• Choose some basic fabrics and notions as staples. Medium weight fusible interfacing always comes in handy; it is the most used weight. Neutral color lining fabric is great if you line many items.

• Choose fabrics you love, even when you don’t have a particular project in mind. Three yards will make a simple jacket, or more than one skirt, or a pair of pants and perhaps a vest. A yard can make two 12” square pillows.

• If you do have a particular pattern in mind, store the fabric and the pattern together for easy reference. A large zip lock bag is a good way to store fabric, notions, and pattern together.

• Keep a supply of all purpose thread in neutral colors, plus the main colors in your stash.

• Neutral color zippers and buttons will also come in handy. Long zippers can be shortened if needed. If you will be making fitting slopers you should also keep a supply of muslin.

Everyone loves window seats.

Who can resist the charm of a window seat?  Window seats make relaxing nooks in which to cozy up with a good book, share a secret with friend, or just watch the world go by.

If your home has an existing window seat, perhaps it is time to make it a focal point by replacing faded, worn cushions with new ones. Window seat cushions are easy to make with upholstery foam and quality upholstery or pillow fabrics.  Premier Prints has numerous durable charming prints that are perfect for window seats.

If you don’t have a window seat in your home, you can capture the feel of a built-in window seat, by using a bench or stools in front of a window.  This is simple to do and can make dramatic touch to your décor.

Choose a fabric for the cushion(s) that coordinates well with the other fabrics and colors in the room.  Upholstery, and drapery fabrics make durable cushion covers.  If your window seat will not receive heavy use, you may also like quilt weight cotton prints such as Amy Butler or gingham for the cover.

Many thicknesses of upholstery foam are available for window seat cushions.  If the seat will receive limited use, a thin foam may be appropriate, but if you plan on using your window seat as a cozy nook for reading or crafting, you will want a thicker foam.  Foam is also available in several lengths and may be cut to the appropriate size if it is too long. Outdoor upholstery foam can be a wise choice for window seat cushions if the window is a bit drafty because it is mildew resistant and does not hold moisture.

The person re-upholstering this chair decided to leave the cushions as they were. During the re-upholstery process, you can add batting and cushioning to make furniture more comfortable and attractive.

Re-covering an existing cushion is very simple, but more extensive restoration projects are also within the reach of the do-yourself-er.

Sometimes an existing cushion may still provide a good foundation, but its padding may be worn or thin. To make an existing cushion more comfortable, cover it with upholstery batting or with Nu-Foam.

Upholstery batting has traditionally been wrapped tightly around the existing cushion and fastened. However, it tends to slip and should be glued in place with upholstery adhesive to provide a more secure hold.

Fairfield Polyester Nu-Foam is sold by the yard and in cushion sizes.

Nu-Foam is a dense polyester batting which safely provides the benefits of foam. It is easy to use and tends not to slip easily, but I recommend attaching it to your existing cushion or base with a light spray of upholstery adhesive.

Cushion Dacron Wrap

Once the batting or Nu-Foam has been secured in place and the adhesive allowed to dry, you may want to cover the cushion with Cushion Dacron Wrap for extra security.

Now you are ready to re-cover the cushion. The steps used for this vary depending on the type of cushion you are re-covering. A re-moveable sofa or arm chair cushion will need a new slipcover made to proper size which requires sewing.  However, a seat cushion on a frame chair for the dining room, for example, does not.  We have a Pinterest board with tips and tutorials to help you out.

It is time to start planning that summer wardrobe, if you haven’t already begun to do so. The key word when picking a fabric for summer wear is breathable.  This is especially true if you live in a humid climate.

Cotton and cotton blend fabrics offer the most comfort in hot, humid climates.  Cotton is  a natural, environmentally-friendly fiber. It is perfect for adult and children’s clothes.

Cotton can be used for dresses, skirts, tops, pants, shorts, and hats.  Fabric summer hats are surprisingly easy to make if you have intermediate or advanced sewing skills.  Use a commercial sewing pattern and simply follow the directions. Some hat patterns are simple enough for advanced beginners.

Vibrant colored cotton prints and solids make wonderful summer garments, but they are not your only choice.  White cotton fabric is classically stylish and always popular.

