Update: There was a *mishap* at the very beginning of Curtainpalooza 2011 with the very first cut of fabric. I am not here to place blame, but my mother is still recovering from surgery and I appreciate all the help she’s able to give. I love my mom, I love my mom, I love my mom . . . .
In the meantime, I’m just kind of watching how they look in the different times of day. I’m leaning towards having the two side curtains be full length, as that looks cohesive with the also tan full length curtains that are in the adjoining living room. However, keep your votes coming in, as they are very helpful!
I am sewing new sheer curtains for my dining room, but need help deciding how long to make the two side curtains.
Should they be:
- Full length?
- All one length?
- Each in line with their windows?
I would like your opinions as soon as possible as my mother is currently over at the house, sewing machine at the ready.
And yes, I did buy the curtains from Goodwill, where they were half off and $5 total. I did however pick up the spring tension rods at Target.
Thank you!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
I think full length. Definitely not the all one length option.
Each in line with the window, unless you have the need for the privacy that comes with full-length.
I agree completely!!!
me too…in line with windows, if no privacy concerns!
Does one look better/worse from the outside?
My neighbors weighed in, and like the full length option.
Katy
I love the last one. Very modern and a twist.
I vote in line with the windows but second the not all one length option..
Definitely the last option!
I vote for the last one! I like the clean lines. Definitely not the middle one (all one length).
go with full length, then if you change mind you can always cut shorter. can’t get length back if you hate the shorter length next week. i’m wimpy that way
I was just thinking along these lines, as I can always go shorter, but never go longer!
Katy
In line with the windows – the third option. By a long shot!
Totally!
the last one. definitely.
I like the full length. It blocks the view of the houses next door. The middle window has the interesting detail on top which looks good the way it is.
I hope all our differing opinions don’t confuse you further. Go with what looks right to you!
These curtains will not afford me much in the way privacy, as they’re sheer, which is what I want since these windows are south facing.
Luckily, these neighbors on this side are a dream come true, so they can peep to their heart’s desire.
Katy
I say full-length or each at the mid-point of the window. Definitely not all one length.
I absolutely love the aesthetics of the last option, but I think you need to consider why you are hanging sheers in the 1st place. You said privacy is not a consideration here…what about filtering the sun to keep the heating bills down in summer? In that case, hanging full length might make more sense.
Love the frugal twist. So appropriate!
I liked the one in line with the windows because they seemed to blend in better.
I vote for the 3rd option on aesthetic grounds. It’s true you can always go shorter, but would you? (I tend to not return to projects).
However, if there are other considerations, such as cooling the house, then you should consider those. Although I can’t imagine that’s a huge factor in Portland. (Too much sun, ha!)
I would opt for the third option and consider having the width about double so you can have some fullness to them. My second option would be to cover the full window and use a rod at the bottom, too.
Window #3, as long as it’s enough coverage for you. It’s the one that makes the fewest horizontal breaks in the view, and I like the simplicity of that. HTH!
NOT the all one length, otherwise, no strong opinion.
What did you do?
I’m working on the center curtain while I ponder the possibilities. š
Katy
#3. no doubt about it
I pick the bottom photo. It matches and doesn’t look funny like the others.
I like the last picture
You made me take a look at mine. I have mine like your second option, but seeing your pictures I like the third. I think I’ll need to change mine.
I guess my opinion is seconding (or twenty-sixthing) those above. I don’t like the middle option but the other two are both nice. My preference, if I had to choose, would be full-length.
Have fun with the project!
It’s late, but I like the 3rd choice best!!
First or third, depending on how much privacy you want.
Option #3…in line with the windows and kudos to you for using photos on your blog so that you can really see the differences.
Third option – in line with the windows.
I vote option 3. Unless you want the privacy from full length.
I like the look of the last option. Of course, my frugal cautious side says go long and then cut as the mood strikes. Once it is cut short, you can’t go bak (unless you find another set at GW)
My vote would be for in line with the windows, just looks best to me. I really don’t like the all one length option (looks weird and wrong), and full length is okay too, just not quite as neat looking.
Vote: NOT all one length.
All one length….
Last one. Sheets won’t provide much heating and cooling help anyway. If you’re unsure you could hem them long but hang the sheers lower and gather them like roman shades…
I vote for #3, or all full length (including the center one, which you might have already hemmed, which wouldn’t help you much, so go with #3).
definitely, positively each in line with their window!
Agree with most everyone – option three!
1st or 3rd, definitely not all one length.
I’d go with in line with the windows — the third option.
I am revisiting this post…so many opinions!! I am going to add….I like option 3, but I don’t like the “fringy” thing in the middle window…I like cleaner lines.
Why do anything? LOL Looks like you have nice windows!
Each in line with its own window sash. Because you have a decorative window in the middle, this looks okay. Also, since these are sheers, they are mostly for decoration, not for coverage. Remember, the width of the curtain should be at least twice the width of the window. Three times is even better with light fabrics. That means if your window is 30 inches wide, your curtain width should be at least 60 inches or even 90 inches. Good luck.
Those rules would apply if I had bought the fabric in a fabric store. However . . . when one does her shopping at Goodwill, these rules are ahem, loose.
Thanks!
Katy
#3 looks the best!
Aesthetically #3
Privacy #1
I hope your mother is not still sewing.
#3 , in line with their own windows. Hands down. No question.
#3
Number 3 definitely ;o)
I like each in line with its window. To me, that’s more aesthetically pleasing.
1 or 3 but they’d have to be fuller, whichever option you take.
I vote for window #3! What did you decide?
I vote for #3
I like Option 3!
Here’s my 2 cents I like either of the two lower pictures.
I liked the bottom picture best. Good luck, I hope you share your final product!
Each in line with their windows
bottom…it would also look nice with a couple stain glass pieces hanging on either side š
Katy, how about posting a shot of how we had it with the sides full-length, but pulled back “priscilla”-style, where it frames the center in a graceful way? (You KNOW how your scissor-happy mama votes!) Also, the suggestion to go long, then cut shorter if you change your mind is smart.
Another benefit to $ 5 curtain material – a cutting mishap is slightly less painful. The last time my m-in-law hemmed my husband’s suit trousers she measured twice and cut twice – on the same leg. Did I mention that was the LAST time she hemmed for him?
Each in line with their own windows. For sure not the second picture, with them all lined up together.
Full length!
The first option puts the focus on the curtains, the third option puts the focus on the windows (and they’re great windows, by the way). It depends on what you want to look at every day.
Each in line with their windows….those are some beautiful windows!!!
Each in line!! š
Eash with it’s window…