Monday, June 4, 2018

A Li'l Curtain Fixer Upper-ing

Hello lovelies! After a week of mulling over and over all things GDPR, Blogger, Google Analytics, cookies (not the bake-in-the-oven and store-in-the-cookie-jar, kind) private policies, blah, blah, blah.....I am back in my  little world of all things pretty and beautiful. Yes indeedy, I am back to waxing lyrical about stitching pretty things.

One day last week, whilst I was enjoying a cup of tea in my sunny family room, as I looked about me I decided that the curtains which graced my five metre long windows really were looking a tad sad. The sun had faded these window coverings in places and the lining had perished to the point that when I touched it, the lining would tear like paper.

I decided now was the time to do something about my once beautiful curtains. I had put it off for long enough. Now was the time to do a little fixer upper-ing to my curtains. I had stitched the curtains ten years ago, cutting vintage Italian coverlets into patches and stitching them together in a random arrangement. These curtains truly had seen better days. Also, I wanted a pretty, more pronounced backdrop with colours just a little more vivid for my tarted up needlepoint chair. Perhaps a splash of darker pinks and a darker mauve?? Isn't it funny the snowball effect that happens when you add a new pretty to a room and you decide that 'this' needs a little more verve and 'that' definitely needs a little more oomph! 

I love these curtains. I have lived with these pretties for ten years and still I have not grown weary of them. The gorgeous vintage coverlets always make me smile, even on those dull, sunless days. I had looked for a long while for suitable curtain fabric to replace what I had but nothing I saw even came close to matching the beauty of my patched, Italian coverlet pretties. That is of course, nothing that was less than $100 per metre. Oh, I saw gorgeous, gorgeous $100, $200 per metre fabric that would sing the merriest tune at my windows but alas, my purse would need to be overflowing with pennies from heaven for me to bring metres upon metres home with me.

I had enough remnants of coverlets sitting in my armoire so why not fashion something similar to what I already had. The thought was to pull the curtains down and only replace the patches that were looking a little "how's your mother" with new fabric, but upon starting to do this I decided that the old and new just didn't play nicely together.  When I suggested a complete revamp to my husband, just for a fleeting moment,  a look of the fear of God came into his eyes!! Come to think of it, I see that look quite often in his eyes when I say "I've got a fabulous idea"!! =) He knew (he has lived with me and smiled at my eccentricities for forty years) this li'l bit of curtain fixer upper-ing would mean some help from my significant other. These curtains weigh a ton so I was going to need another pair of hands to help me accomplish what I had in mind, and unfortunately for my husband, that other pair of hands was going to be his. Poor man, he truly is the most patient of men!

So the torture fun began. I don't know how many times I hung the curtains up as I stitched the patched coverlets together, checking the seams both vertically and horizontally were straight and then pulling them down. Up again, down again, up again, down again, .........and so on and so on and so on, clambering up and down the ladder until the curtains were pieced together and my persnickety beady eyes were happy. But that was only the beginning. Now I had to sew the grommet tape on. Have you ever made curtains where you have used grommet heading tape?? Sometimes it's easy as...........and then there are times when the blasted grommets decide that they are not going to co-operate and no matter what you do, it takes forever to push the blasted rings on until they click into position. I used a mallet, a piece of wood, my foot with my whole body behind it, but to no avail.....they were not going to budge. This process took hours. I have sewn curtains with grommet  tape many times before, mostly the process is quick and relatively pain free but not this time. Eventually that task was done and then the lining was sewn in and the side and bottom hems were stitched.

As I have a penchant for beautiful passementerie, I decided to embellish with some of these pretties randomly, here and there. Two years ago, for one of my favourite teenager's 13th birthday ('she' is one of my sewing girls), I stitched some curtains fashioned from vintage coverlets and passementerie. I loved them so much that I decided there and then that I really needed curtains dancing with lengths of these fanciful trimmings and fringings in my life. So that is exactly what I did. Yep......love, love, LOVE these decorative and elaborate lengths of gorgeousness.


Swirls and twirls of messy, beautiful passementerie.


Oh look, I'm wearing my pretty woolly. I have been living in it of late because it's a little chilly way down here.

The stitching of these curtains was a herculean task. They fought me all the way, especially forcing them through the sewing machine. There were times when the sewing machine wouldn't have a bar of these curtains but I pleaded, cajoled and enticed it to behave.......and finally it relented. This is where my husband's help was invaluable. He pulled and straightened the curtains as I fed the fabric through.


Are not these vintage Italian coverlets and gorgeous, fanciful trimmings beautiful?? Be still my beating heart!! I am soooooo in love with them!!



After a very long week, finally my Italian coverlet curtains with passementerie dancing in straight lines are up and saying......look at me....look at me!!


Love all the glorious textures of the vintage coverlets!







Fill my world with colour, glorious colour!!


You know, I don't think I will ever tire of seeing all these glorious Italian coverlets bedecked with passementerie adorning the family room windows. So, so happy these windows are dressed with beautiful new pretties. So, so happy I won't have to think about stitching curtains for these windows for another ten years. Me thinks, just between you and me my darling husband is very happy about that, too. =) So, so happy I can just sit, with a cup of tea in hand and drink in the beauty of  all that vintage gorgeousness! 

