"Jewel's Tape and Bortenfix saved the day!"
May/June, 2019
POUF tutorial sewing shaped-edge BANDING build a cart for ROLLED GOODS draping and drafting a WEDDING DRESS TWC launches DRAPERY PANEL COURSE share your best work with #CSFRL benefits of GPOs busFIRST AID in the workroom
#csfrl Browse the slide show on the left for a sampling of some wonderful photo shares. It's easy to get published- just add #csfrl to your instagram posts. Your photo might even be selected for the cover! scroll down to see full list MAY-JUNE 2019 contributers: Alejandra Canales @ac_designstudio Patti Ayers @pillowsandpleats Ceil DiGuglielmo @ceildi Rose Marie LeBlanc @rmlcustomhome Kathy Geffen @kathygeffendesign Nancy Letts @pinehousedrapery Amanda Smith @sewunordinarydrapery Theda Hadden @springwoodupholstery Donna Hovis Interiors @dbhovis Christina Alamdari @azdraperies Karen Barnes @the_elegant_window Note: using #csfrl implies permission to use your image in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest with photo credit and Instagram link.
presents a new anytime-access program with instructor, Susan Woodcock view course preview Handcrafted Interlined Drapery Panels scroll down to read more From the selection and layering of lining and interlining to the details of couture finishing touches, Susan Woodcock shares her methods for making beautiful, high-quality draperies using traditional techniques. Experience online education, at your own pace, as if Susan was demonstrating these techniques by your side. Learn how to make interlined drapery panels with double-fold and low-bulk headings, how to use blackout lining without pinholes of light, how to interlock layers, and how to create a variety of pleating styles. Susan also shares step-by-step instructions for popular French blackout method. This class will give you a greater depth of understanding into the world of high-end drapery fabrication and the confidence to add handcrafted drapery methods to your workroom business. Prerequisite: Students should have a basic understanding of pleated drapery fabrication techniques. Recommended course companion materials include Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock (Creative Publishing International, 2016), which is available through TheWorkroomMarketplace.com. Click on the logo to view the full course catalog.
VIEW COURSE CATALOG and REGISTER NOW
Draping and Drafting a Wedding Dress by Jeanelle Dech
Scroll to read full article Inspired by the idea of incorporating the lace from her mother's wedding gown, my soon to be sister-in-law entrusted me with the design and fabrication of the dress for her special day. I'm not a dressmaker, but it was time to put my draping and drafting skills to the test. Please click thru the following slides and join me on a photographic journey of the creative process. Looking for a quick way to affix the lace straps to satin ribbon, and the waistband lace to the layered skirt, Jewe l's Tape and Bortenfix saves the day! The dress was completed, just in time, and added to a beautiful and loving day! Jeanelle Dech is president and co-founder of Adaptive Textiles, an innovative textile printing company in West Chester, PA. She is a friendly and engaging speaker, known for her entrepreneurial spirit, love of natural linen fabric, Fit-Like-a-Glove slipcovers, and workroom profitability training. In 2015, she acquired the M’Fay Pattern collection and launched The Workroom Marketplace (www.WorkroomMarketplace.com) and The Workroom Channel (www.TheWorkroomChannel.com), which hosts a series of online training programs for sewing professionals. She is the creative energy behind The Workroom Channel’s METHOD SHARE, REAL WORKROOMS, and FLY ON THE WALL series.
There's a new group in town! The National Upholstery Association is looking to gather the professionals in the Upholstery Industry and support and encourage them. Rachel Fletcher and Audrey Lonsway are the new President and Vice President of the NUA. Join host, Ceil DiGuglielmo, and listen to the latest episode of the Sew Much More podcast to hear more about what it takes to start an organization that will connect and support people across the country.
