If you check in with my Facebook page you know that I’ve been working on some new curtains and other small changes in my kitchen. So….Team Rick rack and Team Pom Pom want to know which I chose for my yellow gingham kitchen curtains…red pom poms or red rick rack? …………
Neither!
I wasgoing to go with the pom pom fringe but didn’t have enough of it. Then, looking through all my trims, I found that I had this little pleated one in white and red and I thought it looked cute with my curtains and I had just enough. So red pleated trim was the winner!
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I used the white pleated trim on this pillow I made.
It’s made out of a table runner. It was very easy to make. Really! It was basically just folding it in half stitching up the sides, stuffing it (which I used the insides of an old bed pillow that was too flat to sleep on) and then hand stitch it closed.
I did use the red pom pom fringe… on a yellow gingham pillow. The very cute heart pillow below is from Kathy @ Kathy’s Cottage.
I’m going to make a few more pillows (I have soooo much fabric and vintage tablecloths to use). For these warmer months I’d like all the pillows to be bright and cheery!
I also changed out my black transferware plate that’s normally in that holder for one of my rooster plates from the Country Living Collection.
I think the yellow gingham curtains look good with my tray featuring lemons. I have to look through my wallpaper & scrapbook paper to see if I have something more summery to use on my bulletin board.
I just love my new summery curtains! They really make me smile when I walk into the kitchen and they let in so much more light than my old ones which were lined. So it’s much brighter in the kitchen now and I love that! One of my goals is to become much more comfortable with my sewing machine this summer. This was a good warm-up for tackling that slipcover I’m working on!
Do you sew? Any tips you want to pass along to a beginner – what do you wish someone had told you when you were just learning?
I’d love to know!
I would encourage you to not get discouraged if you make a mistake. When I was learning I sewed sleeves on inside out – had to rip seams out a million times! But I learned and gained confidence! You will too!
Love the trim on the curtain! And your pillows! I love easy projects!
Happy Summer Manuela!
Deanna
I too like your very cheerful and pretty curtains. I am all for anything that let’s the light in.
I had been sewing for a while when I got married, but my mother-in-law was a marvelous seamstress.
Her all too famous words were “rip it out”!!! I just hated that, but found that practice truly does make perfect.
Manuela, I love the new curtain and trim! LOVE all those pillows…never can have enough pillows!
Everything does look summery and bright there! I especially like your idea for the pillow made from a table runner and an old pillow that just wasn’t working.
I think if I could give and advice about sewing, it would be to have a quality machine that has directions. (And I’m no professional seamstress here.) For two years I worked with first one machine that was flimsy and not meant for heavy duty sewing, which I was trying to do. The second machine had no instructions and I spent lots of time looking things up online. I finally bought a new machine, under warranty, middle of the low road, and things are going ever so much better.
Good point about the directions. I actually just ordered a manual for my machine because I don’t know where the original one is. Every time I have to wind the bobbin I have to look it up! I ordered a manual for my machine on ebay in case anyone else needs to do that too.
Manuela
any advice…late, getting tired…
My best advice…Just Do It! Sewing is something you learn best by doing. Also, realize that pattern writers will sometimes skip steps, so don’t be afraid to come up with your own solutions.
Having a good advice book handy (I love my Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sewing – hate the title, but the content is VERY handy) is like having a more experienced friend alongside while you’re sewing.
I’ll put it on my Amazon wishlist. Thanks!
Manuela
I am no pro, but I learn as I do. When I fail, I learn how not to do it next time. I rarely use a pattern. I love the curtains. Beautiful.
Your pillows are so charming, Manuela…so colorful and cheery! They DO make me smile, too!
Love the yellow and white gingham, Manuela! It’s so cheery looking how could you not smile walking into your kitchen every morning! Love the pleated trim; I’ll have to look for some of that to keep on hand myself. The pillow is great, too. I could just see sitting there enjoying your morning coffee. Did I know you had a black and white floor? When we downsize I want one somewhere in my house. How do you like it in the kitchen {as far as cleaning/it getting dirty, etc.}?
Oh it hides the dirt well!! Mine is black and white marble so it’s not the traditional solid white or black. I think that makes a difference. I want to do a red and white floor somewhere – maybe laundry area.
Manuela
Your seam ripper will become your best friend…and that is ok! As Mysti said just jump in and do it…best way to learn! Love your cheery kitchen!
Love the yellow checks! I do sew, but I am self taught and I get into an arguement with my sewing machine (which is from the 1970’s) every time I start a project. Some times the machine wins, some times I do. Lola is right…your seam ripper can be your best friend -lol.
Hugs,
Penny
The summer changes to your kitchen are great! Wish I had time right now to bring a bit more of summer into the house. It will have to wait a bit and then I’m sure I will! Thanks for sharing your projects – what an inspiration!
~Adrienne~
Very sweet and I like how your trimed them out!!! xox Clarice
Press, baby, press. Press everything well!
I sew. Nothing terribly fancy or complicated but I’ve made many things for my home. My tip? Practice makes perfect.
btw-I LOVE the color of your kitchen walls. Do you mind sharing the color name?
It’s Benjamin Moore but unfortunately I can’t remember the name it’s something with either kiwi or pear in the name.
