Category Archives: Interior Design

All things Interior Design

Spruce Up the Patio Furniture

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It’s time to think about sprucing up that patio furniture in preparation for warmer weather. New cushions are an economical way to give outdoor seating a facelift.

Any cushion used outdoors needs to withstand getting wet, even if it will be used under a covered porch. Dampness from humidity and fog can be a problem in addition to rain. Outdoor cushions must dry quickly or they will mildew.

The sun is another factor to consider when choosing an outdoor fabric.  Sunlight can quickly fade regular fabrics, but outdoor fabrics such as Waverly’s Sun N Shade Collection  and P/K Lifestyles are especially designed to resist sun- and water-induced fading.

Waverly Bal Harbour Sun N Sha

In addition to outdoor fabric, special foam is available which will withstand the perils of the outdoors as well. Outdoor foam is sold in various thickness and lengths and can be cut to the size.

Outdoor cushion foam dries quickly and resists mold and mildew. Also known as marine foam, this cushion material is durable and easy to use.

P/K Lifestyles Langtry Cocoa

Cushions for patio furniture are made with the same techniques as those used to cover cushions for indoor furniture. A strong, sturdy upholstery zipper can be installed in outdoor cushion covers, so that they can be removed for easy cleaning. Keep in mind that some outdoor fabrics should not be washed in the machine and should be wiped by hand with water and mild soap; the manufacturer’s instructions provided in the description of each fabric give more details on the care needed to keep your outdoor fabric items looking great for years.

Fabric Wall Decor is Cool

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An assortment of Amy Butler fabrics.

Speaking of vintage, fabric wall décor periodically makes a comeback. These attractive Peace and Love Amy Butler wall hangings look like they stepped out of the 1960s, yet they are fresh, and oh so cool!

They are easy to make using this free PDF pattern from Amy Butler. What a great way to use beautiful Amy Butler prints.

These bold signs are made by making a frame of wooden stretcher strips and stretching fabric across  them. Because Amy Butler prints are lightweight woven cotton, they are too sheer to be used by themselves, so cotton canvas or duck is first attached across the stretcher frame strips to create the base of these wall hangings.  The patterns for each letter are printed out on sheets of computer paper; twenty sheets of paper are needed.

You will also need scissors, glue, all purpose thread, a craft knife, and a ruler.  Also, gather together a hammer and staple gun to assemble the frame and attach the fabric to the wood.  Ordinary household tools or crafts tools will do this job, but upholstery tools would be even better.

To assure a successful, pleasurable project, be sure to thoroughly read the PDF instructions before beginning.  Amy Butler and her team of creative designers have taken great pains to make sure that the pattern is accurate and easy to complete.  No previous experience is really needed.

This is such a fascinating project, you may wind up making other designs.  Fabric wall decor is popular and inexpensive.

Sewing with Vintage Patterns

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A vintage style from the 1960s

Collecting and using vintage sewing patterns has become very popular in recent years. Imagine wearing 1950s full feminine skirts or 1960s tailored looks. If you are yearning to make classic styles from designers such as Chanel, Lanvin, and more, checkout vintage patterns.

Many vintage patterns are available in like-new condition. They are an interesting adventure for the experienced sewer, since the instructions call for older fashioned sewing techniques. Sewers with experience can replace these methods with more modern, quicker methods suited for today’s busy lifestyle. However, many lovers of vintage patterns also love the vintage sewing techniques.

Many modern fabrics are excellent for vintage patterns.

Some vintage sewing techniques, such as self-facings, give garments a very professional look.  Couture techniques such as french seams and pinked edge finishes are also popular vintage techniques.  These techniques take time to learn and take more time to use than modern, stream-lined sewing methods, but they are an exciting challenge.

Using self-facings is often necessary for modern special occasion styles, especially those that use delicate fabrics.  Thin fabrics must be faced with thin material in order to maintain their light, airy look.  Because it is slightly crisp, standard organza is an excellent fabric for self-facings and you will encounter it frequently in vintage sewing.

Polyester Chiffon. Self-facing is ideal for sheer fabric such as chiffon.

Using self-facing is not one of the more difficult techniques to learn.  It simply takes more patience than using modern fusible interfacing.  Self-facings must be sewn in by hand, using a slip stitch, rather than being fused in with a quick pressing. Many people shy away from hand-sewing, but learning basics like the slip-stitch will make you a more accomplished sewer.  You will be surprised at how quickly hand sewing can go once you get the hang of it.   Whether you sew vintage or contemporary styles, hand sewing is always useful.

How To Make Bolster Pillows–Part II

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Traditional, yet fresh. Gingham makes great bolster pillows for a window seat or bedroom.

