Swags and Cascades...

When speaking with clients I often find there is a bit of confusion about the parts of certain valances.  What is a swag, what is a cascade, and what is a jabot?  Simply put the pieces in the middle that arch downward are called swags.  The pieces that spill down the ends are called cascades.  And finally, the pieces that hang between the swags are called jabots. 

Nine swags, center forward and self-lined.

Asymmetrical swags over cascades.

Three swags with cascades displaying a contrast lining.

Bed skirt or Dust ruffle...

Dust-skirt?  How can something so easy become so complicated?  You would think a Queen size mattress would take a simple 68x80x14 bed skirt and all you need to do is pick the style and fabric right?  Wrong.  Very few beds now take a standard length bed skirt.  More so with the collection or rails, posts, brackets, and other oddities your chances of getting an out of the bag one are getting slimmer by the second.

Here are my suggestions for bed skirt success.  First select your fabric.  The choice of the fabric will influence the style of the piece, I usually recommend solid fabrics, but I have done a nice strip or two in my time.  Once you have a fabric next choose your style.  Most people will go with a Tailored, Gathered, or Box pleated style.  Last determine what if anything needs to be done to accommodate your bed.  Do you have an extra deep box spring?  Will the piece need to be applied to a hook and loop tape so it can be stuck to the frame?  Will there have to be extra splits to go around posts or rails?

There are two options.  The first, we can have splits. The second, apply hook and loop tape to the frame.

The frame laughs at your standard length.

The above measured dust ruffle completed.

A Tailored dust ruffle sewn to decking.

A Box-pleated dust ruffle applied with hook and loop tape.

Pro Tip:  Good dust ruffles have a set-back or at least 3 inches.  what does that mean?  It means that the fabric travels under up and under the mattress so that even if it isn't perfectly straight you still don't see the decking.

Still have questions or need help?  Leave a comment or e-mail and I would be happy to give you a hand.

What is a Roman Shade?

 A Roman Shade is a type of fabric shade.  Typically they have a cord on one side that raises or lowers the treatment via a series of rings that are sewn to the back.  They can be slatted (with a dowel rod), tucked (front or back), relaxed, butterflied, or any number or other variations.  Here are a few examples of shades I have done.

Regular Roman Shades, done in an embroidered silk.

Embroidered silk sheer Roman Shades over a sateen base.

Unlined tone on tone Roman Shades.

Box pleated Balloon Shades with contrast inserts and trim.

Another view of the Box Pleated Balloon Shades.

Another couple from today...

Here are a few pictures of tab top panels with buttons from a child's bedroom.  They don't function, but they sure are nice.

And this one is a little more sophisticated.  Who says that kids shouldn't have a hand in picking out their own colors.

Would you like some for your house?  We are now schedule appointments in mid-August.  E-mail or leave a comment.

Pic of the day...

Here are a few pictures of Scalloped-bottom box pleated valances as well as Arched scalloped-bottom box pleated valances.  Some people would insist that they are actually Arched, scalloped-bottom inverted box pleated valances...but that would just be silly.

This is actually much harder to take a picture of with a phone than you would believe.

Like the table lamp?  there is a floor lamp version too.

There are actually 10 windows, this is the best I can do to show them.

Good thing I'm not afraid of heights.

What do you think?  If you like them I would be happy to make a set for you in the color and style of your choosing.  E-mail or leave a comment.

Happy 4th of July...

Have a happy and safe 4th of July.  Enjoy the fireworks, and watch out for drunk drivers.