Just received my copy of the June/July ’11 issue of Sew News magazine hitting new stands now. My article answers common bedding questions. On pages 20-21, I explain the difference between a coverlet, comforter, duvet, bedspread and quilt. Includes tips on how to measure the mattress, comforter or duvet to ensure the proper fit. Check it out!
Just received my copy of the 2011 101 Patchwork Projects & Quilts and want to share that I have two projects included. I am so excited!
A bedroom isn’t complete without a profusion of pillows. My first project (page 75), Serenity Sham, is so easy to make! My second project is a PiecedShower Curtain on page 86. Brighten your morning with this pieced shower curtain topped with colorful grommets. Check it out!
Here is a brief promo video on my book Decorating Sewlutions. It explains that only 3 basic and super easy sewing techniques that I explain to you in great detail are all you need to make over 100 projects for your home. And, a lot of decorating tips are sprinkled through the book. Check it out!
Sill-Length: floor-length curtains or drapes fall into graceful curves if the tiebacks are placed at the height of the window sill.
Placed Low: by placing tiebacks low (about 2/3 of the way down from the top of the curtains), an illusion of a tall, narrow window is created. This effect will obscure light because more of the window is covered by the curtains.
Placed High: to create an illusion of height, place the tiebacks about 1/3 of the way down from the top. This effect will also let in the most light.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
Trims that are handled constantly, such as fringe on the leading edge of a curtain or on a pillow, can become tangled. These tips will help you make trims more manageable.
Use a hand steamer or steam iron to steam fringe ends to remove kinks. Use a kitchen mitt on your hand as a portable “ironing board” when pressing already-hung curtains.
Unruly tassels or fringes can be brushed softly with a hairbrush to untangle and fluff them. Select a brush with plastic bristles that are spaced 1/4 inch apart and have little balls on the tips. Uneven fringe ends can be trimmed with scissors. (However, don’t cut loops or twisted bullion fringes. They will just unwind!).
When selecting colors for adjoining rooms, blend colors from one area to another to create color unity. For example, if your living room is yellow with blue accents and the adjoining dining rom is blue, add some yellow accents to the dining room so the colors flow together.
If you are having a hard time selecting a color scheme, turn to your closet. What colors do you like to wear? If you like wearing certain colors, you will certainly enjoy living with those same colors.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
Drapery weights will help ensure that your window treatments hang well while giving your curtain a finished professional look. It’s simple to add, just insert a weight into the bottom hem area at each corner and/or botton of each vertical seam. If the weight is not precovered, you must first cover the weight with muslin to prevent the weight from discoloring the decorator fabric.
Here’s a quick tip to make your own tassels for home decorating…
Cut a piece of cardboard to the length of the tassel. Wrap embroidery floss around the cardboard to achieve the desired thickness. To make the tassel head, gather the floss at one edge of the cardboard and tie it together with matching floss. Remove the cardboard and tie another piece of floss 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the knotted end. Cut the floss loops to create the tassel tails. Tip excerpted from Donna Babylon’s book, More Splash Than Cash Window Treatments
Donna Babylon is a nationally known home decorating expert. Her latest book, Decorating Sewlutions: Learn To Sew As You Decorate Your Home can be found at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com
To make your sewing projects go smoothly, here are a few tips to allow you to work more efficiently.
Set up a permanent work area for the duration of your project. You’ll lose time and momentum if you have to break down your work area after you finish each day.
Work on as large a surface as possible. If you’re using a dining room table, extend the table to its maximum size. If all else fails, move away all the furniture and use the floor.
Make sure you have a good light source in your work area.
Keep all of your tools orderly and within reach.
When sewing large volumes of fabric, keep the weight of the fabric from pulling on the needle by positioning a chair in front of and behind the sewing machine to “catch” the fabric as you sew.
Wind three bobbins before you start a large project; you will always have a spare at your fingertips.
Start each project with a new needle; needles become dull through use.
Press by lifting the iron up and down. “Sweeping” the iron back and forth stretches the bias edges and seams.
Always work with clean hands during the construction process. Avoid eating and drinking in your work area because spills and stains can be the downfall of any sewing project.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book, Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home is now available at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
hitting new stands now. My article answers common bedding questions. On pages 20-21, I explain the difference between a coverlet, comforter, duvet, bedspread and quilt. Includes tips on how to measure the mattress, comforter or duvet to ensure the proper fit. Check it out!