Curtain one was fine. Three inches off the top, new tape, all fine and dandy.
Curtain two; not so good. Three inches off the top, new tape, hung it up and it was 2.5 cm shorter than the other one.
So the next day it came down and was painstakingly measured all along it's enormulous width and rebuilt. Ugh!
I think the moral of the story is 'don't wash your lined linen curtains'. I kind of knew that anyway but they were dirty where the previous owners had shortened them but let them trail on the floor so I risked it.
We got there in the end but I feel I have lost a weekend. Just need to add the hooks to the wall so I can use tie backs like the other window.
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| Offensive tv stand will be painted. Husband finds the tv offensive and wants a flat screen but I'm happy to wait til this one dies. I mean, tellys are not attractive are they? |
These curtain poles are the first ones I ever put up on my own without my dad. I did not want to do it. My husband bullied me as we were skint and the man in the curtain shop wanted £60 to do it.
I'm so glad I did it because I actually hit a steel lintel and melted the masonry drill bit. At this point the curtain shop man would have said, ''you can't have them there'' or ''you've got to have a track'' or something, but I went to buy a metal drill bit and carried on (after a reassuring conversation with my dad about the likelihood of causing the house to fall down if you make a drill hole in a steel beam.)
Now I put up all the poles and shelves around the house. My husband is not that way inclined. He's great at computers and making films but cannot even paint a wall. Anyway, I'm a control freak so it's best if I get to do it all.
Also this weekend has seen the passing of a much loved washing machine. Devastating. I was just about to change all the beds.
On a happier note we have shifted a table and 4 chairs! One down, one to go!
Hope your weekend was better than mine!
Good for you! Its a great feeling when you complete a job yourself, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
It would've been a greater feeling if I could have got it right first time! But I'm very glad it's one more thing ticked off the list!
Deleteyou've really had more than your fair share of curtains recently! I'm mighty impressed - I've only ever made some for our camper, and break out in a sweat thinking about it. Yours look perfect x
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathy. I just handwashed all the bedroom curtains and lost an inch or so. The look ridiculous flying at half mast so im going to have to take the hems down. Another day i wont get back-ifvi ever get around to it!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Why don't curtain manufacturers pre wash their fabrics? How can you have textiles in your home that cannot be washed?
DeleteOh well, at least they're clean!
Curtain trials and tribulations are a pain in the arse - but look, they are done, they are the same length, they are up, you have WON! Apart from the lost weekend, that is... and it wasn't in a hotel in Amsterdam, obviously (sorry, my Lloyd Cole obsession creeps in occasionally...)
ReplyDeleteYou are a better woman than I am, I'm scared of drilling. Pathetic, I know.
Good news on the table/chair dispersal. See, it wasn't a wasted weekend after all! xxxx
Not pathetic! You just need my dad to teach you!
ReplyDeletexxx
Well done you ... I've never touched a drill in my life, always been too scared! I am so impressed that you persevered with the curtains especially after the problems with your brothers too!! M x
ReplyDeleteI've drilled holes occasionally for pictures and I'm rubbish. The pictures can never be moved. Husband bought a £95 electric drill (to add to the 6 he has already) and bosch drill bits and moved some curtain poles for me so they are fixed in a lintel. That meant I didn't have worry when they shrunk in the wash. I have never hemmed a curtain in my life, my office curtains were hemmed with paper clips for 5 years until I bought new ones. Well done you for persevering.
ReplyDeleteTVs are ugly. I have a huge scarf draped over mine in the living room, saves having to dust it too.
Ingenious Chalky! I shall have to find a scarf!
DeleteImpressive! Even attempting to shorten curtains, without stripes to follow deserves a pat on the back in my book. They came good in the end anyway and glad you did not pay some rip-off merchant 60 quid to put up a curtain pole.
ReplyDeleteI don't do drilling, I've got a Dad for that!
Where would we be without handy Dads? Mine is sadly too far away for our drilling so I've had to man up. x
DeleteI think that's flippin impressive! Despite the annoying shrinking. I once spent hours making curtains, then pulled the wrong end of the string and completely ruined them. Ugh. I've had the fear ever since!
ReplyDeleteKate x
Just Pirouette and Carry On...
I would have given up and had a tantrum I think, and I chuck things when I get in that kind of mood. For this reason it's probably best that I don't attempt much drilling.
ReplyDeleteMy weekend was cold. Very cold. I'm not liking this having to get up and do school business.
x
Well you got there in the end :-) They look gorgeous well done you, patience really is a blessing. Im with you on TV beings ugly they never used to be years ago give me vintage furniture anyday. I have a tiny TV as we dont watch it very often. Hope your week is a good one, dee x
ReplyDeleteLucky lady! My husband is hung up on size and fancies a massive screen. Over my dead body!
DeleteWell done you, I think I would have given up. Job well done I say :) Scarlett x
ReplyDeletewell done for persevering Emma, the curtains look stunning. I'm impressed that you put up the curtain pole, I'd have a go but I'm not all that good with a drill and fortunately my DH is so I'm happy to leave it to him. He's not good at decorating though which always falls to me to do.Have a good week.
ReplyDelete