Why Buy Custom Drapery or Roman Shades?

By Kelly Rinik

Considering an entire room when designing custom window treatments can unify the theme of a room perfectly. Extending custom treatments throughout your home helps tie together design elements and tells your own, unique story. It is easy to get a “designer look” in your own home with a few quick tips.

Consider style. Is it casual or formal? Are you drawn towards clean, contemporary lines, or are you looking for a more ornate, lush effect?

• Examine function. Do you need to control light? Does the heat from the sun overwhelm the room, or is it cold and drafty?
• Get inspired. Comb through magazines, online design galleries, or even television and the movies. Learn what looks are trending or discover what catches your eye.
• Look to nature. Color, texture, design. Bring the outdoors in and frame your landscape as you would a piece of fine artwork.
• Choose your fabric. Start with five to ten samples of fabrics you really love. Order samples to see how they work in your space and light.
• Create. Try a monochromatic backdrop with pops of color as accents or bold statement fabrics as contrast.
• Balance and Harmonize. Distribute a dominant color or pattern around the room and accent with coordinating colors and patterns.
• Mix and match. Don’t be afraid to combine colors, textures and patterns. Play with scale and experiment with blending.
• Almost done! Look at your space with a critical eye. Do you need to consider a light switch or thermostat? Is the window frame deep enough for an inside mounted shade? Don’t forget the details.
• Have fun! And make your space your own.

COLOR? CHOOSE ANYTHING
When you opt for custom, anything is possible. The wide selection of fabrics makes the choice of colors and patterns nearly limitless.

ADD YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
Super formal or super fun. Project your style by choosing a print that tells a story, add custom borders to drapes, or layer window treatments with panels, shades and valances. Finish the look with gorgeous hardware.

GO GREEN AND SAVE ENERGY
Functional drapes can add to the energy efficiency of your home. Thermal lining can block drafts and protect against damaging sun.

CUSTOM MEANS IT WILL BE BUILT TO OPERATE ON YOUR WINDOW
Custom window treatments can be functional or decorative, fabricated to your exact measurements and created to operate flawlessly. Choose a design that softly filters light or opt for complete block out. Alter, compliment or obscure a view in the room or outside. With custom drapes, shades and valances, you will be sure to achieve your design objectives.

QUALITY
Fine fabrics and expert craftsmanship combine to bring you the highest quality window treatments that cannot compare to off-the-shelf options. Custom treatments are hand finished and designed to last. Consider them an investment in beauty and function.

My Etsy Experience. From Hobby To Business

By Kelly Rinik

Make money from home!  Turn your hobby into a business!  We've heard this before.  While it seems simple enough to do, it actually takes a lot of patience, dedication and hard work to turn it into a reality.  In the end, it really is a great way to make extra money, it makes you feel rewarded and it can be fun at times also.  You don't need to have the very best product out on the market or the most extraordinary skills to have your own Etsy shop, but you do need to have a quality product and a good shop image to get you recognized.  You need to find ways to get customers to click on your shop over someone else's.  If you have some sort of product, however small it may be, you too can make money from an Etsy shop.   

I always enjoyed making crafts growing up.  Never a great artist but I did always enjoy crafting, making dolls, costumes, decor etc.   For a long time, I tried to think of different ideas and inventions and come up with a good product that I could make and sell.  There were a few reasons why I was motivated to do this.  I was not very happy at my current job in television and wanted an exit, another job that would make me feel challenged and accomplished.  I also needed the extra money to buy a house.  I had gotten a headband for running and it had a gimicky marketing image.  It seemed to be such a simple headband but I noticed that the way it was marketed and the image of the company was what made people probably love it.  I thought to myself, "Such a simple thing.  Something I could easily make.  A piece of fabric with a backing and elastic and it's selling like crazy!"  I then tried to make my own and it came out exactly the same.  

I always wanted to be original, so I did not want to copy anyone else's ideas or make the same headband, so I thought of how I could put a twist on it and try to give people a reason to choose my headband over any other out there.  I think it's a great idea to take any simple product that you know people love, and just put your own twist on it.  My idea was to make fabric patterend headbands and sell interchangeable pieces that snap to the side of the headband.  It was one headband with a lot of different looks.  You would be able to personalize your own headband.  I got to work quickly, and started sitting at my sewing machine for hours and hours making and perfecting my headbands and taking photos of them.  I bought felt characters and ballet shoes and cute little dogs and cat felties and added snaps to all of them and a snap to the headband.  I sold the snap on accessories separately.  So you'd buy a headband and then choose your snappies to add on.  My shop, Be Snappy, was born!

