Help!! Not quilting but sewing related
 

Does anyone do altering of curtains? Someone wants me to fix curtains for her and I don't have any idea what to charge. There are 6 panels of sheers that need the top cut off because she doesn't want to use the eyelets. They will be sewn together at the sides...3 and 3 and then I'll have to make a rod pocket at the top. I think there are 6 curtain panels which also need sewn together...3 and 3 and hemmed. So I will probably be ripping all the side seams out or cutting them off. Thanks for your help!

I have altered curtains for someone else already, but we swapped services. He did a small construction job for us. So I can't tell how much the work was worth. Can this person do a service for you? Usually seems to work out well!

I agree with Tartan - sheers are painful! Honestly, unless the sheers are already some custom fabric, it would be far cheaper and easier for the person to just go out and buy new ones. The last set of sheers that I made were beautiful as the fabric was very unique compared to what is available on the open market. But what a nightmare to keep straight. Decided that unless there was some compelling reason, buying them at JC Penney was good enough for me!

These sheers are new ones that she needs altered. I will have to look up some tips to make sewing them easier.

I've done several sets of curtains and drapes. I always work by the hour on something like that and try to give them a fair estimate up front, like "I believe it will take me 4 to 6 hours at $## an hour." Then I carefully track my time and work as efficiently as possible. With the price of custom curtains and draperies, paying to alter ones you already have can be a real bargain if your windows are non-standard sizes. (The $## varies depending on whether I'm doing a favor for a friend, or whether it is purely business.)

I think you have taken on a big job but, it is not impossible to easly do. I agree with aswendyg that you should charge by the hour and let them know up front what that is going to be.
Use starch before any cutting. You will have to spray the curtain then put a cloth over them before you iron.
Hope this helps.

You might try spray starch to "tame" the slipperiness (is that a word?) of the sheers - you will need to know how wide a rod & how big a header she wants to make sure you have enough fabric to cut off the eyelets & rework. Sometimes the previous needlemarks show in sheers, so you would need to rip out a small section to see if they are showing - sometimes you can "erase" the needlemarks by spraying with water & pressing - cool iron. All that being said, I wouldn't tackle that job for all the tea in china - if you decide to do it - do charge by the hour. It will take a lot of time & precision to do it well - ask me how I know - lol - & I was doing it for myself. I've been sewing since I had to have a box strapped to the treadle so my feet would reach & when my kids were small I "took in" sewing to earn extra cash, so there is very little I haven't made/altered over the years. I would much rather make from scratch than alter anything.

hugs & good luck
Shirley in Indiana

I agree completely. I wouldn't take this on for myself let alone anyone else.

If you have a serger, then joining the panels together is a snap, bit I agree that the new header will be a pain in the neck to do. You could ask at local dry cleaners or sewing alterations places what they would charge per hour for curtain alterations and then price accordingly.