Introduction to re-modelling/re-working second-hand curtains
Pretty much everyone knows that buying second-hand curtains is a very good and sustainable thing to do. It's good for your pocket and great for the planet and making alterations to curtains through re-modelling/re-working is quite straightforward.
Curtains might be too long but the colours are great so get them taken up. Silk curtains of any real age fray up and down the leading edges. These can be cut off and creating a new edge will help the curtains stay usable. This re-modelling/re-working helps make the curtains look better and last longer and doesn't need to cost the earth!
The Sewing Room, St Albans
We have recently connected with an alterations business called The Sewing Room, St Albans and run by Shelley Kingston. The business is just down the road from our showroom which is very convenient for both Shelley and ourselves. Shelley has now done alterations for a substantial number of customers and all have been happy with the results. Potential customers of ours now know there is someone close by who could easily do alterations etc.
Curtains and cushions to Switzerland
Divinely Vintage sells second-hand curtains all over the world and Shelley has just completed one of the most interesting jobs involving both curtains and cushions. An existing customer of ours, recently saw a link on our WhatsApp group to a new listing on our website. This was for 5 pairs of vintage paisley curtains with fabric de Le Cuona, an American Company. The customer immediately rang us and bought 4 pairs of the curtains and put in a request for alterations.
Naturally we gave them to Shelley and she did the work and then made good use of the surplus fabric. Our customer made a request for cushions if possible so Shelley made two large and four smaller cushions She made good use of most of the fabric and using the interlining underneath to produce extra 'plumpness'. Curtains and cushions have now gone to a large barn high up in the Swiss alps above Geneva!
Since then Shelley has done some more alterations for the same customer by lengthening a pair of William Morris 'Strawberry Thief' curtains using some old rust velvet we had in our showroom. The pictures of the before and after are at the end of this post. They're now off to the same Swiss barn!
Project Managing alterations to second-hand curtains
So that everyone is clear about how this would work let me immediately say that we would charge an admin fee of £25, no more and no less. Our money has been made by selling the curtains in the first instance and we are happy to liaise with Shelley on your behalf for any alterations. The main thing to remember is the carpenters old adage "measure twice and cut once"!!
Bedroom Curtains before and after!
