Cheap source of black drapes?

[Karel Bata]

Will be needed for an arts event for a month in central London from February. Lots of it, and not much of a budget.

 

Any ideas?

 

[sandall]

Street market? Southall & Brick Lane come to mind, depending on where in London you are. Adequate flame-proofing might be your biggest challenge - don't assume anything you buy is flame-proof, & don't believe any assertions that it is without thorough testing.

[Junior8]

Dave Horatha in the arches at Shepherds Bush Market (about halfway down) also there used to be several good fabric workers at Queens Market just outside Upton Park tube. Edited November 20, 2019 by Junior8

[sandall]

Dave Horatha in the arches at Shepherds Bush Market......

I used to spend many "working" afternoons there when I worked up the road or on the other side of the railway (6/- for a haircut). Can't think of anywhere in particular going North, but for South London Brixton would be an obvious start.

[david.elsbury]

Someone here was looking to get a price to have their existing drape stock re-fireproofed.

Perhaps if they purchase new instead; you can buy their old ones from them for a good price

[Karel Bata]

Thanks.

 

What I have found online is this. Polyester / cotton. Not quite matte, but good enough for my purposes.

 

https://www.ebay.co....UK/232348803079

And then they'd need fireproofing...

Edited November 21, 2019 by Karel Bata

[timsabre]

 

We use stuff which is commonly called "casement" or "NDFR", this is already treated fire retardant until it gets wet. It's good for masking but not very thick, I would not call it "drape" but it is similar to the tablecloth material you linked to.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/293046054362

or fore a more legit but more expensive supplier

https://www.stage-electrics.co.uk/shop/sales/scenic-materials/fabric-material/calico-sheeting-and-casement/product.aspx?code=318-6604&nr=true

 

 

 

[Karel Bata]

Ah. That's useful.

 

Thanks.

 

[kitlane]

We use stuff which is commonly called "casement" or "NDFR", this is already treated fire retardant until it gets wet. It's good for masking but not very thick, I would not call it "drape" but it is similar to the tablecloth material you linked to.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/293046054362

or fore a more legit but more expensive supplier

https://www.stage-el...18-6604&nr=true

 

 

 

 

'Casement' is a lightweight cotton fabric. I don't believe it is always flame retardant but the examples given are.

 

'NDFR' stands for 'Non-Durably Flame Reteardent'. It is not the name of a specific type of fabric.

 

So 'Casement' may be okay for what you need. And you should make sure it is (at least) 'NDFR'. But if you ask for 'NDFR' you are not asking for a particular type of fabric.

[Karel Bata]

Thanks. It should do for covering some hideous walls. But I'll still need something a bit more like traditional drapes. 4m x 3.5m and 6m x 3.5m.

 

It's all hideously expensive.

Edited November 21, 2019 by Karel Bata

[timsabre]

It's all hideously expensive.

 

It's not really. A 4m or 6m drape has a lot of material in it, someone out there is making it to earn their livelihood and pay their bills. I'm sure we've all tried to put on events with little or no budget but you have to be realistic about what is possible.

 

[James Remo]

If you aren't trying to black out a window then you could try this lightweight drape from the german musical mega store -ready made 6m x 3m or even cheaper if you just want the fabric

[Karel Bata]

That's an interesting resourse. Thanks. Have you used that material? Just how heavy is it? I need a large quantity to cover walls (I can cover the windows with newpaper first), and then need something else a bit heavier to hang in two sperate pieces that run parallel and form a short entrance 'corridor' and light trap. I think this would be too lightweight for that? So what kind of weight should I be looking at?

 

 

M.H. - I entirely agree with you. Folks are entitled to make a living. All I meant here is that this adds up when you start to cover a large space. I need to source 42m x 4m of black material to completely black out two large rooms for an immersive arts installation - out of my own pocket! Plus the flooring. So I'm looking for reasonable ways to cut corners.

Edited November 21, 2019 by Karel Bata

[nmr]

This photo has the premade one as a backdrop https://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_curtain_160g_m_6_0x3.0m_bk.htm

Stairville Curtain 160g/m² 6.0x3.0m example

As you can see there is some light leaking through it. They do a heaver 300g/m^2 which would be better in that regards.

[david.elsbury]

If you’re trying to black out windows; use a mister spray bottle and mist water onto the windows. Then smooth aluminium foil on. The water will stick the foil to the windows.