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Matchy-Schmatchy…How to Match Patterns Without Being Wacky-Tacky!

You know what they say, everything old is new again. But let’s be honest, some things are better off kept in the past. Remember the 60’s and early 70’s (maybe you can’t “remember” it), pattern on pattern was groovin’ baby. Bold colors, overstated lines and shapes, psychedelic, groovy, Peter Max to the max! The effect was over the top. We embraced the look, but today’s approach to interior design takes a more refined thinking regarding how color, pattern, even texture work together to create an appealing, not mind blowing room vista. I’m fascinated by blending patterns and textures. My look…

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Curtains and yardage

There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating yardage for draperies. I’ve gone over a few individual instances in various curtain posts on this blog (See these grommet curtains, rod pocket curtains and pinch pleat curtains), but what if someone wants to make similar curtains for a bigger window, requiring several widths of fabric? Or how do they take into account different prints?

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Techniques & TipsPosted on

Using drapery gathering tape

There are many types of pleating and gathering tapes for making different types of draperies. I’m going to show a basic example of a gathering tape with four threads. There are also gathering tapes with as few as two strings. For heavier fabrics, choose a wider pleat/gathering tape. Many of these tapes accommodate multiple types of drapery pins, from pinch pleat hooks to two-prong hooks to simple pins. Note: This is not a full curtain tutorial. Please excuse any wrinkles and imperfect pleats. We will be offering a full tutorial on pinch pleat curtains in the coming months. We currently…

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Techniques & TipsPosted on

Adding grommets to curtains

Grommets are one way to hang curtains. I really like how they look, the simplicity of using them, and how they create such nice folds with ease.These plastic grommets are incredibly quick and easy. If you’ve ever battled with metal grommets in a project, don’t let that scare you. These require no tools and they just snap right into place.

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Baby & KidsPosted on

Making lined / interlined curtains Part 2

Last week, we started with Part 1 of this tutorial: measuring, cutting and hanging the rod. This week, we’ll continue with the sewing part of the project.I decided to remake the curtains in my son’s room because last time I made them way too narrow, and although they covered the window, they didn’t hang nicely. I also lined them with the same fabric I used for the front – a solid brown – and wanted to use a proper black-out lining this time. I also added interlining, which makes them hang nicer. The interlining is optional. It’s most useful on…

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Making lined / interlined curtains Part 1

This tutorial will show you how to measure  your panels to make lined grommet curtains with interlining. Interlining can give nice shape and body to any curtain, but does the most for silky, light curtains. I’m making mine from a heavier fabric, but I wanted to demonstrate how to use it. Interlining is also great for insulating your windows and reducing heat loss. I’m also using blackout lining to help keep a bedroom darker. Next week, we’ll get to the actual sewing and grommets. Finally, the zigzags? Well, chevron fabrics are all the rage, and we have tons! Just search…

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