All About Decorating

Create Beautiful Fringe Today!

 Is making fringe hard?

Not with My Own Fringe Maker!  Just watch the how-to video, or refer to Instructions that came with your Unit,  There's no use in putting a long answer here if we can link it to info, with video or illustrations, that already exists elsewhere on the site.  Putting big chunks of identical info at different places on the same site is one thing that makes them cumbersome and confusing.

Decorate with fringe is so easy!  Add fringe to kids clothes, pillows, furniture, flip flops, purses and more.  
Great for summer project for the kids, let them decorate their favorite pants and T-shirts for back to school.  They can even decorate their back packs to match.  Wow how fun is this making fringe and tassels for crafting projects. 

Watch the video below and order the My Own Fringe Maker Today.

    

DIY Summer Decorating Projects Eco-Friendly Headboards

Summer Makeover for your Bedroom

One of the easiest and simple ways to create a new look in a bedroom is to add a fabric headboard.  Headboards are the focal point of bedrooms and you can create your own personal touch with a new headboard.  Your headboard will be one of a kind with our DIY headboard kits.

The bedroom is your sanctuary, create comfort, elegance and style with a new upholstered headboard.  Your new headboard can be the beginning of your color scheme or add a major accent with your current decorating scheme.  Think about adding a new wall color behind your custom headboard, it will also add warmth and highlight your DIY headboard project.

DIY headboards can be covered with most any decorating fabric.  You can create an elegant silk headboard or use faux leathers for a rustic or contemporary style.

Go Green! We are proud to introduce an optional upgrade to our full line of DIY headboards, incorporating the best Eco-Friendly components available. 

We use the World’s First Soy-based High Resiliency Foam as part of our Eco-Friendly option which has the same fire-resistant, mold & mildew resistant and hypo-allergenic qualities of our standard foam with the significant advantage of minimizing the use of petrochemicals in the manufacturing.

The Arreis® 100% recycled MDF panels we use as part of our Eco-Friendly option meet the most stringent formaldehyde emissions standards in the world.

Other components also used in our standard headboards are already Eco-Friendly
    * The "easy stapling strip™" material we use is a natural, renewable product
    * The legs we provide are pine wood
    * The foam adhesive we use is non-flammable and has one of the lowest VOC levels available
    * The MDF we use in our standard headboards is 100% recycled wood fiber

For a great summer decorating project the DIY headboards are wonderful and easy to complete.  Most of all you will enjoy adding ambiance to your bedroom decorating project.

DIY Headboards are available in     

• Bolstered
• Non-bolstered
• Twin - Full - Queen - King
• Eco-Friendly Up grade

America's Slipcover Contest Winners

The 2010 Top Slipcover contest winners were announced this morning at the 10th Annual Slipcover Summit held in Nashville, TN.  The winners were selected by their peers from the US and Canada.  The custom slipcover industry is supported by the www.SlipcoverNetwork.com and instructors who volunteer their expertise at the  Annual Slipcover Summit for professionals and amateurs to sharpen their skills in fabricating custom slipcovers.

1st Place - Contestant # N  Emily Jane Creations Roebuck, SC

 

2nd Place Winner - Contestant A

 Lisa Moore of Sew Classic in Glendale, AZ

 

3rd Place - Contestant # O Amy Johnston Ligonier, Pa

2010 Honorable Mention

    

Cheryl Valleroy, Benton, IL               Charlotte's Custom Draperies, Waynesburg, Pa

 

Sheryl McAfee Indianapolis, IN

View all entries from the 2010 Slipcover Contest

For Slipcover Supplies and washable welt cord

Pelmets and Soft Cornices made of chipboard

We just finished a 2-Day workshop with Donna Skufis in Peoria, AZ.  The workshop on Saturday was about making soft cornices and pelmets with chipboard, we use many of the techniques taught by Joanna Braxton combined with Donna's techniques using Sealah Tape in place of glue.

Chipboard: A type of paperboard generally made from reclaimed paper stock (definition in ASTM D996); the term generally used in the US.  Larger sizes can be found at your local upholstery supply business.

Sealah Tape:  A double sided industrial strength machine washable adhesive tape.

Pelmet:  A pelmet is a framework placed above a window, used to conceal curtain fixtures. These can be used decoratively (to hide the curtain rod) and also help insulate the window by preventing convection currents[1]. It is similar in appearance to a valance, which performs the same function but is made of fabric. A pelmet can be made of plywood or chipboard, and may be painted, or fabric covered.

Order your Pelmet Making DVD Today!

Learn how to quickly and easily create a pelmet from start to finish using Joanna's chipboard method.

News from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs     Washington, DC 20207

For Consumer Product Safety Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2010
Release #10-265     CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Read what the CPSC is saying about Roman Shade Safety and Roman Blinds Recall for Child Safety.

How will this affect small and home based workrooms across America.  There has been a increase in sales with the Easy Release Break Away Roman Shade Rings and the Easy Release Bottom Device.  The are said to protect any thing over 4 lbs, like a pet.

