Lined curtains - Part 4

They're done!  What have I learnt?  Handmade curtains cost a small fortune, your fingers bleed and they take absolutely ages to make.  But all is forgiven as they look good and (quite importantly) block out light.  I think I deserve a quick project next!

Forming the pleats 
This was a really quick step.  I inverted each cylindrical shape so that I made two pleats of equal depth.  I then secured them at the top from the wrong side before holding the pleat with bulldog clips and finishing them off by securing the pleat at the bottom on the right side.

Finding the centre and securing the top of the pleats from the wrong side

Sexuring the top of the pleats

Completed top pleats

Securing the bottom of the pleats

Training the curtains
I wanted to teach the pleats and curtains to sit nicely so I bought lots of bulldog clips and used three on each pleat.  I then hung the curtains using hooks which I placed so that they covered the small hole at the bottom of each curtain loop.

Curtains in training!

Once they were hung I cut calico into long strips and tied a strip around each curtain at equal intervals (top, bottom and a few in between). Then I went on holiday for a month!

When I came back I removed the calico strips and bulldog clips and the curtains retained their shape very nicely.  I finished them off with some Laura Ashley tie backs and the look is complete!












Cost

Item	Supplier	Quantity	£
Clarke and Clarke Oberon Duck Egg curtain fabric	https://www.the-millshop-online.co.uk/	11m @ £12.50 per metre	137.5
Cotton sateen cream lining	https://www.the-millshop-online.co.uk/	10.5m @ £3.95 per metre	41.48
Curtain weights	Class teacher	4 @ £0.50 each	2
Thread	http://www.abakhan.co.uk/	3 @ £1.55 each	4.65
Buckrum, iron on white, 6"	http://www.abakhan.co.uk/haberdashery/curtain-making-upholstery-supplies/buckrum-iron-on-white-15cm-6.html	6m @ £1.30 per metre	7.8
Bulldog clips	http://www.wilko.com/	4 packs @ £1 per pack	4
Curtain poles	http://www.fashioninteriors.co.uk/rolls-neo-premium-28mm-chrome-effect-metal-curtain-pole-23041r-cfb/p124904.html	2 @ £60.92 each	121.84
Pin on hooks	http://www.dunelm.com/product/pack-of-20-pin-on-hooks-1000014939?searchTerm=curtain+hooks	1	0.99
Tie backs	http://www.lauraashley.com/uk/invt/3385264	4 @ £11 each	44
Wall hooks	http://www.lauraashley.com/uk/hooks/pair-of-classic-cream-wall-hooks/invt/3266790	2 @ £4.60 each	9.2
		TOTAL	373.46