at my wit's end...need WT help !

10 years ago

I had such high hopes for my blackout curtain invention....sigh...has not worked out at all. The kids will be here tomorrow night. I have had months to get this completed. DH and I have tried several things and nothing works to hang the curtains I had made. Each curtain is a large rectangle of black velvet lined with blackout stuff. Works great ! but...I can't get anything to work to hold it up. It has a velcro loop at each corner. I thought a hook placed on the wall at the extreme L and R would do it...nope...can't get the screw in to the stud...not even with the drill. Any ideas ??? I may end up taping it up so they can sleep ! It has been 11 years and I have let everyone who sleeps up here wake with the birds or cover their heads :) Any and all ideas welcome. ( there are 2 windows..one in each bedroom ) c

bedroom 1
{{!gwi}}

bedroom 2 ( have bed here to make room for crib and other baby stuff)

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Comments (14)

graywings123
10 years ago
Did you pre-drill a hole with a drill bit narrower than the hook? Very old wood is a bear to drill into.

Is it possible the framing of your house is metal?

What about putting the hooks in the ceiling rather than the wall?

Is that drywall or plaster?
deegw
10 years ago
It won't be pretty but can you attach the curtain to a dowel and rest the dowel on the sconces? A little light will show through the top of the window but it won't be right in their faces.

On a positive note, the room looks lovely.
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suero
10 years ago
I don't know how much the curtain weighs, but have you tried Command hooks? There's a jumbo hook that has a capacity of 7.5 lbs, so two of them, to hold a rod with the curtain could take 15 lbs.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
graywings...you got it...a bear... I think that it is the original 120 yr old heart pine beams ...tried everything... tiny bit just erodes the hole and makes it bigger around...sigh...it is dry wall.Hooks in ceiling was my 2nd idea...unfortunately the curtain isn't quite far enough on to the hook and slides off at the least provocation. Thank you for the ideas !!

deeee,,,I think you have nailed it ..no pun ! I have 2 rods that are long enough...will do that...better than nothing and baby will be able to sleep...who cares about the kids anyway...they need to get up and get moved in to new place ! Thanks...if any one else has an idea let me know. THANKS ! c
caminnc
10 years ago
Try a tension rod with a couple of wood wedges at each end.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
You can try to nail the drape into the top of the window trim (may need to reshape the top) to cover the window and then use a tie back to expose the window during the day.
iread06
10 years ago
Stitch an additional rod pocket into the top of your curtain the distance from the top of the rod to the window trim. Stuff it with cardboard, hang your rod from the top of your sconces. It may not be pretty, but it should work, especially if you use a pin or thumbtack to hold the top of the curtain to the window trim. Then, when you have more time, you can come up with a more elegant solution.
annzgw
10 years ago
You can also try large picture hangers........at least for a temp fix. No need to try to hit anything behind the drywall with the right hooks.
The drill is probably hitting metal brackets for the beams or metal straps that are protecting electrical.

My first thought was the same as Annie......use small tacks and nail the fabric up where the back of the trim meets the drywall. You'll never see the holes!

This post was edited by annz on Sun, Jul 14, 13 at 15:56
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Ok...thank you for the further thoughts. The placing of the rod on the sconces is OK but the drape droops :) in the center. I went looking for the bag with the scraps of cloth and must have tossed it. Dang...2 more velcro closures and we would be home free.

Suero: I love the idea of the stick on hooks...don't know why I didn't think of that ! DH had already thought of the picture hangers but scotched the idea due to what annz says...there is something in there that isn't going to give !

cam...I am also going to look into the tension rods...would work if I can get more velvet and have a couple more loops made along the top...will look like tab curtains then.

annie...really don't want to nail into the beautiful trim . But thanks for the idea.

iread...I know what you are saying as it would give it some body...I had her take off the rod pocket when she remade these curtains...dumb. These were a bargain on Sierra Trading Post...very expensive drapes and I got them for $20 for the pair ! I wish I had left the rod pocket..just in case.

OK...off to get 4 of the Command hooks...will just stick them up ...Great idea for the time being...an elegant solution...I don't know ...if anyone can think of one will be happy to try it ! This is the perfect example of not thinking about WT's before the window is built. c
ellendi
10 years ago
As a temporary fix, how about window film? People here have used it, and I am wondering if it comes in a blackout version. (At the very least you won't have the sun glaring in.
Those are beautiful windows, but need something custom made I would think.
natesgram
10 years ago
And if all else fails, tape up aluminum foil. Won't look pretty but it does the job. Been there and done that.
terezosa / terriks
10 years ago
Another ugly but cheap and easy fix is to cut a piece of cardboard exactly the size of the window opening so that it fits tightly in the frame.
alex9179
10 years ago
AND aliens won't be able to probe their brains! :D
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Hey...well we got clear command hooks. First the good:

they really stick
DH says he is really in to frustration and aggravation as it teaches patience.
the window in bedroom 2 , where baby will be works great

now the bad:

they really stick
DH is getting to practice a LOT of patience
the window in room 1 ...not so hot...drape is a tad too wide
sconces are not evenly placed L and R of windows...hmm...it has been 11 yrs so just now realizing this..not sure if this belongs in the good or the bad column.

And one last good...I am developing patience too...sorta...:)

We have a cold IPA waiting. Will have to do for now. Custom WT is what I need. But...whether it will happen after 11 yrs is anyone's guess !

Thank you for all the suggestions. If any of you want to come and design a custom WT let me know...you can swim every day and I will make you yummy breads :) c

at my wit's end...need WT help !

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graywings123

deegw

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at my wit's end...need WT help !

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