Cecile's Attic - decor sewing and more

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hope you have a fun wonderful spooky day with your little (and not so little) ones!

Living Room Transformation

2011-07-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Nalini confessed she wanted to dress this window for years, but she didn’t know exactly how...

It is a large window, with a large arch!
She wants it nice but not too formal...
something practical for the family,
and funtional since direct sunlight on furniture and screen are a problem.

Ok...

The shape and size of the opening can be a bit intimidating… but, you know me, I LOVE challenge!

So, after a short consultation we came out with a plan and promptly found the right materials to make it work…

She also decided to dress the smaller windows in the living room and adjacent dining room, keeping the existing shades.

So, after a few weeks of fabrication, here are the results:

Casual, yet elegant these valances bring softness into the room.

Nalini picked a beautiful gold and chocolate cord that beautifuly highlights the shapes and bring the valances out from the wall. Even though the shape of the other windows was different, using the same fabric and trim makes the set unified and harmonious.

Warm and inviting, this room is ready to celebrate family time!

Break Time

2011-06-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

My favorite place to go for a break is the Rose Garden a few blocks away in San Mateo Central Park, specially this time of the year when roses are in bloom.

So many colors and shades

Incredibly fragrant!

Just a 20 minute walk, yet SO refreshing!

A Darling Corner

2011-06-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working on a corner window cornice box…

The trick here is to get the right pattern placement at the corner so the design aligns and “continues” around the corner.

I love this “Arboretum” design from P. Kaufmann!
And the coordinating cording delineates the box beautifully

I'll be also making new taupe flat shades for these windows
Can’t wait to see it all installed!

Stripe Pillows Done

2011-06-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

We decided to go with a combination of kaleidoscope design, with gathered welt and button tufting throw pillows for Ruth’s guest room.

We are also made a bolster for the bed, with a gathered center piece.

and lumbar pillow for the chair, incorporating on both the same trim that goes on the shades to tie it all together.

Here it is!???

2011-06-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

I thought keeping my treasured chair at the studio would inspire me to take on more upholstery projects

Problem is…

some days it looks like this... LOL!

Stripe Style

2011-06-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Ruth asked me to make some pillows for her guest room using two fabrics: a stripe and a floral. I am also making roman shades with the floral fabric to go with existent duvet, shams and chair.

Here are some ideas. Let’s see what she picks…

Summer-ready!

2011-06-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

I've been busy busy making outdoor cushions and pillows for the last few weeks, but the last patio project was a pair of canopies.

Construction with outdoor fabric was a little trickier than it might look, but at the end it worked beautifully.

And print is gorgeous, isn't it?

Sunny days, we are ready!

Chair done!

2011-04-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ta-da!

After all the prep and suspense… my chair is finally complete!

On the final upholstery class, I finally got to the part where I get the fabric on.

I found a beautiful distressed floral that goes great with the colors in my living room… and also in the sewing studio…hhhmmm I am not sure where is she going to live.

So here's what happened at the last session:

I went old school using nails to attach the fabric to the chair's frame... and I had to juggle a bit to strike a balance between tension and stretch while keeping the fabric straight.

To add interest (and cover nails and other imperfections) I finished edges with a double welt.

Now this chair is D-O-N-E

and I feel pretty good about it, especially since this was my first project of this kind.

I have to admit at the very begining I wasn't very sure about the shape of the chair, neither about the fabric... but as I worked on it the whole thing grew on me and now I can say

I just Love my chair!

Back to School...part V

2011-03-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

OK, I am finally ready to reupholster the seat!

Thankfully, the webbing and springs are in good condition so I’ll skip re-doing them. (I hope that helps me catch up with the class after all the fussing with the wood)

So I’ll start right at the edges, some nice and fat rolls will make the chair comfy to seat on without feeling the wood under my tights.

Now, Layers! Let’s make it nice and cushioned. Some foam, lots of batting, and lastly muslin to keep it all in place, under the upholstery fabric coming up next.

This will be some good-looking and comfortable chair really soon...

I can’t wait to sit in it!

From Tired to Fabulous!

2011-03-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

If the livingroom is getting tired, instead of changing the whole couch, you can always refresh the look of living room by tossing on some new pillows. Neutral color sofa or chairs don’t get out of date! and you can spice them up with accessories to make it look new!

…and while we are at it, we will make sure this won’t happen again

Because I always reinforce the inside of the seams with an overlook overcast!

Strong in the inside, beautiful in the outside

... for many years to enjoy.

Say What?

2011-03-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

The worst phrase in the industry for go-go-go people like me

is: back order!

I know it happens... frecuently, but it always makes me cringe.

Why is it that the gorgeous fabrics always make you wait anyways? Ha! I guess, like the fancy ladies, the fancy fabrics are worth the wait.

Over the course of a few weeks, my client Anna patiently brought fabrics and trims to me one by one as she received them in the mail…thanks to back order.

And then I started to realize, working in increments gave me time to pause, contemplate and enjoy the process, there was no point in pushing, I wouldn’t see it all done at the end of the day… so I enjoyed looking at the stunning fabrics until all of them were ready.

Once again I made it to the happy ending. Anna loved the finished pillows, her clients loved them, and I had a good time taking it slow... I guess b.o. doesn't sound that bad after all!

Back to school... part IV

2011-02-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

Now that I have finally removed all the layers of varnish, is time to bring the wood’s beauty out by using some Tung Oil.

