How to Make a Duvet Cover
Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
Having trouble finding a good quality duvet cover (a protective cover for your down comforter) that doesn’t cost as much as your comforter? Here’s an easy way to make your own.
Step 1: Measure your down comforter, width and length. It is recommended that your duvet cover be the same size as your down comforter, or smaller. A smaller duvet cover (by 2″ or 3″) assures a nice snug fit, helps keep your comforter in place and gives a fluffier look to your comforter. So, for example, if you had a down comforter that measured 90″ x 90″, the ideal finished duvet cover would measure about 88″x88″.
Step 2: You’ll need 2 lengths of any fabric you choose, at least 4″ wider and longer than you’d like your finished duvet cover to be. This assures that there will be plenty of fabric for the seams.
Step 3: If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can sew the 2 lengths together (like a very large pillow case) yourself. But since the lengths can be quite large and sort of awkward to work with (due to the size) in the average home sewing environment we recommend that you contact a local Dry Cleaner that also does tailoring. A professional seamstress is another option as well. They will likely be able to sew your duvet cover for a very reasonable cost. Our customer’s tell us to expect about $20.00 and up. This cost would be for the simplest of projects - no fancy hems, hidden and/or button closures, etc.
At some point you’ll need to decide whether you’d like a Button Closure or a Zipper Closure. It is recommended that you use a zipper closure. A nylon zipper is durable (withstands washing, etc.) and is very easy to open and close compared to buttons. Since the closure will be at the end of your duvet cover, at the foot of your bed, the zipper (or buttons) will not be easily visible. A zipper closure also takes much less time to make than a button closure - making it less expensive.
So, there you have it. A very nice and perfectly serviceable duvet cover for under $100.00!
Thrifty Chair Makeover
Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
With an idea inspired by Country Living Magazine, you can take any old chair you find and make it something completely unique and different. All you need is some fabric, trim, paint, and other tools and that drab old chair can be turned into a new stylish home accessory. Revamping several chairs can change an entire room into a whole new living space. Changing up the chair comes in three simple steps. First, find some fabric and paint. A can of spray paint and a few yards of fabric can be used to paint the frame and reupholster the cushion for a very sophisticated effect. Then, a rub-on transfer with your monogram can be used to add that personal flair. To finish it all of, add some color-coordinating trim around the cushion with a hot-glue gun and that boring old chair will be something new to love. Remember to use safety precautions when doing this yourself, and make sure to have all of the tools you’ll need.
Reupholstered & Just like new again
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
I wish that I had taken a before picture of this sofa for everyone to see. It was so worn, down to the wood in places that it is hard to believe that with 17 yards of fabric and a good upholsterer this sofa has been brought back to life.The fabric is product number 10255392 and it is so soft and has made a really cozy sofa which is the perfect place for all these gorgeous summer days to sit and lounge.I do have to say that the fabric has so many colors to pull out for accent pieces, we will have fun accessorizing. Let us know what you think our choice.
I Hope HEAVEN is this beautiful
Friday, April 24th, 2009
We have been getting in shipment upon shipment of fabrics, quite literally one after another without a chance to breathe. There are so many truly spectacular fabrics that have come in, it has FORCED me, yet again to redo some rooms. I will have some before and after pictures posted for you all next week.One of the greatest things that has made a big comeback, besides, orange and browns, is CREWEL. I have always loved them but they haven’t always been at the forefront of style Well, guess what, they are back!!Today, we got in the nicest crewel shipment of all time. We have had about a dozen crewel shipments in the last 6 months. Todays tops everything.The photo teams are coming into work this weekend and hopefully will get more of them up onto the website for you all to see…………pictures coming hope you all have a great weekend.
