Fabric and Home Decor: Valentine’s Day Fabrics

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Diane

Let’s start the month off with love.  It is not too late to add a hint or two of Valentine’s Day to your home decor.  Here are just a few ideas that might result in some flowers and candy from those special people in your home:

  • Can’t say it enough times….pillows, pillows, pillows.  They are the quickest and easiest way to change out your decor for seasons, holidays etc.  A simple felt heart appliqued to a pillow can really get your heart pumping!  Make your own or purchase one like this from the pineapple catz on Etsy.

  • A cuddly throw in holiday patterns is sure to be welcomed on the chilly February nights.  After all, Valentine’s Day is all about cuddling.  Fleece, flanneland chenille are warm fabrics available in holiday solids like red, pink and cream as well as “loving” patterns like plaid and toile.

    pink plaid flannel

  • Be creative with your fabrics.  For example, wrap a bright red knit around an old vase to create a pretty holder for all those beautiful roses you are sure to receive.  A tutorial for a sweater knit vase can be found here.
  • Add a pretty tablecloth in fun red and white checked gingham or, for a romantic dinner for two, consider a satin or lace table topper.

These colorful ideas will brighten up your winter home and send a message to your family and friends that says “I love you”.  How do you decorate your home for Valentine’s Day?

 

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Fashion Classics—the Black Dress

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Elizabeth

Over the years the "little black dress" has taken many forms. This style, which appeared a few years ago, is suitable for the office, as well an evening on the town.

Chanel first popularized the basic “little black dress” in 1926 and it has been popular every since. Before that time, black clothing for women was generally reserved for mourning. The “little black dress” from Chanel was calf length (which was considered short at the time) and featured very simple lines. Over the years, especially during the 1960s, the little black dress, has appeared in much more revealing versions than Chanel’s.

The “little black dress” can also be modest and elegant. A-line designs flatter all figures. A simple a-line black dress is easy to make and can be made to the length that suits you. It can be dressed down to wear to the office and dressed up for a night on the town.

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Planning for the Prom

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Elizabeth

If you have a special young woman with a prom dance coming up, it is time to start planning her dress. Intermediate and advanced sewers can save money and make a unique  prom dress for that special night.

The beautiful special occasion fabrics available from OFS are perfect for prom dresses. Satin and tulle makes a wonderful combination. Chiffon is another great choice, while lamè is also an option.

Purchase an easy to follow pattern and enjoy making that prom dress.

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Homemade Valentine Gifts

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Elizabeth

In a little over two weeks it will be Valentine’s Day. Gifts that you make yourself can really show your loved ones where your heart is and they are fun to make.

I love making stuffed animals and they can be great gifts for young and old alike. These critters look great in fleece as well as in sturdy broadcloth. An elephant, puppy, or kitten in this heart print fleece would make a cuddly friend for your Valentine.

Attach a pin back to hearts cut out of felt and you have an inexpensive school project.

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Home decor: cozy winter decorating ideas

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Diane

We all knew winter would arrive sooner or later.  And while the unseasonally warm temperatures at the beginning of winter were a nice surprise, it is now here in full force.  Time to curl up by the fire, spend some time indoors and turn your home into a cozy and warm retreat.

A roaring fire just spells cozy.  But you can’t have a fire without logs (unless you have one of those fancy fake fireplaces).  Turn your log storage into a decorative accent:

Looks like a year’s supply stacked next to the fireplace in this photo by Elle Decor.

source

How about a pair of knit throw pillows on the floor?  (courtesy of elements of style blog)  You can make these yourself out of recycled sweaters and afghans or knit them yourself.  (tutorial here)Either way, they certainly provide a nice spot to while away the cold winter nights.

And don’t overlook simple ideas like plenty of comfortable throws and lots of cozy fabrics like fleece and chenille or the tried and true flannel sheets placed on everyone’s bed; cover up cold tile or wood floors with shaggy throw rugs or add drapery panels in warm fabrics and colors to your windows.  What a great way to frame the beautiful wintry view outside.

photo courtesy of pottery barn

Hot cocoa anyone?

 

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St. Patrick’s Fabrics

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Elizabeth

Ah, the wearing of the green. Everyone likes to pretend to be Irish on St. Patrick’s day. These charming prints and solid greens can be used to make vests, shirts and more to brighten the big day.

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Home decor trend alert–black and white stripes

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Diane

I wouldn’t exactly call black and white stripes a “trend” but more of a classic and sophisticated look.

If you are a fan of Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo (the jury is still out on that one for me) then you have probably discovered that renowned designer, Mary McDonald, is a big fan of this bold and graphic look as you can see in this photo by Tim Street Porter for House Beautiful.  Black and white stripes are created through the use of clever molding patterns and combined with a black and white striped fabric on the outdoor furniture and drapes.

If this look is just a bit much for your tastes, add a black and white stripe fabric to accent pillows, window treatments or upholstered pieces.  Black will always anchor a room and provide a spot for the eye to rest as it surveys the space and, let’s be honest, it just spells FUN!

Pottery Barn uses this bold pattern in outdoor pillows and grommet hung drapery panels that really add a punch to an all neutral space.

HGTV designer Sarah Richardson brings this look into the bedroom via an upholstered headboard seen in the mirror.  The chevron stripes provide a fresh take on the black and white stripe look.

There are many fabrics available featuring the black and white stripe pattern.  Like the Three little Pigs story, some have been softened with the addition of a subtle neutral, some are wide stripes, some are thin stripes.  But what you do know is that there is a black and white stripe that is “just right” for your project or home decor.  You can check out our large selection here.

 

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Boxes Under the Bed

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Elizabeth

Boxes Under the Bed is yet another project by the Alliance for American Quilts. The project collects any documents which refer to quilts: newspaper clippings, catalogs, correspondence, manuscripts, and patterns.

Volunteers are trained how to recognize and preserve these valuable pieces of social history. Checkout this site for examples of quilt documents.

AAQ is partnering with Winedale, The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin and also with MSU Museum to develop this project.

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A window on the world or how to decorate a window seat

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Diane

A window seat is often just a small area placed in front of a window that is wide enough to sit on or, if you are really lucky, fully recline.  They are often carved out of an area on a stairway landing, in front of a bow window or created between two built in bookcases. 

The key to making a window seat inviting is, of course, the amount of plush pillows and cushions that are available.  And what a great opportunity to use your favorite decorating fabrics. 

House to Home shares a window seat that has been carved out of the corner of the room.  With the homespun gingham fabric window treatments and cozy quilts, I could sit here all day long.

If the architecture of your home does not offer a window seat, create your own.  Find a spot between two walls, add a bench and some comfortable fabric and you have an instant window seat.  In this example there was no window so a mirror adds some reflection.  And don’t you just love all that additional storage underneath!

This cheerful kitchen window seat designed by Elizabeth Dinkel is a great spot for an after school snack.  It provides a comfortable place to sit with your kids and discuss their day.

This window seat designed by HGTV designer Sarah Richardson  turns an ordinary dining room window into an inviting spot to share a cup of tea with a friend or read a good book.  It also provides additional seating and showcases several beautiful fabrics.  Is there a place in your home for a window seat?

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The Quilt Index

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Elizabeth

The Quilt Index is an effort by the Alliance for American Quilts. This online archive features images and documentation on thousands of historic quilts held in public collections and by private collectors. The Alliance has partnered with Michigan State University to undertake this valuable historic mission.

The project is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

If you love historic quilts you will love exploring this site.

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