Curtain Frustration

[tabby1881]

Whenever I can't get an anwer at home, I come here...

My latest situation. We had the first floor of our house done over in May 2006. I still haven't found curtains that I like. The problem is the bay window in my dining room. It is around 100 inches wide. The last time that I bought drapes for this window, it was 1990. I just went over to Sears back then and chose some pinch pleated drapes that matched the width and my preferred length of 63 inches. It was so easy. I'm now having so much trouble finding pinch pleated drapes with that length. I really don't want to have to move the rod, because the wall was damaged by the previous rod that was there before we moved in. I like having a pull string on the drapes because the window is wide, but what are my options? Do any of you have curtains that you draw closed every evening and open each morning? I could replace my traverse rod with a lighter rod for tab top curtains, but I'm worried that my family will destroy the curtains opening and closing them daily. We close them because of the sun.
I've been to JC Penney (my daughter works there) and they do have drapes that would work, but they look exactly like what I already have. I was hoping to find something different with a pattern. I have solid blue now. I'm probably going to end up at Country Curtains as we have one in the neighborhood, but they can be pricey. Beautiful though! Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thank you,
Maureen

 

[wackymother]

I feel your pain. We have 63" windows and all the stores seem to have 84" as standard. We just went to London and there were some beautiful curtains in John Lewis--heavy and lined. But the exchange rate made them very expensive.

Have you looked on Overstock.com or SmartBargains.com? Or could you make them yourself? You can buy the header tape and the hooks. It's pretty easy if you can sew.

 

[nicklinneh]

try american blind and wallpaper (www.decoratetoday.com). go to curtains; then pinch-pleated pairs; then your length. you may not see what you like, but the search doesn't take a minute. i've ordered blinds from them and was pleased, but never curtains. i think you can get samples for a small charge. good luck, ---ken

 

[Rose Pink]

For light control and for privacy you can install blinds, either the metal or the fabric kind. You would not need to open and close your drapes and that would save on the wear and tear of the fabric. I had my draperies custom-made at JC Penny. Didn't have to worry about getting a ready-made to fit my windows. It was definitely pricey, though. I have fabric blinds that raise completely for a clear view. I also have sheers that soften the window and give a little bit of privacy during the day. Then I have the heavier drapes which stay at the sides of the windows. I can manually slide them along the rod if I want them to completely cover the windows, but I do not find that necessary. If you go this route, you do not need the heavier draperies to completely cover the entire window area. You can save money by having only enough fabric to drape at the edges of your windows. I hope I've explained myself clearly. Besides Penny's, you could BayWay or other custom stores in your area. The hardest part for me was choosing the fabric. So many choices!

 

[tabby1881]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions and ideas. Now I have some new directions to look in. Glad to hear that I'm not alone!
Maureen

 

[Hills27]

I agree that it has become harder to find curtains of that size. Country Curtains http://www.countrycurtains.comhas a selection of pinch pleats to work on bay windows that come in 63"L, and their products are high quality. I've also found that their customer service department are very helpful. They gave me this example when I recently redecorated my bay window in the living room. It helped me figure out what I needed:

EX: Insulated Belle Fleurs pinch pleats come in 63” (and other sizes too), I’d recommend that you use a pair of 48” wide and a pair of 72” wide (equals 120”, but then deduct 8” <4” twice> for the overlap of panels – see diagram). Also, check out the attached sheet, in bold, that states stack-off should be about 30”, so your rod (new?) could go a little past the real opening so they have more of a view when curtains are opened. Also, could be mounted higher if you wanted to use longer panels, or not alter 63’s.

RODS: Use the Traverse on pg 62 of the catalog (new rod, new strings) R010 size 66-120” and position about 106”.

Bole Pole with clip rings and still use pinch pleats (clipped together at overlap) and they should open and close without problems (unless kids are hanging from the rod!) Use the 86-144” rod without a center support up to 108”. We’d advise to put one ring on the outside of each bracket to hold curtains in place when they are pulled closed. Bold Pole can also be used with clip rings and any tailored curtains, again just overlapping where the panels meet – no need to sew together. We generally put clip rings about 6” apart, so figure out how many clip rings needed depending on the width of the curtains panels used.

 

[kjgrain]

Blinds might be a nice change and you could put a valance at the top of your window to dress it up a little.

We have no curtains only cloth double honeycomb push and pull blinds. There are no cords and you just grab the bottom of the blind and push it up or pull it down and it will stay where you leave it.

 

[bobcat]

curtains

Blinds might be a nice change and you could put a valance at the top of your window to dress it up a little.

We have no curtains only cloth double honeycomb push and pull blinds. There are no cords and you just grab the bottom of the blind and push it up or pull it down and it will stay where you leave it.

My wife had this problem with drapes. She made all her own. Maybe, you can have someone make yours.???