Things to consider before purchasing your fabric

Today's goal is to make fabric selection more overwhelming than it already is :) There are tons of options out there: heavy weights and lights weights, cottons and linens, textures or patterns, and then of course every colorway imaginable. There is such a wide variety of fabrics because not every fabric is right for every space. There are important things to keep in mind when selecting a fabric. The best way to make sure that you pick the right fabric is to order a swatch. I cannot stress enough how important this is.

Flynn

If you are purchasing a fabric in store, they will usually have a few pieces on hand that you can take home for a swatch. If you can't obtain a swatch for some reason, there are things you can do in the store to inspect the fabric. 

• Unroll a bit of it and hold it up to the light. 
• Gather some of it together to see how it will drape.
• Examine as much of the fabric as possible for flaws.

When you have your swatch, here are the things to consider when testing it in your home:

Sierra Ikat

1) Weight. Heavier weight fabrics will offer a more luxurious feel to your space. They are best suited for full length curtains with crisp header options, like pinch pleats, and other headers that will create luxurious pleating. Lighter weights offer a softer feel to the space and are much more informal. 

Alpenglow

2) Texture. Having a swatch of a textured fabric is super important. The way light plays on texture is something you can only see when you have the fabric in the space it will be used in. It should be observed in the daylight with natural light and then again when it is dark outside and using artificial light inside. Light will play on the nap of velvet, the shimmer of synthetic fibers and the sheen of chintz differently in both types of light. 

Flight

3) Patterns. Patterns are usually applied to nontextured fabrics, though this is not the case of all patterns. A pattern may be printed, embroidered or woven. A sample of a pattern is very important. I sometimes recommend a customer purchase a yard of a fabric with a pattern on it if they plan to use it for draperies. The way a fabric looks flat in the sample image is not how it will look when it is draped and pleated. Stripes look less rigid, bold patterns are softened, and small scale patterns can be lost altogether. 

I get customers all the time that just tell me a color they want and then say they leave it up to my judgment to select a fabric because all the options are so overwhelming. I know that adding all this considerations makes it more daunting. But I can assure you that if you go through the steps above you will be confident in your fabric choice and not have any second thoughts about it after you have seen the fabric in action in the space you plan to put your home decor items in.

And as always. please feel free to ask me for help with a fabric selection. I know very well all the choices that are available and how overwhelming it is. I am happy to help.

One Yard Wonder: Jewelry holder

ONE YARD WONDER:

Jewelry Holder

 

 

Materials needed:

 

1) One yard of fabric

2) One yard of 3/8" wide ribbon

3) One 10 or 12" zipper

4) Coordinating thread colors

5) 8" by 10" picture frame

6) Heavy duty stapler

 

Start by selecting the following: 1) an 8" by 10" picture frame, 2) one yard of fabric and 3) one yard of coordinating 3/8" wide ribbon.

 

Next you will cut one piece of fabric to be 9" by 11", two pieces of fabric that are 3.5" high by 11" long and three twelve inch long pieces of ribbon.

 

Center your fabric in the picture frame and then on the front side use a measuring tape to measure the following:

 

With a disappearing ink pen, make a mark 1" from the top, make a mark 5" from the top, and then a mark 6" from the top. These marks will be where you will place the pockets and additional ribbon piece.

 

With an iron, iron over 1/2" of one edge of one pocket edge and fold over and iron 1" of one edge of the other pocket edge. 

 

On the remaining raw edge of each pocket, pin and sew one of the 12" long pieces of ribbon.

 

Pin the 3" tall pocket on the 1" ink line you made on the main piece of fabric. Pin the 2.5" tall pocket to the 6" line you made on the fabric. And pin the remaining piece of 12" long piece of ribbon to the 5" line.

 

Sew along the BOTTOM edges of each pocket.

 

Then pin one side of the 10" zipper to the ribbon edge of the top pocket places at 1" and pin the other side of the zipper to the 1" line you made. Then sew in the zipper.

 

Then sew around the entire outer edges of the 9" by 11" piece of fabric. Sew at about 1/2" in. Sew the single ribbon down around the edges only. Do not sew it down to the 9" by 11" piece of fabric.

 

Only sew across the ribbon that is placed at the 5" mark at the center (and on the sides when you sew around the entire edge) for reinforcement. Do not sew the rest of it to the main piece of fabric.

 

Then place the piece inside the picture frame and staple at the inner edge of the frame.

