Sunday, July 17, 2016

A li'l curtain stitching

So.....where did this week go?? It seems that my week got lost in a flurry of a li'l curtain stitching. My week vanished with the playing of pretty textiles. It is my friend's daughter's birthday this week. A very auspicious birthday; she steps into the "fog of pubescent insanity"......a teenager!! That stage of life that we all pass through and come out sometime in the distant future. Do you  not agree, those of you whom have spent many a year with the 'odd' teenager or two.......moments of terribly 'interesting' episodes.

So....I decided to stitch my friend's daughter a curtain for her bedroom, in celebration of this very important milestone. Not just any 'go to the fabric shop and buy metre upon metre of curtain fabric for a window.....kind'; but a curtain fashioned from beautiful vintage Italian coverlets, similar to the ones I fashioned for our family room.


This is the house, where the curtain will hang forevermore (or at least for the next few years). By then, the said teenager could possibly dig in her heels of teenage angst and demand of her mother to take the curtain down, and replace it with something else!! =))

 Are they not these the most glorious windows?? If you open the gate and wander along the rose-lined path and peek a little closer, you will espy vertical blinds!! Oh no...what were they thinking!!



This building, which is an old school house, is swathed in 100 years of glorious history. Surely a building of this vintage demands window dressing with a little theatre; a little drama! I know, I know, this building was once a school house, and I understand that some old soul on the school board way, way back in the 60's or even the 70's, deemed it appropriate to hang these utilitarian and 'functional' ugly eyesores, but as it is now a home, they need to be banished to vertical blind hell. Me thinks soul-less, vertical blinds should be banned for all eternity???? Surely they are the faux pas of window treatments.....at least in century old buildings.....(Oh.....those chairs out the front are waiting for people's bottoms to be sat upon in celebration of the said owners' wedding. Me and my good husband styled this 'venue' for the wedding, a couple of years back. If perchance you would like to wander around the grounds, of this lovely home, on that perfect day back then.....then you can read all about it here.)


Vertical blinds...yukkity yuk. My sincerest apologies if you are enthused with the humble vertical blinds and are rather taken with them; it's just that they have never entered into my realm of possibility for window coverings.....never have, never will.  I won't allow my mind to slide down such treacherous and slippery slopes. =) Yes indeedy, one will never read any mention on any page in the tome titled "The Kim Sharman Book of Dazzling Window Design", of these less than desirable window coverings!!! Perhaps, if you really, really must; in a modern home, but certainly not in an 100 year, steeped in history, one.

Now.....to the curtains. I gathered my beautiful Italian pretties together and began to cut patches of varying widths and lengths.



Pretty pinks, blues, lemons, greens and mauves of lovely pattern and texture. As I have been collecting these Italian coverlets for a long time now, I am in possession of one serious stash of these scrumptious pretties. These days, these pretties are not easy to find.

I stitched and stitched and stitched some more. Both in the daytime......



And in the night time.


Oh dear, it seems I have a patchwork thing going on. 

As I was stitching the curtain I thought it would look rather hip if I stitched some fringing here and there. Not only are my Italian coverlets filled with glorious patterns, they are edged with pretty passementerie. Doesn't this glorious French word just roll of the tongue. I have cut these elaborate trimmings and fringings from the coverlets for use in many, many projects. Metre upon metre of ornamental edgings. For not a lot of money spent, these Italian coverlets are the gift that just keeps giving.





Day after day, stitching the curtain in my sunny sewing room, it was rather akin to a wrestling match. This 3 metre by 3 metre curtain, together with the lining, weighs a ton. Though playing with these gorgeous fabrics was enjoyable, just between you and me, I must say I wasn't sorry when the stitching for this curtain was finished. Just a little aside.....I am stitching another curtain similar to this one, for the said teenager's younger sister's room next door, who also happens to have a birthday in a couple of weeks,  BUT......I won't think about that now...I need to psyche myself up before another wrestling match!!



