(More)Things to do with ...

....gorgeous fabrics from the remnant bin.

SO: a while ago Dylan helped me make drapes. I have to say that I just don't find making drapes that inspiring - I mean, you take a rectangle of fabric, and a rectangle of lining, and you sew them together to make a rectangle of drape. For excitement, you can sew on some gathering tape, and then as a finale, you can hem them. Oh la!

HOWEVER - the story of these particular drapes is that my friends, A & J, got excited by some Laura Ashley fabric that they wanted to use for their drapes. And quite rightly so, it is very lovely. However, being very lovely, and being Laura Ashley, it was very expensive - their windows are large, and the total cost of making and lining the drapes was staggering. So I suggested that they have plain drapes, and then buy a small amount of the fabric to make tie-backs, maybe some pillows, and whatever else might be used to accent a pretty grey and white bedroom. They ended up buying some of the fabric that they had originally chosen - Floral One - also a smaller piece - Floral Two - and a small striped piece. (I don't know if they actually were remnants, but they are remnant size and the three of them together would make a meter or so. Being home decor fabrics, these fabrics are lovely and wide - as wide as Rhode Island maybe. (Well, ok, maybe not, but they are very wide).

From right to left, Floral One, Floral Two and Stripes

Making the plain drapes was my before Christmas project, then on this past weekend, I  got to do the fun part - being creative with their beautiful fabric (which was SO very nice to work with). First tiebacks, made this way. I used Floral One, but I cut loops out of the striped fabric as a little contrast.

 

The finished tie backs. (These photos do not do these fabrics justice. They are much more striking in person).

Trying them out on my own livingroom drapes. Tied like this ....

... or like this.

 

Next, I cut triangles out of the striped material, and sewed them back together to make a square. I used Floral One for the reverse side of the pillow, then pulled the pillow tight in the middle with some thread, and attached self-covered buttons. What a long process to decide whether to use the striped button on the striped side, or the floral button on the striped side - decision made, here is the outcome:

The first side, with floral button on stripes.

The other side, with striped button on floral.

I also made a larger pillow out of Floral One- and inset a zipper like these ones. And forgot to take a photo of it. But, you can see it below in this photo:

The fabric lying on top of the two pillows is Floral Two, which I have not done anything with yet.

I still have enough striped material to bias cut and make some piping, also enough of Floral One for a pajama bag or something - but what to do with Floral Two? I love this part - so many ideas, and lots of tossing them around to decide what to do. Lamp shade? Cut into largish squares, combined with plain fabric for a quilted throw? Cosmetic bag? Placemat for a reading-in-bed snack tray? What else? And how much is too much? I don't know - YET! (Maybe I'll consult the owners).

And, speaking of Dylan, I leave you with ... the Princess and the Frog:

Comments

[Alex]

So very very very pretty. Those tie backs & pillows will make someone very happy. Oh wait that's me! THEY ARE SO LOVELY! I can't wait to try them out.

[NoirGirl]

Kudos on that lovely striped pillow! It's hard to get all those stripes to line up just right. I like the contrasting fabrics on the covered buttons. Good choice! Those tiebacks are a work of art too! I vote for pajama bag and lampshades for the rest of that LA fabric. I don't think it's possible to have too much Laura Ashley.

[Raina]

Like WOW! You did a fabulous job. I really like those tie-backs, so class looking and the button pillow - to die for. The fabric does look amazing and yeah, I know what you mean. Laura Ashley is fabulous but EXPENSIVE.

[Julia]

I think you've transformed those curtains with the tie backs. I love what you've done with that strippy fabric and the cushion too. That's not easy to do in my opinion (and experience :( ) So, I can really appreciate the skill that went into it. As for for Dylan well.... that pose says it all really! Extremly regal.

Recent blog post: Take a look; Crafteroo and UKHandmade

[Kyoko]

Oh, I thought I posted a comment before. May be I didn't click the right button!
I love the cushions you made. The stripes matches exactly! Yes the fabrics are gorgeous!
Please do say hello to lovely Dylan!
p.s. I have given you the award for the blog (detail on my post). Hope that's OK!