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Information On Do It Yourself Basement Waterproofing

By Christopher W Smith

Basement waterproofing is one of the things that you can do yourself. Not only is DIY basement waterproofing something that you can do to a new home, this is something that should be done to an older home as needed. There are several different systems available that you can use to waterproof your basement. These include installing a system of plastic chambers to channel the water to the drainage system, or installing a self priming pump to remove any detected water. One of the easiest ways of do it yourself basement waterproofing includes sealing the concrete with a painted on water-proofer.

When sealing concrete the first thing you need to do is make sure that you have a clean smooth surface. Any rough areas and any cracks in the concrete need to be taken care of. You can do this by simply knocking off any of the larger globs of concrete that are sticking out from the wall with a hammer, and then smoothing the rest of it off with some heavy duty sandpaper. You don't need a perfectly smooth wall; you just want to have a fairly smooth surface to work with. If you're going to use the concrete surface as your wall and are not covering it with any other substance besides paint you want it to be fairly smooth.

Any cracks that you have in your concrete you will need to repair. Do this by knocking off any loose concrete and getting down to the good concrete. Anything that's loose within the crack needs to be removed. Once the crack is clear of any debris flush it out with water and allow it to dry. Once all the cracks have dried they can be filled. There are a couple of different substances you can use to fill the crack. Injecting it with a fast setting hydraulic cement compound is the best solution.

Once you have your surface as smooth as you want and the cracks repaired, you can simply paint concrete water proofer onto the surface and allow it to dry. This is the easiest form of basement waterproofing and the least reliable. If you are going to use drywall or any other substance that covers the basement wall completely, you're likely not going to want to use this method of waterproofing. This is only for a quick fix or a method that you plan on being able to monitor continuously.

If you want to put walls over top of the concrete then you need to put a waterproofing system in place that can go along the floor and allow water to travel in its own chamber to the drainage system. This will keep the water that will inevitably push towards your basement in an area that is controlled so that water damage can be prevented. There are many different brands of systems that you can use, and all come with directions specific to that brand.

If basement waterproofing is not done, you will most likely have water damage within the first 6 to 8 months of building the basement. Finding the right solution for your specific needs is as easy as deciding how much work you want to put into waterproofing and how frequently you want to update your basement waterproofing system.

Visit us for more information on waterproofing basement tips and waterproofing basement materials.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

Seeking Out Mortgage Advice

By Michael Sterios

Whether you are a first-time-buyer purchasing your first home or an existing home owner looking for a remortgage product, it is important to seek out expert mortgage advice to ensure you secure the right home loan for your personal circumstances.

Evolution of the UK Mortgage Market
The UK is often referred to as having the most sophisticated mortgage market in the world. A wide variety of products are now available from dozens of lenders where only a few lenders existed before.

Mortgages are now available to people with all kinds of credit histories and employment situations and are also available to purchase property for investment purposes. This situation is vastly different to several years ago when only a few lenders offered prime mortgage products to people with stable employment.

The UK home loan market has therefore evolved considerably in only a few short years and the need for expert advice has never been greater. Such advice on is no longer the sole domain of overbearing bank managers and because of this the financial intermediary industry has flourished.

Advice Providers
Because of the increased sophistication of the market it is wise to seek advice from either an independent broker or financial adviser when searching for your next home loan.

Independent brokers have specialist software that can scan the entire market in minutes, helping them to provide quality mortgage advice that will help you choose the right product for your individual circumstances. The right advice can help you save money over the term of the loan, whether it is for a buy-to-let property or your own home.

Likewise, independent financial advisers (IFAs) can sometimes provide advice on mortgages as well as ancillary finance products such as insurance and pensions. Often these products go hand in hand with home loans so it can be a good idea to receive advice from an IFA if you have one already.

If, for example, you are looking to purchase or remortgage a buy-to-let property your IFA may be able to provide you with advice on which products to apply for in addition to any investment advice they may provide to you.

If you are seeking a mortgage for your own home your IFA may be suitable for providing you advice on both your home loan and your home and contents insurance. You may also use the opportunity to receive advice on life assurance product or mortgage and income protection insurance.

Where to Seek Mortgage Advice
Finding a broker or IFA who can offer you mortgage advice has never been easier. There are thousands of registered brokers and IFAs in the UK, many of whom advertise on the internet and in the local press. There is also a wide range of online and offline directories which contain listings of mortgage brokers in most local areas. However, with the ease of communicating over long distances these days, it is not always necessary to receive advice from a local mortgage broker.

