Tag Archives: quilt

Fabric and Home Decor Glossary term: Duvet

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Duvet (pronounced duvay) is an often misunderstood bedding item.  Some people call it a duvet cover which is actually redundant.  Literally speaking, a duvet is a quilt that is used in place of an upper sheet and blanket.  It often has a removable cover for cleaning purposes.  Duvets are quite common throughout Europe but are relatively new to the U.S.  In the U.S. when we refer to a duvet we are most often thinking of a quilt “cover” that allows a down blanket or other filler to be inserted into it.

You can purchase a duvet by itself or it is often available in a package that includes a matching or coordinating bed skirt, pillow shams and sometimes sheets and pillow cases.  For a more custom look, why not create your own duvet out of the fabric of your choice?  It is really quite easy if you own a sewing machine.  If not, your seamstress or upholsterer will have no problem creating a custom duvet for you.  Below are some easy to follow instructions from Matt and Shari.  Some of you may remember them from the old HGTV show “Room by Room”.   They are now featured on PBS stations across the nation so check your local listings.

http://mattandshari.com/sewing-basics/making-a-duvet-cover-new.html

For a real designer look be sure to include some trim along the seams, decorative buttons at the opening or a different color on one side that will allow you to use the same duvet as the seasons change.  And just so you know, there are no real easy ways to insert a blanket into a duvet.  The best idea is to find a friend and just go for it!

Decorating room by room: 5 tips for a really cool dorm room

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If you have a child going away to school then you not only know how important it is to them to decorate their dorm rooms but you also know how teeny tiny those rooms really are.  In order to get the most function out of a dorm room you will want to think about items that have a multi-purpose such as under bed drawers, space saving bins, lots and lots of shelving, hanging bags, wall pegs etc.  All of these items can easily be found in large discount stores such as Walmart and Target as well as The Container Store. 

dorm logo from the container store
High Quality Photo

But there is more to decorating a dorm room than just storage!  The kids are more interested in “stuff” like cool bedding, hip artwork and sic colors.  (I have probably dated myself with those adjectives but they are the only ones I know) 

1.  Remember to personalize their space with family photos, memories of high school and even their childhood stuffed animal.  As freshmen they are not too grownup for this stuff yet.

2.  How about a special lap quilt that features their favorite colors that they can toss over their legs on chilly study nights.

3.  A bulletin board is a must for tacking up class schedules, photos etc.  Use colored ribbon for a girl or back it with burlap and add twine and clothespins for a young man.  Here’s a link to a great tutorial for covered bulletin boards.

4.  Those beds are small so make it as comfortable as possible with a memory foam topper and a cozy down comforter.  High thread count sheets will also be appreciated, IF you can find them in the x-long twin size required.

5.  Plush towels and plenty of them will also be appreciated.  Send your girls to school with a shower wrap that will protect their privacy.  Buy them at the store or, better yet, make your own out of pretty and absorbent terry cloth.

Life in a dorm room can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.  This is a transitional time for both you and your child.  Make their dorm room as comfortable as possible so they can relax and enjoy college life…and maybe even squeeze in some study time!

Baby it’s cold outside—4 items to help build a roaring fire

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The days are still short and let’s face it….it’s COLD  outside; so let’s build a fire together. 

I have talked about fireplace safety on this blog before and for a reminder of those safety tips you can go here.  Once you have determined your fireplace is safe you will need some tools to build a beautiful, roaring fire that will warm your home.

  1. You must begin with a clean fireplace so you will need a small shovel and broom  ( a shop vac works just as well but it doesnt look as cute sitting on your hearth)   that is part of an attractive hearth tool kit.                                                         

  2. Check out these cute and functional brooms from broomchick at etsy
    High Quality Photo

     2.  Now that your firebox is clean and safe you will need some firewood.  You may have a gas or electric fireplace in which case you simply turn a key or push a button and, Voila!, you have a fire.  If not, you will need a supply of firewood and storage that will keep it close at hand like this cute bin from Plow and Hearth.  There are other functional storage racks available but how about just stacking it on the wall? Love this idea!

  3. You now have a clean firebox and wood or burning material (ie. gas logs) of some sort.  A fire starter kit is always helpful.  These kits offer specially treated pieces of wood, pinecones and wax that help ignite your logs.  They are available online or you can find them in your local barbecue or fireplace shop.
  4. Andirons and/or a grate will keep your firewood elevated off of the firebox floor making  it possible to build a glowing fire.  Your andirons can be simple and functional or they can be decorative such as those found at Plow and Hearth.