According to the instructions from my classmates, I am to simply brush on the oil directly to the chair’s wood…

Mmmm not really the color I expected…it looks a little dull.

Maybe some stain?

Looking better!?... color is really uneven though….

Well… how about a lot more uneven?... I'll try sanding here and there...

Now it’s getting some character, isn’t it?

Celebrating…

2011-02-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

I am very happy this week to celebrate the conclusion of a wonderful journey with an amazing group of women. Last Wednesday I graduated from my second Women’s Initiative for Self Employment program. Women’s Initiative is a San Francisco Bay Area based non-profit whose purpose is to train and support low income women who ultimately want their dreams of owning a business realized.

Women’s Initiative has helped me immensely. In 2006 I graduated from their basic program which taught me the ins and outs of starting and running my own business. The program I graduated from this week was focused on how to grow your business.

Women’s Initiative helps women open businesses of any kind from a jewerly shop to a restaurant, no dream is too big or too small. Women’s Initiative for Self Employment is always looking for donations, sponsors, mentors or other individuals and organizations who can lend a hand and offer sound business advice. You can find out more about Women’s Initiative and how to help women like me to achieve their dreams here.

Cecile’s Attic would definitely not be what it is today without the guidance and training I got from the Women’s Initiative programs. I am very excited that Women’s Initiative is making progress to becoming a national organization. I want all women across the nation to experience the satisfaction of owning their own business and getting guidance and support they can count on.

Thank you Nika, Deb, Sonya, Kim, Nora, Jill, Zoe and Aurora! It’s been amazing working with you! Much thanks to Nicole and Yvonne for all the hard work "behind scenes" and to all our mentors, donors and volunteers that made the Fast Track program possible and a great success!!!

Back to school.... Part III

2011-02-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, here’s when things turn unpredictable, scary and adventurous…
I saw the chair had a few scratches here and there and I wasn’t going to (because as always I want to see results right away) but I got talked into stripping and refinishing the wood… "you'll get it done in no time" they asured...
OK...never done it before, so, I grabbed very detailed instructions form veteran classmates and marched to hardware store:
"Hello Trouble" greeted me one of the guys, "what are you trying to do now?"
... I guess they have me well figured out

Anyways,
first, I need to remove all the varnish using JASCO varnish remover
I brushed it on, waited a few minutes (until it “bubbles”)

and

It worked!... On the arms,
Legs and back not so well

I tried again… and again…

A few days later
I got down to the wood!

Great! I can move to the next step...

Patterns & Welt

2011-01-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

When working with busy fabrics that have a predominant direction, a solid fabric, in the background color works beautifully for welting. It will define the shape without being loud and it won’t break the pattern.

Cynthia Reese designed these cushions for a built-in book-shelf and benches, and added trapezoid bolsters for comfy and luxurious lounging. Modern and fun!

Tricky to sew zippers here ;) ...I decided to go with a U shape at the bottom, hiding two sides under the welt, to be able to get the bolster filling in.

Shades for Wide Windows

2011-01-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

Décor fabrics are usually 54 inches wide.
What if we want to make a shade for a window
a little wider than 54 inches?
A seam in the center would look odd...

Simple solutions:
We could make 2 shades for each window, or
add borders in a matching fabric,
or… (of course we are not going to take the easy ones;)

The Karns liked a pleated valance I made for their family room...
So, we decided to do a mix of all of it!

A pleated shade, with contrasting borders, that looks like 2 shades!

This way we hide the seams under the pleats to make the shade wider as we add some interest and definition framing the print with a solid fabric.

Can't wait to see them installed! This fabric works beautifully with their home office wall color.

Don't know if this style has a particular name, but I think is a nice solution for wide windows in a casual shape that works for almost any room.

Beautiful Coral

2011-01-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

Quick post!

Love these Coral pillows designed by Anna!
Fabric is exquisite, so easy to work with
and that stipped ready made cording from Robert Allen
frames the motif beautifully.

Upholstery Adventures - Part II

2011-01-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here’s the thrifty find I intend to transform into a treasure…

Sure, I didn’t want to invest in a real antique for my first project... just in case, you know...

So first phase: take it all off!
All the fabric, the welt, the nails, the batting, the foam… and anything else you can find in it…
Here we go:

Wow it took the whole session!
Now is time to get new foam
and fabric!... this is fun
Let's see what's out there
I am thinking a floral print but I'll stay open...

Upholstery Adventures - part I

2011-01-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

One of my new year’s resolutions was to go back to Anne Grannis upholstery class in San Bruno.
On the first module we made a stool…

from scratch!

So much fun to use new tools and learn techniques!

Now I am very excited about a nice antique chair with wooden arms and skinny legs I'll be experimenting with… pics coming soon...

Comics on the Go

2010-12-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

INTERN'S CORNER...

As I was thumbing through one of the many craft books I have piled in my office I saw a pattern for a wallet made out of an old comic book. I was totally surprised that I have had this book for who knows how long and had never noticed this pattern! The book's title is "Simply sublime gifts: high-style, low-sew projects to make in a snap" by Jodi Kahn. Of course, upon seeing the pattern I knew I had to try to make the thing.

The first few times I tried to make it I was unsuccessful. I had never used iron on vinyl. I mean really, who knew there was such a thing as iron on vinyl and that it would work with paper?! So anyway, after a couple failed attempts, I think it worked out just fine. Check it out! I even got Cecile in on it!