 

When you close the back of the frame, this is what it will look like:

 

3" tall zipper pocket at the top, single 3/8" wide ribbon in the middle, 2.5" open pocket at the bottom.

 

 

I use the ribbon to hold clasp bracelets like the below image:

 

Or to hold stud of dangle ear rings.

My open pocket on the bottom hold rings, pins and hair accessories.

The zipper pocket holds necklaces.

 

 

 

Pin it!

 

 

Enjoy! 



Ask Melissa: How to combine roman shades with curtains

I missed last weeks Ask Melissa because my children have been blessed with Fifth's Disease. Good times at my house this week. But now we're back in full swing.

 

Today's "Ask Melissa" is "How do you combine Roman Shades with Curtains?"

 

Image courtesy of Lynn Chalk

You should mount the shades inside the window frame if combining both shades and curtains. But this is not required. If you can't mount inside, you will need to make sure your curtain rod will provide enough depth so that the shade will not interfere with the functioning of the curtains. There should be some clearance in between the shade and the curtain.

 

 

Image courtesy or client Tara

I recommend mounting the curtain rod at least 5-8" higher than where the Roman will be placed and extend the curtain rod the same distance, or even as much as 10" to either side of the window so the curtains can gather beside the Roman Shades when opened.

 

Image courtesy of Lynn Chalk

If you can't mount higher than the shade you may mount the curtain rod at the same height as the shade, but, again, you need to be sure when selecting your curtain rod that it will allow for plenty of clearance between the curtain and the shade to operate correctly.

 

Image courtesy of Lynn Chalk

In the case of combining Roman Shades and Curtains, it is best to line the shades with standard drapery lining and the curtains with blackout liner. This way you are given options. If you want privacy, but still want light, you can just close your Roman Shades. If you want the room to be darkened, you may close your curtains.

Image courtesy of Lynn Chalk

When selecting fabrics for combination Roman Shade/Curtain window treatments, it is best to choose a solid color for the Romans and a coordinating patterned fabric for the curtains.

 

 

Leave your questions in a comment here or on our Facebook.

 

Pin it!

 

 

 

 

Ask Melissa: How To Dress an Eybrow Window or Half Circle Window

Ask Melissa:

The Eyebrow, Half Moon and Arched Window

 

Traditionally, the arched window is intended to be the decorative part of the window and not meant to covered or dressed.

 





 

The curtain rods or other window treatment mounting device is meant to be mounted right below the eyebrow window leaving the window entirely exposed.

 

Flat Panel Curtains below an  eyebrow window.

Roman Shades below and arched window.

 

But the arches can be dressed. I have had some people tell me they really dislike their arched window and want to dress it or cover it in some way. Here are some ideas:

Stationary panels beside the window will dull the effect of an arched window.

 

You can use arched curtain rods and cover the window with curtains.

Or you can use a standard straight curtain rod and hang it about 6-8" above the highest point of the arch.

This image shows the curtain rod right at the arche's peak. I imagine this is because of the slanted ceiling. Ideally is should go a few inches higher. But this is an option for dressing an arch.

 

And finally, shutters. Shutters are a great way to dress a window and allow it to still have it's dramatic effect on the room. I grew up in Arizona where leaving the arched window exposed left a room too hot. Dressing it with shutters was a great option because you still had the look and feel of the arched window, but the shutters blocked out the heat.

 

Here are some great fabric and curtain selections I found for you.

 

First is a set of curtains to be hung below the arched window:

This curtain set is from Swags Galore and is currently on sale for $8.49 for standard 84" long panels! It is available in Vanilla (pictured), Chocolate, Ruby, Gold, and White. They are made of crushed satin. Here is the chocolate brown version:

 

 

If you don't like the arch and want to cover it completely and dull it's affect on the room, a wide vertical stripe would perform that function well.

 

This is a white and navy 3" wide vertical stripe, Premier Prints brand, sold by Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory. She also carries it in black:

 

 

If you are going with stationary panels to accent the window, or panels on an arched rod, a floral fabric is a great idea as the round shapes of the flowers will accent the round shape of the window. I found this fun floral by Robert Allen at Lynchalk.com

 

It's called Robert Allen Courtyard Vine Blossom. Very cute, bright and fun! The pattern is embroidered a Rayon/Linen blend. It's just lovely!

 

Do you have any questions about home décor, sewing, DIY or anything else you'd like to ask us? Please send your questions to windowsbymelissa@gmail.com and we'll discuss your question on our blog!

 

Have a great Monday!

