Friday, July 6, 2012

Ripplefold Curtains Tutorial, Pin It!

This tutorial has been reposted
especially for the 
Hosted by Debbie of Debbiedos
and
Shannon of Fox Hollow Cottage
Here is one of the projects of which I am most proud.
This was first posted in February of 2011.
I reprised it for this party



~~~~~~
Update, The room is now finished
click on the links within this post
to see the other projects and finished room.
~~~~~
Ripplefold Curtains
~~~~~
THE PRO'S AT
JOANN'S AND HANCOCK'S
HADN'T SEEN THIS SYSTEM!!
I have been redoing my bedroom for over a year (actually it's been two years, my daughter reads this and keeps me honest).
Remember I told you I was slow. Well, make that VERY slow.
I will show you a couple of before shots of the bedroom, mainly to see the curtain material. You gotta promise not to laugh. OK now, you promised!

Of course the room is not completed. I have many excuses but I can show you what's finished.
I saw window treatments used on David Bromstead's, "Color Splash"that I really liked. After searching the internet for a while I found the rod, components and instructions. They are made by Kirsh and called the Ripplefold System. You can read about itHERE
There were some knockoffs but I decided to stay with the original. 
You can buy a utilitarian or decorative rod. I opted for a decorative rod that is smooth wood, white and had the appearance of a  2 inch full round rod. Because I was using side panels I did not need the finials, but they have some that are gorgeous.











2" WOOD FASCIA #95676 with RIPPLEFOLD GLIDES

I began by taking the old curtains apart. Using the chart provided in the instructions I decided on the fullness and the width to be covered with my one piece panel.  The chart also gives you the number of swivel sliders you will need. All this must be decided before you order the rod as the swivel sliders are pre installed.  
I did learn from the supplier that this was usually a design house project. Didn't bother me, I was too determined and stubborn to worry. 
I didn't start the curtain until the rod was delivered and installed. I will use any excuse to delay but this one was valid.



The rod was pricy but I shopped around and found it for half the price of most sites. The window is nine feet wide and the rod is in one piece. When the rod arrived that sucker was BIG and heavy. The wood is a half round and looks like this with the swivel sliders.


After a little, "You, hold up your end, get me that other
screwdriver, I told you that wouldn't work" Bob and I got the rod installed. You gotta remember we're old, grumpy and have to sit and rest a spell in order to do anything.

You must purchase the special snap tape that operates on the sliders but it is NOT expensive. Since the fabric for the sheers was recycled from the old window treatments (I made those also) it was FREE.
From this point on it was easy. I am on to the sewing phase.
The Sewing is a no brainer
I am working with one flat panel fabricated to my measurements. I had about one half yard extra but I had measured and knew that before I got this far. I said I am slow and stubborn, not dumb.

Yes, that is a lace tablecloth you see. I brought the machines down from the bonus room
 so I didn't have to go up and down the stairs so often.
After sewing a nice double hem and stitching on the tape, Voila, ready to hang. They were sooooo easy to hang. No trying to get the folds just right, no tying with fabric strips. Looks the same outside as inside. Draws/glides like magic.




The stationary side panels are a silk blend.
I made the side panels also. They are lined, interlined and stationary.

Don't you just love that uniform and smooth ripple?

They draw to the right and our deck is beyond
This works well for people, like me, with allergies. Unsnap, launder and rehang. 
I am working on a bedskirt from the stripe. A damask that coordinates with the strip will be used for the bedspread but I will be sending that out for fabrication.
I will be sharing each project and hope to be finished by spring(of some year)
Now, a peek at some areas of the room. Still have not accessorized. The bed wall is the next project after the bedskirt.

I've had the chest 35 years. The lounge is funny story that I will post about later. The fabric is not original.
The shell lamp is 20 years old. The rug was recently on sale at Pier One.
Granny's Chaise 

This is where you saw the "Twelve Days" Christmas tree. The mirrored lamp was purchased in St. Louis and was made by Uttermost. I think that is a weird name but they make beautiful lamps, mirrors and accessories.
