The Overwhelming World Of Textiles

By Kelly Rinik

Choosing a fabric can be as overwhelming as choosing a wedding gown!  So many beautiful options and shops to choose from!  I was recently trying to select fabric for my own Roman shade in my home and I was quickly overwhelmed. I'm normally pretty quick to make a purchase but this time, I found myself a bit of a fabric snob, being overly picky and I ordered a ton of samples of high end fabric (something I recently swore I wouldn't do!) I think working for a textile company has also made me more knowledgable about fabric and I can spot the difference between a nice fabric and a cheapo one. Also, my seemingly wealthy clientele have sent me some of the most gorgeous fabrics for their Roman shades over the past 2 years. 😀 So it's now safe to say I may be a bit of a textile snob when it comes to certain projects!  

Here are some of the different types of prints that are very popular to help you narrow down your selection and decide which style your eye is most drawn to. Once you decide on which pattern you like most, you can then search for the colors you like in that particular pattern type.  Often customers email me and say, "I don't know where to find fabric! Help!" It's as easy as using the search system called "THE GOOGLE." 😄 Simply type in "blue and grey geometric fabric" and you'll get a huge selection of online fabric stores pop up! 

Ikat Print-very popular lately.  looks like the colors are running. Tribal patterns. often very colorful. 

Ikat Fabric  

Damask Print-  often reversible. Usually two toned and has a swirly floral medallion pattern. 

Damask print  

Paisley Fabric- nice color mixes. Traditional and feminine. One of my personal favorites. 

Paisley Fabric 

Jacquard Fabric - usually has a texture to it. very classic and traditional. Can be very lavish. 

Jacquard Fabric

Geometric Fabric- modern and contemporary. Circles, sharp lines, different shapes. Many color options.  

Geometric fabric  

Floral Fabric - Classic and traditional. Can also be modern or country, depending on colors etc. 

Floral Fabric  

Jacobean Fabric - one of my favorites!! Love the color variation and beauty of the branches and flowers.  

Jacobean Fabric  

Ticking Stripe- also very popular. Timeless and traditional. Can go with many colors and styles. 

Ticking Stripe fabric  

Polka Dot Fabric- great for kids rooms. Traditional and fun. Many colors offered.   

Polka Dot Fabric  

Gingham Fabric- also very classic and traditional. Great for country style interiors.  

Gingham Fabric  

Basketweave Fabric- often textured. A great solution if you want a solid but do not want it to be too boring and to add some interest.  

Basketweave Fabric

Embroidered Fabric- another one of my favorites. Has a lot of intricate detail. Many times floral but also can be geometric and have other patterns. has a  raised thread texture to it. Many times it is light weight and silky. 

Embroidered Fabric

Houndstooth Fabric - often two toned and woven (heavier fabric)

Houndstooth Fabric  

Chevron Fabric- often two toned and found often in kids' rooms  

Chevron Fabric  

Calico - a small scale all over floral design in bright colors.

Calico Fabric  

Fretwork print/ Greek Key- usually a two toned type of geometric print. Has interlocking motifs. Another favorite of mine. 

Fretwork Fabric  

Kerchief Fabric- often colorful. Great for tapestries  

Kerchief Fabric  

Lattice - interlacing, crisscrossing pattern forming a network. Very popular and another one of my personal favorites.  

Lattice Fabric  

Art Deco- modern and contemporary. Decorative art. 

Art Deco Fabric

Measuring For Outside and Inside Mount Roman Shades

By Kelly Rinik

Measuring for roman shades may seem a little confusing at first, but it is very simple once you decide which style you'd like and all you need is a tape measure.  There are really no rules, but you want to make sure the entire glass portion of the window is covered completely and you have a place to drill the shades in. You also probably do not want the shade to go down past the window sill. 

Outside mount Roman shades may cover all of your trim or just part of your trim, but they always extend past the glass portion on the sides and top. It's really up to you where exactly you want it mounted. They may even extend past your trim and be mounted on your wall. Inside mount Roman shades just cover the glass portion of your window and do not extend past the glass onto the trim piece. 