You may also seek out referrals from friends of relatives. Mortgage advisers and IFAs sometimes specialise in different fields of financial advice which means that not all advisers will be suited to providing you with information on the specific issues you are seeking advice on. A positive referral from a friend or relative may therefore save you the time and hassle of finding an adviser yourself and reduce the risk of inappropriate advice.

To get expert Mortgage Advice on UK mortgages visit UK Mortgage Source today
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Sterios

The Basics Of Home Mortgage Refinance

By Terry Edwards

If you're looking to find out the basics of home mortgage refinance, you'll want to know some of the tricks to make the process easier. Chances are, you're looking into it because you're unhappy with your current interest rates, or you'd like to think about changing your thirty year mortgage into a fifteen year mortgage, putting more money back into your pocket in the process. Here are some helpful suggestions to make your upcoming decision a little easier on both your time and your wallet.

The world of home mortgage refinance can be a tricky one if you don't have a lot of experience in the area. For this reason, you may want to enlist the services of a mortgage agent or broker. Though it will cost you some money in commission, the agent will be able to show you the differences between a good refinancing plan and a bad one.

Today's refinancing industry is much more competitive than ever before, meaning the choices are nearly endless. However, for the newcomer (and even for some who are experienced) it is hard to tell where the hype ends and the substance begins. An agent can help you separate the wheat from the chaff and save you some valuable money in the meantime.

Though it may be tempting to go for a home mortgages refinance through your current bank, don't jump in without considering your options. Websites such as Lending Tree can put you in the hands of many different lenders bidding to give you a new loan. This way, everyone wins and you can get the cheapest possible interest rates. Of course, you needn't go through Lending Tree. There are competitors with equal services and you can shop around on your own if you have the time and inclination.

Finally, know your market. This may not be the best time to acquire a home mortgage refinance program. The market goes through its ups and downs and it takes some timing to procure the best interest rates. If you go in while the market is hot, you may not get as good a deal as when it's a seller's market. Take all of this into consideration when searching for a loan and you'll be better off and get a much better refinancing deal.

You can find out more about Home Mortgage Refinance as well as much more information on everything to do with home mortgage refinancing at http://www.HomeMortgageRefinanceTips.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards

How To Prepare One's Home For Sale

By Rob P Williams

It seems that the hot topic at the moment is how to prepare one's home for sale.
We were a little unsure about doing an email on this because it's pretty repetitive and we were sure that you have heard it all before, a number of times! But... we're going to put a bit of a twist on this...keep reading......

Your properties presentation is indeed very important and if ignored can greatly hamper the successful sale of what is probably your biggest asset.

It is also important to remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to present your home in its best light.

Most home buyers are attracted firstly by the appearance of your home, so it is important to remember the old adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression".

This, we guess, is what you could call a guideline or checklist to help ensure that your home is ready to be presented to buyers, with confidence.

External appearance or "street appeal" is the first thing to consider.

Stand in front of your home and imagine for a moment that you are a potential buyer turning up for an inspection of the property.

Make sure lawns and gardens are neat and tidy, neatly trimmed edges are a big plus and you can always add a splash of colour with some inexpensive flowers.

If you have fences or gates that need repair it is best to tend to them now.

Clear your mailbox daily and remove any flyers that are sometimes left half in or perhaps fall out and look very unsightly.

Clean the gutters of any leaves or debris.

Make sure you give your windows the once over.

Clean driveways and footpaths and try if possible to keep garbage bins out of sight.

Lubricate any squeaky hinges and fix any loose door handles or knobs on your doors.

Remove any spider webs from your eaves or under verandas.

Make sure there is a door mat in place as this also indicates that you are conscious of keeping your home clean inside.

These items kept in check will greatly help in setting the mood when buyers first arrive, and will have them looking forward to seeing inside your home.

These may seem like simple things but if overlooked or treated as unimportant, they can greatly influence the decision of the buyer to inspect or not inspect.

Ok so that's outside taken care of lets look at the inside.

Inside the home is all about creating a feeling. Many buyers will have only taken a few steps inside a home when they 'feel' that it's right. It feels welcoming and homely.

Some areas you should look at are:-

Remove clutter as this makes your home seem smaller than it actually is.

Allow as much natural light in as possible by opening blinds.

