Bedroom Crafting

was inspired by Lori after seeing her beautiful bed adorned with pretty pillows and spent Saturday working up these accent pillows. 

I used left over poly/wool fabric together with my trusty pillow templates, monogrammed them and for the roll pillow used a design from Embroidery Library. 

 Before learning to sew garments, I would spend my time sewing pillow cases, duvet covers, curtains for my home mainly because of the abundance of windows and the need for paritculars colors.  One room has 8 windows and I quickly realized that if I wanted the right length and/or color I was better off making them.  Of late the curtains that  I have made have been rotated  from room to room, I really need to make curtains for that room since I do not have any red or gray curtains to go with the new comforter.   Hopefully, this week I will make a trip to Fulton Fabrics to score several yards of red or gray fabric.    Thank You Lori.

Also, Adrienne has inspired me to return to making duvet covers after seeing her beautiful duvet set.  In the past I would purchase king size flat sheets and sew them together to make duvet covers to coordinate with curtains.   Once I started sewing garments I veered away from home dec projects.   I enjoyed working up the accent pillows and looking forward to getting back into home dec sewing.  A week ago I purchased pillow forms from Joann's and plan to make some for my chiase.

(pic circa 2008..lol)

Also, I have a few yards of faux leather that was initially earmarked for a handbag, but will be used for pillows for the livingroom sofa.  With Spring approaching the room needs to be lightened up and also need to make new curtains for the livingrooom  

The curtains in the livingroom have been washed and rotated several times, in that they were in a bedroom, then another bedroom and back to the livingroom... a change is definitely needed.


 

I remember in the past, it was hard to find bathroom window curtains to match shower curtains and if there was a coordinating curtain it was poly/nylon fabric.  With that I started making my own coordinating bathroom sets and again would buy flat sheets and make bathroom curtains and shower curtains and use a shower liner under the shower curtains to keep the fabric from getting wet.  Again, I have been in rotation mode since garment sewing and these curtains have made their way back to the bathroom too...lol

(pic circa 2007)

Sheesh, now that I think about it, the kitchen needs new curtains too.Years ago I'd purchased peel and stick frosting for the lower panes to avoid having to use bottom panels that were constanly in the way.  Just having to use valances I never had any problems finding kitchen curtains, which were inexpensive.  However, these valances have seen better days.  I've never made valances and think I will try my hand at making them this year.

A questions for my dear bloggers what home dec projects do you enjoy!

Plaids you Say...

I'm in love with  Butterick 5147.... seriously - I want at least a half-dozen of these dresses that's how in love I am with this pattern.

Fair warning the word love(ing) may be used several times throughout this post, probably as many times, if not more than T.iger used E.lin's name during his apology speech.  Also, I love this plaid against the deep brown boucle fabric and thought it appropriate to again try my hand at matching plaids. 

After wearing my houndstooth plaid dress and feeling all svelte and loving the look, I knew I had to repeat this pattern without a hiccup, belch or kink.  I initially planned to use a taupe pinstripe poly/cotton, but when my guy mentioned that he liked the way I looked in the other dress I immediately dove into working up this plaid without coming up for air.  

I used the same technique for matching the plaid that I'd used for the first one... love that technique, and hand basted the seams to check fitting.  There would be no foolery with my machine this time around no siree Bob.   Faye recommended this video tutorial for the zipper application and like her, must have watched it 20 times and it worked like a charm.  I love the zipper technique and it wll become a must do for zipper application.   Honestly, I think this is the best zipper I've ever done.  Thank You Faye!

The dress is fully lined and it was a must with boucle fabric.  I love boucle, and have a few rtw boucle garments, but I've had issues with the seams fraying.  I serged and did a double stitch to ensure I wouldn't end up with fraying seams, at times while at work I find myself doing aerobic moves to get things done and that's by any means necessary.

Did I mention that I am in love with this notice-me plaid too, which I find fun, girlish, with a touch of the unexpected - yes I said girlish despite nearing the 50 bend...lol.    I feel that this plaid dress does just as great a job of adding refinement and power to my wardrobe as a suit..... well not as great... but almost... did I say how much I love this pattern. 

  I have a question, how does one differentiate a jumper from a sheath dress.... someone told me I look cute in my jumper...I said thank you of course with a side eye glance :)

With all that said I feel like doing the riverdance.... lol.