click here for FREE DOWNLOAD from Drapery & Design Professional Magazine Volume 2011, Issue 2
Join the LIBRARY! participate in monthly CIRCLE TIME discussions on the most relevant business, design and fabrication topics read every issue of the ORIGINAL Drapery & Design Professional Magazine View more than 100 hours of educational webinars
Pouf Tutorial By Jill Ragan Scully
Scroll to read the full tutorial Used as a decorative, yet functional, addition to a room, the pouf can be a seat, an ottoman, or a stool. It can have legs or handles, be tufted or plain, round or square; the options are endless. Have you ever wondered what you can do with fabric scraps, but can’t stomach the thought of making another pillow? Poufs are easy, fun, and extremely versatile; you might even become obsessed with them. Please don’t say I did not warn you. Happy summer!! Tools and Supplies: L square, straight edge ruler or tape measure, chalk/pencil/fabric marker to mark fabric with, scissors, pins, 2.25 yards of fabric (cotton, blend, durable), fabric scraps/loose polyfil/bean bag filler/shredded foam (to stuff inside). For a 17”l x 17”w x 13”h pouf (approximate size) you will need to cut one piece of fabric at 77”w x 15”l, and two pieces at 20” square, you can also add handles (optional). Using the long piece fold right sides together and pin. Sew a ½” seam allowance on the short end. If you prefer to add handles to your pouf, now would be the time to add them to the face side. Using your straight edge ruler, mark the center and end of the “tube” you have created. I have marked with chalk and snipped about ¼” at each mark to help me when I am sewing the ends on at the machine. Sew the top and bottom onto the tube at the machine, turning at each corner. Leave about 8” open on one side so you can stuff. Turn right side out and pin the seams. Top stitch the top and bottom first, starting and stopping ½” from each end. Now top stitch down each of the sides starting and stopping ½” from each end again. Be sure to back stitch. Be sure to leave your 8” area open to stuff. I have marked it here with pins. Stuff with your preferred stuffing. If you are unsure where to find stuffing you can use fabric scraps, but your pouf will be heavy. Using Loose polyfil, bean bag filler or shredded foam is a better option for a lighter weight pouf. See sources below. Top stitch the opening closed after you have finished stuffing. Finished pouf. Sources for Loose polyfil, bean bag filler and shredded foam: Fabricsupply.com Usafoam.com Foamorder.com Hobbylobby.com Jill Ragan Scully Working as an interior designer, drapery workroom, and upholsterer for over 20 years Jill has a strong passion for the soft furnishing industry. This diverse skill set is apparent in each space in which she designs for the clients in which she has the pleasure of working. After opening her retail storefront in 2015, she recognized the need for access to a broader range of products and services for her peers, so Jill founded My Designer Concierge, a buying group for the soft furnishing industry.
Listen NOW!
Just in case you missed this great episode. . . Listen to podcast host, Michele Williams, engage in an enlightening conversation with guest Kolleen Losch, owner of Core Physique and Core 57. TOPICS MENTIONED: Corrective exercise Core Confidence One body scroll down to learn more THOUGHTS FROM KOLLEEN: There are more people that want to be educated about their bodies than just being beautiful on the outside. You can’t build a house on a weak foundation. You can’t build a body on a weak foundation. Trainers really need to have the correct tools in their toolbox to help their clients. As a society, we have to “straighten” up. We were meant to be movers. How often do you move your body throughout the day? We take better care of our houses better than we do our bodies. The way you eat is the way you feel. Lack of movement is the new cigarette. We have to retrain ourselves to breathe. We do not want to be dead when we reach the prosperous place. SOCIALS: Website: http://core57.com Website http://www.corephysique.net Facebook: Kolleen Wilburn Losch REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Master Your Profit™ - Enroll Today Understanding Your Financials - Enroll Today Kolleen Riddick Losch is on a mission. As a mom and wife, she understands the demands our lives make that can interfere with our health and fitness. Her passion is making fitness realistic and accessible for anyone – no matter what challenges they might face. Kolleen has been immersed it fitness her whole life. As a competitive gymnast and a collegiate cheerleader, she learned the importance of fitness and nutrition. But she also realized that fitness is really more than that. She believes that one must be have a strong mental, spiritual and physical “core” for true fitness success. It is this holistic focus that truly sets Kolleen, her team and CORE apart. Kolleen also understands how to teach those who have not had the benefit of a life built around fitness, how to integrate it step, by step, till it becomes as natural as breathing. Kolleen is herself a certified personal trainer, as well as Corrective Exercise Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a Master Trainer for Trigger Point Therapy. As a result, she is well respected in the fitness community, and has traveled all over the country as well as abroad to train other trainers in Trigger Point Therapy, a self myofascial release techniques. She works with NFL athletes such as, Joe Looney, Zavier Gooden, Justin Pugh, Morgan Moses and Kony Ealy. She also works with collegiate, high school and youth athletes, to maximize sports performance, and decrease risk for injury as well as restore range of motion. In keeping with that high standard of excellence, she also insists her staff exhibit the same unprecedented knowledge and skill, offering cutting edge, personalized health and fitness programs. Kolleen recognizes that the same fitness and life balance techniques she teaches professional athletes can also motivate anyone to live a healthier, more abundant life. For this reason, she is passionate about creating a vibrant, inspired fitness community both inside and outside the walls of CORE.