If the weather permits it's always preferable to have a couple of windows partly open to allow fresh air through. If in winter or summer provide heating or cooling as necessary as the home should feel comfortable at all times.

Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are dazzling; these are the two main areas that the major decision maker rates. (whether we like to admit it or not, we all know who that is!)
Make sure that the home is clean and tidy, beds are made etc. "don't confuse tidiness with obsessive behaviour", it is quiet acceptable to have a newspaper on your coffee table or a magazine on your bedside table so focus on clean.

Smell is particularly important, and even more so if you have pets. Some odours that are familiar to you may be offensive to others. Clean bird cages regularly, place dog/cat bowls outside. If it is a concern you can purchase several types of odour neutralising aerosols or plug in types which remove any odour.

Rather than the fresh brewed coffee or the bread in the oven trick, which most buyers are aware of and indeed may be concerned that you are trying to mask a bad odour, why not try some fresh flowers in a nice vase or some pot puree in a decretive bowl.

Try to remove dogs during inspections as some people are afraid "yes even of tiny friendly ones".

It is best that you are not in the home during the inspection as it can create a feeling of over-crowdedness, and can also make the buyer feel as they are imposing and as a result not relax and get a good feel for your home.

Attend to any general maintenance such as door knobs, light fixtures touch ups and anything that is generally speaking obvious to the buyer. Take care not to get into a major renovating job just make sure it is clean and looks well maintained.

So what's the twist?

The thing we have found is that you can look at your home and think that all these things need doing and it's going to cost a fortune and take forever to do. Remember the day you were rearranging the furniture, clipped the wall and put a little mark in the gyprock....for the last couple of years every time you walk past that spot you look at the mark. The first thing you want to tend too before any buyers come through is "that" mark. The problem here is that you see too much!

So, how do you stop seeing too much? Do the walk around as we have suggested, compile a list, then get someone else who is not that familiar with your home and who is not afraid to speak their mind to do the same. Compare lists then only do what you have both noticed. See a potential buyer who has never been in your home before is not going to notice the things that you do simply because they are trying to absorb the entire home. Whatever is not noticed is not important to fix! Remember your home is not a new show home it has been lived in and that is the appeal!

Rob Williams is the founder of Independent Real Estate Consulting(IREC), an independent body established to help consumers in Australia in their real estate dealings. IREC also provides an opportunity for sellers to avoid paying excessive real estate commissions through a unique referral system. Rob Williams has over 20 years of real estate experience and developed the business after witnessing increasing consumer demand for independent, impartial real estate advice and guidance.

Visit http://www.irec.com.au
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_P_Williams

Wallpapering The Right Way - Part 1

By Johan Nickson

Everyone knows how to wallpaper, so it would seem. It is easy to do a bad job, but there's more to getting the perfect finish than most people think.

The first, and often the most difficult, wallpapering problem are choosing the paper. Nevertheless, before you do anything else, estimate the number of rolls you will need. If anything it is better to over estimate - retailers will usually accept back an unused roll providing it is in good condition. However, cost in relation to quantity is often the overriding factor when it comes to making a choice.

Apart from cost, colour, texture and pattern are the main considerations. The wrong wallpaper can ruin a room; the right one can produce dramatic improvements in its appearance.

Colour:

Very bright, cheerful colours are best for kitchens and workrooms where you are unlikely to spend time sitting back and relaxing, but where it is nice to have a lively atmosphere. Warm and soft tones are good in living rooms where they act more as a backdrop to furnishings. Similarly, bedroom décor should be conducive to sleep. If you have a small or dark room, try a light colour to make the room feel more spacious. The same principle applies for a large room - dark colours will make it look smaller.

Texture:

Textured wallpapers have again become very popular. Some are plain and designed to be painted with emulsion, others are already tinted. They are useful for hanging on walls in poor condition as their texture often covers up imperfections. Naturally textured wall hangings like Hessian and cork tend to be expensive buy are anyway best used in moderation - such as on a feature wall. They make a particularly effective background for houseplants.

Pattern:

Patterned papers usually have a dominant colour with one or perhaps two sympathetic colours or tones included to make up the pattern. Pick out one colour that is already in the room - the carpet for instance - and match it to the colour in the wallpaper. To give an illusion of height is a low room, use vertical stripes. To give the illusion of length, use horizontal stripes. However, if the doors or walls are at all out of true, use a small dense pattern to disguise this.

Types of paper:

Not all papers are suitable for all rooms or surfaces. Consider the following points before making your decision.

