Hi All, After taking down van curtains and cleaning, they where washed out looking, and need too be replaced, Just got quote, hope you all have brandy in hand, Approx 8 meters Velvet, ( £23 per meter with the new vat increase), 8 meters linning £20 +or -, a few quid, in total???, then the cost of making them up, and then add on the price of curtain rail popetts, total price between £220/£260, for a set of four curtains for a small two berth van,only 6ft 6inch wide, two set for front window and two set for side windows. Think i will be visiting the local stalls at the barras in Glasgow this weekend, Think i will try learning new skill, useing a sewing machine.Got some samples from web from link given on this forum, prices the same per meter £22.99, for the Velvet that i require.If cant get simmilar good quality material to velvet, may have to go with those prices.when you have all recovered from shock, comments and idea's very welcome.
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We had the same problem if you remember in response to your last post. It's not worth spending that sort of money I don't think but as long as you know that the curtains are fresh and clean that's all that matters really. I admit It's nice to have beautiful looking upholstery and we like it looking nice but you can go a bit OTT with it alI. At the end of the day, the aim is to get out and enjoy the leisure time and the caravan it's just somewhere with a bit of luxury to eat, drink, sleep and wash.
Hi tango55, your post came to mind when i was given the price,agree with your post above,but the curtains are almost back to a white fabric and folds have the original colour of aqua green all but faded, and they match the carpet,so will definetly need new set,will just need to look for an alternitive to velvet,will not be using van for a few month so no great rush to get any made at moment,as doing some general bits and bobs on van.
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get a sewing machine from a car boot and do them yourself a weeks practice on spare fabric and a couple of book out of the library. there not difficult its all strate lines and basic sewing
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
Have you got a Dunelm Mill up where you are? They do lots of different materials at quite reasonable prices. Does it have to be velvet? The original curtains in my van were velvet but I went for something far less expensive - I got a roll end of material for £50 and out of that I got curtains for all three windows in the van, four pairs of full length curtains for the awning, blinds for kitchen and bathroom, curtains for the window in the door, four scatter cushion covers, seat cushion cover, double duvet cover, re-covered all three pelmets above the windows and re-covered both backrests on the seats - and I've still got quite a bit left over. If you haven't got a Dunelm Mill have a look for somewhere similar, or local market stall, surely would work out cheaper than you've been quoted. Also see if you can find someone who does sewing at home for a bit of pin money, that won't cost as much as getting them made by someone with commercial premises.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Do you have to use velvet? Why not try some other heavy curtain/upholstery material. I am also thinking abouting chaning the curtains and had a look at Dunelm and they had some at £8 per metre and also some in the sale at £4, also their lining material is quite cheap. Certainly worth having a look at alternatives.
I made a full set for a friends floating caravan(boat) using Duhelm material and including curtain tape and lining the job lot came to under £50, and it was a bliddy big boat, 35ft long taking 6 sets of 2 curtains.
If you just want cheap and cheerful they sell ready backed fabrics that dont require lining, and are much easier for the novice sewer to handle. theres also the option of buying cheap ready made curtains from somewhere like Asda or Wilkos and just chopping them up to fit, sometimes amazingly enough, this can work out cheaper than a DIY job buying fabric.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Using Velvet or Velour does work out quite expensive so, like the others have suggested it seems wise to go for an alternative material to cut down on your costs. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and I'm sure you will get sorted eventually.
if you buy teh chep ready made cutrin and shorten them you can use tape that you iron the hem up with so no sewing at all. fined somthing or take a bit of the old curtin with you and have a good mooch about with the sample peaces you will be supprised at what you can fined
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
£23/m!! Good grief I try and get any material I buy at about £3.99 a metre give or take a couple of £s. I'd die of embarrassment to tell people that the covers or curtains I'm going to make them is going to cost that much.
There's some lovely fabric about, try chenille take a piece of the old curtains with you when you go looking and get a close match, I often wander round with bits of material in my bag just in case I walk past somewhere selling material! lol
Quote: Originally posted by Tunstallwood on 28/1/2011
I often wander round with bits of material in my bag just in case I walk past somewhere selling material! lol
Good luck
Andi
so do i think its the bargin hunter in me I have been carrying round a peace of wallpapper that were using in teh caravan for a few weeks now cos you never know when the rights fabric will appere I allso go to asian fabric shops and abakan fabric great aswell
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
Hi All, Velvet would be preferable, or similar, emmitdb gave link to site on ebey worth a look,Tigermouse never even heard of the store Dunelm Mill,The good lady cant get about to well just now,so its all left to me. Have thought of buying a couple of sets of ready made curtains and get them cut and altered, getting the colour will be more difficult, as carpet and curtains where a match when van upholstered when new. ( If any of you have the Little oxford dictionary sixth edition) the inside page is of similar colour only 3 shades lighter. Intend to go to Glasgow Barras market Sat/Sun. as about 60/70 fabric stalls and shops there,so there has to be something there that will do. Have neighbour near that dose alterations and makes up curtains, could ask her to make them up. Have sewing machine but OH cant sew with it, I can sew two bits of cloth together in some kind of fashion. May have to try and learn a new skill. IF all else fails I will paint curtains on the van windows. Will let you all know how i get on with this project. thanks for all your replys.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
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Topic: Update on Got my Orders