Materials:

  • Bolster foam, 6” or 8” diameter, cut to the desired length. (a down bolster pillow form can also be used)
  • A yard of 45” or 54” fabric, for a 24” long pillow
  • Ribbon or decorative cord
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Thread to match
  • Thimble (optional, but it makes life easier for the finger that pushes the needle)
  • Sewing machine or serger (optional, the entire project can be made by hand)
Down bolster forms are durable and comfortable.
  1. Cut a rectangle piece of fabric about 6” longer than your pillow length and wide enough to wrap around the bolster foam and overlap slightly.
  2. Turn under ¼” on the edges of the rectangle and press. Turn under again and hem around the rectangle with a narrow hem. If you have a serger, you can overlock the edges, rather than turning them under and hemming them.
  3. Roll the finished rectangle around the bolster foam. Leave the same amount of fabric at each end.  Tack or slip stitch the overlapping edge.
  4. The ends can be finished in one of two ways. For a cheerful, casual look tie a ribbon around each end, making the pillow look something like a wrapped piece of candy. For a more formal look, roll the extra fabric under at each end. Tack and adorn with cord or ribbon if desired.

( Instructions are adapted from my article, Easy, Inexpensive Bolster Cushions from Bolster Foam, which originally appeared on Penny Pinching Grandma.)

How To Make Bolster Pillows – Part 1

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A simple to make bolster pillow with gathered ends. Lace and other embellishments can be added to give the pillow a unique look.

Bolster pillows are a stylish addition to your bed, sofa, or chairs. These cylindrical pillows can be made casual or luxurious, depending on the fabric you use to cover them.

Making a bolster pillow is not complicated, especially when you use bolster pillow forms.

Amy Butler–Delhi Blooms, Laurel Dots, Twilight Peony

Amy Butler cotton prints are ideal for the following method of making cushions. Lightweight upholstery and drapery fabrics are also appropriate for this method. Pillow ticking, which comes in many color combinations, makes economical, stylish cushions, suitable for traditional and contemporary décors.  Novelty fabrics, such as ribbon taffeta can also be used to make extraordinary and luxurious bolster pillows.

Ribbon taffeta can make beautiful pillows.

Bolster foam is available in two different diameters: 6″ and 8″.” It is sold in the 54” length which must be cut to make pillows. One 54” piece will make a number of pillows. Down bolster pillow forms are also available; they are very comfortable and come in  6″ and 9″ diameters and 22″ and 18″  lengths.

There are two basic ways to construct bolster pillows. One way is rather difficult for beginning sewers to handle; it requires cutting out fabric circles the diameter of the pillow, covering cording and installing a zipper. Another way is quicker and much easier. It can be done by people who have never sewn before.  Complete instructions are coming in my next post.

Things to Make Life Easier for Sewers

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Gingher Knife Edge Dressmaker Shears

People who sew deserve high quality tools.  Quality notions can help you sew more effectively and make the experience more enjoyable.

Dritz Threader and Magnifier is a great help when threading either hand sewing needles or machine sewing needles. A standard threader and a small magnifying glass will help you thread any needle more easily.

Spare your eyes.

Dritz Seam Ripper and Threader is a convenient combination.   Like it or not there are times when we simply must rip out a seam; it is handy to also have a threader with the ripper.

Dritz Fray Check Liquid Seam Sealant is perfect for fabrics that ravel easily.  Simply apply a drop or two to prevent the edge of fabric from raveling.

Stitch Witchery Fusible Bonding Web comes in three different weights and is ideal when you need to fuse something together instead of sewing it. It is also excellent for fuse basting   before sewing.

Quality scissors are a must for ease of cutting. If you do a lot of sewing a more expensive pair of sewing shears can be well worth the investment.  Save your best pair of shears for cutting out the fabric and trimming it. Use a less expensive pair for cutting thread and other small tasks.  Pinking shears are another must have if you do a lot of garment sewing.  Pinking the edge of seam allowances is a classic, professional looking edge-finish that prevents raveling and is easy to do.

Book Review–The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life: 50 Custom Lampshades and Lamps

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In my previous post I gave you simple instructions for covering an existing lampshade. Judy Lake and Kathleen Hackett, the authors of The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life, go much beyond a simple tutorial and provide detailed, well-illustrated instructions for making lampshades of all shapes. They even give instructions on lamp making.

This book is likely one of the most complete guides to lampshade making now available. Every shape of lampshade is covered and each shape has its own name; I had no idea! The authors explain how to laminate lampshades as well as how to make ones in which the fabric is left in its original condition.

Bold prins make excellent shades for accent lamps.

Cotton and linen fabrics work best for laminated lampshades.