Uneven surfaces:

Hang a lining paper first in horizontal strips (at right angles to the wallpaper). Lining paper comes in various weights but you may as well get the thicker 600 and 800 grades, which are easier to hang.

Condensation:

Where there is likely to be condensation, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, use vinyl or washable paper. Vinyl's are made from PVC with a paper backing and can be wiped with a damp sponge. Washables are resin coated and can be scrubbed.

Heat-reflective papers:

These are designed to cut down heat loss through the walls - and hence save energy. They may also reduce condensation. Hang as conventional papers.

Painting:

Hang a lining paper vertically before painting a wall. For a textured surface, there are any amount of woodchip or embossed papers which are designed to be painted.

Johan Nickson is a DIY expert, who has been in the trade for 25 years. Johan uses a Panasonic Cordless Drill and Makita Power Tools
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johan_Nickson

2008 Real Estate Market Predictions

By M Siddique

With the market slump heard round the world, 2007 is quickly winding to a close. Many are wondering where 2008 will take us. Based on real estate facts and trends from 2007, here are some real estate buying and selling predictions for next year.

Home Prices Will Decline and Stabilize - Home prices will continue to decrease in cooling markets. They won't freefall, though they will teeter back in forth looking for some solid ground.
Increases in Short Sales & Foreclosures - As interest rates on 3-year and 5-year Adjustable Rate Mortgages begin adjusting and those who used 100% financing in 2005, will start losing their homes. Many banks will probably refuse to negotiate short sales, eventually leading to a flood of bank-owned properties to hit the market.

Interest Rates Will Stabilize - Rates will move forward and backward within one-quarter point, and buyers will want fixed-rate mortgages. Buyers who cannot qualify for conventional loans will lean toward seller-financed instruments such as land contracts or lease option purchases.

A Buyers Market Will Entice Investors to Enter the Market - Investor's different criteria than traditional home buyers will encourage their return to the market as they recognize that a buyer's market is an excellent time to purchase real estate. First-time home buyers will find themselves competing with all-cash investors, and the investors will win.
Industry Related Businesses Will Not Survive - Everyone from mortgage companies, appraisers, real estate agents to builders, construction companies, and title companies will have to compensate somehow for the sluggish real estate markets of 2006 and 2007. Some won't survive.

Lowball Offers Will be Everywhere - Newbie buyers will figure out it is a buyer's market and start to write lowball offers like their going out of style. Many buyers will be writing insultingly low offers. Sellers should expect to receive lowball offers initially from many more buyers.

Inventory Will Increase Then Drop Significantly - As 2008 rolls around, sellers whose listings expired in 2007 will put their homes back on the market as a new listing. However, nobody will be fooled. Inventory will continue to increase until summer, when sellers will begin to realize they must either remove their home from the market or be reasonable. Most will choose to remove their homes from active status and inventory will finally begin to fall.
Banks Will Refuse to Pay Closing Costs - Banks are sick of taking it in the shorts. With agents trying to cram short sales down their throats and no one bidding at the trustee's sales, it will leave them stuck with unwanted inventory. Banks will probably start demanding bulk discount rates from title and escrow companies. They will also stop paying some regular closing costs like city taxes and state documentary transfer tax.

Flood Insurance Rates Will Rise - New assessments of flood risk will probably lead the federal government to redraw flood maps, requiring more home owners to carry flood insurance. Home owners with flood insurance policies could see rates double, while those who have no flood insurance could face paying rates that are 10 times higher than they would have paid under the old risk maps.

Siddique is real estate investor for over 22 years and President of http://www.butterflylister.com
Download Free How to sell your Home for Full Price in any market
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Fantastic DIY Home Renovation Ideas

By Guy J Morris


Everyone gets bored of their house if it never changes. I'm sure at one time or another you have been considering renovating your home or even upgrading all of the appliances in your home. However a complete home renovation is extremely costly, you would be lucky to have any savings left at the end of it! There are secret ways to improve the look of your home while also saving money.

There are some really good ways that you can improve the look of your home yourself without having to splash out lots of money. You can even do all of the tasks yourself without having to hire a professional. In order to get started you need to find some ideas and advice, we're going to take a look at some of the most popular websites that offer many different forms of DIY advice. Using these tips you can keep your house up to date.

Finding help online

Many people get a little lost when they are planning to start their own DIY projects. However there are some secret tips that can help you find your way. If you have no idea where you should start then you should start by planning.