Opening an Etsy shop is very simple and it's free to join.  You have to think of a name for your shop and it can't be one that is already taken.  You then have to give a description for your shop and start adding product listings.  I started by adding drafts of products before publishing them all and doing my "grand opening" just to be sure I had a lot of products on there for the big opening because I don't like to do anything half-assed.  I think a shop should have a good amount of products, over 20 is good.  Once you publish your listing you then need to provide a credit card to Etsy and pay for the listing.  Each listing is only about .20 cents to publish it.  You can edit the listing at any time.  There are, of course, a lot of fees that come with it.  Etsy charges a processing fee and a monthly fee.  You get about 3% deducted from a sale that goes to Etsy processing.  Then you get another 3% or so deducted and you're billed every month for those deductions.  I do feel it's still worth it bc Etsy is a great way to manage your shop and a great source of traffic comes through Etsy, compared to just directly on a website.  To give you an idea, I've had 30,000 views that came direct from Etsy shoppers searching for roman shades.  I've had 14,000 views from other sources.  It's very easy to manage your orders via Etsy and create custom listings.  Even though the fees stink, it is worth it to me because I've been very happy with Etsy as a selling outlet and company itself.  

I started selling headbands to mostly friends who were kind enough to buy them.  I got a lot of orders from sports teams and people doing races in a group.  It was so time consuming making the headbands.  I wasn't charging much and for the time it took me to make them, it wasn't seeming worth it.  My sewing machine sucked and kept jamming up and there were nights I would seriously want to throw it out the window and would curse a lot making them. lol I was determined, however, to make my shop somehow successful.  Part of the problem was that I didn't have any children models actually wearing the headbands to show the fun ways they can be interchanged.  

Headband sales were steady but seemed too time consuming for the money I was taking in for them.  It was then I started thinking of something else I could add to my shop that would be more profitable.  In the past, I had made a lot of home decor and soft goods, like pillows, curtains, swags, roman shades and more.  I decided to make a mock up roman shade and just take a photo of it and pop it onto my headband shop to see if anyone would buy it out of the blue!  I couldn't believe it, but someone actually did request a custom roman shade, even though I had zero reviews on them or good photos of my work (since I only made one).  But that's what you need... just someone to find trust in you and let you try it out.  One after another, more people started purchasing them.  I would make sure to always follow up with costomers afterward to ask them for photos of the shades I made them and kindly asked them to leave a review if they liked it.  Reviews are key!  The more you have, the more likely people will click on your shop.  Whenever I see a "you have a new review" notification on my phone, my heart still drops bc I'm hoping it's a nice one :)  Thankfully, I have 91 5 star reviews! :)  As I started to sell more and more shades, I decided to change the name of the shop and focus on the roman shades.  Sew Lovely By Kelly was born!  

Roman shades aren't an original idea and a lot of stores sell them.   However, I put my twist on them because I sell roman shades that are customized and people can use any fabric of their choice.  Also stores only sell certain standard sizes and mine can be made in any size.  Since they cost more, they are more profitable than a little headband.  People love choosing their own fabric.  It's so hard to find the right pattern or color in store bought items.  It's so simple.  People look online on fabric.com or in the store at a place like Joann's, and then send along their fabric to me in the yardage I tell them to get.  One more key to a successful Etsy shop is to try to take nice photos and to keep them pretty consistent with your image.  

It hasn't been easy reaching the point I've come to with this side business.  I've never worked so hard at anything in my life.  I would dream about it and think about the shop night and day, determined to make my products sell like crazy and also improve my product and find ways to make them faster.  I'd spend hours and hours making the shades.  There came a time when I was so overwhelmed because I could not keep up with the orders in a timely manner.  I would put the shop on vacation mode so that I could catch up, but it would take me 2 months to catch up.  I've cried many times over the stress of the business.  I missed out on precious moments with my baby boy due to trying to make the business a success and get orders out.  I lost a lot of sleep over the shades, staying up until 2am sewing in my sewing room.  I was going to the post office on average of 3 times a week, causing me a lot of stress in the mornings having to package the shades and run around before work and dropping Owen off at daycare.  It wasn't easy but I knew it would get better so I pushed on.  I was determined to make it work.  