Lake and Hackett also give tips on picking the appropriate colors and print size for the lampshade you want to make.  If you want a lamp for reading, they suggest using warm shades such as red or orange for the shade, while if the lamp will  be used only as an accent light, darker color shades are suitable.

If you are making a small lampshade, the authors say you should choose a smaller print or a solid color. If you are making a larger lampshade, a larger print is perfectly fine. If you simply love the motifs on a large print, but must have a smaller lampshade, Lake and Hackett suggest cutting out the motifs and using them as separate panel pieces on the shade.

Broadcloth makes excellent lampshades.

If the idea of making lampshades for a hobby intrigues you, get this book. You will be well served by the extensive information.

How To Cover Lampshades with Fabric

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Making custom, fabric-covered lampshades to match your decor is an easy way to add personal style to your home.

Light and medium weight drapery fabrics are ideal for this type of project. A fabric that you love from Braemore, Covington, Laura Ashley, P. Kaufmann, Robert Allen Designs, or Waverly is sure to fit the bill.

This Covington Bennithport fabric is one of thousands of drapery fabrics suitable for covering lampshades.

Instructions for covering a round lampshade

Materials:

  • Ready-made lampshade (can be used or new)
  • Fabric
  • Large sheet of plain paper to make a pattern (brown wrapping paper works well)
  • Pencil
  • Hot glue gun or fabric adhesive
  • Braid (optional)
  • Scissors

1. Wrap the paper around the shade securely and trace the top and bottom shape. Cut the pattern, including ½ inch seam allowance.

2. Use the pattern to cut out your fabric.

3. Place the shade on your fabric with the seam allowance evenly overhanging on the sides. Overlap the fabric ends at the shade’s back seam. Apply a thin strip of glue inside the shade’s top rim. Carefully fold the seam allowance over and smooth in place. Repeat for the bottom rim. Take your time and make sure that the fabric is taut and not wrinkled. Glue the back seam as well, with the seam allowances neatly folded under.

4. If you wish, glue braid or beaded trim at the top and bottom of the shade. Allow all parts to dry before placing on your lamp.

Robert Allen @ Home–Tea Jamboree Porcelain. This charming novelty print would look right at home on a lampshade for your breakfast nook, kitchen, or sewing room.

Premier Prints

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Premier is a quality textile manufacturer based in Mississippi. Founded in 1991, this small, but growing, company has an amazing variety of decor fabrics. One of Premier’s specialties is cotton duck.

Hooty Village from Premier is a sturdy cotton duck fabric.

Durable cotton duck is available in a variety of prints from Premier.  Cotton duck is great for totes, backpacks and other accessories that need a sturdy fabric that can stand up to everyday use.

Cotton duck is a canvas-like fabric which is wonderful for upholstery. Depending on the print you chose, it can look either casual or more formal. The wise old owls above would be ideal for family or recreation room furniture which sees a lot of use. It’s a wise choice for the breakfast nook of an active family. It would also be a good choice for a waiting room or reception area.

In addition, cotton duck makes beautiful drapes and curtains. Tab curtains are a nice style for this material, but it looks good in other styles as well.

Premier Prints Suzani Chocolate

Because duck is a heavier fabric, you will need to use thread and needles made for heavier material. All purpose thread or upholstery thread are good choices. A #16 or 18 sewing machine needle should be used. Set your stitch length between 2.5mm and 3 mm. Remember to run a test seam on a scrape of the fabric to determine the exact stitch length and bobbin tension needed.

Premier Polka Dot Chartreuse

Cotton duck may be washed with mild detergent, but it should always be air dried and never place in the dryer.

Super-Simple Fabric Wall Art

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African Fancy Print–Women on Blue

Think a piece fabric looks like a work of art? Turn it into a real work of art to decorate your wall with these simple steps.

At your local art store, buy four wooden strips which are sold to stretch canvas and make frames. You can buy them in a variety of lengths.

Assemble them by interlocking them at the corners. If needed, tap them in place gently with a hammer.

Choose a beautiful piece of fabric with a large design. Press if necessary. Stretch the fabric tautly over the frame as you would a piece of painter’s canvas. Overlap the fabric around and under the frame edges. Attach it to the back of the frame using a staple gun or thumb tacks.

It is as simple as that. Hang your new art in the desired location and admire it.

Medium and heavy prints work best for this process.  If you have a lighter weight print, stretch canvas or duck over the frame before stretching the actual fabric over it.

Anything from African Fancy Prints to Waverly drapery prints can be displayed in this way.  The possibilities are endless.  African Fancy Prints are genuine African fabrics woven with individual attention to detail.   Online Fabric Store is proud carry 20 different designs of these 100% cotton ethnic cloths.  Each will add flare and character to your home in whatever capacity you decide to use it.

African Fancy Prints–Gathering on Orange