Finishing Touch for Pillows

This is a cute chair pillow I made for a client. It is a 1" boxed with contrasting welt. It's petite size (10" by 14") enables it to be an accessory anywhere. The first picture is the completed pillow without the button, and the second with. This finishing touch was just what was needed.

The Fastest Cheapest XmasTree Skirt

Every year as I am putting up the tree I think about the gorgeous Christmas tree skirt I should have made. I have lots of ideas I always do, but never seem to remember to actually create one. So I will share my secret for the cheapest last minute tree skirt. A round table cloth. Yes, you fold it in half, cut along the fold half way, make a circle cut in the middle. Turn under and stitch up the rough edges. Voila!

Preserve the Memories

Interior designer Susan Schenk has created a line of pillows that are made from those fab outfits you will never wear but still have. "Everyone has an outfit in the back of their closet that they have saved for years and just can't part with. The outfit reminds them of an event, or a time in their life they cherish." The garments are made into sophisticated pillows that can be incorporated in your home interior.

The dress above was worn by three little girls in a wedding. The memories are now preserved, and a beautiful pillow adorns the bed.

Kidneys on the Couch

When I first started custom sewing for interior designers I was confronted by the "kidney" pillow order. I had sewn pillows that looked like balls, pillows that looked like tuxedos, pillows that looked like flags or stars. I used all the geometry lessons I swore I would never need. But a kidney pillow? I'm thinking kidney beans that sort of oval shape with the dent in it. And exactly why would someone want such a thing? I lay awake in the dead of night as one always does with these sort of creative dilemmas. Finally, I confessed to the designer my insecurity with creating this pillow. She looked at me like I had just fallen from the sky, and proceeded to explain to me it was just a rectangle. A rectangle! Hundred of kidney pillows later I must say they are my favorite. The height /length dimensions are in a 2 to 3 ratio. The favorite sizes are 12" x 18" or 14" x 21. The smaller of the two fits nicely on a single proper chair, and the larger fits perfectly in an upholstered chair. Another great attribute of the kidney pillow is that it only requires one yard of trim, so you can splurge and get that fabulous trim, without spending a lot. For two pillows, you only need one yard of fabric and two yards of trim.

A Sweet Suite

Dnaegle Suite is a unique interior design concept for today's first time home owners. They provide several "design suites" consisting of fabric, paint, art and accessories enabling you to purchase everything at one shop. Easily transform your basic room into a well designed interior.

The perfect wrap around for winter.

Deborah Jarchow is inspired by color, exploring the endless ways different hues can be combined, blended and interwoven. As a full time weaver, she spends her days creating color palettes in hand woven fabrics. She is devoted to exploring the interplay of color and texture and how light reflects from the fibers. Her textiles are designed using a simple weave structure, or plain weave, so the rich color combinations and delicious fiber textures can be fully appreciated. This fascination with color translates into large scale wall hangings and sculptural forms that affirm her emotional connection to color. Deborah has a elaborate collection of scarves, throws and wall hangings available.

Vintage Jewelry

Gloria Bass scouts flea markets and swap meets looking for interesting pieces such as keys, typewriter keys (remember those?) and collectible jewelry pieces. She then creates necklaces, rings, and cuffs, no too are alike and each one is an interesting conversation piece. Dnaegle carries her Vintage Glo line in their store.