Just in case you were wondering, this is what iron on vinyl looks if you ever need to purchase it. Most craft stores carry things like this in the same aisle as their interfacing. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy to use.

Window Transformation

2010-12-20T07:07:00.000-08:00

JUST FINISHED...

The most rewarding part of my job is to see my client spaces transform and bloom!

I don’t always have the chance to see the final results, so I am very thankful Nawja just sent pictures after installing a beautiful set of sheers we created for her home.

As she is changing color palette and transitioning to a modern décor style throughout the combined living-dining area, Nawja picked a smoky tone of gray Organza, slightly darker than the walls, for her drapes. We doubled the organza for extra body and shimmer, and agreed on a flat top for a sharp and clean look.

We wanted the drape to hang really straight and to puddle just slightly at the bottom, so I used a “memory” stitch technique on the hems to keep the pleats from spreading wide at the bottom but still preserve their natural movement. And it worked beautifully!

Take a look at the renovation:

and after!

Now the 2 level windows are unified, and the treatments works harmonically with the scale of the wall

and now:

In the dining room, sleek panels open up the room and the clean vertical lines created by the pleats lift up the ceiling with a light yet elegant look.

What a change!

Grommets

2010-12-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

TIPS...
In the past, the use of grommets on drapes was a real task because they were metal, expensive, and they required special installation equipment. Nowadays, drapery grommets are available at your local fabric store and they are plastic, inexpensive, and clip in!

It was recently that I experienced the ease of the plastic grommet while working on a drapery set for a client. To my pleasant surprise, the clip in grommets were as easy as the directions said they would be. All I needed to install the grommets were included with the package (except the scissors), which was a circle template used for making the hole and the grommets themselves.

I would highly recommend using clip in grommets for any skill level. The grommets come in a variety of colors and most of them don’t look like they are plastic, but some sort of brushed metal. Give them a try!

Pillows Ahead

2010-12-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

FROM THE CUTTING TABLE...

This week I am working on gorgeous pillows for Interior Designer Anna Cesario from Saucy Design. The project is to make about a dozen pillows of non standard sizes for a couple of spaces in one house. All of the pillows will be feather filled and will have different designs. One set of pillows, meant for a living room, will be a collection of beautiful rich tones of chocolate browns, gold and turquoise. The other set of pillows will be for a bench in a hallway made with vintage inspired coral fabrics.

I can’t wait to see the results! Pillows are a lot of fun and these color and fabric combinations are sure to look great.

Greeting Cards

2010-12-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

INTERN'S CORNER...
I enjoy making cards perhaps just as much as Cecile does. I try to set some time aside on a three day weekend to make a collection of birthday, thank you or holiday cards so I always have some on hand. Personally, I think handmade cards are a nice touch to any gift or occasion and having a few on hand is perfect for someone like me who usually goes to get a gift last minute because a birthday or holiday has snuck up on me faster than expected.

Last week, Cecile and I had a little holiday card making get together where we sat in her living room making our holiday cards. I wanted to do something a little different this year, so this is what I come up with:

Cards can be as elaborate and as simple as you want… and always fun to make! Specially with a cardmaking buddy, or perhaps with your kids?

How to Conquer Dancing Duvets

2010-12-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

TIPS...
Want to prevent your duvet from dancing within the cover?
Here’s how I finish my custom duvet covers:

I sew a loop of ribbon in each corner of the comforter. Then I turn the duvet cover inside out and sew a couple of ties to each corner, right by the overlocked edge. While the duvet cover is still inside out, I place the duvet flat on top of the cover, align the corners, pass the ties through the loops and then, tie a bow.

This makes easier to flip the duvet cover right side out without having to reach inside to hold each corner in place. And from the outside you can’t even tell.

This is a duvet cover I just made for a boat, that's why it has flaps! Yours probably ends at the welt or knife edge. Anyways... ties always work!

Try it, I promise your duvet will stay put!

Organizing your Inspiration

2010-12-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Stop storing all those magazines and start organizing them into inspiration books!... which are also known as “swipe files”.

I have subscriptions to craft, fashion and décor magazines that are loaded with fun projects, colors, ads, etc. Frequently, only a few pages out of the whole magazine contain a color, image, project or idea that I like and want to incorporate in some creative way. Over the years, I got tired of earmarking pages that interested me and so, I started to cut out the pages and recycle the rest of the magazine.

At first, I put the magazine cut outs into envelopes, but soon found that to be inefficient because every time I wanted to look for an image I had to dump out the entire contents of the envelope. From here, my swipe files evolved into fun, organized inspiration binders and scrapbooks!

I have a book for wardrobe, one for fabric, one for furnishings, etc. Sometimes I even use them with clients to illustrate diferent styles of furnishings. Now I am stating one for traveling, there are so many places I'd like to see... This can also work for events, gift lists, a crafty hobby and almost anyhing you are interested in.

There is no wrong way to create or organize your inspiration book as long as it inspires you to do something creative. All you need are some images, an adhesive like glue or tape, scissors, paper in any color you want (I prefer black) and some form of binding like a binder, a scrapbook or spiral notebook.

Since this book is just for you, you can organize it any way you like. You can have separate tabs for separate projects or topics or separate books altogether. The best part of your inspiration book is that your images don’t have to be literal, meaning; an image of a bathroom can be placed as an inspiration book for a bedroom or maybe an image of a pumpkin pie can be color inspiration for your fall wardrobe. You can also clip some text, web addresses are very helpful! and of course, add your own notes!