Fortuny Scarf
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
As a huge Scarf Lover, I am always collecting Scarves, knitting scarves and it hit me, why aren’t I sewing scarves out of some of the Fortuny fabrics which are the most incredible fabrics in the world. So, I hit Neiman’s, Sak’s, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Bergdorf’s this weekend in search of a scarf as gorgeous as The Fortuny style Stamped Velvets we just got in from Venice. I looked at absolutely everything there was, there was nothing that compared to what I knew I could make with the fabric. The prices of the scarves I looked at went up to over $2500 by the way also, not small potato’s for a scarf in my books anyways.I bought 2 yards of the fabric and 2 yards of a silk that was on sale. I divided the fabric width in half and cut the size to 25 1/2″ by 69″ and made a giant recatangle, turned it inside out and voila! i have the most gorgeous scarf that I know is a show stopper.I have made a few skirts from our fabrics and wore one on Saturday, while I was on this hunt. my husband was with me and he was getting impatient, I was stopped about every 30 minutes to be asked where I bought my skirt. I explained that I made it from the fabric from our website, I was very patient in explaining while he grew impatient as the day wore on.I do have to say though, they are gorgeous and you would not find anything on the shelf for under 2,000. We do sell to some very high end couture companies and I’ve seen what their prices are like. There are too many zero’s for me to write. Anyways, this scarf was done within an hour and here it is, I really think it is a show stopper. Only 2 yards of fabric needed, you can wear it for every day or dress up for an evening.It is a show stopper! you will get so many compliments, that I promise!!
A Cheap & Easy Wall Display
Monday, January 26th, 2009
I know we’ve been lax on the blog but things have just been so busy……….anyways, I thought you would like to see this. A very cheap easy way to do a gorgeous wall display.These were pictures, I liked pulled out of a magazine. Just a regular everyday, woman’s magazine, years ago had printed these pictures. I ripped the pages out and ‘filed’ them. When i found them a while ago, i took them to Costco or Sam’s and they offered a service where they take a plain picture and age it and mount it like a painting. There I was with my cheap 36 pictures printed on plain cheap paper and the staff member said, don’t worry, they will look like paintings…….I think I paid between $5 and $10 each, it was very reasonable.I picked them up about a week or so later and I could not believe my eyes!!Anyways, we just hung them all again and I love them just as much as they day I pulled them out of the magazine!!
Quick and EASY bedroom makeover trick
Friday, October 17th, 2008
Here is a very easy trick for making an average bed, beautiful. Simply add a Canopy! Two simple hems and a staple gun and anyone can do this. This bed is a king size and we sewed the Canopy into shape but for several of you who want a very easy job, all you need is 2 lengths of fabric that are about 4 yards each and anyone can whip this up in no time. If you need help just yell and we will be happy to walk you through it.On this one, we put a 4″ border of silk to finish it off at the front and the look is fabulous. This style canopy looks gorgeous is stripes, checks, florals and especially damask fabrics.Let us know what you think!
Simple Curtains
Monday, October 13th, 2008
I am finally starting to get my little office pulled together and last week, at last put up drapes. These are very simple drapes which are just one width of fabric each and a simple hem around all 4 sides, grommets in the top. I love the simplicity of them and they move very easily on the rods to open and close. This office has been in the works for about a year but I never seem to have the time to devote to getting my own stuff done.For anyone who sews, this is a very easy and quick project and it makes such a difference to the room. It is starting to get cozy in here and over the next few weeks, I will get this room completed and post some more pictures. I’ve planned this to be my great escape room, which I certainly need. Lets hope my children stay clear!!
Can’t wait for those cool nights!
Friday, August 8th, 2008
We have received our new shipment from France and got in the latest and greatest throws from Pierre Frey in Paris. This year, they have made the throws into luxurious patchwork throws incorporating 6 furs. To say we, the staff all fought over them is an understatement.
Luckily we do have a few more to sell!!These fur throws have definitely taken decadence to another level!
Each one is a masterpiece.
The most Luxurious pillows ever!
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
I couldn’t let these ship to the client today without first, drooling ………..from a distance and taking some pictures. These are the most luxurious, gorgeous pillows of all time. The fronts are done in the Scalamandre Leopardo (which we were lucky enough to get the last roll available in the US) and on the back of the pillows is the brown silk/mohair velvet.
Truly decadence taken to a new level. Filled with Down and feather!! ooh la la!!We are fortunate to have such a fantastic workroom locally and thankfully their prices are very reasonable. We will have to find some time later this week to take some photos of some other drapes they also just completed.
Once you see some of the fabrics made up, the pictures don’t begin to do them justice.Let me know what you think of these………