    Cute dog andirons from Plow and Hearth
    High Quality Photo

All that is left now is to find a cozy spot in front of that beautiful fire you have so successfully built.  If you have an elevated hearth, add a comfortable cushion in a fabric that coordinates with your decorating to provide a soft spot to sit in front of the fire.  If not, gather your comfortable quilts and throws and cuddle up on a couch or chair and enjoy the beauty and warmth a fireplace provides.

ABC’s of Decorating: “N” is for numbers

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Have you noticed all the home decor accessories and fabrics that are featuring numbers and letters lately?  It seems to be everywhere from numbered canisters for your kitchen counters to toss pillows for your bedroom.  This is an easy and affordable trend that you can use in many areas of your home.

  • Cover a set of numbers in fabric of your choice to hang on a child’s bedroom or playroom wall.  Very cute and educational at the same time.
  • Embroider a favorite or meaningful number onto canvas, add some trim and you have a personalized and special pillow for someone in your life.
  • Stencil numbers onto glass jars to create a fun and graphic storage idea for your pantry.
  • One bold number on a lampshade is an unusual idea for any casual room.
  • A lap quilt featuring squares of numbers provides a cozy blanket to curl up in while watching Sesame Street and children can match the numbers to what they see on television.  Love this idea!!
  • A set of numbered pillows on the family room couch eliminates the fight over who gets what pillow during tv watching time.  The graphic pattern also adds a contemporary punch to the room.
  • There are small spheres and vase fillers of marbles with numbers painted on them.  These can be gathered and placed in a large bowl for an interesting conversation piece on the coffee table.
  • Add your favorite number to a gallery wall.  It will add interest to all the frames and photos you are displaying.

Many of these ideas are DIY projects that you and the family can do together.  It is a fun trend that does not take a lot of thought or money to implement into your decorating plans.

Fabric: 5 ways to wrap your home in the comfort of terry cloth

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We are all familiar with the cozy feel of a terry cloth robe or a big fluffy towel.  But how can terry cloth be used in home decor?

  1. Create a colorful window valance out of terry cloth for a playroom, childs room or laundry area.  Trim it with rickrack or ribbon and you have an affordable window treatment that is durable and washable.
  2. Who wouldn’t enjoy cozying up under a quilt made of terrycloth squares.  Again, durable and washable, this is the perfect fabric for a blanket in the family room.
  3. Terrycloth embellished with fun trim such as buttons, ribbon, fringe and tassels results in casual throw pillows for summertime decorating.
  4. If you can sew you can fashion custom chaise and chair pad covers for your outdoor furniture.
  5. For easy clean up, consider covering your breakfast room chairs in washable terry cloth fabric.

Don’t overlook this very versatile fabric when it comes to your decorating needs.

Decor Fabric: What is Suzani

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You may have been hearing a lot about Suzani fabric lately but what, exactly, is Suzani?  Suzanis are textiles that come from far off places like Uzbekistan and central Asia.  They are these country’s version of our handmade quilts and feature hand embroidered patterns that have been passed down from generation to generation.  While relatively new to the design world they have been hidden behind the iron curtain for decades.  Once the curtain was lifted hundreds of these beautiful pieces came on the market and have, very quickly, become a popular item for interior designers and folk art lovers.

Original Suzanis  usually feature a neutral background of white or off white.  Similar to historic quilt patterns like log cabin and wedding ring, common motifs found in suzanis are the tulip, teardrop (paisley) and sunburst.  Colors are usually vibrant and include red, black, gold and blue which come from natural dyes.  Man made suzanis are created on a colored background to make the colors pop, the embroidery is done by machine and the dyes used are synthetic.  While beautiful they do not have the same interesting history attached to them.

Suzanis can be found in many different sizes from full size  blankets to small pillows.  To add this colorful and interesting textile to your home you may want to consider:

  • If there is enough fabric, upholstering a chair or ottoman for a one of a kind piece
  • using a suzani as a table runner or table top overlay for an ethnic pop of color
  • throw pillows made from suzanis are so vibrant that no additional trim is necessary
  • a throw at the foot of a bed or the back of a sofa allows you to wrap yourself on a chilly night

These items are sure to become a treasured part of your home decor that you will want to pass down to younger generations in your family.