see you at the library
Scroll to read full article On Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, The Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library hosted Linda Erlam for an informative CIRCLE TIME presentation and discussion of Cell Phone Photography. Wish you were there? Join the Library today as a PRO Plus Member to view this and future, CIRCLE TIME events, on demand. Don't miss the next one! It's sure to be a blast as Joanne Lenart Weary presents Color Made Easy in 8 Steps on July 16th at 1PM Eastern. Not a member? Visit the Library today to sign up for the membership level that's right for you!
Take me to the Library!
scroll to read full article GPOs and how they can benefit your business originally published in the Seamless Workroom blog. Whether you have been in business for years or just starting out, you may want to consider joining a buying group. Although we have been in the workroom business for many years, we just recently discovered two buying groups for our industry. Skeptical at first, we now see their value for our businesses. By definition a group purchasing organization (GPO) is an entity that is created to leverage the purchasing power of a group of businesses to obtain discounts from vendors based on the collective buying power of the GPO members. Administrative fees can be paid by the vendors or the members or a combination of both. Members participate based on their purchasing needs and their level of confidence in what should be competitive pricing negotiated by their GPOs. We talked with two buying groups for our industry- My Designer Concierge and The Network. Read what they have to say about their companies and what they offer. My Designer Concierge is a product buying group for members of the soft furnishing industry. Whether you are an interior designer, drapery workroom or related industry, we have over 100 accounts you may access at any time. No more high sales minimums to keep accounts open. We use our membership buying power to ensure you have constant access and at the best prices possible. Over twenty-five percent of our accounts have additional discounts that are passed onto you. Our history has strong ties to the workroom industry. In 2007, the Workroom Association of American, founded by Mary Ann Plumlee envisioned a group of like-minded workroom owners interested in sharing ideas and expanding their businesses. In 2015, Claudia Buchanan and Anita Boetsma took over the reins, added more vendors and changed the name to the Workroom Resource Group, removing the trade association affiliation. In 2017, Jill Ragan Scully stepped into the driver’s seat with her vision, My Designer Concierge. Having a deep-rooted background throughout many areas within the soft furnishings industry she saw the need to expand the discounts offered, offer more market-type products and expand into the web design market as well. Jill states, “My focus is to help small business owners compete with the larger companies by offering great pricing on products through our buying group membership. Once our members’ businesses start to grow beyond a certain point we will be there to offer our second level of membership, website design. We want to partner with businesses to help them grow without having to add staff and increase internal overhead”. For more information on services and membership: Jill Ragan Scully https://mydesignerconcierge.com/ info@mydesignerconcierge.com Office ~ 651-480-2161 Text/Cell ~ 612-834-7110 __________________ America’s Window Covering Buying Network, better known as The Network is a buying group of independent designers, workrooms & window covering professionals. Our company was established in 2006 with the goal to assist independent businesses grow their business by providing the knowledge, buying power and information needed to succeed and increase profits. By leveraging our collective buying potential, we can offer our members an average savings of 5-20% off their purchases. Members also receive discounts on their sample books as well as additional exclusive promotions not offered to the national sales base. We have grown to over 1,000 members nation-wide and work with some of the top vendors in our industry. We are not a franchise. Members purchase from the suppliers they choose. All vendor purchases are placed directly through the vendor as is billing. You even maintain the relationships you have with your sales representatives. The only change is how much you can save and how much more profit you can make. There is no minimum annual purchase level to belong to the group. We have partnered with over 20 of the industry’s best and innovative vendors offering you a wide range of products, from hard & soft window fashions, designer fabrics, shutters, decorative hardware, area rugs, wallpaper and more. To learn more about how your company can benefit from a working partnership with America's Window Covering Buying Network, visit the website or email Jennifer Rose today. Jennifer Rose,Account Manager https://www.awcbn.com/join jen.rose@awcbn.com 847-281-3152 Seamless Workroom Blog Authors Rose Mary LeBlanc and Amanda Smith Rose Mary LeBlanc started her business in Louisiana in 1992 fabricating window treatments, slipcovers, bedding and pillows. She moved to North Carolina in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. RML Custom Home Creations is a ‘to the trade workroom’ offering a wide range of services to designers including measuring and collaboration on design and hardware. She specializes in high end fabrication techniques including hand sewing and is compliant with roman shade safety standards. Having been a member of WCAA since 2007 when the Charlotte Chapter began, Rose Mary has served as Vice President, President and Past President. She continues to serve the fabrication community by teaching for the WCAA Charlotte Chapter, Custom Workroom Weekend, the IWCE Construction Zone and has instructional videos available on her company website. SewUnordinary is a to the trade custom window treatment design and fabrication studio serving the Charlotte and Lake Norman Areas for more than 16 years. This is a second career for Amanda which came about after seeing the custom window treatments a friend had recently purchased. Although she was busy raising 3 year old twin boys, she also needed something for herself and to supplement the family income and since she had sewn since the age of 12 it seemed like a logical choice. What started out as sewing for friends quickly turned into a full-time career and now serves interior designers as a full service custom workroom. Amanda joined the Charlotte Chapter of the WCAA in 2009 and has had her work published in several print and online magazines.
