Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Curtain Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Your Own Window Treatments

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While the designs and photos are beautiful, this is not the book for those, like me, who are new to the home decor stage and simply want to "do it themselves" after growing to despise the current window treatments around the house. The instructions assumed a great deal of prior knowledge, particularly in sewing techniques and terms. I found this book frustrating and unusable - but then again - I can sew a straight line and that's about it. If you are looking for simple - look elsewhere.

For those with little idea of what their style might be or the look they are trying to achieve, this could be the curtain encyclopedia. The style ideas run the gamet from truely traditional to truely contemporary. And, each composed picture of the curtain in a setting is accompanied by instructions on how to make the curtains. I found it to be indispensible

I borrowed this book from the library to take a closer look before purchasing and am very impressed.

I found ideas in this book very inspiring. It has page after page of color photographs, with excellent color illustrations on how to achieve the curtains of your choice. Author has clear running commentary throughout the book and the projects' instructions are in a "recipe" format; what materials you need, how to take the measurement, and step by step instructions. I notice on the copyright page it was originally published in 1993 in Great Britain (there is a english country style about it), yet looking at the timeless, classic fabrics and designs of the rooms in which these curtains appear show no signs of dated materials. That's what I think good decorating style is all about.

The Complete Home Decorating Book by Nicholas Barnard would be an excellent companion book. These two books seem to share the same design sensibilities.

I was pleasantly surprised by this extremely inspirational and exceptionally stylish book. It is detailed ,intelligent and clear. Unlike other books,this book is sharp,up to date and has a feel about it of an interior design magazine- better ,in a way, because it lets you in on the backstage information. Highly recommended,especially in view of similar books that hold a lot of promise and do not deliver. It's a paperback and the cover is simple and not very appealing, which may serve as a good lesson in life..didn't "they" say one shouldn't judge a book by its cover? There you go:)

This book is full of ideas to help plan your next project. Many of the decorator spreads are a bit wild, but certainly an inspiration for ideas. The step-by-step directions are an excellent resource for the cottage sewer, although you should be an experienced seamstress as many directions may have details missing a novice would find confusing. The window treatments I have made following these plans have been stunning. I use this book as a reference constantly.

I recently received this book and I have read it over. It is full of information on fabrics and curtain styles. There are a lot of beautiful photographs for inspiration. However as a how-to book it is intimidating. The instructions are written for advanced sewers. As someone who can only sew a straight line, I think I need Curtains for Dummies.

I found this book to helpful in several ways. It has detailed sewing instructions along with great sketches and photos. I have made several of the projects and have been happy with all of the results. I am an experienced sewer, but even a novice could follow these instructions. Unlike another reviewer I do not think it is outdated at all. It is filled with classic, traditional treatments as well as some unique ones, --not half brained or trash styles like you find on Trading Spaces. I love this book and am glad to have it in my collection.

I bought four books in my quest to learn to properly sew curtains and drapes. I have been sewing since girlhood, but simple curtains and throw pillows are the farthest I've gotten into home decorating sewing. (I'm a grandma now).

This book only got 2 stars because of the lack of photos, not of finished window treatments, but of projects in the making. I find the illustrations not too good and in most cases too difficult to follow. Guess what? That leaves a person having to figure it out on her own - guess I could have done that without the book!

In fairness to the author, this book did have something the others did not. This book has fairly extensive sections on fabrics, types, colors, usages, care, colors. Also, the back has yardage calculator charts which no other book has. Unfortunately, I would not buy this book just for that.

I think if this book were to be published with photos instead of difficult to follow illustrations, it would be a must-have for my sewing library. As it is, I cannot recommend it.

I really like this book; it is beautifully illustrated and has some equally beautiful photos. I concur with some other comments that "it is not for the beginner." It is an elegant and well put together book.
Charles Randall
Author of The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions

I've ordered 6 books, and this was the BEST of the lot! (published by Reader's Digest) Yes, it's a 1994 copyright, but the looks & styles haven't changed that much in 13-years. There are over 200 photos that lend to a myriad of ideas for each room of your home. Each chapter (there are 5 in this 192-page hardcover book) outlines what one needs to consider when deciding on a style/look for windows. I found the book VERY THOROUGH: advice on considerations for window shapes/sizes, room-by-room inspirational ideas, actual step-by-step instructions for creating each style (with sketches) for all levels of sewing ability, how to measure one's windows, photos & descriptions of all types of fabric, trims, & shades and the why/when/purpose of using them; sewing techniques & fabric care, etc.; I could go on and on! There are so many wonderful window treatments, that I wish I had more windows now! I'm certainly not disappointed with this book -- in fact I'm absolutely THRILLED. Had I received this book first, I wouldn't have ordered the other 5!