Cotton prints such as Amy Butler are versatile and stylish for both sportswear and more dressy clothes.   Batiste is lightweight, and airy; it is perfect for summer tops.  Cotton lawn is another ideal choice for lightweight tops.  Cotton gauze is great for summer dresses, tops, and skirts. Gauze has a crinkled casual look. Seersucker is a classic cotton blend fabric that makes comfortable tops, shirts, skirts, pants, shorts, and summer dresses.

Linen is also an excellent natural, environmentally-friendly fabric. Lightweight linen is a classic choice for dressy summer wear.  Linen suits are always in style for both women and men.

Environmentally-friendly, natural hemp fabric is becoming more popular for summer clothing.  Hemp resembles linen and can be used with any pattern calling for linen. Like linen,this natural fiber fabric becomes softer and more comfortable with repeated washing.

A square of muslin adorns this jar of pickled cabbage.

Muslin is a basic woven cotton fabric which has been popular for centuries.  Originally, muslin was highly prized as a dressy apparel fabric, especially for women’s summer dresses and undergarments, but today it is rarely used for garments.  Instead, muslin is a staple supply for sewers, quilters, and crafters. Muslin is available in both bleached (cream) and unbleached varieties (dark ecru).

Sewers use this inexpensive fabric to make fitting muslins—basic cloth patterns which are tried on and fitted to the wearer’s figure. Once adjusted to the wearer’s shape and size, fitting muslins are then used as patterns to make clothes out of other fabrics. Fitting muslins are also called slopers.  The thinnest muslin (low thread count) works well for fitting muslins.

Quilters use muslin for quilt backs and for a basic background for certain quilt designs. Versatile muslin comes in several widths, including a 120” which is ideal for quilt backs.  A higher thread count muslin is best for use in quilts.  Higher thread count muslin is also used to make sheets and pillowcases.

Crafters have fallen in love with muslin. It is inexpensive and easy to work with.  It is ideal to introduce children to sewing and crafting. It can be used to make dolls and other toys.  A stuffed muslin doll or animal is a great sewing project for a child or teen learning to sew. Muslin dolls and stuffed animals have a rustic, nostalgic look.

Part of the charm of muslin is that it can be painted and stenciled.  A stenciled or painted muslin apron, grocery bag, or tote bag can make an inexpensive gift or party favor.

Décor use of linen is not limited to the traditional napkins and tablecloths; linen upholstery and drapery fabrics are beautiful and practical.

It’s natural fabrics week, so today: linen.

Linen is a classic woven fabric which has been used for centuries. Its natural fibers come from the flax plant, and it has traditionally been used for clothing, bedding, and table items such as tablecloths and napkins. Today, linen is also used for drapery and upholstery.

Linen blend upholstery and drapery fabrics

Linen is known for its comfortable feel when worn and it is also a comfortable choice to cover furniture seats and arms. Linen is durable and lint-free making it ideal for seating and window treatments.  It provides a cool, comfortable place to sit in warm weather, yet it is also warm and inviting in cold weather.

Many marvelous interior design fabrics are linen or linen blends. Although strong and durable, the fibers of linen can be damaged with prolonged use of excess heat or with the acids found in some cleaning solutions.  In addition, 100% linen fabric does not possess much elasticity.  Therefore, pure linen décor fabrics are ideal for furniture that will not receive heavy wear.  Imagine a bedroom loveseat, bench or chair upholstered in this luxurious pure linen from Beacon Hill.

Because of their increased durability, linen blend fabrics are most frequently used for upholstery and drapery.  Fabrics such as viscose, cotton, acrylic or rayon produce more elasticity while retaining the natural linen look and feel. Some linen décor fabrics, such as Beacon Hill Basket Weave Flax,  are made with a pure linen surface and a synthetic backing.  The backing provides added insulation and durability, which could be appealing in drapery.  Many Waverly fabrics are linen blends.

Waverly has a wide variety of linen blend fabrics.

 

Cheerful sunflower painted on burlap.

Burlap is an environmentally-friendly, natural jute fabric. While traditionally, this sturdy fabric was used mainly on the farm or in the factory, today’s crafters have discovered many clever uses for burlap.

The use of burlap for crafting has prompted manufacturers to offer more varieties.  Burlap is naturally tan or brownish, but it now comes in vibrant colors.  It is even available in a fine textured variety known as linen burlap. Both natural burlap and colored burlap can be used for totes and banners and many other items.

Re-useable grocery bags can quickly be made with burlap and need no lining.  For a more polished or fashionable look, a burlap tote bag can also be lined with a cotton print and solid fabric. Linen burlap is great for sporty totes and purses.

