of matching cushions?

Beat me to it @Bideshi ha ha…yes maybe pole simpler. Would still have to cut it tho 😱

You don't need to cut it if it's over a pole, just drape it over to desited length, aaaaaand making my case here - if it isn't at the window, it won't fade so fast....

Yep @sesquipedalian they do. They’re everywhere argh …and very scratchy claws esp when making ‘biscuits’. It was my go to thought years ago..

@MotherofAdults but it is a super shady window (one of the reasons I chose this apartment since I previously lived in one where the sun was ferocious - tropics) And I saw the damage it did to my other favourite tho less precious fabrics / blinds. Will def look at the pile idea, not having to cut it appeals greatly !

Can you have it over the bed, like a bed canopy?

Another who doesn't want to imagine it fading from the sunlight!

Or you could buy a new bed - like a modern four poster and have it as gorgeous bed hanging. I think I am getting over invested.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/vitarna-four-poster-bed-frame-white-luroey-s49556130/

Ooooh !!! @IBorAlevels That had not occurred to me !! What a brilliant idea…extremely functional white box bedroom (until I had wall paper) Me likey ! But…the window is the most boring feature…

Look here: https://www.theshantihome.com/en-gb/collections/saree-canopies?srsltid=AfmBOoo3pRfsLbGYA6_Y8k4lmZy1NttT_L7_zeMSTAZiQGL1r2mKm9n0

and here:
https://blog.kwikhang.com/curtain-draping-techniques

Anyway here is a pic of the new wall paper (going to get the bathroom door painted)

https://share.google/1aBoU5554PhJ57Obi or https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWLD3ZFH/ref=asc_df_B0BWLD3ZFH1761714240000/?tag=lion0d29-21&creative=22374&creativeASIN=B0BWLD3ZFH&linkCode=df0&th=1

For the window? I think you can get all sorts of patterns that look quite jali or colourful ones on various websites if that isn't your style?

Wow ! @Aparecium
I knew I had come to the right place 😻

@IBorAlevels actually the window outlook is over an internal green wall / courtyard so I don’t mind that. I am not overlooked. The light is sort of green and filtered (tho I still need a black out blind to sleep - early dawns !)