2018: A Drape Odyssey (Adventures of a Sewing Novice)

Fascination with Fineries - Interior Decor

I've always had a penchant for fineries in fabric decor - not gaudy, but #stylishlyelegant #jacquards, #brocades, #silks, #voiles. The most important factor was that they had to hang sleekly and blend with the rest of the interior design. In the past, I have paid a tidy sum for custom drapes to fit my decorating style. Growing up with a mother and sisters who sewed, we never had to pay for sewing drapes or clothes, so the exorbitant charges for custom drapes always troubled me. The unfortunate thing was that I never learned to sew, even though I had a great eye for color and design as proven throughout my career in marketing!

Branching Out - Learning New Skills

After ending my last work assignment at the end of 2017, I wanted to learn new skills and devote some time to channel the sewing abilities of my late mother and sisters. After selecting the paint colors and wallpaper (endorsed by my husband), I decided to pick the fabrics to match the decor of each room to reflect the personalities of our family and also create a luxurious guest room to make our guests feel pampered.

Novice on a Mission: Plan into Action

In April, I set out on my #DrapeOdyssey with a tour of YouTube - choosing the different types of valances for each room because I wanted each room to have its own vibe. In the weeks that followed, YouTube would be my tutor in creating what I would consider my masterpieces representing a sophisticated and refined look that was still warm and livable.
I took a trip to New York City's garment district and found my #decorparadise at Prime Fabrics on 35th Street. My eyes feasted on luscious #silks, luxurious #jacquards from #brocades to every imaginable weave. Although I hadn't taken swatches of the wallpapers and paint, my innate ability of matching colors proved a great asset.

Fabric Textures and Styles

Bedroom 1 was dedicated to my son. Cream and gold were the accent colors so I chose a brocatelle in cream and golden copper for the drapes and a rich plain gold silk for #balloonvalances. This provided some color against the light wallpaper. For #privacy, I chose an off-white #voile with a woven pattern (not shown in pictures).

Bedroom 2 was dedicated to my daughter. Red and Beige were her accent colors so I chose a red and beige brocade for the box pleated valance and a plain beige silk jacquard for the drapes. #Voile privacy #sheer curtains would complete the look.

Bedroom 3 was the #guestroom with blue and gold. I chose a plain #antiquegold silk with a large border of an imperial brocade in blue and gold for the drapes. The #boxpleatedvalance would be the #imperialbrocade in blue and gold.

The living/family room was my statement piece - with my signature #redandgold. The #swagvalances would be in a red jacquard with the same design in gold for the pinch pleated drapes.

Fast and Furious - To the Finish Line

Patience and I have not been the best partners throughout my life, and I wanted the drapes to be done fast and furiously, so I could move on to other things. My trusty two year old #BrotherProjectRunway #sewingmachine had only been used once shortly after I bought it when my close childhood friend visited me and we sewed some skirts for me.The fact that the styles I had chosen were very complex for a novice like me who had no sewing training should have put a normal person off. But, like every #challenge I have faced in my personal and professional life, I faced it with the knowledge that I could learn fast!  

Lessons Learned - Purveyor of Style

• Staying on course and not giving in to frustration, I completed my drapes to my utter satisfaction! 
• I would not accept sacrificing quality in the interests of time.
• Details matter!Trim details gave an additional touch for a nice finish. 
• Sewing terminology and fabric textures were new territory to me. But, this proved again that I can learn any new skill when I set my mind to it.
• A purveyor of style ... I do have discriminating taste!