Manuela
I am loving your new blog Manuela! It’s so fresh looking. I can’t stay long but wanted to say “hello” and can’t wait for more time to browse through all I’ve missed…hopefully very soon. 🙂
Love,
Tracey
x0x
Well hey, I just posted about my yellow kitchen 😉 I’m loving yellow for the summery feel…your pillows are adorable…I’m a big fan of gingham! 🙂
Manuela – I think your summer curtains are very fresh and pretty! My sister and I had a yellow gingham bedroom in 1970-73 with white ruffled white princess sheers – it was such a happy room! Picture twin beds in yellow gingham with larger check dust ruffles and big fluffy pillows – all from the Sears catalog!
As far a sewing tips for beginners, I always make the following suggestions:
1. Use good thread. Cheap thread is just frustrating and why waste time in frustration when you can be creating something pretty? Cheap thread ‘gums’ up the machine and breaks easily – avoid those cheap spools like the ‘plague’.
2. ALWAYS prewash washable fabrics. Always. If it’s dry clean only and you plan to dry clean the finished garment get the fabric dry cleaned before you cut it out. That includes lining fabrics as well. Please don’t ask me how I know that pre-dry cleaned wool coating (Melton Cloth) and non-dry cleaned Bemberg lining are a sad sad sad combination.
3. Use simple patterns and quality fabrics. You don’t begin by running, you begin by crawling – well usually. There is nothing wrong with simple patterns with good lines. You can tackle a designer Vogue dress with 67 pattern pieces later – simple is best to start. Designers do it all the time – simple patterns with luxurious fabrics and one or two eye-drawing details. Perfect!
4. If you are making clothing, make a ‘muslin’ with ‘cheap fabric ‘. Try it on. Adjust the pattern. Adjust your ‘muslin’ until it fits. Use your ‘good fabric’ and cut it according to your changes – it should fit nicely the first time, and if you can’t get the ‘muslin’ to flatter your figure get another pattern and try again – don’t waster your nice ‘expensive’ fabric on a pattern that doesn’t fit right. One you have a pattern that fits and flatters make it again in different fabrics and add or remove details for a different look. Don’t re-invent the wheel.
5. You iron is you BEST sewing friend. It’s true! It is the difference between ‘handmade’ and ‘homemade’ – well pressed garments look well, so take the time to stop and press frequently and carefully.
6. Take a class, read a good sewing book, and buddy up with an experienced seamstress. Push yourself to gain a new skill with each project you tackle. For example, when I was 10 I made every project in the ‘Bishop Method of Clothing Construction’ sewing book that I inherited from my Grandma W. It took me a year but by the end I had made a lined jacket and skirt for myself. With bound buttonholes and bias trim. My Mum did not and does not sew, so I was mostly on my own, but it was so fun. I made mistakes. The seam ripper is a tool meant to be used.
7. Learn to finish your seams professionally. If you have a serger, great – it’s a huge time saver. If not, learn to French seam, flat fell seam or at the least employ those pinking shears!
8. Change your sewing machine needle with each project and learn to use the right needle for the fabric you are working with. Have at least 2 ‘spares’ on hand at all times. They tend to break in threes – I don’t know why.
9. Double needles are fantastic for top stitching nice details. Easy as pie – just fill an extra bobbin with your thread and draw both threads through the tension together until you get the the needles, then thread them separately.
10. Vacuum out the dust and fluff and oil your machine regularly. It’s working hard for you – so a little lube and tidy up is the very least you can do in return!
I hope this helps! Enjoy your sewing projects!
Wow! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Those are the kind of tips you can find in book.
Manuela
Manuela,
Everything is so cheerful and summery … makes me happy!!
Love the curtain valance with the gingham and red pleats. Your pillows are wonderful as well!
I think Heather (above) covered it all when sewing. I have sewn since I was a little girl and it has been a blessing to my family over the years. I make everything for my house … curtains, pillows, conforters, etc. I always made my girls dresses when they were little 🙂
One thing I suggest is to have a good machine … it makes all the difference in the world!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Donna
That’s why I think it’s such an important skill to learn. To be able to make everything for my house is my goal. I may also try making some simple skirts. I think it’s a money saver as long as you don’t get wrapped up in paying for expensive fabric.
Cute, cute, cute!! I’m ready for you to come over and sew some curtains and pillows for me! 🙂
Your curtains turned out wonderfully! With all of the blue I have in my house, my kitchen is still red. I chose it based on a cookie jar I fell in love with several years ago. It may not go with the rest of the house, but I love a cheery red kitchen!
Blessings,
Marcia
I sew. But just backwards and forwards! I love the look, Manuela. But then I think we have a lot of the same tastes. How about something in dots (perhaps fabric?) for the bulletin board? It’s so great to make something out of things you already own! Brand new freebie from an oldie!
Brenda
Very cute! I love the pom poms!
What a great job! I love the window bench and especially that great green-that is my fav!
Loving your fabric mix! I’m sitting here with a big fat DUH because I hadn’t ever considered reusing vintage linens.
I don’t sew much more than a straight seam so I surely can’t give tips.
I basically come here to GET tips, not give them. LOL
I *love* those curtains! I have red and yellow in my kitchen, too. I love that color combination; so bright and cheery. However, the one thing I don’t do is sew! I can decorate and cook, but sewing? I can barely thread a needle! So…I will just admire your handiwork from afar. 🙂
Love the choice of the red ruffle with the yellow curtains…so bright and cheerful!