Edge Banding by Susan Woodcock
scroll down to read full article Adding banding is such a custom touch – whether it’s straight or shaped… but a shaped banding really is something special. In this tutorial you will see how to apply a small banding to the edge of a shaped design. An edge banding (or binding), wraps from the front to the back. For a shaped edge with right angles – like a stair step – you can cut the banding pieces straight across the fabric, or up the bolt. But if the banding needs to ease around curves then you will want to cut on the bias. The example below shows a banding that finishes the edge around both inside and outside corners, and curves. For inside corners, you can sew the banding to the corner, set the needle down and then pivot to continue sewing. For the outside corners, you will sew the banding to the corner and then fold back the banding to create a miter. It’s a technique that’s commonly used when binding the edge of quilts, or placemats. Step-by-Step: 1. Cut the banding strips four times the finished size + 1/4 inch for take up. For a 1/2-inch finished banding cut 2-1/4 inch wide bias strips. 2. Sew to the edges of your project using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. For inside corners, seat the needle, pivot and turn. For outside corners stop 1/2-inch from the edge and backstitch. Fold the banding to create a 45 degree angle as shown in the photo below. 3. Fold the banding again - to the left and over the angled fold. 4. Resume sewing 1/2-inch from the corner. 5. Press the banding from the front, making sure the mitered corners are neat. 6. Fold under the cut edges and press. Make sure the stitching is covered. Pin in place. 7. This banding was hand sewn. Susan Woodcock owns Home Dec Gal, a how-to sewing and decorating resource and custom workroom in western North Carolina, and is a Craftsy.com instructor and international speaker. She co-produces the Custom Workroom Conference, a professional trade show and educational event, with her husband, Rodger Walker. Susan’s publishing credits include Singer® Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments (Creative Publishing International, 2016). In 2017 Susan and Rodger founded Custom Workroom Technical Center, a hands-on training facility for the workroom industry. She is a member of the WCAA.
The next Custom Workroom Conference will take place September 16-18, 2019 at Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Concord, NC. Custom Workroom Conference is the only annual trade show and educational event for the drapery, slipcover and upholstery professional, and aspiring workroom owners. CWC registration includes your choice of 24 classes presented by well-known industry experts, keynote address, and entrance to the Exhibitor Marketplace and Demo-Station. Why attend CWC? If you are new to the workroom industry, or would like to learn more about starting your own workroom business. If you are an experienced workroom owner looking for fellowship, fresh ideas and inspiration. If you are looking for better and more efficient methods and equipment to improve production. If you would like to meet your peers and suppliers in person, to put a face to a name and strengthen relationships. If you would like help with pricing, marketing or setting business goals. If you have never attended a workroom conference – it can be life changing! Visit the CWC website to learn more.
Get Brochure
Content Coordinators
Jeanelle Dech The Workroom Channel The Workroom Marketplace Jeanelle@jeanelledech.com
Ceil DiGuglielmo Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library Sew Much More Podcast Ceilwdi@gmail.com
Love this e-pub? Don't miss a single issue!
May/June 2019 photo credits: COVER: Alejandra Canales, AC Drapery Studio Susan Woodcock, Home Dec Gal Jill Ragan Scully, My Designer Concierge, Liz Kelly, The Workroom Channel l ,
FREE SUBSCRIPTION
The Drapery & Design Digital Digest is the result of the collaborative efforts of The Workroom Channel and the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library. Our mission is to showcase the outstanding work of custom home furnishings professionals, spotlight quality products, and share educational resources.