Tag Archives: upholstery

How to Choose the Best Specialty for Your Business

Posted on by
Reply

Your business will be enjoyable and profitable if you choose a sewing specialty that you love. Don’t choose to offer alterations if you hate doing them or make bridal gowns if you would much rather sew baby clothes.

There are so many sewing niches to choose from:

Alterations: If you are good at making alterations and don’t mind doing so, you can earn a steady income offering alteration services. This service can include replacing zippers and buttons and making other repairs.

Bridal Wear: If you love to make beautiful evening wear, this could be the specialty for you. Depending on the details, a custom bridal gown may sell from less than $200 to over $5000.

Children’s Clothes: If you have a flare for making cute, unique children’s clothes, this could be an ideal specialty. Children are generally less difficult to fit than adults are.

Dolls and Toys: Another fun specialty. These items sell well on many of the online craft sewing sites.

Home Décor: Custom home décor items from pillows to drapes are always in demand.

Upholstery: This home décor subspecialty requires special skills and often more than one craftsperson. An upholstery business can be a great choice for a couple to work at together.

Handbags and Purses: This very popular hobby can be a great business if you have unique designs and excellent sewing skills.

Pet Items: Pets (and their owners) like custom sewn items, too. Custom pet coats and beds can be a big hit.

Adaptive Clothing: Making adaptive clothing for the disabled and senior citizens can be a rewarding business.

Dance Costumes and Theater Costumes: Skilled dance costume makers are in demand in areas where there are many local dance studios. Alteration for ready-made dance costumes is another sought after service.

Period Costumes for Re-enactors: Re-enacting historical periods, particularly the American Civil War has become popular. If you are a talented period clothing maker, your services can be in high demand.

Fabric glossary: tufting

Posted on by
Reply

Do you ever come across a word or term used when describing fabric, decorating, crafts etc. and are just not sure what it means.  Well, fabric and design are no different from any other business that has phrases and words that are unique to that industry.  Tufting is one of those words.  What in the heck does it mean?  According to the dictionary tufting means “to gather clumps of thread or fabric together and secure with a tie or knot.  The area created by the knot is called a tuft”.  This “puckered” look is very popular today and is used to upholster headboards, ottomans, benches, sofas and chairs.  Take a look at these examples of tufting and see if it is a design style that fits your decor.

This sofa has been tufted with multi colored buttons for a playful look (photo courtesy of brightbazaar)
High Quality Photo

 

A tufted velvet headboard lends an air of sophistication to a bedroom
High Quality Photo

 

These benches placed at the foot of the bed are made more interesting with the addition of button tufting.  (photo courtesy of pink mascara)

Details like tufting, buttons and other trim provide that custom designer touch we all desire.

Favorite Springtime Fabrics

Posted on by
Reply

We are all being teased by Mother Nature this year.  One day it is sunny and warm and the next day, depending on where you live, we are bundled up and shoveling snow again or drowning in downpours.  But we all know that those warm and sunny days are just ahead of us and we will be wanting to introduce bright colors and refreshing fabrics into our home decor.  Here are some of my favorite spring and summer fabrics that can be used for window coverings, new bedding, accent pillows or that reupholstering job you are ready to tackle.

This Bugs n Blooms fabric by Robert Allen is so fun with it's little creatures running all around. And what says spring and summer more than bugs?!
High Quality Photo

Whimsical fabrics that feature all the living creatures we associate with spring and summer are always a fun way to invite the season into your home.  Birds, bugs, sea life, bunnies and squirrels will add some fun and color to your accent pillows or chair seat cushions.

Embroidered fabrics are so soft and pretty and provide a hand crafted look to your drapery panels or upholstered pieces.

This Beacon Hill embroidered fabric is exquisite (Bellezza in Porcelain)
High Quality Photo

 

Linen is always a summertime favorite.  The relaxed style and subtle texture are cool and refreshing and linen is available in just about every color imaginable.  Use it to slipcover an ottoman or side chair or add flowy drapery panels to your windows.

The thought of sheer drapery panels billowing in the wind just makes me want to sit down with a glass of sweet tea and a good magazine and enjoy all the sensations of summer.  It is easy to switch out your existing draperies for a pair of sheer panels.  These fabrics are available in solid colors like white and ivory for the ultimate in coolness or often have subtle patterns and colors woven into them.

Do you have a favorite summertime fabric you like to use?