Before hemming the curtain I draped it at one of my windows, to see how it looked.....'tis a pity I can't keep it! I have just the perfect spot, where one, oh-so-theatrical window dressing could drape for all eternity!! Oh, how I love a curtain to puddle on the floor!

How's that for a bit of theatre....a bit of drama.


I rather like the touch of gorgeous trimmings, here and there. Fingers crossed the said teenager is enamoured with this pretty as much as I am. =) Of course, if indeed she does not applaud, does not favour this pretty's touch of quirkiness, it's sense of theatre, it can always find it's way back to my humble abode! This pretty will always be welcomed here with open arms. Though, it should be all good...as after consulting with the said teenager I discovered she was rather enthused with the idea of a curtain fashioned from vintage coverlets and pretty trimmings and the like. Phew!!


I have fashioned many pretties from my Italian coverlets; curtains, quilts, cushions...the odd chair or two.


A jumble of glorious passmenterie and Italian coverlets.


Swirls and swirls of messy passementerie. All that muddled loveliness does warm the cockles of my li'l ole heart. =)


Though the stitching of this curtain  took a long time, I do love it. This past week, the stitching of this curtain morphed into a life of its own. Those Italian coverlets and passementerie seemed to escape their rather confined boundaries, swirling their way throughout the house entangling anyone and anything into their messy, textile web. I am happy to have my tidy and organised home back again......as is my good husband!

This curtain will add a sense  of theatre to that glorious window in my friend's, daughter's room, in the old school house. Window by window, the unsightly vertical blinds are being pulled down and being replaced with curtain adornment more in keeping with the aesthetics of this grand old home! I do believe this curtain is soooo much lovelier than a hideous, vertical blind.....do you not concur?? Indeed, why have an ugly, vertical blind when one can festoon a window with a bit of fun, a bit of whimsy; bringing a sense of the theatrical to every day.

Until the next time.........

Linking up this week to Mary's lovely Sweet Inspiration Party over at The Boondocks Blog.

50 comments:

  1. I just love it just as I do your lamp, chair and drapes and room. Wish mine looked like that. Oh well, it doesn't so I'll just enjoy yours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh my, Kim dear, you've worked your magic again with such lovely fabrics and trims!! The colors are simply sumptuous in that pretty patchwork design. I wish I could touch the pretty curtains before they are sent to the teenager's room. She is one lucky lady to receive such a creative work of art from you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim, the birthday girl will LOVE the curtains that you stitched. The colors are so tranquil and fun too. I'm with you on window blinds. I'm not a fan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Kim, what a wonderful gift for the birthday girl. It is absolutely stunning & will look amazing at her window. Gosh that is quite a size too. I love the colours you have used ... & the touch of embellishments. Can just imagine why you wished you could keep it. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend Kim. x x x

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's gorgeous, Kim...such beautiful textile loveliness!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh your pics are just glorious!! You know I'm gonna be loving those Italian coverlets, lol. I know these days we can buy beautiful curtains, bed spreads etc, but nothing beats handmade/homemade items. Such warmth and thought goes into the things we make. I would be over the moon to receive those curtains, they're fab!! Nice work girl.
    A hug.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your curtain is gorgeous and it will look stunning in the beautiful old school house. I would treasure it forever!
    Have a wonderful Sunday :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you; you are so very kind. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday. Have a great, great week. Kim Xx

      Delete
  8. I'll tell you, if she doesn't like it, pity...(and I will gladly take it off her hands, smiles)-- Beautiful Kim, beautiful. Such talent...you should write a book ---and make sure you mention about those ugly vertical blinds...smiles

    Have a beautiful upcomping week (and how lucky that young lady is to live in a former school.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good morning Kim,

    Oh how I would love to have your curtains hanging in my home! those fabrics are so beautiful. You have such talent! Everything you touch comes together so wonderfully :) It is a sweet gift.

