If I have said it before.....

As you can see, I have already thrown another pillow around.  It's called Musical Pillows in my house!

I've said it 10000 times...lack of money doesn't have to mean lack of style. P.E.R.I.O.D  In this case, I speak of drapes/curtains.

If I could afford, professionally sewn, european linen drapes, I would, but I can't, sooooooo...... true to form, not to be deterred by lack of funds for drapes (priorities people!).....I reworked some IKEA RITVA curtains. 

Not the look I was going for...
and just because they come with tie backs doesn't mean you have to use them!

Who says out of the box curtains have to look like they are out of the box?   Did you know how EASY making pinch pleats are and what an IMPACT they make in a room.   I hear you already.... "I don't have a sewing machine", or "I can't sew!".....no excuses these are EASY, PEASY!  These can be made with a needle and thread, although a sewing machine does make it easier:):)

Now you don't have to use IKEA, but any curtains that have the hidden rod pockets in the header will work. 

It gives the illusion of drapery tape, and the heft needed to make the pleats stay.  Plus, if you are a lazy sewer, like I am....they are already measured out, all you have to do is pinch and sew.



Here are the steps.

Find the rod pocket part of the draper

See they are spaced evenly apart.

Pinch like this.

Continue with all of the rod pockets until finished.

 Use some of these little suckers....drapery hooks from Joanns or  Lowes or local drapery place.

Et, Voila!

Look so much better....and have such a a better drape.

Now, you can trim out to your heart's content.  Using things like

Greek Key trim,

or grograin ribbon,

or even a ruffle if you are feeling daring.

Or if you are feeling really daring....cut the bottoms and add some contrasting fabric to the bottom....you would only need a couple yards.

Seriously, just because it comes one way in the box doesn't mean it has to stay that way.

These were cafe curtains out of the box at target....with vintage trim and leftover red fabric

I added a red fabric and trim to the bottoms of these to make them different.

Sew there you have it....out of the box curtains turned to nice drapes...all for $50, $100 less than an inexpensive drapery panel.

Happy Thursday.

Silhouette Pillow....how to.

My Silhoutte Pillow

I have had this idea in my head for a while...and finally just decided to do get it done. With minimal sewing and cutting skills, even the most novice sewer can accomplish it.



Materials:
A pillow form
A piece of burlap
A piece of drop cloth (I have a lot of scraps from various projects)
Rick-rack (ribbon, or cording would work as well)
Colored Felt
Scissors
Needle
Thread
A printed out Silhouette of your choice aproximate size 5 X 7 (would keep it a fairly simple silhouette) 
(You can find them online, or if you have a good one of a family member it would be much more personal)

Step one
 
pin the silhouette to the felt

 Step 2
Cut out the silhouette

Don't worry I ironed the burlap after I snapped the pic:)

Step 3
Center the Silhouette on burlap (I used a temporary spray adhesive, but you can pin it as well.) 

sorry for the blurry pic, you can kind of see the image

Close up of what  the stitch should look like.

Step 5
Tack the silhouette down with a simple in and out stitch (I don't know the official term for this stitch)  But I just went in and out where the long stitch is on the other side of the fabric.


Step 6
Now just sew the pillow like you normally would.  I didn't take pictures of this process, but if you need to know how to sew a pillow, there are a TON of great tutorials online. 

There are so many ways you could customize this pillow...with ruffle trim, with a colored or geometric fabric on the back, with flange, etc, etc.

Happy Hump Day!

Tablecloth to shower curtain!

What would you do with this

Tree of Life table Runner from World Market

and  this

Tree of Life Table Cloth from World Market.

A SHOWER CURTAIN OF COURSE!!!!

Bottom Detail

Top Pleated Detail

his is one of the easiest sewing projects I have ever done.  I would call myself a lazy sewer, I especially hate hems and finish detail.  (in fact I have been known to be so excited about a project, I leave these minor details undone...please don't pull up the bottom of ANY of my curtains:)  Anyway, I found this tablecloth at World Market (they were 30% off) and thought the teal in the fabric design went perfectly in my teal bathroom.   Forgive me that i did not take pictures of this process.  But it is really simple.

Set aside about 30 minutes. REALLY, it is SO easy.

A.) Most shower curtains are 72" square.  The table cloth that I chose was 60"X90".

B) to make up for the 90" width, I added Pinch Pleats to the top for a little detail.  Just spaced where I wanted the 12 rings and pinched. If I was off by an inch or two you really can't tell. (90"-18"=72"(each pinch was 1.5))

C) Add the 12" runner to the bottom (60" +12"=72" length  it s already 90" long) COMPLETELY finished detail, it adds some weight to the bottom because it is double backed so the curtain hangs really well.

D) Add button holes along the top for the rings, or you could do the clips an even easier option

E) VOILA, hang your curtain.

World Market and many other stores have great designs for their tablecloths and runners...the possibilities are endless!

I hope enjoy this project as much as I did!

Sew HOT!

Made from Dupioni Silk  and Lawn Bias Tape
that I had for a top that was never made.

The Back is a sample swatch from Robert Allan.

My signature, I never quite finish anything. 
Mommy duty called, but it still looks nice.

t is so HOT here that going outside is miserable!  I thought I would have a sew day...or couple hours yesterday.      Since it is HOT, the children are inside, so my productivity level isn't exactly steller, but it made me happy, and it was just the punch of color my living room needed. As my daughter said.  "Mommy does that pillow stand for Ophganorse":)  Why, honey, yes it does!

Feeling very inspired by this room.

Melissa Warner's Rental Apartment
Photographed for the cover of House Beautiful May 2010 issue.

Have a great, and hopefully not as hot as it is here day!