Color of the month: Red

Posted on by
Reply

This time of year you might expect a discussion on a pastel color more associated with spring; something like baby chick yellow, spring green or easter egg blue.  But I am choosing, instead, to talk about RED.  Sexy, sultry, vibrant, energizing RED.

Red is the color of passion but it is also the color of anger and power.  In a dining room, red will increase the appetite but in a bedroom it can induce feelings of control and be overwhelming as opposed to sexy and inviting.  It all depends on the shade of red used.  There is warm barn red, bright fire engine red, rose red with a hint of pink, orange red with a hint of yellow, etc.  

This red and black room designed by Tobi Fairley utilizes a lighter shade of red anchored by black and brightened up with white.
High Quality Photo

 

This red toile fabric from Waverly (pattern Country House) is a deep rich shade of red that would be lovely in a dining room, powder room or guest room.
High Quality Photo

 

This red and white striped chair in a room designed by Effortless Style is casual and happy
High Quality Photo

 

The neutral finishes and accessories allow the red walls of this powder room designed by Martha Angus to stand out. (photo by Grey Crawford courtesy of elle decor)
High Quality Photo

 

So go ahead….step out of your comfort zone and find a spot in your home for a touch of red.  Consider painting walls, hanging red artwork, adding red fabric throw pillows to your sofa or go all out and upholster an entire piece in red.

Home Decor: Decorating inspiration from Mother Nature

Posted on by
Reply

As we all know, Mother Nature is the best decorator around.  She never makes a mistake when it comes to combining colors, patterns and textures and she always knows what is right for each season.  And as we also know, you never argue with Mother Nature.  So next time you are hiking your favorite trail, for example, take a second to notice the different colors in the leaves.  When you take the kids to the beach pay attention to the many shades of blue that can be found in the sky, water and even the bathing suits people are wearing.  And even the sunsets are celebrating this years color of the year, honeysuckle pink!  Here’s a little decorating inspiration from Mother Nature:

Say goodbye to winter..............
High Quality Photo

 

and Hello Spring (photo courtesy of 750 designer secrets)
High Quality Photo

 

If this whimsicl chair from Happy Chair doesn't make you feel like springtime, nothing will!

 

Next time you are struggling with paint color decisions, upholstery ideas or how to mix and match patterns, just take a look around….you will be inspired, I promise.

X marks the spot with home decor’s latest trend–the X Bench

Posted on by
Reply

You may have noticed the proliferation of small, upholstered benches with legs in an “X”design appearing in magazines and room designs.  These are called X  benches and they are popping up everywhere.  Today’s selection includes upholstered, metal, rattan, even acrylic benches that can be used at the foot of a bed, in a dressing room or as extra seating in a casual living or family room.

This seagrass x bench by Pottery Barn will add warm texture to any space
High Quality Photo

An upholstered x bench by Ballard Designs can do double duty as an end table or additional seating when necessary
High Quality Photo

Wisteria offers a regal, European touch to their x bench. Perfect as a vanity stool or placed at the foot of the bed in an elegant master bedroom
High Quality Photo

Jonathan Adler, known for his contemporary designs, offers an array of x bench styles at his site and Target offers an affordable design in faux leather.  While this is a DIY project (click here for instructions) if you are covering the seat only, a fully upholstered x bench is better left to the professionals.

Place a couple of these benches under a console table  and they can be pulled out when you have a party.  With a tray on top they can be used as a casual end table until you need that extra seating.  Upholstered in vinyl they make a durable and versatile bench for snacks while watching a movie on the floor or as a convenient spot for homework.  I am confident you will find many uses for this upholstered “workhorse”.

On the 2nd day of Christmas….two turtle doves?

Posted on by
1

What are you going to do with two turtle doves?  Well, actually, it is two different fabrics featuring birds.  The first fabric is Beacon Hill’s beautifully embroidered Garden Bird in sand color.  This exquisite fabric would make beautiful draperies in a master bedroom or formal living space.  The red, green, purple and sand colors and the all over pattern coordinate with other fabrics as well.

Beacon Hill Garden Bird
High Quality Photo

 The second turtle dove can be found on Robert Allen’s Bird Song in Praline.  This textured fabric features beautiful birds and vines on a neutral backdrop.  The golden praline color found in the embroidery provides a rich outline to the design and can be used in many areas of your home.  For example, window coverings, bedding and upholstery in the master bedroom or exquisite dining room chair upholstery that will complement your wooden furniture.

Robert Allen Bird Song in praline
High Quality Photo

These fabrics featuring the popular bird motif are much easier to care for than two turtle doves, that’s for sure!

