Design Interiors
Design Interiors
Curtains and Blinds
Curtains and Blinds
Courses and Workshops
At Design Interiors we run a series of one day courses on curtains, blinds and soft furnishings from our home workshop in Findon, West Sussex.
Learn from scratch or improve your skills . We aim to provide students with all the skills required to make high quality hand sewn curtains, blinds and soft furnishings. With a maximum of 6 students per class, there is plenty of time for individual attention. Whilst practical, courses are designed to be fun and informal.
(For complete beginners check out the Basic sewing and getting to know your sewing machine day)
All workshops have a full demonstration of various stages with course notes provided and you will have the opportunity to make a mini sample of each project to take home with you, so that you will have it for reference when completing further projects at home.
Upon enrollment on a one day workshop you will become a member of the Design Interiors Discount Club, which will entitle you to 20% discount on our vast range of fabrics, wallpapers, linings, tracks, poles, roman blind supplies and haberdashery.
Bring your own sewing machine if you'd like or use one of ours.
- Step by step tuition
- Small friendly classes
- Professional workroom in lovely surroundings
- All materials and course notes provided
- Includes morning coffee, home cooked lunch, afternoon tea and snacks (all diets and allergies catered for - just let us know in advance)
On going technical support
The day will start at 9.30 am with coffee and a chat. A chance to meet your fellow students and discuss the day a head. There will be a break for morning coffee and cookies, home cooked lunch and afternoon tea and cake. (Cake and cookie eating are not compulsory !) We will finish at approx 5pm although there is no set time limit for students to finish their samples. See course calendar for dates. Dates are for guidelines only. Please ring to check availability as courses will not run for insufficient numbers. Alternative days can be arranged to suit you for groups of 6 people.
Getting to know your Sewing Machine and Basic Sewing
Techniques - One Day £95
Opening the box ! Seriously - how many of you have taken the first step of buying the machine but haven't actually started it up yet.
Assembling tools and equipment
Choosing Thread
Winding a bobbin and threading up
Getting the correct stitch length and tension
Changing feet for different types of sewing
Sewing a basic seam
Turning a hem
Machine or hand sew a hem
Basic zipper insertion
Making piping and using a piping foot
(This day includes basic sewing techniques required for basic curtain making, roman blinds and basic cushion making)
Roman Blinds - One day £95
Learn how to make a hand sewn roman blind. We will discuss various fitting options and the different types of operating mechanisms available , from the traditional baton to the continuous chain.
Measuring and calculating fabric and lining requirements, pleat spaces and rod pockets.
Cutting out
Making up lining with rod pockets
Assembling the blind
Cording up the finished blind.
Make a sample
Advanced Blind making - Two Days £180
Students must have attended the Roman Blinds one day course before participating in this course.
Waterfall blinds
Fantail Blinds
Austrian blinds
London Blinds
Adding trims, frills
Introduction to curtain making - One Day £95
Learn how to measure a window for curtains
Discuss design ideas and choose appropriate heading
Calculate fabric and lining quantities
Cutting out
Joining widths and pattern matching
Mitreing the corners
Attaching pencil pleat tape
Make a sample
Interlined curtains with Hand Sewn Headings -
Two Days £180
Students must have attended the Introduction to Curtain Making Course before participating in this day
Learn all the techniques used to create lined and interlined curtains with hand pleated headings.
Attaching interlining
Calculating pleat sizes for triple pleat and goblet headings
The use of stiffening
Creating Pleats
Make a sample
Basic Cushion Making - Half Day £50
Making basic zipped or envelope style cushion cover
Choosing filling
Cutting out and centering pattern
Making a sample
(Sample fabric and zipping are included although students can bring their own fabric if preferred. Pads can be purchased if wished)
Advanced Cushion Making - One Day £95
Students must have attended the Basic Cushion Making Course before participating in this day.
Learn how to make piping
Making piped and zipped cushion covers
Inserting frills
Mock piping
Bolster cushions
Boxed cushion covers
(Sample fabric and zipping are included although students can bring their own fabric if preferred. Pads can be purchased if required. Foam for boxed cushions must be ordered in advance.)