Just a peek of the bedskirt.
Bedskirt tutorial here.


SO! What do you think?

I am also partying here:
Rustic Renovation Weekend
Sunday's Best
Seasonal Sunday
Sundae Scoop


Please Pin it!

Come back To The Pin The Tail On The Bloggy Party to find awesome projects!

20 comments:

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

That looks wonderful. Thanks for introducing me to something completely new. You say the sewing phase was easy, but that is no doubt because you are a talented seamstress. Great job!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,
Wow, that is GENIAL! Might have to redo my curtains in the hallway for the same reason as you stated, for allergies to gather them up easily and launder.
Thanks for sharing it this way.
Love to you + Bob,

Mariette

andrea@townandprairie said...

Beautiful post and fantastic craftsmanship on your sewing job!

Anonymous said...

You sew smart,and sooo sweet too,I enjoyed reading,so I'm sure gonna stick a pin in it,even though you AIN'T done!!lol.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, I love it. Fantastic tutorial. Hugs, Marty

Gina said...

Wow! They look beautiful! You did an excellent job.

NanaDiana said...

Ginger- I have seen those curtains before and wondered what the process was to make them. They look BEAUTIFUL!!!! Someday you will get the whole room done-and if you don't? Welll....so what- xo Diana

Pat M said...

It looks great! I pinned it! I need to do this in my front window, also a huge one. Your post is very entertaining as well as educational!
Hugs,
GraceinAZ (Pat)

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Looks fantastic...get ready to be pricked with a pin!!

Debbie said...

That's really different and lovely! Actually, I think everything you've done so far is really beautiful.

You made me laugh in agreement with you about excuses to delay. I'm a tortoise of a decorator.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hello, I've just popped over from Debby's Linky party and I LOVE what you've done & I pinned it on Pinterest too! I'm also your newest Follower! I'm off to explore more of your lovely blog! Have a wonderful weekend!

Mary

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Ginger, you made those curtains look so easy to do and I love the ripple!! Why you two grumpy old people, did a fabulous job!! LOL

Carol

Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) said...

Those curtains are beautiful. the question is where can I use that system in our house. Thanks for the lovely shots of your room.

The Tablescaper said...

Great job. Congrats on getting it done and sharing it with Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Tammy said...

WOW! I love it! My hubby says "haste make waste", so that can be your motto:) I am so glad to see you at my linky party!!! Your bedroom is looking so lovely! I like the colors you are using. Do you have a Roadside find that you want to share with Roadkill Rescue? Please visit her site and share.

Tammy said...

So sorry for the end of my comment, I pasted the wrong thing. I meant to tell you thank you for linking up to Rustic Restorations Weekend :) I am a little ditzy sometimes. The Roadkill Rescue thing was something I pasted on my FB Page--so sorry.

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Ginger,

What a beautiful bedroom you have created - love the gorgeous drapes and the chest, mat and the colours.
As for taking a while, we are doing the same with our lounge.
I think you can't rush things sometimes and it is better doing a nice job.

Have a happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Ginger, I am familiar with the "discussions" that take place when doing projects with the hubby. And I remember seeing this on HGTV too. I thought the system was ingenious. I'm not sure I could pull it off, however, as my sewing skills are not great! My bedroom needs a complete redo, and I love having drapes that draw, so this would be a good system for me. Great job! Linda

Suzy said...

I've never made ripplefold draperies before because they look so complicated. I'm glad to see that they're really easy. I don't have to be intimidated anymore!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,
Oh my, after 4.5 years since this post, I'm about to order ours for the hallway.
What a lot of measuring... We have to have two-way draw track system. The curtain is now in one piece and does not fit in my washer. So I have to split it.
My question is, how does that white 2" rod look on the sides? Did you have to go to the side with the snaps or just hanging from the front? Does it look neat on the sides, like smooth for leaving it up like that?
Will do the happy dance if that project will ever be done; hope soon!
Hope you will be reading this...
Hugs to you and Bob and best health wishes for 2017!
Mariette

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