Lastly, my two bits of advice about the creation of your inspiration book is this: one, when you get the newest edition of your favorite magazines in the mail, it is time to clip last month’s and add it to your book. Second, have fun with it! Make your inspiration book a monthly treat for yourself when you can sit back and really let your creative mind wonder.

Neat Clips

2010-12-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

TIPS...

Drapery clip rings are one of the easiest and functional hardware pieces on the market. Clip rings are especially great for households with children or pets that may pull on drapes because with a good tug the drapes come right off without ripping.

Unfortunately, clip rings are not the best looking. However, there is a solution to using the clip rings and still having a beautiful set of drapes. When making Cynthia's drapes, I created a pocket in the back of the drape where the ring clips into. This way, the functionality of the clip ring is intact without impacting the overall look of the drapes.

In this case, I made the pocket as I lined the drape with plaid fabric

The red one looks much cleaner, doesn't it?

The best thing about creating a pocket for the clip rings is that you can do this to most drapes, including the ones you buy in a package by sewing a strip of fabric to the back of the panel.

Look:

Cut a 2"x2" piece of medium weight fabric for each ring

Fold edges about 1/4" under and hand stitch around, leaving the top open,

without catching the fabric at the front of the panel

Clip rings on.

Now your drapes look neat and timeless!

Try it and let me know how it goes.

Flowers on the go

2010-12-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

HOW-TO...
Try as I may, I am a terrible gardener. However, I manage to have lots of vibrant flowers all year round. How, you ask? I tend to my flower garden with fabric of course!

Fabric flower embellishments are a fun and simple way to add a little or a lot of color, texture and dimension to your favorite sweater, coat, hat, or bag. I Also like them on pillows, ouside of basket liners, and on cloth napking rings...

Love this one because is cute, has a clean finish, and so quick to make!
Here we go:
1. Choose your fabric. I prefer a fun cotton print.
2. Cut your fabric in a strip measuring 3 inches wide and 12 inches long

3. Fold your fabric in half, right sides together and pin

4. Using a hand sewing needle, run stitch along the long open side of the fabric

6. While hold onto one end of the trip with one hand pull the thread with enough tension to create a gathered effect
7. Slip stitch the ends of the strip together

8. Sew a button or two in the center
9. Attach a safety pin to the back
and ready to wear!

Have fun!

Pillow Project

2010-12-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

INTERN'S CORNER

After reading Cecile’s post from earlier this week about feather filled pillows versus polyester filled pillows I decided to branch out and make some feather filled pillows for my couch. For all of my adult life I have made polyester filled pillows for two reasons: one, polyester pillow forms are available at nearly every big box fabric store and two, they are less expensive than feather pillow forms.

After working with Cecile for a few months now, I now know where to look and to wait for a sale or coupon before I shop. So, before I went to my local Calico Corners I found a percent off coupon towards an entire purchase which would not only help with the cost of the pillow forms but of the fabric and chording for the welt. In the end, the project was not expensive!

The face fabric is a cotton basket weave print and the back is a micro suede blue that I also made the welting with. In total, these two pillows took me an afternoon to make not including the time it took to get the fabric. So far, I am really enjoying the feather filled pillows! Feather pillows have a nice give to them and I like that I can shape them as I see fit. I am so glad I branched out and tried something new! I would highly recommend feather filled pillows for any couch.

Lining 101

2010-12-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

Aside from the fabric itself, the second most important component of any drapery is the lining. There are two major types of lining I prefer for drapes: 100% cotton and a synthetic coated cotton/poly blend for blackout curtains.

A majority of the time I use medium weight, plain weave, white or ivory fabric to line drapes. Using 100% cotton lining has many benefits such as, it protects the face fabric from sun fading, and most importantly, it absorbs and dries any moisture that may accumulate on your windows during the winter months.

The only time I use polyester lining is in bathrooms and that is only because it wicks moisture and, when wiped regularly, keeps mold from forming in the folds of the fabric. For bathrooms, you want the opposite of what 100% cotton does, you want a fabric that doesn’t absorb any moisture but completely repels it like 100% polyester.

In rooms that may call for darkness during the day like a bedroom or TV room I use blackout lining. This type of lining is usually a plain weave cotton or cotton blend with a thick synthetic coating. It is the synthetic coating that actually makes the drapes block out light. Also, blackout lining is best used for vertical draperies or traditional flat roman shades because the lining makes it difficult to drape swags, or other round shapes that require fabric flexibility. Excellent quality blackout drapes will block out about 90% of natural light.

Lastly, there are interlinings. Interlinings are flannel like fabrics that are used for draperies that have a very lightweight fabric for a face, like Dupioni silk. Interlinings are necessary to giving lightweight fabrics more body in addition to a standard cotton lining.

PaperSewing

2010-12-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

FAVORITES
December means two things for me: the holidays and a lot of birthdays. So, I took a quick break from sewing and spent some quality time with card stock, scrapbooking paper and embellishments and whipped up a couple of birthday cards.

Making cards are not only a nice break for me but serve as inspiration for some sewing projects. Creating greeting cards gets me thinking differently about patterns, textures, stitches and details that I may end up using in fabric form. And sometimes, my sewing inspires me to make cards!

