Help with making drapery

[susank]

A couple of months ago I bought some fabric to make new drapes for my bedroom and ensuite bath. I have not started the project because I can't make up my mind what type of drapery header treatment to use. The fabric poses an interesting challenge - it has a diamond pattern in it and circles that are actually fringed around the edges (its hard to visualize so I have attached a photo). I love the fabric but I'm unsure what will work best with this sort of pattern. I would love to hear what you might do with it. The rooms are both fairly formal but the windows are very different. The bedroom has two narrow but tall windows on either side of the bed and the bathroom has an arched window (also hard to describe so I will attach a photo of that as well).

I would be grateful for any ideas because I bought coordinating fabrics to make a duvet cover and pillows so I have a huge pile of fabric just sitting here.

[Jami Johnson]

Hmmm... I'll have to think about that one. But, that fabric and bath definitely deserve something special!! Gorgeous on both accounts!!

[Sew So Happy]

Why cover that view?? I would give an eye tooth to have that window in my bathroom! I think you could use the fabric in your bedroom and maybe something sheer and lightweight for your bathroom to coordinate. It is so beautiful to look at.

[susank]

I know what you mean about covering the view - I love it. All I really want is side panels that I won't close. We don't need the privacy because there is no view into our back yard from the neighbours. The main reason I want the fabric is that the whole bathroom - which is quite large - is made of marble so unless there are some fabrics in the room it sounds cold and it kind of echoes. Also the soft green blue fabric adds a little subtle colour to the room which is painted a soft white with the sandy coloured marble. It also has a small window in the water closet which needs to be covered with something solid because it faces our neighbour's family room and I would like them to match. Otherwise, I agree with you - sheer would work.

[Sew 'N Sane]

Susan,

I make a lot of window treatments, so I'll have to see what I can come up with.

Do you have any trim that you plan on using? What other fabrics are you combining with this fabric?

Sometimes adding an attached valance out of a different fabric would make it look beautiful.

I'll think on it some more and see what I can come up with.

[susank]

Sew 'n Sane - I'm glad you are asking. I am attaching photos of the other fabrics. I reeeeeaaly appreciate you and Jami thinking about it. I really am stumped. I have also found a photo of the bedroom - maybe it will help. It was taken before I put up the present drapes which are just an embroidered poplin. The paisley fabric and the floral are silk - the others are more heavyweight.

Any thoughts would be great.

[StitchinGrandma]

I just have to ask ~ Where's MY room? :p

I would kill myself trying to get my bad knees to get me into that tub. At the very least, I'm sure I'd injure some vital parts on the faucets. :D

I think if it were me that I'd cut the fabric just below the fringed circles so the very top would start with a triangle with the next circle just below. Also, I think I'd use that fabric as a valance and then get a fabric matching the fringed circles to use on either side.

I am no decorator though but that's my opinion.

[susank]

I agree with where you would cut it. I also think you might be right about a valence. If I put a valence the top treatment may be less of an issue.

I have to make it perfect though - my sister does freelance writing for a couple of Canadian design magazines and she wants to use our house for a story. If that many people are going to see it - it needs to be great.

I hear what you say about the tub but actually it is a six foot tub with about 18 inches of deck on either end so its actually pretty easy to get into (not that I have ever used it to do anything but soak my feet for a pedicure - I'm not a big fan of tubs/jacuzzis - it takes too much time!). The bathroom in the guestroom is much more user friendly if you ever decide to visit!! You will have to book ahead however because most of my family think it is a resort where they can take their holidays. The next gang arrives on Friday! Yikes!

[StitchinGrandma]

Trust me Susan! I would find a way to hurt myself. I guess I'll have to lounge in my hot tub that's on our enclosed front porch. Of course, I'd kill for a bath tub. Our tub won't hold water so it's shower only. Of course, I can't get back up from the tub anyway without looking like a seal with a broken flipper. LOL

[susank]

My husband would love a hot tub so he would be envious. It sounds more therapeutic anyway. Seals are cute - aren't they?

[StitchinGrandma]

It is very nice BUT we don't use it like we used to. When we first got it every single night by about 8:30pm or 9pm we were in there. And then we slept all night long like babies. I SHOULD be in there more often though because of my circulation problem in my legs in all honesty.

LOL Yes, seals are cute. I'm not sure they hit to high on the cute scale however when they are flapping around unable to move.

[Sew 'N Sane]

I'm going to try and insert a drawing that I did with my drapery software.
Hopefully I'll be able to get it to size right.