Is it time to wake up your bedding?

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 We spend one third of  each day in our bedroom sleeping  and that does not include the time spent in the room getting dressed, watching television or “whatever”.    Is your bedroom looking tired and dated?  If you are still using the matching duvet, bedskirt and two pillow sham combination (think bed in a bag) then it is probably time to make some changes.

New look on a budget

  • Duvets, comforters, bedspreads and quilts are the “workhorse” of your bedding ensemble.   They provide the color and pattern and set the tone for the room.  Paint colors and accessories are often chosen from the bed covering.  You can purchase a ready made comforter or duvet or use your Grandmother’s handmade quilt for a country look, for example.  You can fashion your own “custom” duvet out of inexpensive material for the  backing and something as simple as a pretty sheet for the top or you can embellish the opening with buttons or ribbons to add some personality to a standard duvet.  Using your old comforter to stuff your duvet will save you even more $$.
  • Bedskirts can be frilly and fluffy,very tailored with a box pleat at the corners or somewhere in between.  If your current bedskirt is a color you plan on using  in your room you can dress it up by adding layers of ribbon or gimp to the hem, sewing buttons to the top of pleats or add contrasting fabric to the inside of the pleat.  This will give you an expensive, custom look for very little money.
  • Pillow shams are a decorative addition to your bedding ensemble.  They are available in standard and king sizes but you can be creative and use different sizes regardlessof the size of your bed.  Three standard shams on a king size bed offers a full and luxurious look while using a large king size sham on a twin or full size bed offers a nice streamlined look.  Plain shams can be embellished with embroidery, ribbon trim, coordinating ruffles etc.  Consider personalizing your shams with a monogram for an upscale and graphic look.
  • Let’s not forget that a bed is meant for sleeping.  For the ultimate in luxury, purchase the highest thread count sheets you can afford.  You will appreciate it every night when you slip under soft, smooth sheets.

Budget is no object

Wouldn’t we all love to say this!  If budget is no object, having custom bedding made for you is the ultimate luxury.  Choose the highest thread count available to sleep like a king or queen.   Using exquisite fabrics and trims will add to the luxurious feel.  Since budget is not a concern you are free to use trendier colors and objects knowing that you can replace them when they are no longer in vogue.

If you can sew, all of these projects are easy and affordable.  Check out my fellow onlinefabricstore blogger Elizabeth’s posts from march 3, 5, and 7th.  Her sewing tips can help you create your own custom bedding and she is available to answer your questions should you run into any problems.  Sweet dreams!

5 Cozy Fabrics that will warm your toes

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With most of the country blanketed in several feet of snow that will probably not melt until April, most of us are searching for ways to stay warm both indoors and out.  One way is to snuggle up with a loved one under a blanket made from one of these fabrics.

  • Flannel:  Flannel is a cotton fabric that has been brushed to a fluffy softness.  Think of warm flannel shirts or those delightful flannel sheets you use during the winter.   A down comforter is already warm but not always attractive.  Cover it in a flannel comforter cover for instant “visual” warmth in the bedroom.
  • Fleece:  Who doesn’t love the look and feel of a baby’s blanket or a comfy sweatshirt?  These are  often made from fleece or polar fleece , a polyester fabric, that has a soft nap to it as well as insulating capabilities.  Add a fleece throw to the back of the sofa to wrap up in on those chilly evenings.
  • Quilted:  When a fabric has been quilted it adds some weight as well as insulation.  Nothing is better than getting all snuggly under a quilt made by your grandmother.  However, those blankets took many months to create.  Today there are fabrics available that have been quilted and can be sewn to a fabric backing for a very attractive and warm lap blanket.
  • Faux fur:  Faux fur blankets always add a fun and sophisticated look to any room.  Use this fabric to create a throw for the back of the sofa or as an addition to the foot of the bed.  Any teenager will love to have this in their room.
  • Chenille:  Chenille is made from a thick and fuzzy yarn that, depending on the weight, can be used to upholster furniture or sew blankets, quilts and bedspreads.  Most people enjoy the softness associated with chenille.

So light the fire, brew a cup of tea (or pour a glass of wine) and snuggle up for a cold winter’s night.