I like to make my cards with touches from my sewing studio like a simple stitch for a border, a cute little button or a nice textured ribbon. Combining sewing and card making is one of my favorite things to do because it combines two of my favorite activities. What are some ways you combine your favorite things?

Chair Recovery

2010-11-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

On the rare occasion I get a reupholster project I like to take my time and take lots of pictures. Reupholstering a piece of furniture is much more detail oriented than my usual slip cover so here are some pictures chronicling the process I go through when I reupholster a chair…or in this case, six.

this note looks like a love letter to me!

Undressing started... one of the most delicate parts of the process!

Then we clean, re-fluff and start covering again!

and Ta Da!

So much fun!

Pillow Talk

2010-11-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

This week I will be working on a set of pillows for a client’s living room and it really got me thinking about all the pillow projects I do that are similar to this one and how my clients seem to be divided fairly evenly between polyester and feather filling for their pillows. The choice of one filling over the other is a matter of preference.

In my experience, people choose feathers for pillow filling for esthetic purposes. Feather filled pillows need to be fluffed but perhaps offer a more full and tailored look. Generally, feather pilling is more expensive, but they will last for years.

Polyester filled pillows keep the same shape thus, do not require fluffing. However, over time, the polyester filling can become flat and may require replacing, but this is only after extended heavy use. I have noticed that some of my customers with children prefer polyester filled pillows because you can toss the pillows where ever and they still keep in shape and no filling comes out.

Me? I love ALL pillows! all shapes, all sizes, all fillings...

Roman Shade Rescue

2010-11-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

INTERN'S CORNER

As I have mentioned before, I rent and cannot paint my walls, so the way I bring color, texture, and interest into my rooms is through fabrics, carpets and framed art. Recently, I asked Cecile’s help in transforming my bare bedroom window into a centerpiece by making a relaxed shade. Of course, I didn’t ask Cecile’s help until I failed at making “easy” roman shades they advertise on DIY websites and TV shows.

Lucky for me, Cecile appreciated that I tried the project myself and offered to teach me the proper way to make a soft shade. For fabric, we re-used some old drapes I had used in a previous home and scrap fabric that Cecile had in her studio. To my surprise, roman shades are a lot more work than I thought they were! I am so glad I got help from a professional; otherwise, I would still have a bare window.

Picture Perfect Pillow

2010-11-18T07:55:00.000-08:00

NEW PRODUCT

One of my favorite things to do when I am not here in the studio sewing away is scrapbooking photos of my family and friends. I have such a good time putting together different prints, solids, textures and embellishments. I can just get lost for hours!

Recently, I have come up with a product line idea called Picture Pillows where I print a photograph onto fabric, ask the clients what their color preferences are and if they want a saying or a phrase incorporated into the final product and then, POOF! I turn their precious memories into a pillow fit for any room of the house. This week, I am openiong a shop on Etsy.com so I can do this for others, not just myself.

What photo would you turn into a pillow?

Peppermint Gift Guide

2010-11-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

FAVORITES

This year I want my presents to arrive right on time, so this week I am picking some delicious handmade gifts from Etsy to send home…

'Peppermint Lover - gifts for her' by Cecile

Christmas RED Reindeer ... livin4prim $49.00	4x6 Vintage Peppermint ... OnkieBazoobie $28.00	Artisan Candy Cane, Pep... SweetSweeterSw... $2.99
NEW Candy Cane Bubble ... orangethyme $9.00	Peppermint Spiral Earri... LindsayRoad $20.00	Felted Soap Peppermint ... Engelfelt $9.50
Retro Ornament Screen P... tinypeepers $	Belgian Dark Chocolate ... nikid $9.00	Handmade YoYo Quilt Pil... yoyocottage $28.00
Red and White Christmas... thelighterside $15.00	Peppermint Candy-RED-Si... sewluckygirl $30.00	Candy Cane Cream SOY Te... boardwalkcandl... $3.50
Peppermint Candy Christ... kissadesign $20.00	Peppermint Marshmallows calabasascandy... $7.50	Happy Holidays Vintage ... monkeysalwaysl... $7.00

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How to Care for your Decor Fabrics

2010-11-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Frequently, my clients ask me how to care for their upholstery fabrics and drapes in between dry cleanings. Here are some suggestions to get you through until you can get your fabrics professionally cleaned:

Velvet: One of the more difficult fabrics to care for at home. If you find your velvet has creased or wrinkled invest in a steamer available at a linen store near you like Bed Bath and Beyond. Creases in velvet can become permanent if not removed quickly. Please do not use an iron. In order to remove dust from velvet use a vacuum with one of the attachments meant for cleaning drapery or other delicates. If you find that you need to spot clean your velvet it is time for professional upholstery cleaning. There are detergents available in the market that advertise that they are for upholstery – DO NOT use them on velvet, the stain can become much worse and much bigger.

Satin: Unlike velvet, satin is a little easier to care for at home. If you need to get wrinkles or creases out of your satin use an iron on a medium/light setting with no steam. Try not to let the iron sit in one place to long and if you can, iron the satin on the wrong side. For spot cleaning, use cold water and a household detergent made for delicates like Woolite, which is available at most grocery stores in the detergent aisle. After you spot clean, use a hair dryer to dry the spot you just cleaned.

