Originally Posted by
Faintly Artistic
Repurposing other fabrics is cheaper (table cloths, shower curtains, etc) Otherwise, fabric.com or fabricdepot.com. you might also check EBAY and Etsy. Often you can find someone destashing. Here in the Phoenix area we have discount home Dec fabric places. Check your local listings.
I've used local discounted fabric outlets for home dec fabric in my last 2 houses. I bought drapery weight chintz for a few dollars a yard. I've also bought on sale fabrics from the now deceased Hancock fabrics and from Joann's fabrics and done well.
I guess it depends on what you want. I have never found that I could buy lined draperies for less than I could make them. I don't like pinch pleats so I don't worry about doing that. With buying discounted fabrics and linings I've been able to make floor to ceiling drapes for 2 different houses for a fraction of what I could buy them for. Curtains might be different. I dont' have curtains anymore, just blinds or shades.