Home Improvements
I haven’t been sewing as many garments as of late. That might be a result of the new job I started doing just that, making me turn my focus away from clothes when I’m sewing for myself. Or it might be this transitional weather, where I’m not as interested in making cold weather clothes, but haven’t yet transitioned my closet over to spring, so don’t really know what I need or am missing for the warmer months. Either way, this shift in focus means I don’t have a movie-make for you this month, but I couldn’t let it pass without penning at least one e-mail… and I have been sewing! Below you will find 3 finished projects, freshening up my home with textiles, and 3 more projects on my list but not yet tackled! It is so nice to interact with these makes on a daily basis, and I do believe they have saved me from the spring itch of needing to rearrange all my furniture (in my little house, I think I’ve exhausted most of the options anyway!).
Without further ado— Home Improvement —
A new Quilt ! This vintage quilt top was sourced by my mother in law, and to have quilted it up and finished it makes me so happy! I’ve been daunted by quilting, and there were many times when I pulled it out and considered cutting into to make a dress, but never could. My sister recently made a quilt for herself, and that helped to give me a push to finish it, knowing I could always call her if I needed help. Besides, the patchwork was done for me! The one hang up was how large it was, I would say it’s potentially fit for a king as it looks ample on our queen. This made sandwiching the layers (quilt top, inner batting, backing) a total pain— there is nowhere in our house big enough to lay it out fully without moving a lot of furniture lol. It’s recommended you tape the backing down to the floor so it stays smooth as you add the layers and begin to pin them in place. I did this outside, so that wasn’t an option, and instead used rocks to hold it in place, which did result in a few places of excess in the backing, but oh well! Me and my husband hand quilted and attached the binding while watching documentaries. Thank you Shane!!
Finally some Window Treatments ! I have been sick of the plastic blinds that came with our house since we moved in over three years ago, but I guess it takes me that long to remedy it with some curtains. This past month I was able to give all but two windows some special treatment. These pull up curtains are the feature of our front two windows. Made from one straight panel of sheer cotton fabric, I created two vertical channels from twill tape (sorta like a flat woven cotton ribbon), and ran a ribbon through it. When pulled up, as they usually are, they look more like a valance, but can be undone to provide privacy when needed. I left the ribbons quite long and they look like lingerie or frosting on cake or cute as can be! Whatever took me so long!?
And another Curtain, this one for a kitchen shelf! A beautiful piece of Amish made linen with a crocheted edge I purchased years ago in Lancaster, PA with the intention of using in some garment. It has just been too hard to ever cut into! It just so happened to be the exact needed length to attach to a shelf we have in the kitchen. This make was so easy I feel I can hardly take credit for it, it all goes to the Amish! I attached it via velcro that I hot glued on the shelf side and sewed on the fabric. It was nice not having to cut it, knowing that it’s still fully intact to bring with us to our next place. It also perfectly conceals an outlet, previously a pain point mess of wires, now hidden! And I get to see and enjoy the fabric daily instead of it hiding in the piles of my stash.
Two more notes! I used Farm & Folk’s quilt tutorials, and found this one on binding the edge to be extremely helpful! And just one more window treatment to highlight— a permanent panel over our bed that still allows light to filter in through a piece of cotton eco-printed with leaves (made with my friend Jen—thank you Jen!!) and a sheer cotton stripe… the effect is subtly but beautiful permanent fall out our window!
Now for some projects I haven’t yet gotten to, but like the idea of…
Fabric Shades to cover “boob” lights. Boob lights are our only overhead lighting in the house, and I was kinda resigned to them as a renter. However, I watched a youtube video that mentioned Tulip Shades, a brand that makes fabric shades attached to a hoop you stick on the ceiling over the light to hide it. Pretty cute! They are out of my budget, especially if I wanted to cover all 6 in my place, but it did get my wheels turning on ways to use fabric to cover ceiling lights, elevate them from boob to something more akin to the inspiration photos above :)
Cushions for outdoor furniture. Saw this photo on instagram @Guaymas Guaymus. Absolutely love the thick, square cushions and how they elevate the iron chairs. I’d love to do something similar for the plain set of chairs we have… however I’m always trying to stuff pillows with the littlest scraps of fabric and I don’t think I could get that streamlined of a shape. We’ll see!
Cord Covers by Iko Iko Cord Covers for the eyesore of my microwave cord. Are these totally weird or totally cool? I like a fabric wrapped extension, but what about all the other visible cords in my life? Throw a silk organza cover over them? I’m intrigued by the premise, and Iko Iko makes a compelling case through color and photography.
Hope you liked the little change up today! I love decorating, and this has been a fun exercise for my sewing practice. I’m open for one-off sewing gigs for your little home needs, just holler! Hit reply if you have any thoughts or just wanna say hi, I love to hear from you :) and consider forwarding this email to someone who might enjoy it! I appreciate you reading and looking <3
Love the new curtains for the front windows! So much cuter than those old blinds!