Silk: Spot cleaning 100% silk should be left to the professions only, but if you find you need to spot clean a silk blend you would follow the same cleaning process as you would for satin but try adding a drop or two of hair conditioner to your rinse water to give keep the fabric soft and flexible. Please note, if you spot clean your silks you may have a permanent spot that may not have the same sheen or finish as the rest of the fabric. If you have to get wrinkles or creases out of your silk use a cool iron and a press cloth between the iron and the fabric.

Cotton: Perhaps the easiest fabric to care for in your home. To keep your cotton fabrics looking like new vacuum and spot clean regularly using an upholstery spray cleaner available at most grocery stores. Be careful to not let a stain or spot sit too long as they can become permanent.

Organza Heights

2010-11-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sleek modern formal home entries can be tough to bring an element of softness to without looking out of place. This week, one of my tasks it to do just that: incorporate the softer side of home into a formal foyer and diningroom to match the rest of the home that is decorated with a modern edge.

The foyer I will be working with is two stories high with windows to match. My client brought in some beautiful gray organza with a slight shimmer for me to make a set of sheers that cover the two story high windows. In order to maintain a modern look I will not line or pleat these sheers. I will double up the sheers instead in order to get a little more shimmer and allow more light through. This will certainly be a tall challenge!

The Sink Situation

2010-11-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

INTERN'S CORNER

I rent a townhouse, and therefore cannot alter any existing furniture or fixtures. One of my bathrooms is very small and situated underneath a staircase. The sink is the first thing you see when you open the bathroom door. As you can see in the picture, the sink has no cabinet below you so see right to the pipes. Since this is my guest bathroom, I really wanted to cover the pipes and make the bathroom a little more welcoming.

I brought a picture of my sink to illustrate the shape and pipe placement, some measurements and some fabric (which I proudly bought from Ikea on super sale) to Cecile which she used to teach me how to make a custom pleated skirt for my sink! Cecile immediately noticed that the bottom of the sink is curved rather than straight, which meant we had to use Velcro to attach the skirt rather than elastic cording as we originally thought.

Not only did Cecile teach me how to make the skirt but she allowed me to use her industrial sewing machines – both the blind stitching machine for the bottom hem and the standard industrial machine for the sides and top. Using the industrial machines was a little scary and a bit strange to me – I had to use both of my feet to control the speed.

I am so happy that I now have a custom skirt for my small but fabulous bathroom and that I didn’t break Cecile’s sewing machines! Thanks Cecile!

A Balanced Valance

2010-11-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

NEW PROJECT

Once again Marsh, the collector of 17th and 18th century textiles, came to me with a project involving her living room and one of her favorite textiles. I have worked with Marsh many times on incorporating her beloved collection throughout her home and I have to say, she has a great sense of style. She mixes antiques and functional modern pieces into her home seamlessly. This time what she needed help with was creating a valance for a large bay window in her living room out of a gorgeous 1700's atlar cloth.

The challenge? The textile Marsh wanted to use was not long enough to cover the 16 feet wide window. The largest valance I ever made!

Luckily she did have a sufficient amount of vintage silk velvet and some metallic fringe that coordinated beautifully with the main piece. So we went with that.

But we didn’t just want to make a patchwork like extension to highlight the problem. Instead we created a layered effect working the velvet in way that organically mirrors the shape of the main piece, incorporating all materials in a balanced way.

The result?

A stunning window treatment for a room just from another world…

Hometown Etsy

2010-11-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

FAVORITES
One day, while I was casually browsing the usual craft blogs I came across a post from a woman who lives on the east coast. The post was short and simply said “I wish we had things like this out here” followed by a link to a handmade consignment store called Eni-Thing located right here in the Bay Area. Oh my goodness! I was so excited to find that the store is so close. Honestly, up until the point that I came across Eni-Thing’s website I had no idea that such a store existed offline and not at a tradeshow.

Of course, the next day, I went to the store in San Jose and was instantly charmed. Eni-Thing carries an array of handmade goodies ranging from oil paintings to earrings to any kind of bag imaginable. Check it out!

Tools of the Trade

2010-11-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

TIPS

It is no secret that my favorite tool is a sewing machine but a close second is my pneumatic staple gun. I use this staple gun most often for any project where I need to affix fabric directly to a board like a window valance, a roman shade, even the small upholstery projects I am getting into now. At first, it was a little scary but once I got going… it is a lot of fun!

I have this small version. A compact compressor, light to carry and easy to store, feeds the also small (perfect for my skinny hands!) powerful and precise staple gun.

Love it! and very much recommend it to all of you do-it-yourself decorators out there.

Toy Story

2010-11-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

NEW IN STUDIO
Local Bay Area interior designer, Cynthia Reese, just dropped off a couple of fabrics for me to transform into curtains for a child’s room she is designing.

These curtains are different from my usual drapery projects because these will be double sided and meant for a closet! The red fabric will be on the outside, facing the room, and the blue checkered fabric will be on the inside facing the closet interior. This way, when the curtains are flipped open “tent” style for ease of toy access, the blue checkered side is revealed. What a fun little boy’s closet Cynthia!

When it rains... make fishes!

2010-11-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

INTERNS CORNER

One of the things I like to do when it rains is to rediscover fabric I had stored for years and try to make something fun, quick and whimsical out of it. Last weekend, it rained… so I saw this as the perfect opportunity to take a break from the usual slipcover or drapery project and repurpose some scraps while doing something a little different.

