Why Are Grommet Panels So Costly?



Why are Grommet Top Panels so Expensive?

 

I get asked this question A. LOT. Grommet top curtains are beautiful! They can take a set of curtains from casual to formal.

 

Grommets come in a variety of finishes: Nickel, Brass, Bronze, etc.

 

 

You can also get them in either metal or plastic with metal, obviously, being the more costly option. At Window Treatments by Melissa, I only use metal grommets. I will use plastic upon request, but metal is the highest quality.

 

 

Grommets are also available in a variety of sizes. 1 3/8", 1 3/4", 1 7/8" and many others. This is where the expensive part comes in. . . 

 

 

To attach the grommets to the curtain, it requires a special tool. This tool is about $500 before all the attachments, which are another $300 or so depending on size. The attachments are bought in a set unique to just one size of grommets. I use 1 1/2" grommets, so the attachment for the machine for 1 1/2" is $300. To use 1 3/4" grommets would require purchasing another set of attachments for $300. To have a variety of sizes would be extremely costly. Additionally, attaching the grommets is extremely labor intensive.

 

Then, the grommets themselves run around $40, +/-, for just one curtain panel.

 

My customers are sometimes shocked when they asked for a quote for curtain panels and I say $44, then they ask to add grommets and the price changes by $100.

 



 

Plastic grommets are a much more affordable option and function just as well. They do not require a special machine and are not labor intensive. They also run about $15 for a set to cover one panel.

 

We only use the metal grommets. I have had many people request grommet tops and it just isn't in the budget. I wanted to present another options to you so you can still have the beautiful look of grommets without the added fees of custom work.

 

 

Swags Galore offers a variety of beautiful grommet top window treatments. They are stylish, more than affordable and there are a few on closeout this week!! Check them out to get your grommet top panels NEXT WEEK! Most of their items are in stock and ready to ship.

 

 

 

If I can't help to provide you custom window treatments, I recommend trying Swags Galore to fulfill your window treatments needs.

 

Happy browsing and shopping. Enjoy!

Titanic Textiles

  

 

While here in Ireland, I took a train to Belfast to visit the site where the Titanic was built. It was a neat experience. The dock where it was built was specifically for the Titanic, though it has since been the site of other great ship assemblies.

Titanic was built in Belfast, Ireland. This was a convenient location as York, Ireland was the largest linen manufacturer in the world at the time. It was even referred to as "Linenopolis." This mill manufactured all linens, and most textiles, including carpet, for the Titanic.

 

 

The titanic did not have the capability to wash soiled linens. It had to carry enough bed linens, towels, tablecloths and napkins for the entire duration of the journey. This included 45,000 linen napkins, 18,000 linen bed sheets, and 32,500 linen towels for its 3,500 passengers and crew.

 

 

All the linens on Titanic were embroidered with the White Star emblem.

 

The designs on these linens were unique to the White Star line of luxury ships.

 

 

The Titanic and everything about it actually makes me really sad and I don't really like to talk about it or watch movies about it or whatever. . .  But I just thought I'd share some fun things I learned at the Titanic museum.

 

Enjoy! Happy Sunday!

A more in depth look at the fabrics you choose for your home decor

Here is a more in depth look at the most commonly used fabrics in home décor, how they function, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Cotton- When you are searching for your fabric to use for your custom window treatments, pillow covers or poufs, you if you see any of the following words in the product description it will be made rom cotton: broadcloth, chintz, corduroy, denim, canvas, seersucker, or velveteen names a few.




Cotton is a great choice for home décor because it is absorbent, cool and resists both static cling and moths. It is easy to care for as it can be machine washed, spot cleaned, ironed and bleached.








However, cotton does wrinkle easily, is subject to shrinkage and can be damaged by mildew or sunlight. There are special finishes that can be applied to your fabric to minimize these disadvantages and maximize the performance of your fabric choice.



Polyester- Polyester will be listed in the product description of a fabric either alone or in a blend with the following: cotton, silk or wool-like fabrics including batiste, taffeta, faille or percale. 






Polyester is strong, durable, warm; resists moths, mildew, pollution and wrinkles. It is a great choice either indoor or out as it stands up well to sun damage and fading. It is very easy to care for as it can be machine washed, spot cleaned and does not require ironing.




 
 
 
 
However, polyester is subject to static cling, can stain and attracts lint. But there are finishing products that can be applied to polyester and polyester blends to minimize these disadvantages and maximize the performance of your polyester fabrics.

Linen - Products containing any of the following words will have linen in them: Chambray, lawn, damask or it will be listed alone as linen.