Here are some photos with examples of the two styles and where to measure. As I mentioned, for the outside shades, you can measure any place on the trim piece or the wall. It's all up to you!  

Hopefully this is helpful in figuring out how to measure for Roman shades! :) 

Measuring for outside mount Roman shades  

Measuring for inside mount Roman shades  

Faux Roman Shades. All Faux Show!

By Kelly Rinik

Did you know that Sew Lovely also makes faux Romans shades? 😀 Why get a faux shade, you may ask? Faux shades are great because you can get the same look as a Roman shade but they stay in a stationary position and do not go up or down. No strings hanging down. You still get the lovely pleats of the shades too! They can be made on a wooden board, like my regular shades, or made with a rod pocket to hang from a rod. They also look great under curtain panels. So you may close the curtain panels for privacy and light control and then when they're opened, you'll expose the gorgeous faux shades behind them.  

Example of faux roman shades under window panels. These are not Sew Lovely's but I can recreate this look!

Faux Roman shades can be made at any width and length and using any fabric of your choice! 

Another example of faux Roman shades (not Sew Lovely's, but I can recreate the same look!) 

How to Install Sew Lovely Outside Mount Roman Shades

To help understand how the flat brackets are used for my outside mounted Roman shades, I have attached a photo. You'd first drill the screw into the top hole into the back of the board. Then you'd place the shade where you'd like it to go and drill through he bottom hole into your trim. You can also not use the mounts and simply drill directly into the board and into the trim or wall. You'll need a longer screw to do this method.  

Mounting an outside mount shade using flat brackets  

Roman Shades Look Great Under Drapes

There are many ways you can combine roman shades with other window treatments to create a stunning statement in your home! You can use them underneath drapes for a nice layered look, making the window area appear larger. So you can keep the Roman shades up to show off their beautiful pleats and then pull your drapes closed quickly when you want privacy or to block the light.  It's also a great way to add to your color scheme. 

Roman shades

Add a Pop of Color to a White Kitchen with a Roman Shade

By Kelly Rinik

White kitchens are very popular these days! Subway tile, white cabinets, grey and white floors create a clean and classic look. To add a pop of color and an eye catching beauty to your kitchen, try adding a Roman shade ! Just take a look at these beauties!  

Roman Shades are functional & stylish!

By Kelly Rinik

I found this blurb about Roman shades online and wanted to share !

"Shades and blinds allow you to dress your windows in a neat, uncluttered manner, control the amount of light that gets into a room, and enjoy unobstructed outdoor views when need be. Roman Shades are a practical choice of window treatment, providing light filtration, insulation, and privacy. In addition to fulfilling these needs, Roman Shades add vibrancy, texture and color to a bland room, converting it into an amazing space.

Your choice in shades is mostly dependent on the location of your windows, the type of light that they let in, and the views through them. Other than this, it is basically a matter of taste. Roman Shades can give any room a look that is similar to a drapery. This and other reasons have made these shades the fastest growing window treatment option today. They give rooms a great look, are relatively easy to install, and add tremendous value compared to traditional draperies. The following are some of the factors that you need to consider before purchasing Roman Shades to ensure that your choice of window covering delivers the intended effect.

Fabric, Design and Color

Considering that roman shades are meant to improve the general design of your room, color and design should be your first considerations. There are many beautiful fabrics to choose from including polyester, cotton, linen and silk, as well as different designs, like stripes, florals, solids, and patterns. If neutral colors dominate your room, you should select shades with a bold, colored pattern, in order to add depth and oomph using a muted color palate. Another advantage of this selection is their ease of replacement, in the event that you get tired of them, compared to brightly colored furniture or walls. If your room, on the other hand, is filled with bright colors, you can stimulate your sense of touch by opting for a neutral fabric with texture. Once you select a design that complements other materials and colors used in your room, you can proceed to examine other factors like the fold style and control option.

Fold Style

Roman Shades are available in a variety of fold styles, though flat and hobbled are the most popular. In the Flat Fold style, the fabric panels simply fold and unfold over the next, as you adjust the height of the shade. When the shade is raised, the pleats should lie flat, and stack up into each other. This style is ideal for those looking for a clean, modern look. If you are looking for a drapery look, then the Hobbled Fold style is the right choice. This style is characterized by large amounts of fabric gently cascading as you raise the shade. While the Flat style is common in casual settings, the Hobbled style is used in formal settings.

