Having decided that Ebay and the likes are completely rigged, I thought I'd approach my fellow Sanctumites with a problem I'm currently facing.

I decided a while ago that in order to combat the mind-numbingness of looking for work that isn't really there, I'd get myself involved in some personal projects in between looking for 'jobs'.

They have gone well so far and have cost me pence, which is good, as I have a very limited budget.

I have come across a bit of a stumbling block however, fabric wise. I had planned to 'curtain up' two windows using my trusty machine. Again, I'm no expert, but it's another thing I'm teaching myself to do while I have the time. It also occurs to me that no other bugger is gonna do it for me, especially for free.

I can't afford new curtains, but I'm equally struggling to find second-hand curtains and material with which to make some curtains...bizarrely. I never have any luck with online auctions, rarely have the spare cash to attend car-boots and my local charity shop is currently charging £20.00 for ONE curtain, if you can believe that.

So, what I'm proposing is that if any of you have any ancient stuff knocking about in a loft that you no longer want or want to get shot of, please send it my way. I am happy to pay a fair price and will of course pay for postage. Any 'donations' of material you wish to make would also be greatfully accepted.

Due to said lack of funding, I have long been a proponent of the 'shabby chic/retro' look, so I am specifically looking for anything with a pre 80s pattern or design to go with the rest of my tat. I don't mind the size as the windows are quite small anyway.

I did manage to procure some material and knock up one pair of curtains, but I'm not really happy with them and am eager to move onto the next 'project'.

Similarly, if members can suggest anywhere else I might scout for cheap materials, please let me know here. Unfortunately for me, there is a bit of a market for 'vintage' stuff these days with some genuine curtain sets selling for as much as £80.00 online. However, these are mainly being sold by the sods who run businesses and keep 'gazumping' my online bids in the first place. For this reason also, I'd completely understand people not wanting to give this stuff away, and as such, I'd be happy to consider any reasonable asking prices.

I must stress I am not planning to make any money from this venture. My sewing skills are not nearly good enough yet and this is purely for my own pleasure and learning (and a bit of privacy).

Thanks for reading.

I'll send you something


... if only of course, to obtain your address

psketti wrote:

I'll send you something


... if only of course, to obtain your address

Piss off.

psketti wrote:

OK, maybe you could send it to my brother...

lemme know what size material you need - Most of my fabric stash is for patchwork so not big enough for curtain but I have a few old pairs of curtains that can be upcycled easily if they are any use to you - will take some photos of them and see if they are your style - will email as soon as th pics are taken

thoreau wrote:

lemme know what size material you need - Most of my fabric stash is for patchwork so not big enough for curtain but I have a few old pairs of curtains that can be upcycled easily if they are any use to you - will take some photos of them and see if they are your style - will email as soon as th pics are taken

Cheers thoreau! Windows are about 1x1 mtre, but I've got some other crevices that need covering too.

See that psketti? Useful...

ab origine wrote:

I've got some other crevices that need covering too.

Dear lord give me strength...

psketti wrote:

ab origine wrote:

I've got some other crevices that need covering too.

Dear lord give me strength...

Right...

I have had a good old look and not sure what sort of look you are going for - I have some rather chintzy pink flowery v vintage curtains - some beige coloured argos type ones that could defo be upcycled - some cream ones which are good quality but rather boring - what sort of colour scheme are you after? the charity shops round my way are pretty cheap and have usually got a few different curtains in would happily have a gander to see if there is owt there to your taste

thoreau wrote:

I have had a good old look and not sure what sort of look you are going for - I have some rather chintzy pink flowery v vintage curtains - some beige coloured argos type ones that could defo be upcycled - some cream ones which are good quality but rather boring - what sort of colour scheme are you after? the charity shops round my way are pretty cheap and have usually got a few different curtains in would happily have a gander to see if there is owt there to your taste

You are very kind thoreau - thank you!