    ♥Hope








    ReplyDelete
  10. Perfect curtains for a cosy home !!!!
    Have a nice week !
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anna. You have the most wonderful week, too. Kim Xx

      Delete
  11. You've made another treasure, Kim! I know your daughter's friend will love her new curtains!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I couldn't agree more...especially as I sit here next to my "blind" covered windows feeling guilty! LOL!! Oh your curtains are just wonderful and I can imagine how hard giving them away are. An old school house home...how very fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. that is so lovely and the colors are so soft and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bernideen. The coverlets are made from the prettiest fabrics. I love sewing with them. Kim Xx

      Delete
  14. These gorgeous curtains are at home in a fairy tale.
    So beautiful, its magic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Loes. Fingers crossed my friend's daughter thinks her curtain is magical. Have a lovely week. Kim Xx

      Delete
  15. Wow I can't imagine the work that went into this beauty but you did a fantastic job and I am so glad that the said teenager is very happy indeed with it also, none of her friends will have anything that can match it that's for sure, that was ever so sweet of you!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Absolutely, your creation is superb, guaranteed to please. It is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It is beautiful and I am sure she will love it! You have made a unique birthday gift!
    Have a lovely Sunday Kim!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such a beautiful labour of love! I'm sure the recipient will be absolutely thrilled, not only with the curtain, but also with the love that went into it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So beautiful! The coverlet fabrics are gorgeous and the patchworking and trimmings will make those windows as beautiful and unique as the lovely house they are going to 'live' in. Shocking anyone ever considered blinds! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. If I had that beautiful window treatment in my room as a teenager, I'm sure it would have prevented many rebellious years ; ) How blessed she is to have someone demonstrate such love and in a practical way too. It's just perfection

    ReplyDelete
  21. How completely gorgeous Kim! I too, would have adored that sort of window treatment as a teen. Your commitment far outstrips mine when it comes to a-stitching. Bless you lovely one. What a treat for a sweeties birthday. Love, Mimi xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, wouldn't it have been wonderful to have one of these pretties hanging at one's window as a teen...I know I would have loved one. The "sweetie" rang me to say she loved it.....so all's good. I hope you are enjoying a lovely week in your blissful part of the world, Mimi. Kim Xx

      Delete
  22. Beautiful curtains. I am sure she will be thrilled.
    And O that chair. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love what Kitty said about you working your magic again {{smiles}} Your creations sparkle and shine with sweet loveliness, my friend. Indeed, you have made a beautiful and unique birthday gift.

    Wishing you a joyous week. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful! And I was happy to find at the end of the story that the blinds are gradually being removed and replaced with fabric -- those vertical blinds might have a place somewhere, but certainly not in a home of that vintage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree with you more, Jean. Pretty curtains reign forevermore. =) Kim Xx

      Delete
  25. Those formative years are truly special, and so is the house!! You definitely worked your magic on those curtains. I can also hear the house singing your praise for making it pretty again. The curtains really ought to make the birthday girl feel very special.

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  26. Absolutely stunning! Your assortment of fabric to pick from is drool worthy. I don't need curtains in my house, but now I want some curtains just like those lol

    ReplyDelete
  27. It looks like every stitch was done with love....and lots of time! How beautiful it turned out! How blessed the family in the pretty red house is to have you to replace ugly blinds with beautiful creations. It turned out so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh my gosh Kim, how could she not love it? Your talent amazes me! I would be in heaven with a bundle of these beauties to play with. I had plans to add bits of lace, doilies, and such to my basement family room curtain. Then I found some toile ones at a thrift, adjusted them to fit my windows, added lace and was done. lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surely with your amazing skills at finding treasures, you would find some of these Italian pretties. =) I do love the sound of your toile curtains, Jann, and with the addition of lace...well....they sound perfect. Kim Xx

