The large arched window in the dining room of my friend Lynda's home is framed by gorgeous pink window treatments. Lynda fell in love with this pink "button" fabric. The fabric is tufted into little "buttons" in a diamond pattern. I made floor length panels with the "poof" being made from a coordinating plaid fabric. We then added beautiful tone on tone floral print cafe sheers with a tassel trim detail. They turned out beautifully!
.JPG)
A few short weeks after the installation, Lynda called. She was very calm and collected but informed me in a strained voice that she had been dog-sitting for her daughter and the dog had decided to snack on the curtains. She was devastated!
I apologize, but I never thought to take a picture of the damage. (This was before my blogging days!) Since the damage was contained at the bottom of the panels, I decided to add a gathered "skirt". (You can see the before HERE.)
We bought enough matching fabric to add a gathered skirt that was 1.5x's full and attached it to the bottom of each panel. Each "skirt" is 30" long. This actually added another cute layer of detail to the treatments. It was a great solution to repair the damage.
.JPG)
This same idea could be used to repair, lengthen or just change up an existing set of draperies. Contrasting or coordinating fabrics could be used instead of matching fabric. Trim could also be sewn along the seam line for different detail.
Installation Tip!
DID YOU KNOW...that you can mount a support bracket into the frame of your windows? Depending on the weight of the window treatment, center support brackets are a good idea, if not necessary, for any window wider than 4'.
We hung the sheer cafe from a black wrought iron rod. Over time these rods have a tendency to bow in the middle so a center support bracket is necessary. This one large window was actually comprised of three windows, therefore 2 brackets were used. (Visible in the first picture.)
Using metal screws, we carefully installed the support bracket directly into the metal frame of the window. Once the sheers are hung, the bracket is hardly noticeable.
Do you have a window dilemma? Maybe this Solution or Tip will work for you!
Have a Blessed Day!
LINKING TO:
Oh my. I'll bet she was sick when she found the damage. It looks like you came up with a fantastic solution, though. They're beautiful! La
ReplyDeleteDear Sonya ~ Your friend's window treatment is breathtaking! You are SO, SO TALENTED! I am in the process of learning to sew so I can make these sorts of things for my home because I love dreamy window treatments. Unfortunately, I am proving to be a slow learner but I'm not going to give up, especially when I'm constantly inspired by you! Thanks for the tips too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful treatments, Sonya! I love the sheers as well. I like this look myself and I did it over the Summer months to allow more light in. I liked the privacy the sheers provided {as my dining room windows are right at the front of the house where the walkway to the front door is}. I don't know that I would have been as calm as your friend, but I'm glad to hear you were able to help her out.
ReplyDeleteG'morn, Sonya ~
ReplyDeleteI would have been devastated ... good thing she had you to fall back on for a beautiful repair.
Have a beautiful week.
TTFN Hugs, Marydon
Sonya, those are so gorgeous! What a great idea for fixing the problem! The panels remind me of a ball gown and you really have created such a beautiful custom treatment. I never would have known that you could hang a support bracket right on the window! I will have to remember that one. :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
You're soooo talented! I say all the time that I wish I could sew.
ReplyDeleteHi Sonja, these are just gorgeous, love the matching fabrics. My daughter has 12 ft ceilings and her mil ran out of material making "damask" drapes so used a black to finish them. Even better than they would have been. Love knowing these design tricks.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Debra
Love the fabric and the window treatment! Does it come in other colors???? Is it a faux silk type of fabric? I am making ruffle bottom panels for a client now out of silk, and she doesn't have doggy damage. Its just luxurious!
ReplyDeleteThese window treatments are GORGEOUS! Love, love, love that fabric, and your solution is perfect...extra cuteness never hurts!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I know she was SO thankful for your creativity!!
ReplyDeleteLou Cinda :)
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and spent the last hour cruising your archives. LOVE your work! We are also the match but don't match girls. My daughter and I work together.
ReplyDeleteStop by and check us out when you have time and click on the Lucky Peach link on the right side bar to see my daughter's painted furniture. It looks like we probably love the same styles.
Have a wonderful week!
I did not know you could do that. It certainly is the solution to our bedroom window dilema! Thanx for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips, Sonya. I especially like adding the ruffle because mishaps happen. In our house it's usually water damage :(. xoxo, Kim
ReplyDeleteConsidering I used to have male dogs, I assumed there would be some marking incident in this story as well.
ReplyDeleteYou'd never know these were "fixed curtains". You did a good job at making them look like you meant for them to look this way all along. Love the fabric choice too.
very clever solution. those drapes are beautiful. i love pink, but i think my husband would have something to say about me having that much fun in one room! popping in from tatertos and jello!
ReplyDeleteHi Sonya,
ReplyDeleteThese drapes are GORGEOUS!! I love them! You did a great job and they came out absolutely stunning! Would love to have you join my decorating party sometime- just beautiful! :)
They look so beautiful you should be happy the dog chewed on them. ha! They really are pretty
ReplyDelete