I'm not sure why it is so but we have mini-blinds on the windows in the two bedrooms and on the one in the kitchen. But they didn't put any blinds on the windows in what is supposed to be the living room and dining room. I don't really understand the rationale. Anyway, soon after we moved here, I put up beautiful sheers. Then last fall we went to IKEA and picked up, among other things, this semi-opaque, plain-weave fabric that matches the rug in my studio. In December, I managed to find and buy the tape that goes at the top of the panels so the little hooks have something to grab (we have these cool curtain/drapery tracks installed on the ceiling around each window and the hooks ride inside the tracks). It has taken this long to actually start the project, mostly because I don't like home dec sewing.
(The fabric is a lot more green in real life, not this pukey color on my monitor.)
I sew primarily clothing. I like to take a flat piece of fabric and create a three-dimensional garment. I like sewing curved seams. Long straight seams leave me cold. That's why I'm not big on home dec. Long straight seams plus you take a flat piece of fabric and when you're finished, it's still a flat piece of fabric, albeit hemmed on all sides.
But today I made draperies for our windows. Nothing fancy, just hems and tape at the top. The cutting, though... let me just say that it will be a while before I take up another project of this scale. The fabric is rather loosely woven (semi-opaque) and it was hard to grain it up on the cutting table. I ended up just pulling a thread, measuring up along the selvedge, and pulling another thread to mark where I needed to cut. Then I rotary-cut in the spaces left by the pulled threads. Luckily for me, the fabric happens to be grain-perfect and the panels look great. I made them for the large window in my studio as well as for the window and balcony door in the "dining area" (continuation of my sewing space).
In the end, it was a lot easier than I had thought it would be and I love the results.
11 comments:
They look great Alex and the best part is it is d.o.n.e! I'd love to have drapery tracks in the ceiling, love them!!! Hate home dec for the same reasons as you but have managed to live through it...it's a job is all.
They look great!! I am about to start on some home dec stuff soon.
I completely understand and relate to your Home Dec sewing thoughts. Sewing 30 tabs for some tab-top curtains almost three years ago was so dull and boring that I haven't even gotten around to doing the second panel. It's just so uninspiring.
However, you do have some great curtains though :) !
I so feel you right now! I have wasted an entire weekend with home dec stuff and I'm not done yet. I still have to fix the store bought curtains because the thought of making them from scratch just gave me the hives!!!!! I also have to finish up a bedcover. But when this is done, it won't have to be done again anytime soon and I will be soooo thankful!
Alexandra .- him were these beautiful drapes. Work on the home is also very nice to do. Congratulations. I love the green color of the fabric. A hug and greetings. Paco
Oh you cracked me up with, "all that work and when you are finished, it is still a flat piece of fabric".
I know and I agree! Plus, it can be hard to get those simple things to hang right.
Having said that, I love your curtains! Those are some really cool curtain rods and I would love to find some. I wonder where you can buy them?
I did home dec sewing for several years as a business. It's a lot less onerous when you're set up for it, with large cutting and pressing surfaces and with an industrial machine that stitches 2000spm. Draperies on home machines are almost painfully slow.
Glad they're done - They look Great!
I love to sew but feel the same about home dec? I have to be reeeeeally in the mood - that's why my sewing studio has no curtains yet :) Your curtains look great :)
I'm with you on the home dec sewing - it takes me forever to begin a project as I find it dreadfully boring. While the draperies may not have been fun to sew, they did turn out very nicely!
alex, they look great (those sheers are gorgeous). i hear you on home dec sewing, and i have 30 yds of fabric ready to be sewn up into sheers for our living room and dining room. i've had it since december 2006. ack! :)
I love it ! Very creative ! That's actually really cool Thanks.
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