Sewing help, anyone ...?

[July]

I know how to sew, I've made all kind of things, but it's been a while since my last serious effort.

I want to make some curtain panels from medium-weight wool suiting.

Questions: what should I use as a liner? what kind of thread and tension should I use?

Need some expert advice, I can use the machine and figure out the pattern/style questions, but it's the actual materials and tension questions that have me at a loss.

Thanks, all who reply.

[eleny]

1. I'm sort of in the same boat

I've got a great piece of vintage barkcloth that I want to make into kitchen curtains. My plan is to take it to my fabric shop and ask for help to select the lining fabric.

I'll measure first so I'll know how much lining to get. I think it's also important to decide why you want the lining. We need it to keep the curtain from suffering sun rot as well as having some thermal qualities since the window faces north.

It's been a while since I've sewn anything. Used to be the sewing machine never even got dusty! These days I feel like I'd benefit from a class.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i'm certainly no expert but I'd think you'd want a liner of some kind

if it were me, I'd probably just use a cheap bedsheet with a low thread count (but I'm the Queen of Cheap)

as for tensions etc, I always just take some scrap and experiment until it looks "right"

Sewing stores are always helpful, I've found, so good luck and we want PICTURES!!!

[politicat]

3. Tension is so machine oriented, I'm not sure I can help.

And use a bernina store, not a Jo-Ann or Hancock fabric. Go someplace where people really know what you need.

As for the lining and sun-safety, I'd probably use a lining of another natural fabric (cotton or linen) and for sun, I'd soak everything in Sungard (made by Rit, the dye people.) That will give it sun protection.

[July]

4. Thank you for the replies.

I forgot to check back here till now. I appreciate everyone's ideas.

[grasswire]

5. what a great idea

I never would have thought of making wool suiting curtains. Much better than velvet for warmth without looking dressy.

[Digit]

6. How are you going to hang them?

Eons ago, I made some curtains out of bedsheets. I still have them.

Now that I live alone, I wonder if I could just get a fringed cotton bedspread and drape it like a scarf.
Funny how menopause makes me consider washability, and the E-Z factor first.
I have come a long way from cooking my own tomatoes to make tomato sauce for spaghetti!

I want to see some pictures, k?