Just make a simple list of all of the things in your house that you would like to upgrade. Now you can use the internet, or magazine to get ideas what to do. You can even visit the better homes and gardens website at www.betterhomeandgardens.com there are some very easy to follow tutorials which are surprisingly affordable!

As well as using the internet you should also take advantage of the home improvement stores in your local area. Many cities have Home Depot, or Lowes, these not only sell items that you can use to renovate your home but they can also offer great advice.

The staff in these DIY centers should be very friendly and also know a lot about the projects that you will be attempting. When you visit the store you will be amazed exactly what it's possible to buy, it may well inspire you to do many more home renovation projects by yourself in the future! such as
granite counter top installation

If you don't have enough time to visit the shops, and let's face it nobody does then you can check out their websites. These can be found at www.lowes.com and www.homedepot.com
Guy Morris's web pages can be found on different web sites related to home decor and home repair. You can find his writings on
granite counter tops at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com and various other sources for granite counter tops knowledge.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_J_Morris

Using Decorative Paint for Living Room

By Bill Brennan

You may have tried everything you can think of in order to make changes in your home. Sometimes changing a color on the wall can make a big difference. If you don't want to leave the rooms in the last century it is time for a change. Sometimes making the simple changes can increase the feel of the room. Guests will love the room and wonder what you have changed. Paint can be the best way to make an affordable change.

Painting your living room with more artistic ways can change the look and feel of your home completely. Newer techniques can make your rooms more stylish and modern with the correct use of colors. The best way of giving your rooms a dramatic effect is by using decorative paint styles. Decorative painting can simply refer to creating a wallpaper look by painting designs through a stencil. Stenciling the wall with your chosen designs can give the impression of a fake wallpaper effect. Wall stencils can also be used to design other rooms such as creating cartoons for your kids' bedrooms. Other effects can also be produced on the walls by simply using a sponge instead of a normal painting brush. A sponge or even a rag can be used to dab the paint to give it a more different and textured look.

Another kind of effect which is very popular with interior decoration ideas, especially for the living room is the 'light' effect. Playing with the colors so that it gives the wall the impression of a shadow, or a shimmery effect can be done at ease by using two different shades for the coats. For a shadowy look, start painting one side of the wall with a dark shade then continue painting the rest of the wall with a shade lighter and so on. The shimmery effect can be achieved by painting the wall with a dark or bright color of your choice, preferably 3-4 coats and then giving a last coat with a golden shimmer or bronze shimmer paint. This lends luster to the wall. The latest popular trend in decorative painting for the living rooms is creating a fake effect of popularly known as faux effect. You can achieve a brick like appearance to your walls or even a marble look. More creatively, the paint can be used to produce an artificial, yet real looking leathery or suede textures that give a very sophisticated look to living rooms. Now-a-days there are kinds of paints that do not require any extra effort, but produce the effects of the textured look. These paints, although cost a bit on the higher side than the normal paints, create the basic texture look on which you can create more elaborate effects.

The only thing that one must keep in mind before going for decorative paints is the color scheme. Only painting the rooms cannot produce the desired effect, proper co-ordination and accessorizing, the right furniture, lampshades and other such things are necessary.
For more home decorating tips look at
Budget Furnishing and Making A Wheel Chair Friendly Home
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Brennan

Condo And Apartment Vocabulary - Learn To Speak In Real Estate Terms

By Jay Banks

Sometimes, all the terms and definitions related to lofts, apartments, or condominiums can make you confused. In this short guide, we'll go through a list of the most common words used in real estate to describe different aspects related to condos in Vancouver.

Alcove studio: This refers to a studio apartment that has an alcove. In most cases, it's used for a dining or extra place for sleeping. Alcoves with windows that are large enough to make up for an extra bedroom can be referred as "junior bedrooms".

Alcove: An adjoining area to the living room that can be modified to create a bedroom or a dining space.

Annual Budget: This is a budget for general maintenance fees, repairs and administrative costs and is prepared by the condominium board every year.

Annual Meeting (AGM): By law, it's required to hold an annual meeting to discuss things related to the condominium and to present financial statements.

Common Elements: Refers to various parts of the condo that the homeowners own together as joing owners. Good examples for common elements are the roof, hallways, recreational parts of the building and the garages.

Common Property: These are parts of land or buildings which are not owned individually. The Strata Act specifies the related responsibilities and details of how these are handled.

