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

by Isabella Forbes (Author) "IT IS IMPORTANT TO START ANY NEW PROJECT with the right spirit, and armed with the knowledge of what's practical..." (more)
Key Phrases: Brackets Curtain

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
I felt as if I were being told interior design secrets that had been kept from me for years. Curtains have always been something I thought should be left to the experts -- or at least to J.C Penneys. But who better knows what a room needs than yourself? Some of the projects I especially enjoyed were how to make velvet rose tiebacks and a stained glass window shade and how to add painted effects to your curtains with stencils. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Given the subtitle, the reader would expect to find a well-organized "how to" manual. Instead, Forbes, a London interior designer, has produced a lavishly illustrated book with imaginative variations of standard draperies. Experienced sewers will be inspired, but the instructions are given in such a disorganized fashion that amateurs will probably be a bit befuddled. Compared with Lady Caroline Wrey's The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes (LJ 2/15/92) and Carol Parks's Complete Book of Window Treatments & Curtains (Sterling, 1993)-which provide, respectively, elegant window treatments and clear practical directions-this book falls short of its goal.
Gayle A. Williamson, formerly with Fashion Inst. of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (January 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762102438
• ISBN-13: 978-0762102433
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,167 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on curtainmaking, not for beginners., October 2, 2000

By	G. Stanton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although I found this book helpful in making lined, hand-pleated curtians for my living room, I found it lacked certain information. Other books had to be consulted regarding how the curtains are attached to rings (with a drapery hook), sewing tips (the best way to seam velvet), pattern matching, etc. This books' strengths are in its multitude of design ideas -- page after page of beautiful photographs attest to the author's design skill (and high-paying clientelle). Buy this book if you need lots of examples of window treatments. If you need clear explanations of construction details, look elsewhere.

83 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book - Not for Beginners!, October 21, 2001

By	Because Book Club (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews

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.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best curtain book available!, February 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Curtain Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Your Own Window Treatments (Hardcover)

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