pottery barn inspired quilted tree skirt

This time I attempted to imitate a Pottery Barn-esque quilted tree skirt, like this one: 

This tree skirt is actually no longer sold by them, so even if I wanted to buy it instead of make it, it wouldn't have been an option. I had a friend help me with the embroidered initial for their last name.

I made it double sided, just in case with the hope that at least one of the sides would be enjoyable for them. See instructions from previous tree skirts here, but I will briefly review too. First step is always to cut out the circles. I use a pin to secure the tape measure at the corner of the fabric folded into quarters to measure. Then pin right sides together and straight stitch around with at least a half inch edge. Trim.

Fold into quarters again, then measure a smaller circle to wrap around the tree base.

Cut a straight line from outside of large circle to small circle.

. I went ahead and pinned the ribbon closures inside. Then straight stitched all but a small hole (in the middle) to turn right side out. Turn right side out, iron, embellish, and finish stitching closed.

Finished product!

Present wrapped, dolled up, and ready to go!

diy electrical conduit curtain rods and curtains cont.

So I am not generally one to jump on a band wagon, but this concept and price was too good to refuse. It started months and months ago... between needing to paint the trim, then needing to clean up the hardware (more on that later) it seemed as if this project would never end.

We went the electrical conduit route for our curtain rods (3/4" $4/10ft), spray painting them oil rubbed bronze (like everything else $6). Then from the curtain rod aisle picked up some generic rod holders (called 3/4" cafe bracket for 4.50/pack) that were already oil rubbed bronze, though we ended up spraying the bottom part as they didn't quite match. The rods didn't fit perfectly in the holders, but after just a bit of banging with a rubber mallet we were good to go. We got most of our stuff at the local Home Depot.

For the shorter windows, we used a shark bite to cut the conduit down to size. Very easy and inexpensive product that basically clamps and rotates around the pipe until it is cut cleanly.

I am trying to hang the curtains higher than I have in the past to give the appearance of height to our 9 foot walls, though leaving space for crown molding eventually.

For the finials I ended up picking up these 70% off shatter proof ornaments from Target for a couple dollars to spray paint. I put some nails in a spare board then stood them up on them to spray paint.

Some of them actually still show through their original color faintly, but I decided that I liked it rather than giving them another coat.

More drop cloth curtains as seen here before and after I stitched them up. In these pictures I had under shot the number if rings I would need.

The curtain rods were left like this for a while as I pondered how to attach the finials. Finally I came up with an idea. I made molds out of toilet paper rolls, fitted them inside one of the spare pieces of electrical conduit. Then filled them with air dry clay that I had leftover from this project. I attached the ornament to the end, then allowed them to dry. After they were dry, I removed the paper. I made sure each finial fit (learning that those I made 2 inches were better than the shorter ones) last coating them with Modge Podge to insure that the air dry clay wouldn't crumble over time.

Finally complete! ... about 6 months to a year later oh progress why are you such a fickle mistress

living room with drop cloth curtains

dining room

So Granny (as we colloquially call the elderly woman we purchased our home from) left these yellow curtains from Pottery Barn and I decided to put them to use. They are a little bright for my taste, but why turn down free right?

guest bedroom with diy roman shades (here) and curtains (here)

bonus room with more diy roman shades and back tab thermal curtains from jcp that we have had for ages

unused bedroom with diy roman shades in white and diy curtains in a navy linen leaf print from Joann's

master bedroom with more diy roman shades and diy drop cloth curtains (these curtain rods we already owned)

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings! I am obsessed with layered curtains... though not sure yet if I feel satisfied with the pattern on the roman shades in the master bedroom... the curtains in the bonus room... or even that yellow. Honestly my favorites are probably the drop cloth curtains in the front living room and the layered look in the purple/gray guest bedroom. Any suggestions?

what to do with leftover fabric... bee inspired wall hanging, coasters and behind the door organizers

Project #1: Bee Inspired Wall Hanging

So this leftover fabric came from my reupholstered chair project last summer (seen here) and the Ballard Design inspired burlap pin board (seen here). 

A friend just handed me a canvas and I told her I would only take it if she was prepared for me to make her something. Hopefully she likes it, but if not I made it in a way that she could easily reuse the canvas.