Color of the month for November: Teal

Posted on by
Reply

Did you know that teal was the official color for the Ovarian cancer movement?  Like turquoise, teal is a combination of blue and green.  However, it is a softer version due to a bit of gray mixed in to muddy it up a bit.  It is often referred to as teal green (more green than blue) or teal blue (more blue than green).  In color psychology teal signifies reliability and commitment and is thought to promote spirituality.  Wow..that is some powerful color!  The teal color can be introduced into your space via accessories such as artwork, lamps and throw pillows or used in fabrics for draperies, upholstery and bedding.  The good news is that teal coordinates beautifully with many other colors, allowing you to create a beautiful home using this powerful color.  Of course, the popular turquoise and gray are excellent companions to teal but how about red, pink, yellow and every shade of neutral imaginable.  Take a look at these fabrics and notice the varied tones of teal and how it mixes just as well with vivid colors as it does with neutrals.

Teal green is sophisticated with a single neutral accent color in this Robert Allen Fabric
High Quality Photo

A brighter verson of teal pops when combined with pink and green in this Amy Butler fabric Notice how beautifully teal works with gold, browns and beiges in this Beacon Hill Stacia fabric
High Quality Photo

ABC’s of Decorating: “T” is for tools of the trade

Posted on by
Reply

Every decorator, crafter or DIYer needs certain “tools” to keep them productive, efficient and to make their job easier.

  • A tape measure is a must.  A large commercial size features a metal tape that allows you to easily measure a room’s dimensions.  Keep a small one in your purse so that when you find that perfect sofa or end table you can easily confirm that it will fit through the door.  There is nothing worse than buying something that does not fit the space.
  • Anyone working in construction knows the value of a level but it is also a nice tool to have around the house.  It comes in handy when you hang artwork, paint stripes on a wall or piece of furniture or work on DIY projects such as bookshelves or built-ins.
  • A digital camera makes it so easy to document before and afters of projects or to take photos of an item to share with someone.  It can be fun to look at that room before you spruced it up with new fabric and paint, for example, or to proudly share your trash to treasure process. 
  • One of my favorite little “tools” is museum putty.  This is a substance that can be placed on the bottom of items that sit on shelves to prevent them from falling over.  It is easily removed and will not stain walls, woodwork, ceramic, paper etc.  Use it on the backs of frames to eliminate the need to constantly straighten the edges.  Attach photos or lightweight items to display boards, there are many, many uses for this very versatile product.
  • Miscellaneous tools include a cutting board, fabric samples, a paint fandeck from your favorite manufacturer, furniture templates, and an upholstery fabric guide which can be found here.  True professionals may use a CAD (computer aided design) program to create room plans, furniture designs etc.

As your business or hobby grows you will add your own tools to this list but this is a good starting point.  And, ladies, there is no need to wear one of those tool belts that add inches to our hips!

Home Decor: Is your slip(cover) showing?

Posted on by
2

You may have noticed that slipcovers appear to be making a style comeback.  Most often associated with a relaxed beachy look or feminine shabby chic design, they are popping up on modern and sleek styles such as those available from West Elm or Z Gallerie as well as styles from Ethan Allen and other fine furniture retailers.

The most common style of slipcover is usually a crisp white duck or denim fabric that can be thrown over your heavy winter fabric during the summer months.  Not only do these covers lighten and brighten your room but they can be washed and reapplied very easily.  No more worries about sunscreen, dirty paw prints or cherry popsicle stains.  You and your family and relax and enjoy summer without the fear of ruining your upholstery.

As you can see from the romantic floral slipcover on the Ikea sofa, it is not necessary to choose all white slipcovers.  They can be made from any pattern or color you desire to give your room a new look.  And while they are commonly found on large sofas and chairs, you can slipcover a small dining room chair, ottoman, even a headboard for a quick change.  For example, your all white parsons chairs may work just fine for summer but how fun to slip a warm chenille over those same chairs for the fall and winter.  That stained ottoman that works so perfectly in your family room can be given a new life with a slipcover that is washable.

Don’t get me wrong.  Slipcovers are not inexpensive.  But the money spent is much less than purchasing a new piece of furniture.  Most slipcovers are also not for the inexperienced DIYer.  Check out my fellow onlinefabricstore blogger, Elizabeth’s, posts on slipcovers from yesterday (July 17th) as well as the 19th and the 21st for some helpful hints.

Slipcovers are an easy way to introduce a new color or pattern to your home or “save” a comfortable couch or chair so definitely give it some thought before you purchase a new piece.