July 14, 2006 - Making Curtains
Curtains. Simple curtains. Go to your discount store or department store of choice and find something you like. Pop it in your shopping cart, take it home, hang it up. Easy!
Not in China. There are no ready made curtains. Curtains are all custom made in curtain shops. That's actually really neat because you can get exactly what you want for not a whole lot of money. BUT when the shop doesn't have fabric you like and when the shop doesn't understand the style you want, then you've got problems. Thus my dilemma this time making curtains. The shops here only make curtains/drapes on hooks. I didn't want that in the bedrooms. I had my mind made up that I wanted cotton curtains to match our bedspreads and in a more USA style -- simple curtains that go on the rods through a pocket at the top. So easy to make. But without a sewing machine, impossible. After begging the shop to make them, "They are so easy! Please make them for me! I can make them myself they are so easy." they replied, "Go ahead! You can use our machine. Free!"
Wonderful! Uh... not wonderful. I can't use that sewing machine. It's a pedal operated thing. Not electric! This is something out of a museum! "It's easy!" they assured me. Well, I really had my heart set on those curtains. And I'd already bought the cotton fabric. So I prepared the fabric at home and brought it back another day. Here is the proof:
Here I am. Wow.... look at that concentration. This was the first piece I sewed -- some tiebacks. The seamstress kept telling the curious onlookers, "She can sew! She just can't use the pedal!" LOL!!!
The foot pedal. (Oh my! I didn't have my toe nails painted!)
BEE sewing maching close up. Looks like an antique, huh? Well it's not. You can buy these brand new!
I was working VERY slowly, and the shop had some other curtains to make. So this seamstress offered to take over and help speed things up. Boy was she fast! That maching was smoking! I was very impressed. Even with an electric machine, I never sewed that fast.
Finished product for my bedroom.
And finished product for DD's bedroom.
In both shots you can see the super long from wall to wall curtain rod that was there before. That's how they do curtains here -- from one corner of the wall to the other regardless of how big or small the window is.
I really like how they turned out. They are just like I imagined. Horray!
Comments
July 14, 2006 - LOL...
Posted by hrlabonte
I didn't realize how much I take the ability to sew quickly or buy American-style curtains for granted! They turned out beautifully. Their sewing machine is *beautiful*! It looks so old fashioned -- like the kind my grandmother would have had.
July 14, 2006 - Great!
Posted by SweetHomeTennessee
I'm glad to see you did try your hand at the treadle machine. I have one that IS an antique, but looks just like the one you were using! Your curtains looks beautiful and your rooms look very bright and sunny. I can't imagine what your rooms would look like with 'wall to wall' curtains!
~Betsy
July 15, 2006 - Way to go!
Posted by DreweLlyn
I love them! Thanks for sharing the picts!!!!!
July 15, 2006 - Good for you
Posted by seekingHim
in being determined to get what you had pictured in your mind. They look wonderful!
-Jennifer
July 15, 2006 - YAY!!!!!!
Posted by I am SO happy for you!!!!!! Isn't that funny?! I seriously am so pleased that you got those curtains made! I am proud of you for buying the fabric, and going to the trouble to get them done! At times, I think I need to borrow some of your initiative!
They look SO great. In Peru, we have the same issue with curtains. They'll make them for you, but the kind that have hooks that you pull on the string at the side and they always make them from ceiling to floor too! And the sewing machines are the SAME too!! It is so interesting to me how many things are similar between China and Peru :)
Amy
Cajamarca, Peru
Edited by amada on July 14, 2006 at 2:59 PM
July 16, 2006 - Hello..............
Posted by Fiffi
Hi Jimmie
Well done with the curtains...they look great! It's amazing how we take things for granted!
My Hubby and I were having a look at your blog.....we were trying to find out where you are in China! He has a love for all things chinese and has been wanting to learn Mandarin for ages!
Please let me know! Thanks!
Your daughter has inspired us to do a lapbook.......... thank you!...........it is three quarters finished.
Kids and I think lapbooks are fantastic!
Bye
Fiffi
July 16, 2006 - What a great story.
Posted by REInvestor
And the curtains turned out really nice.
I am slowly working through a tiered skirt for dd8. I don't really like sewing so it is a labor of love, but we are about 2/3 through so hopefully in a few weeks I am posting a picture on my blog.
July 17, 2006 - Great curtains!
Posted by ClagettsFLStyle
I have been wanting to make my own curtains for a couple months now. I have only managed to make a couple pajama pants thus far. Eventually I will get the nerve to venture into the curtain area.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. All my coffee mugs are mathing too , except for the one posted on my blog. LOL
Have a beautiful week.
July 18, 2006 - Beautiful!
Posted by jaminacema
Your blog is always such an amazing reminder of how much we take for granted in the USA. Thanks so much for sharing with us!! I am sewing today (with my fancy electric machine!) and I will be thinking about you.
July 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS
We are learnign so much about this part of God's world. Thanks for sharing it with me and my high schooler.
Be blessed,
Maria
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