These are pretty designs to make your own custom window treatments. I would not have any clue how to go about it without this book, but now I think I can manage it!

This book is very short version of the " Singer(R) Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades, and Top Treatments" book, also written by Susan Woodcock. If you think you are going to be seriously involved with window treatments, you might want to start out with online info and buy the big book when you are ready.

This book is for the absolute beginner at sewing window treatments, NOT for sewing novices. The book assumes that you already know your way around a sewing machine.

I found the text to be choppy, and to be an awkward combination of detail and vagueness. I found the logic of the book difficult. If I were writing for a beginner I would begin with the different styles of window treatments and then into techniques. For example, I found myself wondering what use covered welt cord is in window treatments (p. 15). Isn't it only for upholstery? It turns out, the book shows later, that welt cord is used for special structures where a firm outline is wanted – like certain kinds of tiebacks. I would have put that info up front.

The text launches straight into making stuff. I think that it is a function of excerpting from a larger book that makes this so unsatisfactory. Some info is too detailed and some is too scant. And I bet that each reader would choose different parts to expand or cut.

Overall I don't think this book is very useful. Too little information and too much at the same time. Look online and in your local library for more lessons for beginners. Invest in larger texts when the time comes.

Note: If you do decide to order the digital version, be aware that it (or at least the ARC version I received) is in an extra-wide format that makes it too large to read in one page across even my wide format laptop. To fit the page on the screen I had to reduce it to around 65% which meant the text was quite small.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarry Books for the ARC of First Time Window Treatments.

This book is a great way to learn to sew window treatments.
There are loads of creative ideas for covering your windows and great ideas for beginners in this book!
great read!

This is a beautiful book with great illustrations and directions for all kinds of window treatments. However, this is not a book for beginners - they will be frustrated unless they are competent sewers. More emphasis should be placed going a little slower for true beginners. This would make a great reference book to brush up on technique and instructions for those that have made window treatments and would like to advance their skills.

Thank you to Net Galley and Quarry books to let me read and review this book.

Before today, I've needed to redress my windows with new curtains, but I usually go and buy them ready made. The most I've done is to buy two pairs for my windows and sew them together as it's rather large or I've taken a net curtain and reduced it's size down to be a café net instead. This book shows you how to go one step further and make your own sets depending on the style you fancy.

This book contains six chapters:

~ Getting Started
~ Fundamental Techniques
~ Curtains and Draperies
~ Shades and Blinds
~ Top Treatments
~ Installation

To make curtains you need a few tools alongside the pole, material and a sewing machine and the book provides the details of the equipment required alongside how to cut straight lines, how to hem and matching up a pattern.

There are a number of curtain styles provided, Grommet, Wave, Gathered and Pleated. There are x blind styles with Basic Roman and Relaxed Roman. It also provides details on how to make a Valance or Cornice to add extra dressing to your windows. Each style comes with a list of instructions and step by step pictures

Some of the terms are different, as I know a Grommet curtain as an Eyelet one here in the UK and the measurements are called yardage, though it does give inches and centimetres in the instructions.

The one thing that seemed to be missing from the book was how best to measure your window for a blind or curtain before you even start buying material. Instructions and pictures on how to do this would be very helpful.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I am a beginner at window treatments, and this book was very helpful! It turns out I was seriously underestimating the amount of fabric needed to get the look I wanted. This book takes everything step by step so you don't feel too overwhelmed by it all. A very useful resource for any decorator or DIYer!

A great, easy to understand book on creating your own curtains, drapes, and shades. Even a sewing novice will find something to make in this how-to volume. Includes fundamentals, tools, and materials, as well as sample projects with step-by-step instructions. Readers will be inspired to spruce up their homes with everything from a pleated curtain to a roman shade.

I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoying ding projects myself and widow treatments weren't something I hadn't considered before. After reading this book, I feel mentally equipped to work on my own. The author talks you through the materials needed to complete the basic widow treatment. Each project listed the skills and talked you through each step with clear picture guidance. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in doing their own curtains.

Very interesting book. Easy to read and well written. There was lots of great ideas I’d never seen or thought of. Could be a great hit

some really great ideas that I will be trying out in my home. Good easy to follow steps to completion.

First Time Window Treatments by Susan Woodcock is an excellent beginning book. It is also great to have on hand for those who have made window treatments and need a reference guide to assist them from time to time. Frankly, we make curtains for ourselves to last and match our decor so the need to change them often is not necessary. That is why this book is great as a refresher. There are excellent illustrations, photos and step by step instructions.

I would like to thank Quarto Publishing, the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very timely book for me. Just finished redecorating the guest room. I was going to buy some curtains but this book makes it all look so easy. Lots of ideas and clear instructions. So, I’m going to make them myself. It will half the cost and will make the room that bit more special because I made the curtains too!

First Time Window Treatments is a tutorial guide aimed at beginning sewists by Susan Woodcock. Due out 6th Aug 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

Window treatments are a very important part of dressing a room. It can be quite difficult to coordinate fabrics in ready-made, which are likely of limited selection at local retailers. Additionally, if the room's windows are non-standard sizes, custom fitted curtains cost a king's ransom. For DIYers, it's entirely plausible to make it oneself, in the size(s), shapes, and colors needed. It's also a great way to coordinate the soft furnishings in a room with coordinated decorative pillows, etc.

This guide presupposes zero familiarity with sewing and the introductory chapters (23% of the page content) cover tools, specialist supplies, motif matching, seams, finishes and more. The following chapters cover curtains and draperies, shades and blinds, crown treatments (valances and cornices), and installation, including hardware. There's a short glossary, resource section (aimed at readers in North America), and an index.

The photography is clear and the step-by-step tutorial instructions are easy to follow. With this book in hand, a keen beginner could produce a simple window treatment (see cover photograph) without mishap.

Four stars.

Great book for anyone wanting to make their own curtains etc. Gives good illustrated instructions. Informative of tools, fabrics etc. Would recommend.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

A great, handy book

Great projects with good, easy to understand instructions and loads of great pictures

Very handy