Cotton prints and solids can also be mixed with burlap for items like banners.  For  a special banner, make appliqués and letters out of cotton fabrics and attach them to a burlap triangles by zig-zag stitching around the edges.  For a quick banner with little or no sewing, make letters and appliqués out of felt and glue them to the burlap background.  Burlap can also be decorated easily with any fabric paint.

If you want a sturdy, cloth tablecloth for outdoor or indoor use consider linen burlap. It’s not water or stain resistant like an oilcloth or another vinyl, but burlap is also popular as a table runner or placemats, especially at barn and country weddings!

Burlap is relatively easy to sew, but it does ravel easily.  Use a size 16 sewing machine needle and finish the edges with a zig-zag stitch.  The edges of a burlap banner can be hemmed or finished with seam binding.

Burlap, for example, makes a great, environmentally-friendly weed barrier. This inexpensive, natural jute fiber material provides months of protection against weeds and gradual degrades, adding nutrients to the soil when it decomposes.  It is easy to use and economical.

When setting out seedlings, lay a strip of burlap on the ground and make holes through the fabric in which to place your seedlings. Permeable burlap also can act as mulch to keep the soil warm and moist. This permeable fabric can be covered with a traditional mulch if you do not like its look on top of the ground.

Anyone can have a small vegetable garden for salad fixings.  All you need is a  6′ x 8′ plot, and even if you don’t have that much free space, you can plant vegetables in containers.  Tomato and pepper plants do especially well in pots.   You can also plant in square wooden boxes that you either purchase or make yourself.  Wooden boxes can be a great solution if you live in an apartment.  Containers can also be raised off the ground to allow easy access to handicapped gardeners.

Burlap, propylene, and mesh bags are another helpful item to have in the garden, especially when it’s time to harvest your vegetables. These handy bags, most of which have a drawstring, come in a variety of sizes.

What are you growing this year?

Pinch Pleats

Making pleated drapes may seem like a difficult chore, but it is actually easy when you use drapery tapes. The tapes are used as part of the heading and allow you to make perfectly spaced pleats quickly.

Shirred pleating tape is sewn flat to the drapery fabric and then the cords are drawn up to make the pleats. Several widths of pleating tape are available.  The choice depends on the nature of your project.

This video shows you how to use pleating tape.

Special gathering tapes are also available. This detailed tutorial from Jones Design Company shows you how to use them.

Making your own curtains and drapes saves you money and can be very satisfying.  You can pick from among the thousands of beautiful drapery and curtain fabrics available from top manufacturers such as Bravo, Portfolio,  Richloom, and numerous other fine textile makers.

Choose your fabric according to the mood you want to create, and the care you want to give the finished window treatment.  Many drapery fabrics need to be dry-cleaned or steam-cleaned, while some lightweight casual curtain material can be machine washed.

Whether you want a light casual look or a rich, dark formal look, making your own window treatments is enjoyable.  Beginning sewers can make simple kitchen or breakfast nook curtains of easy-to-sew cotton materials.  Very simple, gathered curtains simply need to be hemmed at the top and the bottom.  Leave the sides of the top hem open so that you can insert a curtain rod.

Intermediate and advanced sewers will have little trouble using drapery tapes. Even advanced beginners may find them easy.

Have you made drapes for your home?  We’d love to see a photo or hear your story in the comments!

Roman shades have the advantage of giving complete window coverage when installed properly.  They are definitely a privacy asset. Dark, opaque fabrics can keep light out of the room and provide insulation. Lighter, sheerer fabrics can filter the natural light, blocking out glare, but allowing you to enjoy the sunlight or the view out a window.

Roman shades can take less yardage (fabric) than conventional draperies because they don’t require gathers or pleats.  They are stylish, contemporary window treatments, but they mix well with classic furniture.

Roman window shades are fairly simple to make, especially when you use ready-made Roman shade tape. Roman shade tape is available in transparent and white varieties. The transparent is ideal for use with any solid color or print.  The white variety is ideal when used as an accent on a darker fabric. Austrian shade tape is also available.

Roman shade tape comes in various widths.The most versatile is the one inch width.   Rings are attached at intervals along the tape.  The tape is attached to the fabric shade and the drapery cords are run through the rings in an appropriate manner so that the shades can be pulled up or let down with ease.  For more information on making Roman shade see this informative article by F. R.R. Mallory.