Thanks both to you and Sandygirl. I am going proceed with quilting fabric.
Here in the UK, curtains, carpets included fitted wall to wall, poles, light fittings etc historically do not come with the house. You buy them by separate negotiation. This "new to me house" was built in 1930 in the Arts and Crafts style, previous owner last redecorated in 1985 and the curtains were left behind. Very dated and rotting curtains of brown, beige and peach and certainly would not go with the newly painted Wm Morris-y green!
Many thanks again
Hettyb