Have a beautiful week all you lovelies. Thank you so much for visiting my little place. I wonder what fancies I will conjure up whilst enjoying a cuppa, this week??

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



Linking this week with the lovely Jann's Share Your Cup.

44 comments:

  1. Oh my. Those curtains, despite all the angst, were SO worth it!! Methinks your long-suffering DH needs a reward for all his help. And I must admit I laughed (just a little, I promise) about your 'snowball effect'. In our house it's called the 'galloping ick' and without fail ends up leading to a lot of things my long-suffering DH would rather not participate in.

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  2. WOW. I love what you did. You are so clever and I love how you come up with the most beautiful ides.

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  3. I love your new curtains especially the extra embellishments, just beautiful. And what a stunning room! Gorgeous cardy too. xx

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  4. The sheen and the weight looks just beautiful! I am glad you did not let the fabric and the fiddly stitching beat you as the final result is amazing! Anna x

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    1. I too am glad, Anna, that these curtains didn't defeat me....but then I am a pretty determined gal when it comes to reaching that stitching finishing line. =) Thank you for your sweet comments, lovely Anna. Kim Xx

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  5. Wow, gorgeous! I'd enjoy sitting in this room and relax. There is so much visual interest that would keep me busy for hours, no need for a book or crafty activity. x

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  6. You are a wonder, Kim! Lovely curtains. I love all the colour that surrounds you. A veritable paintbox of beauty.
    O, my... and wonderful it is to see all your cups and saucers and teapots and such.
    BTW, your sweater looks so beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, lovely Dixie. My curtains do look like a "veritable paintbox of beauty"....love the phrases you imagine. =) Thank you for visiting my li'l curtained world. Have a lovely week. Kim Xx

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  7. When I read your story I was getting more and more curious!
    All that heavy work turned out to this tremendously beautiful curtains.
    It fits wonderfully well at your lovely chair!!
    Hugs.♥

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    1. Thank you, dear Loes. Yes, my arms got quite a workout as I stitched these pretties. So, so happy they are finished; all I have to do now is look at them all day and enjoy them. Kim Xx

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  8. Hello sweet friend! Your mint jumper is SO wonderful! It looks so cute on you!
    Oh, you really are an amazing maker! That curtain is lush and gorgeous! Well done!

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  9. Beautiful curtains Kim, love the pretty colours and trimmings. Look like they weigh a ton and one can appreciate the difficulty in the sewing.

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  10. it is with great shame that i admit that i still have some "plastic" drapes hanging in my home. i don't know why i have become overwhelmed with the thought of any decorating or change these days. i have simply lost my mojo for decorating.

    the drapes i do have need replacing for the same reasons yours did. i keep hoping no one will notice!!

    yours are beautiful, creative and so unique, the colors are fabulous!! i really LOVE your style!!!

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  11. Wow! They certainly are unique and such a mesmerizing sight Kim! You worked a true wonder here!

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  12. Oh my, Kim dear, what a wonderful accomplishment on those gorgeous curtains for your family room!!! Yes, your room is filled with glorious color from the curtains, to you hutch filled with tea pretties, to your crocheted afghan, and to your tarted up chair and pretty painting...so much to enjoy and love. You look especially darling in your aqua sweater. Yes, your hubby is the dearest man, because he loves you and would do anything for you. Thank you for sharing your magic with us and coloring our world happy. xx

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  13. How beautiful and unique to you, I can imagine the weight to all that glorious fabric. The whole room looks such a cosy, pretty place, a room to feel happy in. I love the chair with the tapestries too xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Cheryl. It is a room that puts a smile in my day. It is a room that I love spending a lot of time in enjoying many pleasurable pursuits. Thank you for visiting my li'l colourful world. May you have a fabulous week. Kim Xx

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  14. Oh my your curtains are just beautiful, they look terrific no matter how tight or loose they hang, they are wonderful. Lovely pastel colors and goes so nicely in your room, with your beautiful chair and crocheted blanket, such a lovely post that just makes me smile from beginning to end :) That is terrific that your hubby has helped you with them, he is a sweetie. I like how you crossed out the torture description and put in fun instead :) Your sweater looks fantastic on you too!
    Have a wonderful week!

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  15. Those curtains just looks so stunning dear Kim! How amazing you are with your talent & your creativity. Your mind must just never stop still! I shall come back later for a longer look at your photos & another read. Xxx

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  16. Ohhhhhhhhhhh I've fainted away with joy. Those are the prettiest ever curtains I've ever ever seen. What happiness they must bring to you - and they look so wonderful with your pretty chair. You are the most clever person I've ever met. I've sewn big heavy items before - though nothing like this - but I do know how hard it can be to get the machine and the project to cooperate. Lucky you to have such a helpful hubby - you both did a grand job. I love the colors and all the fringes and fancies - truly a wonderful delight - and no one else has anything like this. Great job and wonderful project. If I bring some cookies could we have a tea party with the new curtains for our background? I'll start baking right now.

