Tuesday, November 15, 2011

3 Easy Ways to Dress Up Your Window Treatments That Won't Take a Lot of Time Or Break the Bank

!: 3 Easy Ways to Dress Up Your Window Treatments That Won't Take a Lot of Time Or Break the Bank

Whether you have custom or store-bought window treatments, you can do something today to dress them up, make them look different, and enhance the whole look in the process.

Here are 3 quick and easy tips.

#1. Add Beads. Beaded trims are available in 100's of choices at many local stores: from mass market to more upscale boutiques. One way to use them, is to take a string of beads and swag it over your valance. Another is to add them to the bottom of the valance or along the sides of the panels. If you don't want to do it yourself, a local seamstress or a window treatment shop will happily add them on. Or you can accomplish it yourself through the many no-sew, iron-on options available for a DIY-er.

#2. Cords and Tassels. Similar to beaded choices, decorative cords are available in your nearby mass and custom markets. They add a very special custom-looking touch to your windows. So, if you have pulled back curtains or drapery panels on your windows now, what do you use to hold them back? Is it something special like a nice and weighty tassel?

#3. Contrasting fabric. This is a little bit more involved than simply adding a tassel, but really isn't complicated at all and can have a dramatic effect in the room. Consider pulling the colors of the room together, by adding a contrasting border to your panels. Or it can be a contrasting insert at the bottom 1/3 of the panel. Or it can be a contrasting cuff at the top of a panel or a valance. The main idea is that your existing window treatment gets a punch of another color, which happens to bring into it other colors from the room.

Why would you want to make these changes.

Here are 3 main reasons:

Window treatment looks better. It's just as simple as that. Adding these embellishments make your treatment look more rounded, finished-off, and custom.

Décor gets a face-lift - even if it's a little touch, is something new and extra that you didn't have before.

Room looks more pulled-together - as your room evolves with new accessories, window treatments can stay "current" with your new additions. As an example, you've found a pretty beaded lamp shade - why not bring those similar beads up to the windows?

How do you know you need to dress up your window treatments?

Ask yourself these questions.

Does my room look completely pulled together?
Does it feel like something is missing?
Do I feel like a change (that won't cost a lot)?
Do I want my windows to have a more custom look, but don't want to spend a lot of money?

See, you get the idea.


3 Easy Ways to Dress Up Your Window Treatments That Won't Take a Lot of Time Or Break the Bank

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Tips For Sewing Delicate Fabrics

!: Tips For Sewing Delicate Fabrics

Delicate fabrics are particularly time consuming to work with. Fabric such as lace, silk, organza, etc are difficult to maneuver and make sewing a tedious job.

Garments and other projects designed to be made out of delicate materials such as lace or thin cotton can present problems for the beginner who doesn't have much experience.

Some other fabrics that may belong to this category are:

- Wearable art is very hard to work with and can certainly be considered a delicate fabric.

- Heirlooms of silk and lace should never be handled or repaired by a novice. Heirlooms should always be treated like the delicate fabric they are.

- Wool can be challenging to sew because of the thickness. In particular if the material has delicate beaded or embroidered designs on it.

- Fabrics with embellishments are hard to work with at times which is another reason training in sewing is necessary.

If you want to sew with a delicate fabric or you are unsure of your sewing abilities practice sewing on sample pieces first. Practice until the material feels comfortable in your hands to work with and your patience will be rewarded with a piece of work to be proud of.

When sewing a thin delicate fabric on a sewing machine it may help to use some tissue paper underneath the material. This supports the material and prevents stretching. Once you have sewn the pieces together remove the tissue paper - it will tear of easily. To prevent puckering be sure you hold the material firm in front and back of the needle.

Whether you sew by hand or with a sewing machine make sure you use a correct size and sharp needle for thin delicate fabrics. It is recommended that you use a needle size 10/60, 10/70 or 11/75 for machine stitching.

Beginners will find sewing delicate fabrics challenging, however with some practice you may soon be recognized for your work by family and friends, or even in your local area. A good first project which is easy to work with is lace doilies used together with a cotton fabric to make pillows, serviettes or tablecloths.

Tablecloths and placemats along with table runners are beautiful on a well decorated table which offers delicate place settings with the simplicity of delicate fabrics sewn to perfection. A dining table which is elegantly showcasing some of the most delicate features of the dining room including lovely lace napkins and unique patterns in a tablecloth are divine for special occasions and for everyday dining.

Sewing delicate fabrics offers you and your family the chance to have many different and unusual fabrics and upholstery in your home. Tablecloths and dining room essentials are easy to make. Curtains and bed coverings are enhanced by the personal touches of someone who knows how to sew delicate fabrics.

It is very special when a person takes the time to make something special for everyone to enjoy.


Tips For Sewing Delicate Fabrics

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