The stress of the shop lasted about 1 1/2 years but I finally am pretty much stress free and have it all down to a science!  I buy all of my supplies online, cutting back on time spent running around to stores.  I buy in bulk, saving myself money.  I use the same vendors all the time.  I bought a shipping scale and started shipping from home and creating my own shipping labels and having packages picked up right on my porch.  I bought cool, time saving gadgets to save time, like this cool thing you attach to your drill to screw in the screw eyes instead of having to manually screw them into the wood.  I also hired a wonderful and talented helper last December, Yolanda. She has years and years of professional sewing experience and has been a great help and so wonderful.  I'm so grateful to have found this woman.  Not only is she sweet, but she is always on time and her work is impeccable.  While I still make and construct the majority of the roman shade, she helps out with cutting the fabric and sewing the perimeter. These small steps really help me out!  

It's been about 3 years since I started my business. The road has not been easy but it has developed into something pretty wonderful and I have no regrets.  I don't think any start up business comes as easy as some may think.  And it does take some time to get it right.  I've gotten to the point where I could do this as my primary job, but I enjoy having a reliable and steady income from my day job and not having to deal with worrying about this being my only income.  For a while, I felt like I had two full time jobs.  That's how much time I felt like I was putting into it.  But it's gotten to the point where. time wise, it's more of a side business, but the orders are still flowing.  

It's possible to make a living from selling your craft on Etsy.  It just takes a lot of time, patience and dedication :) 

The Process of Purchasing Sew Lovely Roman Shades

By Kelly Rinik

The process of buying Sew Lovely shades is really simple. You may either email me on this website or contact me via Etsy.  I do somewhat prefer Etsy because it's a little easier for me to manage and I check my emails often on there.  It's also easier for me to create a custom listing for you so that everything is typed out In detail and customized for you in a listing rather than just an email. But either way is fine :)

Unfortunately, I do NOT make the following shades as of yet:

cordless functional shades

bottom to top

shades over 50 inches wide  

I can do relaxed shades and the classic Roman shades.  I have also done hobbled before but I prefer to stick to what I'm best at, the flat classic ones.  I also make valances, shower curtains, and other curtains. 

For fast quotes, your first email should include your window measurements and whether or not you want an inside or outside mount and if you'd like blackout or regular liner. I can add the liner to your custom quote. I'd prefer not to buy your fabric because I want to be sure you love your fabric and it's better if you see it yourself first. I get a lot of requests for white fabric shades with ribbon trim. I'd love for customers to send me their own white fabric, as well. Cotton duck, canvas and twill work well. Anything over 7 oz is good. A 9 oz cotton is very nice. 

I will normally get back to you within 12 hours with a quote. If you prefer to not go through Etsy, you can just then send me the payment via PayPal to ktcardio@yahoo.com. Please wait until I give you your accurate custom quote before purchasing. Please be sure to email me your shipping Info also.  If you want to purchase through Etsy, I will set you up a custom listing on Etsy and you'll get a link from them when it's ready to view and purchase. Please read through the details of the listing carefully because these are the measurments I will go off of to make the Roman shades. I won't add or subtract anything from the exact measurement you provide me.  For example, if you ask for an outside mount shade and say your window is 30 wide x 50 long, I will make the Roman shade that exact size. I will assume you measured accurately for the outside mount and took into consideration the extra inches on each side to mount onto the trim. 

After you purchase the shades via PayPal or Etsy, you're ready to ship me the fabric in the yardage I provided you with. Please put your name under my name on your package. So If you order from fabric.com, for example, put : 

Kelly Rink

c/o "Jane Doe" 

59 Hillside Crescent  

Nutley, NJ 07110

Once in a blue moon, I get packages with no name at all under mine and it is a little annoying bc I then have to track it down and email everyone who ordered and find its owner. I get a ton of fabric packages and orders every week so it makes it really difficult when you leave off your name.  

After I get your fabric, you're all set!! If you happen to change your mind on a fabric or measurement, please let me know asap, so it isn't already in production.  

That's about all for now. 🤗 

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.