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  17. Oh, so much fun. I love your creations. These are lovely.

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  18. I totally adore that chair. wonder if I can fit one in my craft room. Lovely examples of handwork---better displayed then sitting in a pile on a shelf. Gorgeous!

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  19. I had no idea what to expect when first reading your posting. Certainly, you did not disappoint. What a marvel the curtains are. Even though most of us would have given up early on with the grommets, you persevered. You go, girl.

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  20. That sounds like a herculean task. I'm not sure that anyone in the world apart you and Mr Kim could manage it but the result is beautiful, indeed spectacular! Your family room really does look the sunniest and most cheerful of places :) x

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  21. You are the most creative person evah! I love your handmades. I love that photo of you working in front of the curtains working so diligently getting every detail just right. It sounds like it was a tedious job but you mastered it. Your hubby was good help too. You call them eccentricities but I think you just have good style. Love it! We should always surround ourselves with what we love.
    xx Beca

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  22. You've gone and done it again, girlfriend! And you taught me a new word...passementerie...I call it fringe! Oh my, what is there to be said that hasn't already been said...your curtains are amazing...YOU are amazing! And your grommet topper couldn't have been more perfect. Stunning, my friend!

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  23. Your curtain is so gorgeous! They look like royalty on your windows and they are quite priceless coming from the work of your hands. I love that you love color and you mix and match it all so well. No all white or all gray rooms for you (or me!). I am 100% Italian so I am especially taken with the fact that the fabric is Italian coverlets!

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  24. I love your curtains, they are really gorgeous, and well worth all the angst!
    It was nice that your hubby was there to help you with them.
    I loved all the photos! And have to admit to a certain amount of “teapot, cups, and saucers” envy! My hubby always has to restrain me when we see lovely teapots for sale, and remind me how many we have already ..... and we don’t have many ..... honest!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  25. Kim - thanks for your recent visit to my blog, especially because it led me to yours! I love your style of writing - I was laughing throughout, especially the part about your husband and the fear in his eyes when you say "I have an idea". We have that in common!!! The curtains are a work of art and I think you definitely got the 'oomph' you wanted!

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    1. Thank you, Angie. Husbands do 'put up' with a lot from their arty farty wives, don't they, getting them involved with grand notions. =) It is lovely to meet you. I look forward to visiting your lovely place again. Kim xx

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  26. I wanted to come back and tell you that you are welcome to come sit on my porch with me anytime. The next time you are in the US, my porch is open and the tea will be ready!

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    1. I'm on the next plane, lovely AnnMarie!! It would be lovely to sit on that pretty porch of yours, enjoy some tea in pretty teacups and have many a long natter about so many things. Kim Xx

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  27. That does sound like a herculean task, good thing you have such a wonderful husband to come to your aid. Love that photo of you working with so much care and attention. The curtains look so lovely in your family room making it even cosier.

    -Soma

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  28. The curtains certainly are scrumptious, Kim, and look so pretty in your flower-garden room! I know that look in your husband's eye when you mention a new project.....but don't they always love the results in the end? It's always a delight to see what you have created with all of your wonderful finds. Sending hugs xo Karen

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    1. Yes, me thinks your husband and mine, lovely Karen, are certainly lucky to have wives such you and me. It keeps them from becoming bored. =) Thank you for popping by. Kim Xx

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  29. Just looking at those pretties in that cabinet put the biggest smile on my face! Your curtains turned out absolutely fabulous, Nothing you could buy could even compare! I am with you girl. I need a world of color! It's always such a delight to see a post from you in my e-mail!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. I think I might have to mortgage my humble abode to buy curtains such as my pretties. 'Tis always a delight to have you visit my colourful place, lovely Jann. Kim Xx

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  30. Kim, the curtains are fantastic! I love them! I was going to dress to match the chair when I come to tea, but I'm rethinking my wardrobe, I might want to match the curtains instead. Especially if I can going into your cupboard of treasures and snag a piece of passementerie to complete my outfit.
    Amalia
    xo

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  31. Kim, you have made an exceptional job again! The curtains are wonderful! All the patches of colour match so well together and the passementerie give a nice coherence to the whole! It gives another touch of romanticism to your room which must be so inspiring! I imagine what restful and creative moments you can spend in such a place! So I wish you a nice week in this cosy little nest! Xx
    Sandrine

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  32. Wow! Color me impressed. Your curtains are amazing; my heart skipped a little beat. You are so imaginative and creative.
    I'll say it again, Wow!
    Connie :)

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  33. Your imagination astounds me. These are just beautiful. How have you been doing? It has been awhile since we have talked. Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comment.

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  34. I agree with all these posts - your eye for things just amazes me - you are so creative and talented, my friend! I love to see your creations!

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  35. carissima, adoro la tua casa, queste tonalità pastello, la delicatezza dei particolari, il tuo stile. Complimenti amica mia, un abbraccio!!!!

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    1. Thank you! I too love my home. It is only little but filled with pretties made with much love. Thank you so much for popping by my little handmade home. =) Kim Xx

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