First I just stapled the fabric onto the board as evenly and straightly as possible.

I gathered my other supplies: small paint brush, all purpose craft paint in Pesto and Cloud from Martha Stewart, burlap, some interfacing (Pellon) to iron onto the burlap to prevent it from fraying or stretching too much, some leftover upholstery nail head trim (Dritz), and fabric adhesive (Liquid Stitch).

The canvas board was a 16x20 so I cut four pieces of interfacing at 5x7

I ironed both the fabric before stapling it to the canvas and the burlap.

Then I ironed them onto the burlap, attempting to follow the grain as much as possible.

I used the technique of pulling out a thread to mark the straight edge.

I followed the interfacing instructions as closely as possible, using a dampened cloth to press the interfacing (bumpy side touching the burlap) until the adhesive properties kicked in.

I chose to follow up with more ironing without the damp cloth, using steam the whole while and on a high heat.

Next I found images from google for a queen bee, bee hive, honeycomb design (then overlayed text for the letter B in Microsoft Word), and a crocus. I copied them all into Microsoft Word (and would be happy to share if anyone is interested), sized them using the ruler feature, then printed.

To paint them I outlined the designs when too faint with black Sharpie, then placed the paper under the burlap and traced with the green paint.

I didn't make overt attempts to make the paint application even. Since it was burlap I figured that most burlap prints have that faded quality. I didn't originally intend on it, but ended up shadowing the B with Cloud Martha Stewart Craft paint and free handed a bow on the crocus.

I only roughly sized the burlap before painting, but once dry went back and trimmed them further.

Once again I did this by pulling strings to remove (you can see the pile of threads at the bottom of the picture below) then trimmed the edges with scissors. So you can see the before (above) and after (below) trimming and resizing.

Next I used permanent fabric glue to attach the burlap pieces to the fabric covered canvas.

Last but not least I attached nail head trim at each corner and sprayed the whole thing with the Krylon Matte finish spray in the hope that it would further aide the burlap from fraying. I did have to attach a thin piece of wood in the middle for the nail head trim to have something to sink into.

Project #2: Behind the door fabric organizers

I had some leftover miscellaneous drop cloth from all of those Roman Shades (seen here) and I had these louvered doors that let in light/noise... solution behind the door fabric organizers! Ok maybe more like a phase 1 solution...

For our bedroom I made one into a tie rack, since my husband is a lawyer he has acquired far more than truly fit anywhere else. I have no detailed instructions for this project. I just did random things of piecing fabric together, making straps, backing it with fleece (hopefully to dampen light/sound), then attached with black nail head trim.

Then for the guest bedroom/craft room I did more piecing to make the whole piece, backed with fleece. Then I proceeded to make pockets and straps for wrapping paper, cardstock, contact paper, ribbon, tissue paper and gift tags. Last attaching with nail head trim again in brass.

Project #3: Fabric Coasters

A few years ago I had purchased coasters from Pier One on a whim in Capiz Shell, but they kept chipping and glasses often stuck to them if they had any moisture. So I decided to make fabric coasters.

These are definitely rough homemade things, but now we have coasters, coasters everywhere. In the guest room I made 4 drop cloth/ leftover coral fabric ones (in the curtains, fabric organizer, and pillow).

I made 8 drop cloth/leftover blue cloth (on the dining room bench) ones for the dining room.

4 drop cloth ones for the living room/office

6 drop cloth/ leftover turquoise/brown (seen on the re-upholstered fabric chairs and the bee wall hanging above) in the bonus room

And 3 all blue ones for our bedroom. 

I simply:

- stitched a square with the fabric inside out, leaving a 2-3" hole on one side (I always stitch the corners though),

- trim the edges to 1/4" and cut the corners at an angle

- flip right side, then out press with the open part folded in how you want it to look finished

- then stitched two squares, one a 1/4-1/2" from edge and one 3/4-1" in 

Done! shabby but effective coasters... and look whose husband surprised her with flowers!! I am one lucky girl! 

For better instructions think about looking at this one from Pretty Hand Girl.

Anyone else feeling like doing some spring cleaning on your leftover fabric?