Redoing a Pillow

Old dirty limp pillow

     My daughter has a chair and a half that she has used a lot, reading to her children, napping and just general use.  The pillow for the chair had gotten very beat up and pretty dirty.

     I found on Pinterest a link to a blog showing how to clean antique linens.  Even though this wasn't an antique, I used the idea to clean the cover.  I removed the stitches at the bottom of the cover and threw out the old pillow form.

     I then mixed the Biz and Oxy-Clean and added the hot water.  It did spill over onto the floor so I just placed an old bathmat under the bucket.  I placed the pillow cover in the bucket and soaked it for two days.  That water was gross.  I throughly rinsed it and washed it a couple of times with just vinegar.

     After it was all clean and dry, I got a new pillow form and put it inside.  I did use the sewing machine to quickly close up the bottom, not easy with the plump form inside.  She now has a new, clean, plump pillow for her chair and a half.  She just needs to get the chair cleaned.

Clean plump pillow

Box Pleat Valances

Family room all installed

     A client reached out to me because she wanted new window treatments.  She had pleated shades but wanted to get rid of all the cords and also update the look after painting the rooms.

Pieces cut and labeled

     I connected her with someone for her shades and then we started to look at fabrics.  She wanted a neutral buffalo check.  She looked for a bit on her own and then asked me to take over.  Greenhouse Fabrics had several for her to choose from.  She chose a more textured one for the family room and eating area.  The fabric for the piano room and dining room was a little more gold and a smoother texture.

Ready to be mounted on the boards

     We then chose a solid to go with each one for the contrast pleat.  She chose a box pleat valance because she wanted just a clean look to finish the windows.

First valance done, pattern matched the dust cover to the front

     I did the math, cut all the pieces and then joined them.  I added the lining, did the side hems and then it was time to mount them to the boards.  As I finished each one I had to find a place to put it so they wouldn't get wrinkled.  The two extra bedrooms upstairs were put to use.

     Finally install day.  Bob the Blind Guy did a great job hanging them all.  They were mounted about eight inches down from the ceiling, giving the windows a little more height.
   

Installing and adding height to the windows

     A final smoothing and a little tagging on one, and we were all set.

Piano room

     The client was very pleased, she said they were just what she wanted  and gave the rooms that finishing touch.

Dining room

     She did say she now feels like eating in her dining room.  Mission accomplished.  How can I help you love your home more?

Sammy's Quilt

Finished Pathways quilt

     All baby's that are born into our family get a quilt after birth.  I try to have a boy quilt and a girl quilt always ready to go.  This quilt is more gender neutral but I fell in love with the cute baby print and just had to make a baby quilt with it.

Block detail

     Our newest grandson is the recipient of this quilt.  After he was born, I just had to embroider the label with his info, sew it in place, and finish the binding.  I was able to give it to him when we visited him shortly after they came home from the hospital.

Label 1 with piecer and quilter listed

     The pattern I used was Pathways, A Three Yard Quilt.  I usually have two labels on my quilts, one with the piecer and quilter listed.  The other has different info such as the name of the quilt or the recipient and occasion.

Label 2 with baby info

     I like that these quilts are big enough to keep them covered until they are at least 6 or 7 years old.

Quilting detail

     It is fun choosing the fabrics and then the quilting design to compliment the quilt.  Thanks to my machine quilters that make that last part possible.

Sammy's Blanket

Such a sweetie

     Six week ago, our newest grandchild was born.  I like to make them a receiving blanket that is embroidered with all their stats and also a quilt.  The receiving blanket is two layers of flannel.  it is soft and cozy and works well to cover them up in a car seat or to lay on the floor when they have tummy time.

Stats

     I cut the two pieces of flannel to be the same size and round the corners.  Then I embroider their birth info in each of the four corners and add their name to the middle.

Name of newest grandchild

     It is a lot of fun choosing the coordinating flannels.  I then pull one of the colors from the print to use as the embroidery on the solid side.

Hedgehog fabric for the back

     Fast, fun and useful gift.

Roman Shade Masterclass

    A couple of weeks ago on this day I was heading to Tryon NC to take a class at Workroom Tech.  Here is a description of the workroom right from their webpage:  Custom Workroom Technical Center or "Workroom Tech" is a training facility dedicated to the custom workroom industry with weekly hands-on classes for window treatments and soft furnishings. Classes are for all skill levels, whether you would like to learn to sew home decor and start a workroom business, or are an established professional seeking to hone your skills.

     Workroom Tech is owned and operated by Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker, owners of Home Dec Gal and producers of Custom Workroom Conference. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tryon, NC, Workroom Tech is at the center of a charming town, within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops and galleries.

      The class I took was Roman Shades Masterclass with Rosemarie Garner.  The first day we made a small partial shade that we left open so we could examine the workings when we needed to look at it later.

Making some double banding

     Then we started on making the banding for our shade.  As a class we chose to do double banding.  The strips were cut and pressed and then we learned how to make mitered corners.  It was a bit tricky with the two layers.

Squaring up the banding

     Then we started to apply the banding to the face fabric, making sure everything was squared up and in the proper place.

Ready fro pressing

     We then pressed the bands into place and it was time to start making the blackout lining, learning a technique to prevent pinholes of light.

     The next day we finished putting the shade together and applied it to a headrail with a cool and easy motorized system.  Once we were all done, Susan and Rosemarie mounted them and took a video of the shades in motion.  Check here for the video.

Class relaxed Romans

     Then it was time to make our stationary relaxed Roman shades.  After we finished those we spent a little time hearing about some other ways to make shades.

     I had a great time with the five other women and learned so much.  My husband and I stayed at a bed and breakfast called GreenLife Inn just about a mile and a half from Workroom Tech.  What a warm and welcoming place.  I can't wait to take another class in beautiful Tryon NC.

Stationary relaxed Roman shade