Thursday, January 7, 2010

All sewed up!


That is correct..I finished the blankety-blank curtains. Far Guy did such a great job upstairs finishing the window trim..I told him I would have the curtains sewn by Thanksgiving..well that didn't happen..but I did get them done in time for Christmas. They are up..it was a struggle. I designed them..they are lined..I will never line another thing in my entire life. I got better using a seam ripper..I got to be a better measurer. Jo came over and offered suggestions... about hems ..etc..she sews. Far Guy even helped me one day..I worked for ten minutes trying to get my bobbin filled with thread..I began to bawl and he came to my rescue. I finally admitted defeat, my sore shoulder just would not allow me to work with the heavy fabrics anymore. I asked Far Guy for help and he measured and trial fitted and I sewed and he helped to hold the heavy fabric and we got it done.



I had just enough fabric..my in the ballpark guess was pretty close. I think I need some decorative round tension rods..I just used a couple of older rods that I had lying around. The fabric is heavy..it is upholstery fabric. Why did I use upholstery fabric? Because I liked the print!



I designed the curtains for the French Door upstairs. French Doors are a pain in the butt. I did not want curtain rods..I just wanted something simple. So one day when I was in a Designers Challenge mood ..I thought up my design and sewed it up in my head.  It is so much easier to sew in your head!!  When I was reasonably sure it would work..I gave it a whirl. I wanted something that looked sleek with no rod. So i just sewed a panel..note I did try to match the horizontal seam.. the left curtain is perfect..the right curtain is way off..but life is not perfect all the time. My sewing skills leave much to be desired.



The panels look nice when they are down and when you want the panel up..you just roll it up and use the tabs to hold it in place. I still need to take them to Jo's one day so she can serge the edges for me..I just want a serged edge. The top and bottoms are hemmed nicely..and the curtain is held in place with Velcro..the kind that is glued on! If I could have glued the entire curtain together I would have. Many times during this project..which took six weeks to finish..no I did not sew everyday..some days I would just sit there and imagine it sewed.. ..I wanted to quit. I bellyached and bitched..I just do not have the tolerance or the talent to sew. At times I thought that I would never finish them, at times I hoped I would just be struck dead so I could be put out of my misery.  Far Guy wanted out of my misery too.  The tabs that I sewed together for the french doors were supposed to be simple.  Just strips of fabric sewn together and then turned right side out..the material was so thick I had to turn it with a strong pin..thread by thread.  Finally I got them done and attached the Velcro..and the glue was not strong enough to hold..I tried to hand sew them on..the residue from the  glue made it so difficult that Far Guy had to use a pliers to pull the needle through.   I am sure that there are lots of you gals that sew that could have whipped these together in an afternoon.. I procrastinated way too long with this project..I am really glad it is all sewed up:)

24 comments:

Sunny said...

I think you did a great job and I love the fabric.
Sunny :)

West Side of Straight said...

YES YOU DID A GREAT JOB! FUNNY - I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR BELLY ACHING AT OUR HOUSE! MUST HAVE NOT BEEN TOO LOUD! YES-GETTING A NEEDLE THROUGH ANYTHING THAT HAS THAT GLUE IS A B_____! THEY LOOK GREAT!

Anonymous said...

I love that fabric. The log homes we look at on the internet that are furnished have fabric very similar to this and I think it is perfect. The last time I made a shower curtain, I decided that was it for my sewing days.

Gail said...

You did a great job! Look at all the laughs you gave us with your description of construction.

They are beautiful and look very professional. When you admire your curtains, you will know, you can do anything you set your mind to do.

Mary said...

The fabric looks like the perfect choice for your log home. It's a shame to cover your beautiful views, anyway.....unless you have nosy neighbors.

Unknown said...

Those look great! They fit your home perfectly. I am jealous of your sewing skills. I love those window seats too!

L. D. said...

I like the curtains, the fabric actually will be great for energy savings, once you shoulder stop hurting. We get to snoop into all your stuff on the shelve this way. It is always fun to see people through the things they collect. I like the green jar with lid, that I assume came from one of those Kitchen Klatter cupboards. The old photo on the wall is an interesting one too. You should blog it's history. I like your house, and it has been good to get the upstairs finished. I know what it takes to get around to it.

g said...

Job well done! Boy, do I know the feelings you went through. My artsy years are now in the past, I tell V that if I ever start talking "doing constructive things that require a sewing machine, needles, paint, material...."(you get the pic)...shoot me....I don't need the stress. Your project looks great...(I'll admit...the handiwork award definately goes to my sister...she is talented!)

TxFarmhouse said...

You get my vote! They look great. I'm still trying to decide what kind of curtains to put up in my bedroom. I really want something like a roll-up shade because I love looking outside all day but then want the privacy at night. I love the way you did yours on the french doors. I give you a huge pat on the back from Texas.
Berte

demainca said...

Hey, you got it done, What more could you have wanted and they fit! Far Guy helped too. Honestly great job! The only person that knows they aren't even is really you so who cares the door is covered. Me and the seam ripper are great friends couldn't sew without it. My daughter wanted me to make a nap mat cover, I asked what the heck is that?? She described it and gave me the measurements said she wanted it out of flannel and a pillow attached. All of this to someone who sews by the seat of her pants
No pattern to be found! So I am not finished yet. I'll let you know how that turns out!!
Congrats, On your great job!!!

carolina nana said...

WOW! THE CURTAINS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND WE MUST HAVE THE SAME TASTE BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY THE SAME FABRIC ON THE NEW CHAIRS I JUST BOUGHT!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

The curtains and shades are great. I'm sorry you had such a hard time sewing them. I'm glad you told your trials in such a manner we all got a good laugh over it. Isn't it great when we can just laugh about it. The results no matter how difficult are beautiful.

Have a great day and enjoy those curtains. God bless!!!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I had a project last year that made me crazy, too. It made me not want to sew anything ever again. A few months later, I worked with easier fabric and really enjoyed it. Your curtains look great, and the lining will help with temperature control and will prevent fading. Good job!

gayle said...

You really did do a great job!!

Michelle said...

They look great. That fabric is perfect for your home. You have inspired me. I have curtain fabric for three different rooms piled up in a closet. I should just do it and get it over with...maybe you should come help :-)

RURAL said...

Good on you for persevering, frankly, I think I would have taken a match to them if they had caused me that much grief.

You did a lovely job, they look marvelous.

Jen

Emma Rose said...

You are very brave to sew upholstery fabric! Yikes!! But you did a great job. They look wonderful. I had such fun "visiting" your beautiful home today by enlarging the pictures. I have a can like the one on your shelf (behind the glass doors. Mine is filled with buttons - lot's and lot's of buttons!!!

Emma sends kisses for Chance :)

Leah said...

They look great and I'm glad you finished....I have a tendency to say "oh well" -- or better yet take them to mom "Jo"...

LadyFi said...

I didn't realize you were so handy with needle and thread! Love the fabric!

linda m said...

They look very nice; you did a good job. Love the fabric, it looks good in that room.

DayPhoto said...

Once more, Far Side, you amaze you with your amazing skills.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

The Retired One said...

I had to smile when I read your description of your struggles.
I have started many projects only to regret them midway. ha
But your final project looks GREAT!
We have a log home with tongue and groove inside, so your interior reminded me of our home.
Isn't the wood just the warmest, coziest feel when you live in it? I LOVE ours too.

Anonymous said...

I know the feeling;) They turned out well and go great with the wood.

Unknown said...

I think the fabric choice is perfect! And heavy fabric will insulate the house!

You did a good job, but I couldn't help but chuckle thinking about Far Guy using pliers to pull a needle.,;D