Generally, I'm looking for anything with a geometric/funky design pre 80s preferably. One of the rooms has a kind of yellow/orange theme going on and the other will eventually be blue, I think.

These things seem to be like gold-dust though, so if you see something cheap, nab it!

What are your beige one's like? (Other than 'beige', obviously). Wouldn't mind a gander at your flowery chintz too, if you have the time.

Np at all like I said will take some pics the camera battery is charging atm - the beige ones are pretty bring - just a beigey colour with squares of a light brown on them nothing special were here when I moved in and have been slowly replacing the curtains could easily be dyed and have squares of a deep orange velvet appliqued on them where the brown currently is.

I am also thinking of replacing the curtains in the spare room so if you like em and can wait a couple of weeks you would be more then welcome to them they are cream with two tone blue wiggly thick lines running down the length.

thoreau wrote:

Np at all like I said will take some pics the camera battery is charging atm - the beige ones are pretty bring - just a beigey colour with squares of a light brown on them nothing special were here when I moved in and have been slowly replacing the curtains could easily be dyed and have squares of a deep orange velvet appliqued on them where the brown currently is.

I am also thinking of replacing the curtains in the spare room so if you like em and can wait a couple of weeks you would be more then welcome to them they are cream with two tone blue wiggly thick lines running down the length.

Coolness. Thanks again for thinking of me.

np would rather they went somewhere useful then sat in the bottom of my wardrobe taking up space I could use for more fabric hehe - mr thoreau is desperate for me to lessen my stash!!

You could go for the real chabby chic of patchwork. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2012/03/how-to_t-shirt_blanket.html jist. i have a quilted wall hanging that is used as a curtain in the spare room. I would still need a bed sheet sort thing as a liner.

ab origine wrote:

I thought I'd approach my fellow Sanctumites with a problem I'm currently facing.

I'll keep my eye for you. Was gonna say last night but you where too horrible to me so I didn't

Xylaria wrote:

You could go for the real chabby chic of patchwork. http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2012/03/how-to_t-shirt_blanket.html jist. i have a quilted wall hanging that is used as a curtain in the spare room. I would still need a bed sheet sort thing as a liner.

That's pretty cool. Not sure I'd have the patience to put that together, though.

psketti wrote:

ab origine wrote:

I thought I'd approach my fellow Sanctumites with a problem I'm currently facing.

I'll keep my eye for you. Was gonna say last night but you where too horrible to me so I didn't

Thank you psketti.

oh wow i am so making one of those tshirt blankets!! sorry about the delay ab the camera battery didnt charge as mr thoreau turned it off at the socket!! should have some snaps for you tomorrow so check email

thoreau wrote:

oh wow i am so making one of those tshirt blankets!! sorry about the delay ab the camera battery didnt charge as mr thoreau turned it off at the socket!! should have some snaps for you tomorrow so check email

Big thank yous to you for all your trouble. Give Mr Thoreau a cheeky goose from me too.

What's a 'cheeky goose'?


... although given that it's YOU, I probably shouldn't ask.

psketti wrote:

What's a 'cheeky goose'?


... although given that it's YOU, I probably shouldn't ask.

Show you later, 'Sugar-tits'.

ab origine wrote:

psketti wrote:

What's a 'cheeky goose'?


... although given that it's YOU, I probably shouldn't ask.

Show you later, 'Sugar-tits'.

*gets excited*

psketti wrote:

I'll send you something


... if only of course, to obtain your address

So, back to this...

I got something for you today... they where just sitting there on a shelf looking at me and screaming your name as I approached.

So even though you're a plonker... I still got you some presents

psketti wrote:

psketti wrote:

I'll send you something


... if only of course, to obtain your address

So, back to this...

I got something for you today... they where just sitting there on a shelf looking at me and screaming your name as I approached.

So even though you're a plonker... I still got you some presents

Wow! Thanks psketti...what is it?

Sorry I'm so mean to you sometimes...it's only cos I loves you.