I finally got this finished, I think I first asked for advice on here last March! So thanks all those who helped me.
And Hans kept his side of the bargain and made a cupboard around the electricity stuff. Still some wires to box in but he has to do something else up there first - don't know what exactly, man stuff! :shock: :lol:
I used Hobbs Thermore batting, recommended for clothing and it drapes really nicely and I managed to cram the whole thing through the throat of my machine fairly easily, didn't have to do sections and cut up my lovely extra wide backing. I made a matching tie back as well. The hallway is much warmer and Barney cat is really chuffed about that because as you can see, that's where his bed is. :D