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FAQs on Draperies : Input from our Customers and Homespun
Fan Pleat
Pinch Pleat Grommets
Go-Tabs Sheers
Roman Shades
Cleaning Tips from our Customers
1. The batons are meant to be hung BEHIND the leading pleat - the baton part goes behind the drapery. You can put it in front, but they show less behind. Some like it one way, some the other.
2. Paint the brackets of the rods the color of your walls for them to disappear better when open.
Here, the brackets are painted the color of the walls, and the
batons are behind the drapery.
1. If you are experiencing 'flare' at the bottom of your drapery that is too much for your taste, pull them back again, tie them at the hemline and about 18" up from the hemline loose enough to not show creasing, but tight enough to keep the folds of the drapery in line. Mist LIGHTLY with clean, clear water (only if using a prewashed cotton). Leave for a week. Untie. This should reduce flare.
1. Question: I received the the cutting tool kit for the Grommets and noticed that the punching plate is made out of metal. Won't this damage the cutting iron with time?
ANSWER: The aluminum punching plate does not damage the knife, if you set down the knife first, so it is not tilted when you punch. The aluminum block does not vibrate when you punch. On a table it is best to use a corner, it provides stability when you punch.
2. Question: Will a 1-1/2" pole work with the 1-5/8" grommet?
ANSWER: If this is for a stationary treatment like a valance, then it will just go on the pole, but not really slide. If you are planning on opening and closing this treatment daily or often, it might be quite difficult as there will be only 1/8" clearance.
3. Question: What is the exact Inside Dimension of the 1-5/8" and the 3/4" TOP ring.
ANSWER: The exact ID of the 1-5/8 is actually only 1-9/16". The 3/4" is actually the full 3/4".
4. Question: What is the maximum thickness of fabric you use can use?
My curtain fabric is very thick, will I still be able to put the Grommet
Snap finishing Rings on over the thick fabric and the grommet?
ANSWER: We have used it on canvas and it worked well, plus our fabrics are textured and it works well. However I would suggest if you are concerned, to get the Grommet Kit and try one on your fabric to make sure.
5. Question: Will you see the Tape from the back?
ANSWER: Yes, you do see the tape from the back, but only if it is in the window and people can see it from
outside.
6. Question: Can I customize the distance between the grommets myself?
Instead of 4-1/2" apart, change it to 4-7/8" to suit my design?
ANSWER: Only way would be to cut the tape apart. This could be tedious in making them then. Not really recommended.
7. Question: I just want my curtain to have a sight ripple not a lot of folds,
more like a fabric screen. My window opening is 90" wide and my fabric is 108" wide, is that going to be wide enough?
ANSWER: With the rings, you will never get a flat piece, as they will angle on the pole. You don't need to use the spacers on the tape, and can cut them off. With only 18 inches left to spare, it would be really tight. And hard to move.
8. Question: About cleaning drapes made with the grommets and grommet tape. Are they machine washable or is dry cleaning recommended? No matter what method, do I need to remove the rings beforehand?
ANSWER: They are both washable and dry cleanable, and NO, do not remove the rings before hand. Not necessary.
9. Question: The specs on the website say
that the grommets are about 4 1/2 inches apart.
That makes sense as there are 2 for every 9 inches and any multiple of 9
inches will have an even number of grommets. (1 yard, 1 1/2 yars ..etc)
The tape that I received has them space at 4 1/2 inches then 5, 4 1/2, 5, 4 1/2
.... My panel is 54 inches, which would take 12 grommets.
Measuring the tape, with no extra on either side, 12 grommets takes 56
inches. Is this tape correct?
ANSWER: Yes, the tape is
correct. The 5" part is the
space. This is a little larger to
allow for any adjustments, since most panels will have side hems, and the fabric
is usually narrower then anyway. Any
adjustments to size can be taken up in the space by folding it in a little and
is done on as many spaces as is needed. It's always best to pre-pin the tape on
first, and then adjust the spaces on each end, going towards the middle for
balance.
10. Response from User: "I made silk, interlined, lined drapes with the grommet tape you offer. They turned out fantastic! I didn't follow your directions... instead I joined the grommet tape to the heading sewing right sides together then stitching below only. I also used a 4 inch strip on iron on interfacing on the top so that when I cut the grommet holes the silk would have more body. It worked out great...now my clients want drapes with grommets too! Thanks for a good product." M. Hoenig
11. Question: Will it work going thru two layers of semi light weight fabric?
ANSWER: As long as you sew it on the BACK of all layers, it will work.
12. Question: will it work if my width is slightly less than double fullness?
ANSWER:
Yes, it's just if it's too small, you won't get the lovely folds.
