Puddles...

[jane]

I'm about to start a pair of triple pleat curtains (I've only ever made a sample not a full sized pair before so fingers crossed!) The customer wants them puddled on the floor Can anyone advise how much extra length I should add for the puddling? I was thinking 15cm. With the fabric qty I've got, I can go up to 19cm. They're lined silk - customer didn't want them interlined (I know, I know!)

Also, when I measured, I took the hook drop to floor measurement. On triple pleats, how far down from the top edge of the curtain should I position the hook?

Thank you

[Louise]

Re: Puddles...

15cm is a good place to start for puddling......if it was a heavier/thicker fabric you might want a little more to get enough fabric to dress nicely, rather than just make a fold.

How far down the curtain you position the hook depends on what the curtain is hanging from (like pencil pleat curtains too). If it is a decorative pole then the top of the hook is usually 1.5 - 2cm below the top edge of the curtain so the majority of the ring is still visible. If it is a track, then you need the measurement from the hook eyelet up above the top of the track so that it is hidden when the curtains are closed.

[Tam]

Re: Puddles...

I agree with Louise, 15cm is a good length although I do discuss the drop with the client ~ one has insisted on 25cm ! ( WAYYYYYYYY too long but hey ho, she wanted them that long! she got them that long~nightmare to dress) while other client have insisted on 5cm! So I would discuss it with your client and come to an agreed length to be on the safe side. Suggest 15cm and go from there.

As for the hook placement i always mark 4cm down from the top of the curtain with a fading marker, thats the point that I slide the pinch pleat hook into the heading ,which usually brings the hook to the required level if its a pole. If on a silent gliss track then I mark down 2.5 inches.

Good luck Jane and try and enjoy it, have faith, take your time and Im sure they will look fab!

[Mairi]

Re: Puddles...

Wow isn't this forum fantastic fountain of knowledge
What I want to know is:- How does one go about dressing puddled curtains..& yes the puddles will be about 25cm because the curtains are 3 widths per side & client wants them to be dressed more than a third across the window from each side & scooped up with a tie back so i will need that extra length so that the leading edge will not be sitting up on the sill LOL.
Now this is an even dafter Q but my mind has gone totally blank...what is the max size for side hems..Let me explain. The fabric is 142cm wide & the lining 137cm...yes I know I should have ordered extra lining but I didn't realize the fabric width when I quoted for the job...I have cut the selvedges of the fabric & sewn 3.5cm seams, trimmed my outer edges by another couple of cm but I am still to wide for my lining..I have started to turn the side hem on the leading edge in about 10cm but I am thinking I should just have trimmed some more off..Is there a rule of thumb about the depth side-
hems/turns should be before stitching on the lining?

[Jules]

Re: Puddles...

Hi M

Have read your post again!

Some curtains I've just made for a client have 4" side turns (10cm) to marry with the 4" hem. They look great! I don't normally allow 4" turns but they haven't caused any issues

[Mairi]

Re: Puddles...

How much will you have given your workings so far? Sorry I don't understand your question but thanks for answering part of mine

[sophie]

Re: Puddles...

Love the hat tam! I usually peace 2cm from top of curtain then they hang just under rings.

Sophie

[Mairi]

Re: Puddles...

Thanks for the reply Jules....I think I will continue..gtg before my velvet starts to crush on the bench