Recently, Malia and I discussed the idea of making mini mobiles for all ages to place in nearly any room of the house from the baby’s crib to the living room to the sewing studio. Inspired by the buckets of water coming down from the sky, I decided to show my intern how to make a cute button eyed fish mobile fit for her home.

What does rain inspire you to make?

Oh Baby!

2010-11-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

NEW PRODUCTS

Recently, I was honored to be contacted by P&B Textiles to make samples for them to display at an upcoming fabric trade show. Things moved very quickly, within the same day of first speaking with their designer, I was picking up an assortment of fun and vibrant cotton prints to make a wall hanging that spelled out “B-A-B-Y” to showcase the new fabric collection. And I loved these fabrics! they are not only cute, also have excellent quality.

I happen to have made similar wall hangings that spelled out the name of my niece before so I knew just what to do to get the funky and crafty look they wanted. Wish you could feel the softness… Definitely one of the sweetest nursery accessories I've ever made.

Handmade Holidays

2010-11-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

from Etsy of course!

'Favorite Fall Hostess Gifts' by Cecile

Fall table runner NowandThenQuil... $32.00	Golden Brown Stoneware ... JanFairhurstPo... $46.00	Fall Leaf Soap in Cranb... soaprehab $4.00
22 ounce Wood Wick Soy ... Greenbriar $22.00	Group of six wheel thro... blueroompotter... $243.00	Eight Wool Acorns - Ora... Fairyfolk $16.00
Rustic Mum Give Thanks ... FreshLemonBlos... $4.00	Chocolate Pumpkin Toffe... ajsweetsoap $6.25	Hand Knitted Pumpkin in... GrayDesign $12.00
Woodland Autumn Leaf Ca... LaBellaCandela $25.00	bright mug rug quiltydee $15.00	Holiday Pumpkin in Oran... TerryAskeArtQu... $170.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Holidays are around the corner… are you ready?

2010-11-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

TIPS

Next week, Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts is holding a HUGE sale. Veteran’s week sale starts Sunday, November 7 and ends Saturday, November 13 with big savings on décor fabrics and accessories!

Now is the time to get finish that guest room project you’ve been thinking off, add some spark to your living room and review the lining inventory for some new pieces.

And why not, have some holiday themed fun!

This year, I plan on stocking up on holiday prints and ribbons with hopes of turning them into festive reusable gift bags, stockings and table linens. The holidays are a time when I like to experiment with new gifting products, decorations and creative gift wrapping. I know family and friends love the little handmade details and I so much enjoy making them!

How are you getting ready for this holiday season?

Sleepin’ on a Boat

2010-11-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

NEW PROJECT

This week I am transforming standard sized store bought bed linens into custom bed linens for a client’s vacation boat. Perhaps the biggest challenge I have with this project is that beds on a boat couldn’t be any more different than the standard rectangle shaped beds most of us sleep on.

In total I will be making fitted sheets, flat sheets, duvet covers, and mattress pads for three beds for one boat. Two of the beds are roughly twin sized but resemble triangles with curves more closely than any other shape. The third and final bed ensemble is for the master bedroom and can only be described as trapezoidal in shape. Ha! This is going to be real fun and real challenging… but, as usual, I am up for it and look forward to it. Aren’t vacation vehicles fun?!

The Little Sophisticated Club Chair Cover…

2010-10-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

Velvet looks and feels great on furniture. But when you add coordinating cording to the mix, slipcovers reach a whole new level of gorgeousness…

This ¾” cording in different shades of blue not only makes easier to tie together this chair with other furnishings in the room. The embellishment pops like jewelry on the velvet defining the shape of the seat, adding personality and sophistication to a piece that can now stand on its own in the room. It is the kind of detail that makes the custom look, a truly unique, rich and special piece.

Midterm Grade

2010-10-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Weeks flew buy since she arrived… they just called from school asking for a midterm grade… midterm already? But we just…ok, that’s right, it is time… so I just have to officially introduce

Malia

our intern from the Academy of Arts .

Sooo happy to have her here. For the last few weeks she’s been helping get the studio more organized and efficient. And the most fun part that has kept us so busy for the last few weeks: we are creating some new products that will be out very soon… stay tuned for details!

Oh, and of course I gave her an A!!!

Is There a Buried Treasure in Your Basement?

2010-09-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

Piece of European priest robe dating from the 17th or 18th Centuries.

I love antique textiles and so does Marsh.

Marsh is an antique textile collector and for a long time she decorated her home with pieces from her collection in a variety of ways without actually altering the fabric. Recently, Marsh came to me and with the idea of going in a new direction with her textile collection that she was hopeful would one day turn into a business opportunity for herself. Marsh’s ideas for her textile collection involved the repurposing of some of her textiles into more functional home items like decorative pillows. She really had some fantastic ideas about how and where she wanted her textile collection used but needed some help with execution.

When Marsh showed me her favorite textiles to me I was blown away. These textiles were not only at least over 3 or 4 hundred years old, but they were in excellent condition and were intricately embellished. When I see these kinds of textiles it makes me think about the time and place they were actually crafted. Back then; all detail work was done by hand! Textiles like Marsh’s make me wonder about what everyday life might have looked like. These beautiful fabrics would have been a lot more common. I wonder how many of them were used and whether the artisans who created them could have ever imaged that they would be treated as treasures hundreds of years later.