Other less popular fold styles include the European fold, which is similar to the flat fold style except for the curve at the bottom of the shade that forms a wide letter “U”; the reverse Fold style, which features straighteners built into the frame of the fabric to create neat, crisp fold when adjusting the shade; the Relaxed style, which has a flat shade with rounded folds at the bottom; and Tuscany Natural Grass style, which is a popular shade among interior designers due to its choice of materials, namely sisal, bamboo, rattan, reeds, and sea grass.

Control option

This is an important consideration, since it allows you to determine how much light can pass through. The most popular one is the Top down/Bottom up approach, which allows the user to lower the shade from the top, and raise it in a similar manner to a normal shade. This option is ideal for letting light in without compromising on privacy. This option has various variations depending on whether you prefer light to come through when closed, or total blockage. Some shades also have a cordless option. You may also have to choose between “Front Control” and “Back Control”, whereby the fabric in the former option is closes to the glass for easy control of light gaps, while the fabric in the latter option is farthest from the glass, when you want a clearance between your shade and window.

Type of Lining

Selecting a lining for your shade is optional. By adding a blackout liner to your shade, you can significantly enhance the privacy of your room. Alternatively, you can add room darkening. Besides increasing privacy, Roman shade liners also enhance the level of light that is not permitted into the room, allowing it to serve as a great window shade for media rooms and bedrooms.

Mounting Option

Before purchasing a Roman Shade, you must decide whether you want to mount it within the window casing (inside mount), or a couple of inches above the trim (outside mount). Using an inside mount enables you to utilize additional window treatments to the Roman shade. Outside mounts, on the other hand, allow your shades to be the center of attention, and no additional window treatments are necessary. In addition, you may select the edge binding to use with your roman shade, which is the material that is wrapped around the edges of the shade to provide a decorative frame.

Measure Height and Width

To ensure a good fit, you should make the correct measurements depending on whether your shade is an inside or outside mount. For inside mounts, you should factor in the depth of the window casing. This is because your shades might jut out too far if it is very shallow. Use a steel rule to measure the inside width and height of your window’s casing at three different points, and pick the narrowest and longest measure, respectively. Outside mounts are intended to cover the entire window, so you should include the mold when measuring the width, and the desired overlap for the height." 

Custom Roman shades  

Grosgrain Trim Roman Shades are Gorgeous !

By Kelly Rinik

Just finished up these grosgrain ribbon trim Roman shades and they're so pretty !   Add trim to your Roman shade from an extra touch :) 

Grosgrain Trim Roman Shades  

How To Install Inside Mount Roman Shades

By Kelly Rinik

Easy peasy ! Simply drill the two screws into the shade next to the bracket. On the other side , drill the bracket onto the wood in the same location. Then you would drill 2 screws into the inside of the window casing / frame 

Some great information when selecting fabric for your projects

December 21, 2015

By Kelly Rinik

This is helpful when choosing a patterned fabric for your project needs. Use one bold pattern (can be repeated) and the rest either solids or very subtle patterns that won't compete.

Source: New York Institute Of Art and Design Interior Design program

1.Proportion-
"Aim for suitability of proportion by relating the size of the pattern on an upholstery fabric to the size of the piece of furniture it will cover.

Big pieces of furniture can handle big design motifs. Small pieces of furniture cannot.

Does this mean that you should cover all big pieces of furniture—for example, all big sofas—with upholstery that features large, bold patterns? Absolutely not! It simply means that you can cover big pieces of furniture with such large-patterned fabrics.

On the other hand, you may decide to use a small-patterned or solid-colored upholstery fabric on a big sofa, too. Your choice will depend upon other factors that we’ll discuss in a moment."

2. Scale-
"Aim for suitability of scale by relating the size of the fabric patterns to the size of the room.
Again, the “rules” are pretty obvious. A large room can handle large patterns in the upholstery and the draperies. In fact, by using some large, patterned fabrics in such a large room, you give it the feeling of being smaller and more intimate because everything is in appropriate scale. On the other hand, were you to use only fabrics with itty-bitty patterns in such a large room, the room would appear even bigger by comparison, and would feel barn-like.

