Valances for my Mom

Completed box pleat valance

     My mom moved into a senior living place a couple of years ago.  There were no window treatments except for mini blinds.  I decided it was time for something a little more for her windows so for her birthday and Christmas presents I made her some valances.

Cutting the pieces

     The colors were brown and beige in the rooms and she wanted something neutral.  I found some fabrics at Joann's that fit the bill.  For her bedroom I chose this quatrefoil print.  I chose a box pleat valance with contrasting inserts to go along with the box pleat bedskirt I had done for her last place.

Detail of pattern placement on the box pleat

     I opted to go with four pleats because I didn't feel that two were enough and three looked too square.  I then decided to make each one the same instead of continuing the pattern all the way across.  It is a good thing I bought as much fabric as I did because it turned out the pattern changed size from left to right across the width.  That is always a risk you take when buying cheaper fabric.

Detail of pattern matching at the corner

     After deciding how I wanted to highlight the pattern, I cut my first piece and then used it as my guide to cut the other three pieces.  For the side pleats I opted to continue the pattern around.  Once the cutting was done the rest went together smoothly.  I used my tag gun to control the pleats.

Hanging in my mom's bedroom

     For the living room valance I opted to do a shaped valance with trim.  Again very neutral colors but some texture keeps it from looking boring.  This fabric was a heavier almost upholstery weight fabric so I didn't need to use any skirtex inside to hold the shape.  Just a gentle curve and then used fringe adhesive to put on the trim,

Shaped valance hanging in my mom's living room

     I think these met with my mom's idea of just something simple and with my idea of something interesting.

After School Sewing March 2016

      

       The girls are on spring break this week so I thought I would take the time to post what they have been up to.

Arabella and her sewing bag

Michelle and her square neck blouse

Cara and her ruffle skirt

     On Tuesdays we now have Arabella joining us.  She has finished her sewing bag and belt and has started on a nightshirt. Michelle finished her square neck blouse.  Ellen is working on a dress for her sister and Cara finished her ruffle skirt from a velour type fabric.

Lindsey and her seal

Lindsey's seal

Natalie and her ruffle skirt

Makayla and her square neck blouse

Hailey and her pants

     On Wednesdays Lindsey made a seal, Natalie finished her ruffle skirt, Makayla did a square neck blouse and Hailey made a pair of pants.  These four girls get along so well that sometimes it can get quite loud in the studio.  Always lots of laughs.

Aviva and Grace with their scarves

Grace and her square neck blouse

Grace and her nightshirt

Loren and her sewing bag and belt

Veronica and her sewing bag and belt

     On Thursday I have a couple of new students, a second set of sisters.  Aviva finished another infinity scarf along with Grace.  Grace also finished a square neck blouse she had been working on before Christmas and then quickly finished a nightshirt.  Loren and her sister Veronica have both finished their sewing bags and belts and are just starting on their first projects.

     So happy to have full classes with such fun students.  Working on filling the summer camps now.

Monogrammed Pillows

Monogrammed flat flange pillows

     I had made a bed skirt and panels for this client earlier and now she wanted some pillows made from the remainder of the fabric.  Since we had limited fabric we opted for a flat flange instead of covered cord.  I think it makes for a nice updated look on pillows.

     The client chose a block font with serifs.  I made it as big as my hoop would allow and chose a fill stitch as a satin stitch would have made for long loops and not stitched out well.

     The colors were chosen based on another print fabric that was already in the room and the sizes were determined by the forms the client had from previous pillows on the bed.

     A simple but elegant look that I'm sure looks great on the client's bed.

My Projects in Place

Eating area

     I finally got to see some of my work installed.  The designer, Pauline Marvin, PGM Interiors, sent me some photos.  As you can see she added some trim to the completed valances.

     Pictured above are some photos of the valances when they left my workroom.

Swag over kitchen sink

     The swagged valance is hanging over the kitchen sink.  It adds some nice softness there.

     Above is how it looked when it left the workroom.

Banded box pleat valance over kitchen sink

     Here is the banded valance hanging over a kitchen sink in another home.  Too bad the light fixture hides the great match in the center.

     Above is how it looked when it left the workroom.

     So great to finally see some of my work hanging in a client's home.