Sheer Curtains

[sandalwood]

Help please! I've been having this dilemma for a while now. We have big windows (240x180's)..I just can't seem to decide nor even know what sort of sheer material to use for them!
At the moment, we only have blinds installed. Now I want to open them in daytime to let the light in. But I have these 2 windows in front, one of them the bedroom's. Naturally, when blinds are opened, the outside can see us in. I've bought 3 kinds of curtains from ikea: LILL (very very sheer), then 2 others that are considered sheer as they let light in, but not the flowy type--meaning, a bit thicker than the typical lacey sheers. Now that is not the effect I want. Please advice on what sort of material and where exactly can i buy them? The main purpose is to obscure us from the outside. Second would be how it looks like. I really want that flowy ethereal effect. I've been to Spotlight and Lincraft and just been staring at those fabrics for hours looking totally dumb. The lady told me to get those with patterns and multiply my window width into 2.5 to get that "obscure" look. But i still doubt it, as I couldnt return once purchased.

[jaz_ben]

Its funny you say this I want somethink simialar for our new house to let some light into our living area as we dont have a window or skylight in our kitchen. How about muslin curtains? but then again you could possibly see in hit evening time. Have you thought about white or cream venetians and if you want the bllind look maybe romans over the top???
GoodLuck there is some really great ladys on here with wonderful ideas!! Im sure you will get some help.

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Sandalwood I love sheers and have them in all but 2 rooms of my house- which is soon to be changed as well:D.
With most of the rooms I bought a white plain material called Crystal Organza. You can buy it from Spotlight and most fabric shops- it is very common. Just be careful if you get white sometimes it can a purple hue to it. If it does just choose another roll. I had a lady who makes curtains for me make the curtains up. Most of them are with a triple pinch pleat at the top. I followed the 2.5 times the width of my window method but you can make it 3 times to make it even less sheer. You can't see through them until dusk when it is darker outside and there is a light or tv on inside. But during the day you can't see the tv on. To make them more dreamy you might like to let them puddle a little on the floor- meaning you make them a little longer than you need. I didn't do this as my husband has anti-puddling issues:rolleyes: and with them being white and on the wood floors I thought they might get very dirty.
With Mr17's room I bought ready made white sheers from Freedom. They are a white linen type material and we have been very happy with them.
You can get ready made sheers in lots of stores. Just consider what colour you would like and do the measurements work with your window. Sometimes it is easier to get something made to fit. Spotlight have a custom ordered section if you don't know anyone who can make curtains.
If you have any more questions fire away:).
Oh by the way I am about to put black sheers with block out lining behind on a separate track in our bedroom.

[jennymbutler]

We have a 3m wide window in our living room and ended up going with VIVAN sheers from IKEA- they are more of a linen type sheer. We needed 2 pairs [4 panels] to cover the window with the drapey effect I wanted. I sewed all 4 panels together then hemmed them all. I was a bit concerned that it would look a bit cheap with the joins but they came up really nicely and because of how they hang the joins aren't really noticeable. For $40 and a couple of hours sewing and installing them, I'm really happy with the result.

Good luck!

[MoreThanCurtains]

There are lots of linen type sheers on the market at the moment that still allow some light and floatiness without compromising on privacy. i would take the sheer to 3 x window width in a pinch pleat or even an inverted box pleat which is more contemporary. Dont use organzas if you want privacy at night..with lights on they are totally see through regardless of how much fullness you use.

[Julie-Ann]

Thanks for that Morethencurtains- I totally agree there is no privacy at dusk or night with the Organza sheers. We have to close our venetian blinds that are behind them or draw the lining curtain that is behind.
Are there some sheer fabrics that do give some privacy at night? Would they need to be 3 times the width to give privacy?

[sandalwood]

Wow thanks for all the advice.
@jennymbutler- I actually have the VIVAN still in its pack waiting at home. After trying the LILL and this other one with prints on it, I gave up. Now that you mentioned VIVAN, i'll give it a try tomorrow. I just havent gotten around to doing it yet ;) I actually thought they're a bit stiff, but we'll see.

I will also look into buying just the organza fabric and ask around for someone who could make it into curtains. Or perhaps learn how to sew? haha

Julie- I actually thought of a dark sheer, say choc brown, but not too sure about it yet.