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Original poster

Can anyone help me to find some really, really long curtains please? : )

67 replies

WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:00

I have been searching on ebay and google but not come up with any long enough.

They have to be quite thick as it is old windows - French doors rather, so thicker the better (barring concrete, it doesn't 'drape' well )

The windows are 120" or 10ft long, width isn't enormous (maybe about 8-9ft) but the length is a real problem.

I don't know how to make good curtains either, but it might be the only option!

Thanks

OP posts:
procrastinatingparent · 29/05/2008 16:08

These?

Too wide?

Too red?

Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:09

Colour unimportant...will have a look...back in a mo!

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:11

Ooh how did you find those! They're nice, maybe a bit shiny but would be fine - only thing is the cost. I know they're not bad for what they are, but I can't spend more than about £100 and that is pushing the budget (budget? )

Thankyou though...

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 29/05/2008 16:13

Can you buy some fabric, maybe a decent, thick velvet and knock some up on a borrowed sewing machine ?

Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:14

These are nice and cheap but they don't deliver

I wonder if they have any others you can order online...

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 29/05/2008 16:16

Ebay is good for cheap fabric. I've had some brilliant designer fabrics in current designs. Bargains

procrastinatingparent · 29/05/2008 16:25

WW - I've been looking for curtains myself this morning - and saw those IKEA ones too. I live about an hour away from a store and am planning to go in the next few weeks. Do you think there are any MNers who are going sooner and could post them to you? If you can wait I'll have a go but my plans are very fluid ...

solo · 29/05/2008 16:30

Ikea curtains are really long.

solo · 29/05/2008 16:31

Where abouts ish are you WW?

Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:39

Ooh! Gosh you lot are lovely

PP that is very sweet of you - I'm in Kent, the nearest is Lakeside which is a couple hours drive I think

Mind you I could pick up a few other bits if I did go...it'd have to be a whole day out.

If anyone is going I've found some gorgeous ones, called Unni Rand or something - they are here but might need two pairs - anyone know how to calculate? It might help if I had measured the window width first...not living there yet!!

Also not sure if they would be thick. It says velveteen??

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:41

PP how big are your windows?

It's funny because years and years ago, me and a boyfriend went to a school boot sale, and found huge pairs of stage curtains, velvet, heavy - you know the type - for about £3 a pair. Our windows weren't that big, we got one pair in a heavy cotton and I made him some trousers out of them

He was an arty type of bloke...

They were pale mauve.

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:42

I am not sure what happened to the other 5 metres - it was like an army tent. Took up the whole (big) garden when we laid it flat!

I would kill for those now...

OP posts:
missblythe · 29/05/2008 16:48

my Ikea is about 5mins away.

Could go tomorrow, if you like?

WW, if you trust me enough-am curtain genius!-I could make an executive decision on the thickness of the fabric for you.

PP, I could get yours too, if you don't want to wait.

solo · 29/05/2008 16:52

I may be going over there next week.
You can always return them if you don't need them. If the doors were 10' wide, that's 120" so, one pair will give you 50" on each curtain for gather, but if you wanted more, then two pairs would be better.

solo · 29/05/2008 16:56

No, ignore that, I think two pairs(I'm confusing inches and centimetres!)

Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:56

Wow! That would be marvellous...I suppose I could line them whatever. That wouldn't be too hard... Can I ask you Ms Curtain Genuius, would that be something one could do, if they have funny tube tops? I think they are 'thread a pole through' ones?

If we have an 8ft wide window, I'm guessing we'd need two pairs as well though. (140cm is only about 4ft 6 isn't it?)

In fact two pairs might not even do it...

I might have to go the material route instead and just make some. otherwise it'll work out really dear.

They are beautiful though aren't they

Thankyou so much for the offer.

OP posts:
solo · 29/05/2008 16:57

2 pairs!

Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 16:57

Could you have a look at them for me though?

I'd like to know how thick they are if it isn't too much bother..? Only if you are passing.

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 17:00

No I'm wrong, of course 2 pairs would do it...because each curtain is 4ft6, so even a pair would cover the window (say as a panel). Could then line them and maybe hang a cheapy curtain in a plain design, on each outer side iyswim.

I am liking this idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
WonderingWhy · 29/05/2008 17:07

MissBlythe - do you think the Gorel ones would go with them?

I'm not sure. They are nice and thick with lining but the light green looks a bit dodgy, and the red is a bit too red...

Oh someone tell me what to get!

OP posts:
procrastinatingparent · 29/05/2008 17:11

MIssblythe - what a kind offer - thank you! I think I will wait until I can go myself, one to check the colour, and two to buy loads of stuff we don't really need all those essential bits and pieces for the house. I actually have a secret passion for IKEA; how sad is that!

WW - IKEA say they have tape at the top, which I think means hooks rather than thread through a pole. A friend who makes curtains once told me that the secret to making ready-made curtains look better is to get wider ones than you really need, so the material looks fuller.

procrastinatingparent · 29/05/2008 17:12

Whoops strikeout didn't work!

NotABanana · 29/05/2008 17:13

Shame you want thick ones as I have just replaced my long thin ones. In Kent too.

missblythe · 29/05/2008 17:16

Am in teh middle of tea, but will have a look in a min...

solo · 29/05/2008 17:27

PP, so do I! I LOVE Ikea!

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