Centuries old decorative band becomes a throw pillow’s centerpiece atop vintage velvet

Since much of Marsh’s collection were pieces of larger textiles she decided to transform them into decorative pillows that would live all around the house. What I really love about projects like this is not only that I get to manipulate and learn from these beautiful fabrics but that I get to help someone showcase their treasured collection.

Antique velvet drapery panel with matching fringe transformed into yet another stunning pillow

I know, not everyone has a collection like Marsh’s. However, like her, many of us have beloved textiles in one form or another that we would love to display in our homes. Grandma’s cross stitch, your children's blankets, or your mother’s monogrammed linens... all have the potential to take many forms and I hope these pillows can serve as inspiration for you for your next creative adventure!

Practical AND stylish?

2010-08-29T22:42:00.000-07:00

Look at this elegant couch dressed in Pasari silk. Beautiful isn’t it?

Allow me to let you in on a little secret…

it’s a slipcover!

Here is what the couch looked like before the transformation

Making this slipcover provided a few challenges for me such as the tufting on the original cushions and a hide-a-bed mechanism. Challenges aside, the final result showcased the nice geometric lines, maintained the tufting on the cushions and, most importantly, maintained the functionality of the hide-a-bed.

In order to make the hide-a-bed feature fully functioning while still maintaining a fitted upholstery look I used Velcro. The Velcro was sewn to the slipcover and then stapled/glued to parts of the couch that would not damage the original upholstery.

Tufting is one major element that creates the illusion that the slipcover is the actual upholstery. Since the original upholstery had tufted cushions I had to get creative to give the slip covered cushions the tufted look while maintaining an easy removal and tension. The solution? Tie the new button cord to the original button cord!

Lastly, to top off the upholstered look I made and placed welts (piping) along the arms and around the edges of the cushions. With everything complete we have an elegant, functional slipcover that you can even take to the cleaners.

How to pick fabric for slipcovers

2010-08-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

One of the most common questions I get from clients when they are looking to have a slipcover made is, “What fabric should I buy?” The simplest answer I can give is to ask yourself two things: how is the slipcover going to be used and secondly, do you want to use a fabric that is a solid color or a pattern.

First, let’s talk about use. The material you chose to make a slipcover should directly correspond to who will be using the finished piece and how often. For example, cotton and cotton blended fabrics tend to be comfortable, easy to care for and excellent for everyday use.

If the piece you are looking to slipover is more for special occasions then you may want to consider upholstery grade (backed) luxury fabrics including silk, chenille and velvet.

Once you have determined the end use of the slip covered piece you can ponder the pros and cons of patterned versus solid fabrics.

Patterned fabrics can really make a statement even in muted tones and they are excellent at disguising seams and the inevitable stain. The downside of choosing a patterned fabric is two-fold: you need to purchase 40-60% more fabric than a solid fabric because you create more waste when aligning the pattern to the lines of the furniture which in turn leads to an increase in labor because it takes time to carefully cut and sew pieces in such a way that they align properly.

Solid colored fabrics can be easier to work with because there are no patterns to align (so they have less waste than patterned fabrics). Another major plus to using a solid fabric is that you can make it work in a variety of settings and seasons just by adding accent pillows! The major downside to using a solid fabric is that stains are not as easy to hide and solids tend to show heavy usage more than a patterned fabric may.

Playful stripes

2010-08-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

Stripes seem too static and maybe even a little boring on these oversized pillows for a family room… mmm, and I have some extra yards…

Let’s make “Kaleidoscope” pillows!

Of course execution is all about precision, precision, precision!

Cut it carefully; match the seams perfectly
and voila!
A couple of fun and unusual pieces the whole family loves.

Slipcovers

2009-11-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

What a change a slipcover can make in the ambiance of a room!
A great way to add a new look to an old piece of furniture, make it work in a different color scheme or have variety for the different seasons…

Tea Party Canopy

2009-11-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

My favorite project of the summer!

Was so much fun to make this canopy. It’s about 7 feet high!
Can imagine these little girls playing and enjoying for hours…

Must Love Dogs

2009-11-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

Liz loves her dogs,
But the only ones she allows on the sofa are these…
Loved this “comic” style design
And the combination of cording and fringe around the pillow makes it super rich (and thick!... new walking foot machine is so cool!)

Bench Cushions

2009-11-05T19:55:00.000-08:00

Window seats and built-in benches are quite an execution exercise. It is all about precision! Then they complement the architecture and bring sophistication into the room.

Self-welt built-in asymmetrical bench covers.

Clean edge window seat on 14’glass wall.

Sweet Dreams…

2009-11-05T19:49:00.000-08:00

I find this bumper pad turned out just adorable...
So tiny, yet full of personality and style!
Is made of luxurious Organic silk and cotton fabric combination, to fit the little basinet hand made by grandpa a few decades ago…

How fun is that?

2009-10-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Never thought of

an animal print for a hobbled shade...

for a bathroom!...
and it just looks great!!! doesn't it?

Love Pillows

2009-10-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Pillows are always a lot of fun
so many styles, so many options
different shapes, details, fabric combinations
and unique embellishments to add!

What's NEW

2009-10-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

New website coming up

with new pictures!!

So, here's a sneak peak

one of my favorite rooms

Jennifer's guest room is beautiful and relaxing.

With this gorgeous floral design fabric

and a matching ivory solid

we created a butterfly window valance,

a trio of pillow shams, some welted pillows

and a table cloth set...