You think the way we do! When we do something instead of hiring it out we always place a $ figure on it - when we know how much we 'saved' we know how much we can 'spend' elsewhere! Trouble is, we almost NEVER hire out (DH is in the remodeling business) but that's ok. We still have the 3k he saved us by tuckpointing the chimney 4 years ago burning a hole in our pockets! Not to mention the 1500 sq ft addition he built, or the furniture I've scavanged and re-done, or the appliances we've repaired instead of replacing...... you get the picture.

Without seeing your exact windows and treatments, I couldn't say for sure, but you have to know it's easily several hundred - could be considerably more if you're talking multiple windows. Don't forget the markup you DIDN'T pay on the fabric if you'd contracted out to a high end workroom. And your DH's engineering adds up, too.

So what are you going to 'spend' your savings on ;-)

Yes, we do!! I am always telling him how much money I saved HIM --- even though it is OURS. I cannot think of one project we have ever done that has not taken 5x the time and cost twice the money! We try to DIY whenever we can, as we figure that for the most part if someone else can do it, so can we.
It is also a standing joke among our friends as although I am really good at spending my own money, I am even better at spending someone else's. So if I go shopping with a friend, I always make it a point to tell how much money we "saved".
My threads are still on this page - UPDATE ON PATHETIC BATHROOM and BEDROOM UPDATE.
I think that maybe I spent $175 on all of the materials and hardware. I found those rods at a Value City here that is closing --- I paid $4.00 each!!
One of my next plans is to update my backyard. We have a big cement slab there that used to be the kids' basketball court. It is now just an eyesore. I also want to take out the flagstone patio that we had put in about 8 years ago. I SHOULD have done it myself as these guys ripped me off for $1,500 and didn't even put a base under it. It is all uneven. But these are not projects I will do myself. I don't have the back-power anymore - - and concrete was never my forte anyway!!

Well, the last time I had WT's priced at Calico Corners, a simple roman shade started around $225, and about as much per drapery panel depending on length/width, whether it was pinch pleat, and weight of fabric.
Just show him the price of some of the simple ones on the Pottery Barn site, but plow in the cost factor of your 'custom' drapes!

Here is a link that might be useful: PB

Go to the JC Penney website, click under windows, roman shades and do the custom ones. Put your measurements in and you can figure how much for each window. Americanblinds.com will knock your socks off on the price of the nicer ones, too.

You saved a LOT! Yours are so pretty and you can feel like you accomplished something that not every one can do. I have been thinking about making some, but look at the work involved and wonder if I have the patience....

Thanks for the info Annz and Texas. I will go to those sites. I was just curious. It's always a standing joke with us. We went out house-looking this afternoon (have a son on the east coast until the end of June, then he is coming home) --- and made a few stops. I rarely take him shopping ---- after every transaction he would ask how much I had saved - never mind that a few of these things I really didn't need in the first place!!!
I know custom mades are very expensive. I had them made for my living and dining rooms many, many years ago and I remember a huge amount of money.
Texas, yes it does involve patience, and I can't say I enjoyed every minute of it. I do not have a big cutting table and cut and pinned most of it on the floor or my dining room table, then had to go up a flight of stairs to sew, but I absolutely love the "high" of finishing a project. If you decide to do them and need help, just post!

Well, now I've done it!! I looked at the Penney site and found "waterfall" roman shades. They are beautiful! The only time mine are all the way down is at night and then they are flat, so I am not planning to re-do, but maybe in another room. These are really pretty.

Here is a link that might be useful: waterfall roman shades