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!
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In my experience, sheers are a slippery nightmare to fix. Maybe someone else will have suggestions to assist you.
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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!
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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!
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These sheers are new ones that she needs altered. I will have to look up some tips to make sewing them easier.
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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.)
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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. |
Originally Posted by joysewer
(Post 5612583)
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!
hugs & good luck Shirley in Indiana |
Originally Posted by NJ Quilter
(Post 5613044)
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!
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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.
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Unless this was my mother or daughter, I'd say a big and resounding NO. Sheers are a pain and I wouldn't touch them at all. Things like this take away from things I'd like to do.
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Could you use a tissue paper to help stiffen the fabric like you pp quilt blocks? Sheers can be a real hassel unless you can keep the edges from moving. I think unless they are really special I would recomend buying different ones. Sorry that's the only suggestion I have. Also using a teflon foot might help. Good luck. (sorry about the spelling -it's my bed time lol)
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