 

Donna Skufis was on Home Fashions U Blog Talk Radio

We talked with Donna Skufis today about her business, her future plans for 6 hands-on workshops to happen in 2010 and 2011, plus what she will be teaching in Arizona, June 11 and 12,2010. 

Listen in and learn more about Donna, and what she has to offer by way of workshops to learn more about home decor creation, whether one is in business as a professional or want to simply make items for the home.

Click here  to listen to the show

By Bernice - Meet Bernice King - Home Decor Workroom Specialists

Click below to listen to Bernice on Home Fashions u Blog Talk Radio.

I talked with here about here business, the classes that she teaches and what she will be teaching at the Slipcover Summit, June 23-25 in Madison, Tennessee.

click here

National Educator Donna Skufis Teaching in AZ

Donna Skufis is currently operating a one person fabrication studio in Walton, Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, Donna started her business in 1983. Serving retail clients on a part time basis, she offered design, fabrication and installation services convinced she could provide better service if she handled it all. After 5-6 years, it became apparent she was well suited for the fabricating and installation end of the business but not so much the designing. It was clear what she enjoyed was fabricating the treatments.

Teaching was a dream that had found it's time. Cheryl Strickland had instructed Donna years earlier at Cheryl's first workroom school. In 2000 Cheryl invited Donna to teach at her Custom Home Furnishing Conference in Greenville SC. Donna continues teaching every year at conferences and added teaching at the CHF School in 2003.
Still teaching for the CHF Academy and WCWA weekend academy and Vision09, she has added WCAA speaker, video instructor, Vice President of her local Kentucky Workroom Association and future book author to her list of ventures.

We are so excited that Donna will be sharring her talented ideas with Workroom Professionals in Arizona.   To sign up for her classes today!  Limited to 15 students.

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Challenging Windows Bays, Bows & Corner's

How to make these challenging and difficult treatments. From the planning, analyzing and calculating the most efficient methods of construction, all the way to completion.
June 11, 2010 9am-5pm Cost: $105

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Semi and Soft Cornices Using New Methods with Chip Board

Learn what products make the best soft or semi soft cornices. Hands on step by step methods are shared for the best soft cornices. How to achieve that hard cornice looking using flat aluminum bar or other products.

June 12,2010 9am-5pm Cost:$105

Contact Claudia at 623-878-7350 with any questions and for the best place to stay in sunny Arizona.

Slipcover Pattern for Parson Chairs

Listen to Angie Knowles from www.ThreadNeedleStudio.com in St Petersburg, Florida who has surprised us all with a Slipcover

Pattern for parson chairs.

We talked with her about her business, her new pattern released on CD and what she will be teaching at the www.slipcoversummit.com in Tennessee, June 23-25, 2010

click here to listen

Drapery Fabrics: Pros and Cons

Drapery Fabrics: Pros and Cons

Fabrics come in three basic types: natural, synthetic (man-made) and blends. Natural fabrics tend to be more breathable, while synthetic fabrics tend to be more durable. The fabric you choose for your new window treatments can impact a lot more than just the look of your home. All drapery fabrics have advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to know what those are before you make your choice. Here are the pros and cons of some of the most common drapery fabrics.

Cotton – The strongest of the natural fabrics. Cotton is very commonly used as drapery fabric because of its versatility. It dyes well, comes in a wide range of color choices and allows air to pass through it. Unfortunately, because cotton is a natural fabric, it is not very durable. It is best to use a cotton-synthetic blend to get the “breath ability” cotton, but with the durability of a synthetic fabric.

Silk – Silk is a beautiful fabric for window drapes. It comes in a variety of weights and is long wearing and durable. Some of the finest oriental rugs that have lasted for several hundreds of years are made of silk. Considering rugs are constantly walked on, silk draperies should last for even longer. However, silk is generally expensive, damaged easily by the sun and prone to water spots. Linen – Linen is light, casual and has a fine luster. It is also a very strong fabric and is stain-resistant. But, linen also wrinkles easily so it is best to use some sort of lining material when using this type of fabric for draperies. Linen can also be stiff and prone to shrinking unless treated. And, like silk, linen can also be expensive. So, if you’re on a tight budget this may not be the best route to go for your draperies.

Acrylic – This is a great synthetic fabric to blend with a natural fabric like cotton to increase durability. It is also colorfast (color will not run or fade with washing or wear), stain-resistant and has sun-resistant qualities not found in natural fabrics like cotton and linen. The main negative aspect of acrylic is that it tends to pill (come off in flakes or scales) if rubbed up against. However, window drapes are not rubbed against as much as other furniture like couches and chairs, so this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. These are just a few of the many fabrics you can choose for your new window treatments.

Generally, it is best to blend natural and synthetic fabrics to reap the benefits of both types, but depending on the window’s location, it may be best to go 100% one way or the other. More often than not, if you are shopping for custom treatments, your dealer will be able to help in figuring out your best fabric option. But, with this information, you have a head start on deciding which fabric is ideal for your new curtains.

Guest Blogger:

Richard Moyle
Horizon Window Treatments
212.463.0369
www.horizonyc.com