Here’s the finished version:

Take your fabric and cut into strips that are about a foot longer in length than they need to be, and in ...]]> I needed a somewhat fashionable curtain for our bedroom, and wasn’t having an easy time of explaining what I wanted to a seamstress. After trying a few times to find an affordable option in the stores, I gave up and created my own bohemian version (i.e. I didn’t pull out the machine and sew the seams).

Here’s the finished version:

Take your fabric and cut into strips that are about a foot longer in length than they need to be, and in whatever width you desire. I chose varying widths. Thicker widths create more coverage and larger knots, thinner widths create the opposite.

Gather each strip and create a loop at the top with the extra 12 inches of fabric.

Put the loop underneath your curtain rod with the fabric facing the opposite direction it will eventually fall. Pull the fabric over the top of the curtain rod and through the loop. If you have fabric that is patterned on one side, make sure the pattern shows up correctly.

What the knots look like finished:

Voila!  A new curtain for minimal cost and time.

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Posted in: crafts, decor, fabric

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{Desire to Inspire}

{Elle Decor}

{Decorpad}

I think they add a little drama to a room, and who doesn’t want that?

I had a basic Ikea floor lamp in my living room just begging for some drama so I decided to recover it. Below are step by step instructions.

First, you’ll want to make a pattern for the fabric you’ll use to cover your lampshade.  It doesn’t have to be exact, but it needs to be close so ...]]> I have an obsession with black lampshades:

{Desire to Inspire}

{Elle Decor}

{Decorpad}

I think they add a little drama to a room, and who doesn’t want that?

I had a basic Ikea floor lamp in my living room just begging for some drama so I decided to recover it. Below are step by step instructions.

First, you’ll want to make a pattern for the fabric you’ll use to cover your lampshade.  It doesn’t have to be exact, but it needs to be close so you will make sure you have enough fabric, but not so much that it’s hard to work with.  I used butcher paper.

Next, trace it onto your fabric (which you’ve ironed first) with chalk, and then cut it out.

After cutting it out, you’ll want to start gluing it to the shade.  I used a clip (you can use a clothes pin) to hold one end to the shade while I started at the other.  Start with the seam at the back of your shade, and then work your way around gluing both the top and the bottom as you go.  Depending on your shade and the fabric you use, you may be able to use fabric glue, but I found that hot glue worked better for me. ( Just make sure that you don’t get too thick of a bead of glue.)

Don’t worry that the fabric edges aren’t perfect.  Trim the fabric as close to the edges of the shade as you can, and trim the overlap on the back seam so that it is straight.

Now you are ready for the trim.  I used black friction tape which can be found alongside electrical tape at most home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.  I chose the friction tape because it is self-adhesive fabric tape.

I placed one strip along the seam, and then started around the top,  folding half the tape over the top edge.  Go slowly so that you don’t wrinkle up the tape too much, but you can fix the tape if you make any mistakes – it doesn’t permanently adhere, so you can peel it back and re-stick if you need to.

Repeat the same process along the bottom of the shade, and finish with another strip along the seam – next to your first strip, slightly overlapping it.  This last strip should cover the ends of the tape at the top and bottom of the shade.

All finished!  Now you can stand back and admire your new custom recovered lampshade!

*Note: If you can, remove the shade from the lamp during this process.  My shade was permanently attached to the lamp so I was couldn’t, but it should come as no surprise that  it would be much easier to recover if you can.

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But here’s the thing: I really don’t like old-fashioned quilts. In fact our nursery is very bold, modern, and ...]]> I’m in full baby-nursery mode these days, my dears. And I’d like your help with something: a baby quilt. No, I’m not sewing one myself because that would require me knowing how to sew. But my loving mother has decided she simply MUST sew a baby quilt for her first-born grandchild. (And did I mention over here….it’s going to be a BOY!)

But here’s the thing: I really don’t like old-fashioned quilts. In fact our nursery is very bold, modern, and not at all traditional (pictures of updates to follow). So I think that a modern baby quilt would be the best for her to make but it’s hard to find a cute pattern out there. Probably part of the problem is that I focus on the colors of the quilt instead of the actual pattern. But ours will probably be full of aquas, oranges, yellows, and bright greens if that helps create a mental image in your mind.

I used my Googling skillz to find a few ideas and want your input. A few websites out there offer a TON of gorgeous ideas, so here we go:

1. Modern Cotton Quilt by Red Pepper :

2. Sew Girly! Bird quilt:

3. A zig zag quilt by Red Pepper, I think this one is a ‘coin quilt’ style:

4. Modern patchwork baby/toddler quilt by Red Pepper

5. Munki in the Middle quilt by Film in the Fridge

6. Film in the fridge picnic quilt:

So whaddya think? Aren’t they all gorge? Any faves? Or any other suggestions for fun, modern baby quilting sites?

Some day I shall learn to sew. Until then, Mom is doing a fabulous job being the fabric queen in the family!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: beautiful things, fabric, pregnancy, sewing

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And really, is that so bad?  I mean, does it get any better than a virtual marketplace, accessible with the click of a button, filled with wares created by amateur and professional artists alike from around the globe?

