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Friday, February 27, 2009

Friday Free-for-all: Fabric Fixes for Decorating on a Budget

Well, I decided it was time to share some of my wonderful secrets of decorating with fabrics. I feel that you can totally change the way a room feels with new curtains, pillows, placemats, and cushions! All of these items can be created the semi - homemade way with these tips.

First fabric can be found cheap if you know where to go and what to look for. First of all you can check out your local Wal-Mart and they carry fabric and will even give you free information on creating some items. They also carry my favorite, Liquid Stitch. This is for those of you that do not have a sewing machine. The second place I love is Mary Jo's fabric store that is located in Gastonia, North Carolina. You can shop online at http://www.maryjos.com/. Make sure to look under Limited Editions. You can find fabric for $3.50 a yard!!!


Spice Up Your Current Curtains -

You can create a custom look to store bought curtains by adding fabric to the bottom of the existing panels. So easy!!!! You find a coordinating fabric and measure to the floor and add two inches for a hem allowance. If you have a sewing machine you can stitch this new fabric right on the bottom in a matter of minutes. Place fabric at bottom of panel and leave 1/2 inch seam allowance on both sides. Fold, iron, and stitch the sides and do the same on the bottom seam. The just stitch the piece of fabric to the panel and there you go! An entire new look with an investment of proabably 2 yards of fabric at most. If you do not have a sewing machine you can use liquid stitch, depending on fabric. You would want to go with a thicker fabric on the bottom so you can not see the glue through the fabric. Here is a picture of some that I did.


Make a Runner - No Sew

I simply took the amount of fabric that I desired and gave a 1/2 inch seam allowance and ironed the hem down and then place the liquid stitch between the fabric and here you go!!! This would not work for a runner that was going to be washed on a regular basis. Mostly for decoration!

Share your no sew creations with me! Email them to Imogene at roofwithaview@gmail.com. Happy Friday, ya'll!

5 comments:

Aundrea-aka Zerbert Baby said...

Clever as ever, Miss Noe! One of my favorite tools to use in sewing is fray check. Beyond sewing it is great to use on the ends of hair ribbons that mums put in girls hair. If you need to cut the ribbon you can add it and it won't fray, even if you wash it.

Unknown said...

This is great, Imogene! I think I got something like Liquid stitch to "hem" my black pants. I never would have thought to do something like a runner or curtains. Crafts like these that non-seamstresses can do are GREAT. Thanks for sharing!

Happy Four said...

Imogene, how far over the edge of the table do you recommend for the table runner? Also, did you do it square on the ends or more like a triangle? I would like to attempt to make one for my foyer table so any more details will be implemented and appreciated. As I don't sew I will purchase the Liquid Stitch you mentioned - Thanks so much!

noe said...

I usually go at least four inches over the table on both sides. I kept this one square. When doing the triangles they have to be perfect so they look right when seen from both ends. If you are up to the challenge I think it would look great!

Butchess said...

great ideas! thanks for sharing!