1. Question: Is it best to fit the Go-Tabs to the Tab or to the pole?
ANSWER: Always fit the Go-Tab to the pole size.
1. Question: What is a "Euro-Hem"?
ANSWER: The eurohem is a beaded lead weight chain sewn into the bottom selvage of our 118" seamless goods. There is also a gold colored thread that is crimped into the lead. The chain is covered by the matching thread color of the fabric so that you cannot see the actual chain itself.
1. We measure in 1/4" increments only. Measurements entered in 8th inch increments will be automatically rounded down on inside mounts and rounded up on outside mounts.
2. All lines on the order form should indicate a room because shades in different rooms may be made from different dye lots unless otherwise requested.
3. Pleat matching must be requested if desired for shades that are to be mounted at the same level and will hang side by side. Example: French doors.
4. White grommets are hand painted and paint may scratch or chip during the process of attaching them to the shade.
5. While we take great care to ensure 100% accuracy, we cannot be responsible for errors or omissions in our reference guide or other printed materials.
6. All changes to any order must be confirmed by us in writing. We are not responsible for any verbal changes.
7. Mounts: While common, inside mounts have several drawbacks; therefore, outside mounts should be used whenever possible. See NOTES.
8. Hold Down Brackets: If desired, hold down brackets must be requested at time of order because the shade will have a wood dowel and attachment screws in the hem.
9. Valances are optional on Top Down, Bottom Up shades.
10. Valances for Outside Mounts: Valances with returns for OM shades will be made 1" wider than the ordered shade width and mounted on a 2-1/2" board with cord forward. The cord forward feature is charged along with the additional face and return width. If regular cord is requested, shade will be on a 3-1/2" board.
11. Valances for Inside Mounts: Unless specified, valances for IM shades will be the ordered width and shade will have standard 1/4" deduction and be mounted on a 2-1/2" board with cord forward. If there is insufficient window depth for a flush mount, a 1-1/4" or custom board may be ordered but shade may push against valance.
12. Valances with returns for IM shades: Unless specified, will be the ordered width and shade will be made 1" shorter than ordered width (this may create a light gap). Shade will be mounted on a 2-1/2" board with cord forward.
13. Blackout Linings: Groups 1,4 & 5. Blackout lining in this style will have light leakage through sewing holes where rings are attached. Blackout tape strips are recommended.
14. Blackout Linings: Camden, Trenton, Princeton, Mesa, Tempe styles. Blackout lining in this style may have light leakage through horizontal stitching at each pleat. Full rear lining option is recommended.
15. Lifting: Shades weigh approximately 2 lbs per 9 sq.ft; shades over 30 sq ft may be heavy to lift. RollEase is recommended. Cord locks may cause shade to rise unevenly (especially with shades having only 2 cords or 5 or more cords) and accelerates the wear of the cord.
16. Fabrics: Shades made in natural fabrics (silks and linens) will have color variations and imperfections such as runs and slubs. Industry standards of acceptability of imperfections are 10% on synthetic materials and 40$ on natural fabrics including linens, raw silks, dupionis, etc. We try to minimize imperfections on the face but cannot guarantee without a fabric surcharge.
17. Silks: Silks that have random horizontal patterns (lines) will never match perfectly when seamed (especially with non pleated style shades) on wider shades because of the natural variances of the pattern repeats and the lines' thickness. Even if we match the first several, the remaining pattern lines will vary by 1/8", 1/4" or more. This sometimes looks worse than not trying to match the pattern from the beginning. Therefore, on non pleated styles, we will not attempt to match if we feel it will achieve a better result. On pleated styles, we can achieve a better pattern match by cutting and seaming the fabric in sections - we will do this automatically with our fabrics. this requires much more labor and fabric, but we will not surcharge with our silks.
18. Pismo Style Characteristics: Pismo style is flat but has horizontal battens that may be visible when light filters through.
19. Belair, Capistrano, Group 4 & Group 5 style characteristics: Shades having only 2 sets of rings or that sway, such as Belair, Capistrano and shades in groups 4 will hourglass when raised because of the weight of the swag or pouf. This is very noticeable on IM. Shades in group 5 will hourglass very slightly.
Cleaning Tips: (Let us list your comments!)
"Re cleaning draperies - if they are not lined and they are at all durable, I put mine on air dry in the dryer to tumble the dust out for about 5 minutes. No smoking or heavy cooking in my house, but there are cats and general dust.". N Fisher, Modesto CA
If you do make the changes above, send me another photo and let me know how if you agree with the tip, disagree with the tip, or have another comment for it. We are adding to this all the time. This is a new page, and will keep growing with your input! Thanks!