Linen is an absorbent product that is cool and strong while resisting static cling, moths and stains. You can have it dry cleaned to keep its crispness or you can wash it to soften it.

Linen, is subject to wrinkles, shrinkage and mildew and can yellow with age. There are products that can be applied to minimize the yellowing and affects of mildew. 

 

Rayon- Rayon products will contain the following fibers: faille, challis, linen or it can stand alone as Rayon.

Rayon is easy to clean as it can be machine washed and bleached. But it is recommended to dry clean. It is warm, absorbent, drapes beautifully and resists moths.

However, rayon is considered fragile, is subject to wrinkles  and shrinkage, and is not sun or mildew resistant.

 

Acrylic- Fabrics containing acrylic typically are not blended with other fibers and usually stands alone as acrylic.

 

Acrylic is a lighter weight fabric that is soft and warm, but stable. It is durable and resists mildew, moths and oily stains and wrinkles. Care is easy as it can be machine washed and does not require ironing.

However, Acrylic fabrics are subject to static cling, are sensitive to heat and the fibers pill.

 

 

Melissa Recommends!





Trina Turk Kalaheo Print Sulfur from Lynn Chalk

Floor Poufs from Rainey Creek Home

Pre made 84" long semi-sheer curtain panel from Swags Galore



Zippy in Navy and White Slub
 from Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory

Guess Where I AM?!

Hello, my dear readers. I have significantly neglected my blog for the following reason:
1) We have been working long hours to revamp our WEBSITE!!
2) I have been working WAY too much to get all of my orders out so I could do THIS.
3) Preparing and training for my marathon.
4) My grandmother passed away last week :(.

Long story short, I am in Ireland now with no access whatsoever to a sewing machine. :) So let's start at the beginning: The Website.

 

 

We have made a lot of changes to our website to make it more user friendly. Ordering multiple shades in different sizes and fabrics is now easier and more clear. We have added several new products and designs. And the change: The Clearance Section!

 

 

 

Another new addition I am vvveeerrrryyyy excited about it the "Melissa Recommends" page. (This page is still under construction, but here is what you will see). Here you will find fabric stores which carry fabrics that meet our standards and requirements for window treatments. Among them are Lynn Chalk and Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory.

 

 

 

 

You will also find stores we have worked with and recommend for home accents and other décor items. Among these shops is "Rainey Creek Home."

 

 

And finally, if you have tried our price quote calculator and found that custom work isn't in the budget, we have some shops with ready to ship curtains that are already made. Among these is "Swags Galore."

 

 

 

Now, as for Ireland and this marathon business. . . . Well, I used to think that people who ran marathons were kooky. After training for this marathon for nine months, undergoing the marathon runner diet and subjecting myself to hours of torment that includes bleeding toes. . . I still think people who run marathons are crazy. :)

 

 

 

 I run tomorrow morning at 8:30! I'm starting to feel a little nervous. When I went to sign in yesterday and get my "bib" number and shirt, etc, I saw all the people there and was thinking, "I don't look like these people." They all looked like Superman.

 

 

We left Thursday and arrived Friday. I didn't want to be jet lagged on race day. I gave myself plenty of time to acclimated to the time change and recover from exhaustion.

 

We are staying in the penthouse on the top right of this building in Custom House Harbor. This is the way to go if travelling for an extended period of time. We rented someone's apartment and have a kitchen and tons of space. It is much more comfortable than a hotel and we are right in downtown in and amongst all the people. We don't feel so disconnected as when in a hotel.

 

 

We are just North of The Liffy.

 

 

I don't mind the extra U, but two Ls, eh?

This just made me "smile."


And now for Grammy. My grandmother died. She went in for minor surgery to correct a hernia incision from surgery that happened a year ago. During her recovery she was sleeping, vomited, and choked. She died on Friday of last week. It was quite unexpected and quite a blow. I was unable to put out any kind of quality work at that time, so if you have an order outstanding with us, I ask for your patience and understanding at this time. I am very grateful for my iPhone. I was able to do FaceTime with my family and be there with them and Gram as they turned off her life support machines and her passing.

 

This is my gram with my son. We aren't doing a funeral. But we are going to have a wake at Rosie McCaffrie's Irish Pub in Phoenix next month. (That's my family for you). . .  Best advice Gram every gave me: "Win or lose WE BOOZE!" I'm not a drinking woman, but the over all message still applies. ;)

 

So anyway, that's just a little of what we have been up to around here. I can't wait to get back into blogging and reconnect with you all. I love receiving your comments and emails and hope to develop more friendships with you all in the coming months.

 

Thanks for sticking around. I will bring you more from Ireland this week as I run the race and as we do some exploring. :)