Listen to how she did it….and she wants me to stress there is “not a stitch in the thing!”..Even though she is an accomplished seamstress and could totally make a real roman shade with all of the hardware and everything, she is also a busy mom and teacher so we can appreciate this route can’t we..

Directions:

• Buy a pre-made roman shade (white or khaki maybe) from Lowe’s, JCP, wherever you can find one cheap that somewhat fits your window.
• Cut the fabric two inches wider and 8 inches longer than the pre-made roman shade (this one is from Lowe’s-$20).
• Hem the sides of the fabric (1 inch on each side) using Heat ‘ Bond iron on hem tape.
• Next, starting at the bottom of the shade, fold the bottom edge under the shade and hot glue in place (later you can hide the raw edge by hot gluing on some grosgrain ribbon).
• Then, working UP the shade, hot glue the sides of the fabric to the shade. You’ll need to also glue under and over each of the “ribs” in the shade so that you can see them clearly once you’ve finished (you know, the wooden dowels that the string pulls on to raise and lower it).
• Once you get to the top, fold the upper edge of the fabric around to the back side and glue down (again, you can finishe it off with grosgrain ribbon IF anyone will see the back. If not, don’t sweat it). And voila! A no sew custom window shade!

Thanks for sharing Camille..this is a great idea to simply cover a pre-made shade..instant lining and the structure/base for whatever wonderful fabric you want to add to a room!

If you have any questions for her, be sure and ask in the comments.

Let me start by saying that I am, and will always be, precisely one decade behind my dear friend Holly. You see, ten years ago she pulled together the most sumptuous master bedroom.  Layer upon layer of texture, subtle color, and one of my all time favorite fabrics, Ralph Lauren’s Guinevere. Even the name of the pattern appeals to my nerdy English major side. 

{image via ebay because ”the Guinevere” is no longer available via Dillards, one of our main sources for homegoods ca. 1998 long before TJMaxx}

I will be the first to say that ten years of the same bed linens is quite a feat. {and let me just say we have bought new sheets and quilts along the way}

As one who likes to change the décor in her home like some change their lighbulbs, I am duly impressed. Kudos, Holly. You’ve gotten your money’s worth out of those soft, sateen, yummy linens. But it appears all good things must come to an end. Like Camelot, it is time for Guinevere to go. Holly has cooked up some fabulous, fresh new ideas. And lucky for us, we get to see it all unfold here.  

So why am I ten years behind Holly, even though she is WAY younger than me? Even as I write this I am ensconced in the loveliness that is Guinevere. {so I felt like an idiot when she told me this when we were emailing last night after I said “I am so over the guinevere, can’t wait to redo my bedroom” oops..sorry!}

And I don’t see her leaving any time soon.  Maybe in ten years. And then I’ll want whatever it is that Holly is now cooking up for her new bedroom.

-Camille

[Camille lives and works in the epicenter of Texas style & culture, Abilene. A former intern at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, she now teaches ESL to African refugees and mothers her two brilliant and gorgeous children, Colin and Chloe.  Her husband, Dr. Dickson, teaches English at Abilene Christian University and does other technical stuff she doesn't understand.]

Oh and I just have to share this before it gets too far past Valentine’s Day…definitely file this one away for next year… Hearts punched out of book pages, I love anything made using book print..Like this wreath that made the rounds on blogs..so wanted to do this but when did I have time to do this?? I didnt!  So I was so excited when my sweet friend Christi made this adorable Valentine’s Day version..

Appears she covered a green foam wreath with book pages and then glued a gazillion hearts all over…Hopefully she will comment and let us know how long this took. I am going to leave it hanging in my kitchen window ALL month and then carefully store it for next year…I love it so much.  I did not leave it on the front door..too damp outside but it sure looks fun on the red door.  Just had to share.

Well she did it, and I am so proud.  Big Mama made her drapes (it was hard for me not to say curtains right then..why is that?? maybe the phrase “big mama and curtains” just go together, no offense Melanie!)  Anyway…she sort of made them..she mistreated them and y’all, they look great!  See for yourself.

I love that little stool. Great poufing Big Mama… and yes this was NO SEW project and dont forget, the Robert Allen fabric was only $1.99 from Fabric.com. I think she did the entire room for some insane amount like $28!.. here is a closeup.

Read more and see before and after pictures here.  I think she purchased the drapery rod at Lowe’s.  For mistreatment instructions go to the Nesting Place.

Oh, be sure and look…can you identify her husband’s “special object” on the mantle??  It adds that special “Texas Hill Country” touch to the room.

I will have more mantle inspiration later in the week…stay tuned!

{images from the Big Mama blog}

{image from Isabella & Max}

Janell gives great tips including starting off at the very beginning with cutting the fabric … It can be so hard to make that first cut when you have splurged on fab fabric because of all of the money you have saved by making them yourself and then you realize “oh my, I have to cut in to this beautiful silk, what if i RUIN it” or whatever kind of fabric it is that you suddenly don’t feel worthy to sew…read her post, you will feel more confident.