Making your window treatments last: Preserving Textiles

Let's face it: There is something about textiles that makes us want to touch them. How many of you have had to shop for your fabric in store instead of line because you have to touch it and feel it?

 

Today we are going to talk about what you can do to preserve your fabrics and make them last as long as possible.

 

There are things we can't avoid. We have to open and close the curtains,



Shumacher Imperial Trellis in Madarin



Straighten the pillows,

 

Amsterdam pillow cover from Rainey Creek Home

Situate the pouf. . .

 

Waverly Bluebell pouf from Rainey Creek Home

We naturally have oils in our skin, but additionally, we touch things throughout the day and get more oils and dirt on our fingers. Then we close, straighten and situate our the items in our home transferring the dirt and oils to our textiles.

 

We also can't avoid the sun, using lights in our homes and the occasional little person who likes to leave love notes to mommy on her couch, pillows, curtains, walls, whatever surface is nearest the crayon.

 

Let's take care of the easiest one first: sunlight. The best way to preserve your fabrics from the sun is to line your curtains. 

 

Hidden Tab Panels from Window Treatments by Melissa

Lining your curtains will not only preserve the fabric used for your curtains, or other window treatments, but it acts as an additional filter that will catch any UV rays from the sun that the window didn't already filter.

 

And I'll bet you wouldn't have guessed that the light bulbs in your lamps and light fixtures will make your fabrics fade, too. If preserving the life of your textiles is important to you I recommend getting the lowest wattage possible on the light bulbs. The worst indoor light for fabrics is fluorescent lighting, commonly used in dark shadowy areas of the home like basements. Keep this in mind when selecting a window treatment or other décor fabric going in a basement and consider using a less expensive option that can be replaced often, if necessary.  

 

Cotton fabrics, like the ones below from Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory, are good to consider for a situation where you may be replacing items often. Stylish and affordable.



Blue Herringbone from Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory

 

Maritime Chevron Wave from Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory

 

Poufs and pillows in high traffic areas are also best in inexpensive cottons that are easy to wash and easy to replace, if necessary. Consider these options from Rainey Creek Home.

 

 

Chartreuse zig zag pouf from Rainey Creek Home

Utah Grommet in Spa

 

Aruba pillow cover from Rainey Creek Home

 

Now, onto the oils and dirt. Textiles are made from natural fibers. Cotton and linen are plant fibers and silks are made of protein fibers and contain salt. The best way to clean your textiles is simply to vaccume them. If a "love note" from your child finds itself on your textiles, or dirt or oil come in contact with your textiles, there are products out there that not only claim to, but do in fact remove stains and love notes from your textiles. :) But one thing you need to know is that the textiles your home décor items are made from are natural fibers and, therefore, are already undergoing their own chemical changes and natural breakdown processes. When you introduce a harsh chemical to an something that is already undergoing chemical change, you are speeding up the deterioration process.

 

Schumacher Bleecker in Spark from Lynn Chalk

Schumacher Kiribati Ikat from Lynn Chalk

  

If you use designer fabrics such as the ones above or below, you should consider the stain. Is it significant enough that you want to introduce the textile to harsh chemicals? Small dirt spots or smudges should first be cleaned by vacuum before you attempt to introduce chemicals, or even water.

 

Sheer Linen Casual Shade from Lynn Chalk

Consider the use of water on natural fibers. Cotton and linens can stand up to water. It should be distilled water as other water sources contain dirt and other elements.

 

But think twice before using it on silk. Remember that silk is a plant fiber and contains salt. Water on silk will cause it to break down and deteriorate quickly. With silks you should consider either living with the stain or replacing the item before introducing it to water, let alone harsh cleaning chemicals.

 

Schumacher Manor Gate from Lynn Chalk

If children's love notes are not a concern in your home and you generally keep a clean house, then the best thing you can do to keep your textiles for as long as possible is to purchase the most expensive fabric you can within your budget. It's true that you get what you pay for. The more expensive fabrics are higher quality and will last a long time.

 

Sinclair Grommet Panels from Swags Galore

If you have young children, and dirt and oils coming in contact with your textiles is a concern, I recommend going with affordable textiles that can be replaced often.

 

LONG STORY SHORT:

*Line your window treatments.

*If you MUST, use only distilled water, but never use any water or chemical on silks.

*Buy the most expensive fabric in your budget

*Always vacuum first before attempting to treat stains. See what the vacuum will get out first.

 

--If you see a fabric you like, click on the image to find its source.