Does this mean that in a big room you should use only big-patterned fabrics? No. It means that you can use such fabrics selectively in such a room. In a moment, we’ll discuss how you can decide where to place such fabrics.

The converse is true, too. If big patterns are in better scale in large rooms, then small patterns (and solid colors) are in better scale in small rooms. Were you to use larger, more dynamic patterns in a small room, the room would appear even smaller by comparison, and would feel cramped."

3. Quality-
"Third, be sure that the fabrics you select are suitable in quality to all the other elements in the room.
You certainly don’t want to cheapen the effect of an otherwise elegant interior by saving a few dollars on inferior fabrics. Nor do you want to use an ostentatiously opulent fabric such as silk, when all the other furniture is covered with canvas for a knockabout, casual mood."

*********************************
How many bold patterns can you have in one room??

"If you stick to just one bold pattern per room, you won't have to worry about the pattern competing with others.

Select one to use the bold pattern on:

Flooring
Walls
Draperies
Furniture

If you are enthralled with a strongly patterned rug and want to use it, by all means do so. But don’t introduce other loud patterns into the room that will also scream for attention. They will be distracting and visually chaotic.

Here’s another possibility, If you love a wildly patterned wallpaper and think it would be appropriate for a given job, then go ahead and use the wallpaper as your major bold pattern in the room. But with such a wallpaper, you don’t want to use any other pattern that might compete with the upholstery, draperies, rug, or carpeting.

What about using a boldly patterned fabric on the sofa in a living room? It’s fine too, provided you don’t introduce competition from bold patterns on other pieces of furniture in the room, or on the walls, draperies, or flooring.

Thus, you can see that the basis of this plan is to use one bold pattern for drama and excitement, and then avoid introducing other bold patterns that might compete.
So, now you know where to start. Start by selecting the major patterned fabric you want to use in a room.

And the bold pattern in the rug will limit your choice of patterns in the upholstery, draperies, and wallpaper. Either keep them solid-colored, or use quiet patterns that won’t compete"

A Classic Approach-

A classic approach used by many successful designers is to do the draperies and the major upholstered pieces of furniture in one matching bold-patterned fabric. Then do the rest of the room in simple fabrics—either solid colors or small, non-competing patterns.
This is in line with the general plan of having only one major pattern in a room. We did not say that you could not repeat the same pattern in a few different places. In fact, the use of the same pattern on upholstery and draperies or wallpaper is one of the standards of many professional interior designs.

For example, in Figure 17 you see one possibility. You have used a bold fabric on the draperies and matching fabric on the sofa and the club chairs. Then, you’ve used solid colors in the rest of the room.

This is a safe-and-sound way for you to approach the distribution of pattern within a room. To repeat, do the draperies and a few of the major pieces of furniture in a matching bold-patterned fabric. Then, keep the rest of the decoration quiet. By quiet, we mean either solid-colored or with patterns that are subdued and will not compete for attention.

By following this simple plan, you can easily establish the decoration scheme for any room. An alternative is shown in Figure 18. Here you have used a matching pattern on the wallpaper and the sofa. This too works because you have kept the rest of the decor quiet. In this instance, you might have also used this same pattern on the club chairs, as in 18A, but this is beginning to be too busy. However, It might work, depending upon the actual pattern.
Source- NYIAD

The Best Type of Fabric For Your Window Treatment

Oct 1, 2015

By Kelly Rinik

With so many beautiful fabric options and websites out there it is pretty difficult to choose your fabric for your Sew Lovely window treatments!  The best type of fabric for roman shades is a decor fabric that is medium weight. Most sites will have a section called "decor or drapery fabric."  Certain fabric like satin, jersey knit or very thick or thin fabric would not work great for the roman shades.  I love the fabric choices on onlinefabricstore.net. Premier Prints is a very nice fabric with so many great pattern options. You can also use a shower curtain for a roman shade, provided the curtain is wide enough.   Cotton blends and linen work great for shades and drapes.