She also covers the debate over ring/clips and/or pins (this one is big).  Read it, you will finally understand and she shows a picture of the pins so you will know what to look for when at the fabric store.

And of course,  HEMS & LINING… remember with lining it is like a big pillow case basically and you just want the lining to be shorter so it doesn’t sag or hang down.  And honestly, if you have blinds, you may not need lining.  There I said it.  BUT I will also say, all of mine are lined.

And dont forget to “train your drapes“ not that I ever have but it looks like a clever idea… just proves that you don’t have to sew pleats and you CAN skip the complex construction and still get a fairly tailored and beautiful  look…use more rings (10 approx for a 50″ wide panel) for tailored and less rings obviously for a more casual “swoopy” look.

Thanks Janell for sharing all of this wonderful information with us and taking the time to lay it out in such an easy fashion.  And y’all remember, if I can make lined panels YOU CAN..seriously…hopefully my home economics teacher will leave a comment…she will tell you, I am NOT talented in this area but really it is very simple, especially when you do NO PLEATS…repeat after me NO PLEATS, LET THE FABRIC BE THE STAR not the construction!

Oh and if the sewing machine truly scares you, you always have the mistreatment option…of course the Nester has some fab examples…and Katie at Harrington House does too!  check it out.  Arent you glad I resisted using the phrase “sew easy!”???

Stay tuned next week for some PAINT COLOR TALK..I am getting recommendations from some of my favorite designers, bloggers and friends..you dont want to miss!

Like many of you, I have been a fan of Amy Butler and her fabrics for years.  In fact, she has been at the top of my blogroll over there since the beginning I think.  So it has been fun watching her business evolve..first the quilt fabrics, then upholstery fabrics, patterns and books, then the book, the popularity on etsy (bags and children’s clothes using her fabrics), then she did a scrapbook line and bags/baskets at Michaels, bedding and more…

{precious baby girl in Amy Butler pjs–her pattern and fabric!}

…and now…RUGS..and they are so pretty. Check them all out here. 

I like Layla Grace because of the free shipping.  And I love the bold patterns..rugs can be so difficult and I think these are going to be great to work with…what do YOU think?

oh and if you aren’t in the market for a rug….how about this bag????? I love it. And the bags are on sale 20% off until Jan 30th at Layla Grace.

{images from Layla Grace and Amy Butler}

All of this to say it is a great honor (again I am not kidding. dead. serious.) to help with Big Mama and P’s living room. Mounted deer heads and all.

In fact, we’ve already chosen fabrics. The Robert Allen fabric was a steal!

Only $1.95 from fabric.com, yep you heard me correctly!  We were so excited.  When we originally saw the fabric it was $6.99 which is a good price but when Melanie went back (and y’all know that is her real name right?!) it was even cheaper.  The bosporous toile which I have used and mentioned before can be found online at House Fabric. Melanie found it at Hobby Lobby and it was a bargain too with their coupon.  It will be big pillows for her sofa and antique church pew.  And yall, Big Mama has a sewing machine.  So this may get interesting.

Stay tuned.

{Big Mama also blogs here..check it out!}

Actually they are not slips, it is upholstery..sometimes that works better!

Oh how I wish I had a before picture of these chairs..they were nice but very, well stuffy..the new slips, from Beadboard Upcountry in Brenham, Texas, did just the trick!  What was once prissy and formal is now classic and casual, while maintaining the integrity of the chair…the little flange and big pleats are just right…and the linen..perfection!  I can’t wait to show the rest of this room..very fun..just like the homeowner!

and thanks Maryanne for all of your help!

{blurry photos shared via cell phone and an excited client’s texts messages after delivery! thanks Christy!}

Maybe you aren’t ready for a major redo or project…maybe just a few new pillows or simple window treatment is all you need or have time for. These fabrics from Calico Corners are perfect ..and don’t be intimidated if you go in their stores and notice things are a little different and much of the fabric is now special order…you can always order SAMPLES, for $7 and free shipping you can order 18 x 27 “swatches”..perfect for pillows.

What decorating goals do you have for your home in 2010???

these fabrics are so pretty…all very reasonable at good ol’ Hobby Lobby..the blue and the toile are linen..the damask too. actually they are all linen except the little diamond dot print.

we all know about HL’s coupon…and when these go 30% off or if they will allow you to use your 40% coupon..you can get these for around $12 a yard give or take..at that amazing price, these fabrics are great for big projects like long panels in the bedroom (the toile or damask would be so pretty on panels) or for shams or a bedskirt for a king bed…the little print would be great on armchairs….

So dont forget HL when looking for fabric..you might be surprised!