You can do just a panel drawn back on each side of the bed, or you can do a swag out of the embroidered silk. Another option is to make an attached valance with trim at the bottom - you could use the paisley fabric or the embroidered silk.

Hope this helps. :)

[Sew So Happy]

I'm going to try and insert a drawing that I did with my drapery software.
Hopefully I'll be able to get it to size right.

You can do just a panel drawn back on each side of the bed, or you can do a swag out of the embroidered silk. Another option is to make an attached valance with trim at the bottom - you could use the paisley fabric or the embroidered silk.

Hope this helps. :)

Okay, where have you been all my life??? If I send you a picture of my living room windows, would you be able to tell what would look right in there? Even though we have bought new furniture and painted, I just don't know what to do on the windows! Are you a curtain guru? That was really neat! Oh and I need ideas for what pillows to put on my leather couches. That would be a really neat idea for a section on the board. We could post pics of where we need help and you all come to our rescue!:D

[Sew 'N Sane]

Okay, where have you been all my life??? If I send you a picture of my living room windows, would you be able to tell what would look right in there? Even though we have bought new furniture and painted, I just don't know what to do on the windows! Are you a curtain guru? That was really neat! Oh and I need ideas for what pillows to put on my leather couches. That would be a really neat idea for a section on the board. We could post pics of where we need help and you all come to our rescue!:D

I would be more than happy to help you out. In fact, if you include the exact window and wall dimensions, I can actually draw things out to scale. Also, if I can get a good idea of the wall color, I can include that in the drawing.

Oh, and yes....I am a curtain guru. My main sewing focus for the past 7 1/2 years has been home decor'. That's the main reason I haven't posted many embroidery projects. I just don't have the time.

However, I have had an opportunity this year to be much more creative with my embroidery, so I've been having a lot more fun. :p

[susank]

Susan --- I can't believe the software you have! This is incredibly nice of you to do this. I like the idea of the drapes framing the bed. What type of header treatment would you do on this type of fabric. I have considered goblet pleats following the lines of the fabric but otherwise I'm not sure. I should also get your advice on my other difficult windows. They are 20' high and cover the whole wall of my living room and family room and have the same arch as the bathroom window. They are a challenge I have definitely been putting off - but I will leave that for another day.

Thank you so much for all the work you did!

[susank]

Oh and Vicki - i forgot - thanks for flipping my photo!

[StitchinGrandma]

I would be more than happy to help you out. In fact, if you include the exact window and wall dimensions, I can actually draw things out to scale. Also, if I can get a good idea of the wall color, I can include that in the drawing.

Oh, and yes....I am a curtain guru. My main sewing focus for the past 7 1/2 years has been home decor'. That's the main reason I haven't posted many embroidery projects. I just don't have the time.

However, I have had an opportunity this year to be much more creative with my embroidery, so I've been having a lot more fun. :p

That's very cool. What program are you using to do that? My ex had some pretty neat software we had bought him when he was attending CAD classes. I also had some very cool software from Smart Draw that I could do scaled to size things in also. I'd love to konw what software you are using though.

[StitchinGrandma]

Oh and Vicki - i forgot - thanks for flipping my photo!
You're more than welcome. I even straightened it for you. ;) Bet you didn't notice that though huh? :D

[susank]

No - I didnt' notice it but I went back and see the difference now. As always - you are the best.

[Sew 'N Sane]

That's very cool. What program are you using to do that? My ex had some pretty neat software we had bought him when he was attending CAD classes. I also had some very cool software from Smart Draw that I could do scaled to size things in also. I'd love to konw what software you are using though.

The program is called Dream Draper. They have come out with a newer version, that has more style options and additional furniture pieces you can add in, as well as a room planning module.

I would love to have the upgrade, but I really like having more embroidery designs better. :p

[StitchinGrandma]

No - I didnt' notice it but I went back and see the difference now. As always - you are the best.
You're welcome.

The program is called Dream Draper. They have come out with a newer version, that has more style options and additional furniture pieces you can add in, as well as a room planning module.

I would love to have the upgrade, but I really like having more embroidery designs better. :p
That sounds like a neat program and the newer version sounds like it would be wonderful. I agree though, embroidery design take top billing on the budget when possible.

[The Hen]

the fabric is beautiful. I think I would go with the more formal drap in the drawing ( the one on the right) I would use a fabric that blends with the drape fabric for the header. All of that fabric you placed on the site is just wonderful. It would be a hard decision. I know you don't want to cover up that beautiful view, but ther are times everyone want privacy , so I would go with pull backs so I could have it both ways.

[susank]

The Hen - I agree that the fabric needs something formal. Thanks for your input!