      Delete
  29. Oh, my dear Kim, this is wonderful! I'm sure the young lady will adore it, especially when the light shines through all that textured loveliness! It makes you want to roll yourself right up into it.....how divine it will be for her to stand gazing at the window surrounded by such lovely colors as she waits for boyfriends to pick her up for a date. Yes, I have had my share of Teenage angst, but their enthusiasm and joy makes up for it all. And faith that one day, they will grow out of it :) You are a very special friend for gifting such a beautiful treasure.The house is so very sweet:) Hugs xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a sweet house with the most beautiful huge windows. I think we have all had our share of teenage angst and yes, thankfully they do grow out of it at some stage or other...some longer than others. =) Thank you for visiting and leaving such a sweet comment. It is always a delight to have a visit from you, Karen. Kim Xx

      Delete
  30. oh dear kim, i have a few plastic drapes remaining in my home as well (hangs head in shame)!! the drapes are just gorgeous, so fun, so whimsical!!! i had teenage boys, i think girls are a tad more difficult!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. A wonderful and generous gift, Kim. I'm sure she will like it and treasure it for ever. And the fabrics! Wow!
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. I agree about vertical blinds. Maybe on a big glass door if you need lots of privacy. My house has interior shutters, which I love. It is a clean look, but functional, and I can add curtains to soften the shutters.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kim, I love your curtain, I would love it in my house anyday... I love all your beautiful stitchery.. Over the weekend I showed my son your teacup,pot lamp... He said mama you can do this yourself... Then later he face timed me with a link to a drill etc.. I laughed. But honestly it is a possibility I can do the drilling I want to make teired plates as well.. He said he will buy the machine for me.. O my... Your work is so inspirational to me. It makes my mind so busy, lol. Have a wonderful blessed day dear with love Janice. O ps I love the school house windows I do have shades but lift them every morning to let the lite in. I dont like those blinds.. Yukie... Wink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As long as you can lift those blinds up, up, up and out of sight. =)) About the teacup/teapot lamp; how wonderful your son will buy the bench press drill. What a lovely son. You must make one. They are not difficult; you just have to take your time. I can't wait to see what pretty you come up with. Have a lovely weekend, Janice. Kim Xx

      Delete
  34. Gorgeous drapes Kim, soft beautiful colours, just perfect for the house - must have been awfully difficult to sew them, so heavy.

    ReplyDelete
  35. These curtains are something else Kim. I am sure that the photos don't do it justice. I can see from one of the closer shots what glorious draping it has. I admire your perseverance in making these. And I look forward to the next round for the younger girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary. This curtain does drape beautifully. The younger sister's birthday is this week. I had better get my act together and finish the stitching, though it is taking a little time to psyche myself up for it. =) Thank you for visiting, Mary. Have the most wonderful weekend. Kim Xx

      Delete
    2. Such beautiful patchwork curtains Kim, what a brilliantly inspired use of your gorgeous Italian coverlets, and the fringes add a finishing touch of grandeur.

      Thanks for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment.

      Delete
  36. Hello dear Kim & what a delight to catch up with you & your latest endeavour! I truly love the new curtains! I sincerely hope the teenager will treasure these treasures for aeons to come!
    & to think she lives in an old school house! It's so pretty & we will not dwell on vertical blinds!!
    It's been lovely to visit & thanks too for your sweet comments on my posts!
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  37. The curtain is simply beautiful!! I wish I were the teenager being gifted with the wonderful window treatment!! Lol. You did a great job on this! All the time and stitches that went into this was definitely worth it because you have stitched a masterpiece.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beyond stunning, my friend...it would have taken me years to get up the courage to cut those beauties up. Your little teenage friend must surely love them!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Finally got to your blog about curtains etc, my dear friend you are amazing with your craft and storytelling. WOW WOW, I would love to be so gifted and daring but alas my hubbie is a conservative type especially in the house. But maybe one day before or after retirement I may makeover one room and wait for the response......

    ReplyDelete