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From: blackie
Date: 09-28-2006, 06:40 PM (1 of 18)
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So I'm making a panel curtain for a pantry doorway. This is for a client. Due to bad grain the curtain ended up short so I am taking out the top casing and making it a tabbed curtain. Bleh. It is a thick, soft, waffley-grained "tapestry"-like fabric. Does anyone know a way to weigh down a hem of a tapestry to help it hang straight? I know they have supplies for that. Any DIY tips on this? I wish I'd taken some home dec sewing classes - none of which are anywhere near me. Any help is appreciated! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-28-2006, 07:02 PM (2 of 18)
| How much of a hem do you have. You could insert the ball chains weights that will lay the width of the hem and tack it in at either end. You have to make sure that it is a bit heavier than what the fabric is so that is will add the needed weight. You should be able to get it at Joanns or Hancocks. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-28-2006, 07:23 PM (3 of 18)
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Wrights makes drapery weights. You might call your local fabric shop and see if they have them in stock. The web site says : Drapery Weights Available in various sizes. Drapery weights are used at the bottom corners of panel hems to help drapery hang evenly and not "float' outwards away from window. Some styles include tabs to enable them to be sewn into hem and others are vinyl covered for ease in laundering. In-a-pinch ideas: Depending on the client's sense of humor and decorating tastes, you could attach little organza pouches of rice and/or dried beans, either on the inside or outside. I have a friend who would think a bike chain across the bottom would be the greatest thing ever in his kitchen, although it's not his wife's taste! Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-28-2006, 07:49 PM (4 of 18)
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Here's a link that shows with pics exactly how drapery weights are used. you need to scroll down though, b/c there are a couple of techniques on the same page. http://www.denverfabrics.com/pages/static/decorator/drapery-and-curtain.htm Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: esrun3
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:26 PM (5 of 18)
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How about craft magnets if you have them sitting around? With several in might be enough weight to keep it hanging it well
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 09-29-2006, 07:16 AM (6 of 18)
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Don't know if you have a fisherman anywhere around you, but you could sew some "sinkers" inside the hem. I know that they often have them in different weights. Another thing I have done is use the magnets out of the plastic shower curtain liners. But there isn't any way to actually attach them without sewing a piece of material or something around it. Just some more ideas! TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 09-29-2006, 11:58 AM (7 of 18)
| I have heard of washers from the hardware store used as weights also. Maybe hubby has some you could cop ? |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: chris b
Date: 09-29-2006, 08:16 PM (8 of 18)
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Yep, sinkers are the way to go. They are easy to find, every Walmart has a fishing dept. and they can be washed without leaving marks on the fabric.
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: doublekgifts
Date: 09-30-2006, 05:53 PM (9 of 18)
never thought of sinkers, BRILLIANT!! I will try that one 
Kathy
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User: doublekgifts
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 15 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 10-01-2006, 11:24 PM (10 of 18)
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I used a small tension curtain rod in the bottom of a Roman shade that needed to be weighted down. Not sure if that would work for a curtain panel...though
Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-04-2006, 02:10 AM (11 of 18)
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how about some of those new 'trim beads' that are so popular....they add weight and interest...
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: VenusElaine
Date: 10-20-2006, 09:52 PM (12 of 18)
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If you want continuous weight across the bottom of the panel, chain weight is the way to go. It is comprised of lead pellets (I called them mouse turds) in a cotton sleeve. The problem is most drapery suppliers only sell them in large spools. I do have some left from my drapery days. I would be willing to ship it to you; what length do you need? It is usually used to weight sheers evenly, and I have used it in place of welt cord for outside tablecloths so they would not blow in the breeze. VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-21-2006, 12:50 AM (13 of 18)
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Funny this should come up today. I have a collection of lead weights for drapes, some in discoloured fabric wrappings. My grandmother always told me to save weights and I do remove them when I give away or throw away curtains. It is a good thing as our local shops don't have a clue what I am talking about when I go to find some. I do have a short piece of covered lead beading (left over from a roll many years ago). I think you should cover or put weights of all sorts in little pouches so they don't discolour your curtains. The funny thing is is that I just got back from shopping at an auto parts mega store (and my feet are killing me) where I bought a lot of small felt backed magnets for something I am making. As I wrestled with the magnet packages all sticking to each other I noticed the felt backed ones didn't stick and thought they would be good for curtain weights. One has to be careful with magnets as you don't want your curtains to pull the buckles of a guests shoes! 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: blackie
Date: 10-21-2006, 12:39 PM (14 of 18)
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If you want continuous weight across the bottom of the panel, chain weight is the way to go. It is comprised of lead pellets (I called them mouse turds) in a cotton sleeve. The problem is most drapery suppliers only sell them in large spools. I do have some left from my drapery days. I would be willing to ship it to you; what length do you need? It is usually used to weight sheers evenly, and I have used it in place of welt cord for outside tablecloths so they would not blow in the breeze. VenusElaine Aww, thank you! I went ahead and finished the project without weights and it turned out OK. Thank you for the tips and the offer. I just wish I could take a class on window treatments. It seems that even though I have the technical skills to sew them, there are lots of tricks and techniques I don't have. Thanks to all who weighed in! (Hee hee, drapery pun) see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 10-21-2006, 02:35 PM (15 of 18)
| I am just wondering. I've heard of people using lead fishing weights & also the metal washers as weights for drapes they made. I've never done that but do they really work ? I would assume so as long as you'd make a little pouch to put them in so they wouldn't discolor the facric. Maybe even tack then to the back side so they wouldn't move around. Does anyone know about this ? |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: VenusElaine
Date: 10-21-2006, 07:11 PM (16 of 18)
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If you are truly interested in classes, check wdconline.com (Windows and Drapery Coverings Magazine site). For lots of info and industry standards, check workroomprofessionals.com. VenusElaine "Always put as much effort into your marriage as you do into your wedding."
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User: VenusElaine
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 126 |
From: grandma C
Date: 01-22-2007, 12:48 AM (17 of 18)
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My mother always made little muslin pouches and put washers or some other heavy metal flat object and basted these inside or behind the hem of her drapes. She took them off to wash the drapes and then sewed them back on when rehanging them. they werent noticable because she only used two or three washers. and used similar colors to make the pouches. Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: mcfay
Date: 02-02-2007, 04:26 PM (18 of 18)
| DIY, string weight. Go to Wal-Mart to the sporting goods dept. Get a box if the smallest weights they have, the kind that you use pliers and crimp to the fishing line. Then get fishing line, and about every 1/2 inch crimp one of the weights onto the line, then thread through the hem of drape. Don't know if that would be cheaper than the weights from a drapery supply store or not, but at least you could make the amount you want without buying a whole role. |
User: mcfay
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 16 |
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