Nope.  Didn’t think so.

My latest decorating obsession is pillows.  Funky throw-pillows seem to me to be one of the most economical ways to liven up a dull space… like cushy fluffs of art!   ...]]> Hello.  My name is Kate and I’m addicted to Etsy.

And really, is that so bad?  I mean, does it get any better than a virtual marketplace, accessible with the click of a button, filled with wares created by amateur and professional artists alike from around the globe?

Nope.  Didn’t think so.

My latest decorating obsession is pillows.  Funky throw-pillows seem to me to be one of the most economical ways to liven up a dull space… like cushy fluffs of art!   Revamp your old, worn out pillows with vibrant pillow-covers that you can interchange with the season (or your mood!).   Or, purchase a “statement pillow” (totally just made that up) to spruce up an entire room.

Considering my Etsy Infatuation, it shouldn’t come as much surprise that I’m scratching this pillow itch quite nicely with homemade finds…

Check out seller Alexandra Ferguson - how ridiculously fabulous are these felt pillows?

And the best part? Each pillow is made from approximately 4 recycled plastic water bottles, so your couch can be accessorized and smugly green!

How about LindyLou’s punchy covers?  At $10 – $20 a pop, they are perfect for switching up often!

A little more reserved, White Twig offers pillow covers with a calm, natural vibe.

Here’s White Twig creation featured in our second guest room:

What are your current decorating obsessions?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: around the house, beautiful things, decor, fabric, simple solutions, style

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To make a hem, you’ll want to fold the fabric over the tape and iron it.  For the bottom hem, I repeated this, so ...]]> I’m back with a project that is so easy, anyone can do it.  Curtain panels made with heat bonded hem tape.  This is a great project because it allows you to use almost any type of fabric you like, and make them as long as you need.  The best part – you don’t need a sewing machine.

To make a hem, you’ll want to fold the fabric over the tape and iron it.  For the bottom hem, I repeated this, so it’s folded over and heat bonded twice, which just gives a stronger hem.  For the top, I only folded it over once.

Since I used a fabric that didn’t have a definite selvedge, it looks like it’s self-finished, I didn’t need to hem the edges.  If you do need to hem the edges, you can repeat this process for the sides.

Now that my panels are finished, all I needed to do was attach curtain ring clips to the top at equal intervals and hang them up!

My total cost for this project, including fabric (I used five and a half yards total, cut in half), hem tape, curtain rod and rings was under $75.00.  And I love my new curtains!

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Posted in: crafts, decor, fabric

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I love reader Moda Bake Shop for the constant supply of great fabric crafts.  I especially love this braided rag rug.  You can find instructions here and a kit to make the rug here (you know, if you don’t want to make it out of actual rags).

If you love the look but don’t have the time to create it, you can buy a finished rug from Uptown Jane, the Esty seller who created the tutorial and kit!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs ...]]>

I love reader Moda Bake Shop for the constant supply of great fabric crafts.  I especially love this braided rag rug.  You can find instructions here and a kit to make the rug here (you know, if you don’t want to make it out of actual rags).

If you love the look but don’t have the time to create it, you can buy a finished rug from Uptown Jane, the Esty seller who created the tutorial and kit!

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Posted in: crafts, fabric

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Perfectly whimsical, and perfect for children.

Or adults who refuse to grow up.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It! Posted in: children, fabric, gift guides Join us here too! EAD Weddings, Message Boards, Bulletin Board, The EAD Library

Moleskin Journal Cover from Keyka Lou Patterns via Sew Mama Sew.

I’ve been looking for small projects on which to sharpen my sewing skills.  This definitely fits the bill.  It’s part of the Fat Quarter Project over at Sew Mama Sew.

In other sewing news, I’ve always wondered why they call these squares of fabric fat quarters.  It seems insulting, don’t you think.  I finally Googled and found this explanation at MarthaBeth.com:

If the shop measures off half a yard (18″) beyond the ...]]>

Moleskin Journal Cover from Keyka Lou Patterns via Sew Mama Sew.

I’ve been looking for small projects on which to sharpen my sewing skills.  This definitely fits the bill.  It’s part of the Fat Quarter Project over at Sew Mama Sew.

In other sewing news, I’ve always wondered why they call these squares of fabric fat quarters.  It seems insulting, don’t you think.  I finally Googled and found this explanation at MarthaBeth.com:

If the shop measures off half a yard (18″) beyond the cut made from the bolt for the previous customer, you’ll get a piece that has two selvages and is 18″ long between the two cuts. If the fabric is 50″ wide, as in the first example, your half-yard cut will be 50″ w x 18″ h. This is a rather skinny rectangle. Great for bellpulls and small projects, of course, but not for a large project.

A “fat” cut (called a “fat half” in this example) is when a full yard is cut off the bolt, and then this piece is cut halfway between the selvages. Now your piece has only one selvage and is 25″ w x 36″ h. This is more nearly square and is a more useable shape and size for a large piece of needlework.

In both cases, your fabric has 900 square inches (50 x 18).

So there you have it, the definition of fat quarter AND a project for the weekend!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: fabric

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