Disclosure: In every case, the developer has to provide all the necessary documents to the buyer. This includes a purchase agreement, bylaws (can be proposed bylaws as well), a management and recreational agreement, parcel lease (where applicable), mortgages that might affect the title and a plan of the condominiu.

Final Closing: This is the date when the condo is registered officially and when you obtain the title to the property.

Furnished Units: These are apartments, which are already equipped with furniture and amenities for everyday living. It is not uncommon to find these in downtown luxurious condos where the developer is trying to add something extra to attract buyers.

Loft area: Most of the times found in older repurposed industrial buildings with high ceilings. It's typically an additional area accessible by a smaller staircase to provide an extra sleping or living area.

Occupancy Date: The date when you must take occupany of your propety, as specified in the contract.

Registration: Refers to the process process by which the condo's declaration and description are officially approved by the requisite governmental organs.

Studio: Describes a two-room apartment where the kitchen is considered one of them.

Unit: The space contained within the set of specified boundaries in your home.

Zoning Regulations: Guidelines set by municipal governments that regulate the ways how property can or can not be used. They can be strict and should not be overlooked.

Jay Banks has been an accomplished realtor in Richmond BC since 1991. For more information and other great articles, visit his website http://www.jaybanks.ca
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How To Sew Curtains - Instructions For Making A Curtain And Valance

By Robert Schielmann

You don't have to be an ace at sewing to sew curtains. Sewing curtains can be a very rewarding project. You will need a sewing machine, a calculator, pencil and paper, yard stick, tape measure, iron, fabric, pins, thread and scissors.

Instruction for making a simple curtain and valance:

1) Decide the color and pattern of fabric you want in your room. You can do this by going to the fabric store, or checking out internet stores. Before you order or buy your fabric, you need to measure your windows.

2) To measure you will first need to decide how long you want the valance to be, and where you want the curtains to be placed on the window. Do you want a shorter valance, or one that will hang down about halfway? Now is the time to use your creativity, and maybe draw a sketch of the way you want your curtains to look for reference.

3) Now that you know what you want, measure from the top of where you want the curtain to begin, down to where you want the valance to end. Add 7 inches to this measurement for the top and bottom hems (3 inches for the top hem, and 4 inches for the bottom).

4) To measure for the bottom curtain, you measure from the top of where the curtain will be placed on the window to just below or above the window sill (whatever your preference, this is your show), add the 7 inches for the hems. Make sure to write all this down as you will need to remember it. For width, you will need to measure from outside to outside molding. You will purchase material by how full you want the curtain to be. If you want a normal fullness, you will need to remember to double the window measurement. Curtain fabric comes in different widths, and figuring you will need to use two fabric panels, you need to come as close as possible to the measurement for each panel, you may need to cut the panels down if they prove to be too wide.

5) Now is the time to purchase or order your material. You will want a fabric that is easy to work with, cotton works best.

6) You can pre-wash the material, to be sure of how much it will shrink. Cotton does have a tendency to shrink, so you most probably should pre-wash before you make the curtains.

7) Now it is time to cut your material. Using the yardstick, make a straight line with a pencil or chalk along the top. The store may not have cut it even so try to get the line as straight as possible. Measure from the line down for the valance and after that, the lower curtain. You should have four separate pieces.

8) Place fabric right side up on a flat surface. Use the yardstick to measure and mark 3 inches from the top line. Mark this line so you will know where the top hem is, do the same with the bottom hem except the line is made 4 inches from the bottom. Using the same technique, mark 1 inch on each side of the material for the side hem. When all of the pieces are marked, placing the right sides together, sew the two valance pieces together on the sides, this makes the valance one piece. Press the seam flat with the iron. Now fold the two side seams over twice, 1/2 inch at a time. Sew seam holding the material firmly on both sides of the machine needle to prevent puckering. The top and bottom hems are done in the same way. The top will be a seam of 1 1/2 inches, and the bottom will be 2 inches. The bottom curtain is sewed in the same manner as the valance except that you will have two pieces for the bottom curtain and will need to sew two seams on each side of the two panels.
You have just succeeded in sewing curtains for your home. I know by following this pattern you will be able to sew curtains for your home any time you wish.

Find the best cheap mini blinds that don't look cheap by visiting http://www.shoppingforwindowtreatments.com, a popular website that specializes in window treatments, curtains and mini blinds to include information on creating an inviting room with bamboo window shades for your décor pleasure.
Article Source:
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