I loved seeing the joy in Beverly's face when she saw her new room for the first time!
July/August, 2019
fabric BOOK COVERS döfix iron system INSTALLED history of the printed TABLE GRID new instructors at WORKROOM TECH Beverly's BEDROOM transformation make your own SEAMROLL busFIRST AID in the workroom
Scroll to read full article Kids in the Workroom Fabric Book Covers by Corynne Dech (at Age 8, 2003) and Mom Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1: Place your open book on the fabric. Cut the fabric to be at least 3” wider on each side, and ½” longer on the top and bottom. Step 2: Serge the left and right sides of the fabric. These will become the finished edges of the flaps that fold around they hard cover, keeping the fabric in place. Step 3: With the wrong side out, pin the flaps to the inside of the cover. Step 4: Repeat this pinning until the top and bottom of both sides are secure. Step 5: Remove the cover and stitch (serge) along the top and bottom edges. Step 6: Turn right side out. Step 7: Using Rowley Trim Adhesive, glue and press the serged edges (on top and bottom) to the center. Step 8: Bending the hard cover back, slide your new fabric on your book. Congratulations! You have completed your fabric book cover!
Back to School! DIY Fabric Book Covers
Jeanelle Dech's daughter, Corynne, is all grown up now. But back in the day, she and mom had fun in the workroom sewing and creating together. Check out this timeless technique for covering textbooks with fabric. Get the kids involved in this fun, practical project. The most valuable thing you'll make? Memories!
döfix track system and boiler iron installation
Robert Döhlemann joined Susan Woodcock at Workroom Tech to set up a new döfix training facility, and The Workroom Channel was there to document the process! Watch as the döfix track system and boiler iron are installed above a standard work table for maximum efficiency. Robert answers all of Susan's questions as they examine how to use each part of the boiler and iron. This video is a MUST-WATCH whether you're a future döfix user or a seasoned pro. Call to learn more about döfix products. 1-800-962-8983 www.döfix.com
SHOP table grids here!
the history of the printed table canvas
Scroll to read full article OPPORTUNITY THINKING PODCAST The Printed Table Canvas Story with Jeanelle Dech and Anita Boetsma Listen Here! On a sofa in the basement apartment of Cheryl Strickland’s home, and a few days later on a flight to Tampa, FL, for the 2005 International Window Coverings Expo, Jeanelle and Anita Boetsma chatted about their work in the custom home furnishings industry. Anita shared her idea of having a printed work table grid to replace the difficult process of hand-marking table canvas with indelible markers. "Can your company print on canvas that is 72" wide? Can that print be as simple as a numbered grid?" …and the PRINTED TABLE CANVAS was born! The PRINTED TABLE CANVAS has been an essential tool for professional drapery workrooms ever since. Listen to this podcast to hear more about the development of the Printed Table Canvas and the challenges along the way. The OPPORTUNITY THINKING Episodes of the Sew Much More Podcast are sponsored by The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library. Anita Boetsma has been in the window treatment and design industry for over 25 years. She has been a workroom owner, designer, and instructor. She has worked in hardware sales and customer service for many years. Anita is currently a Regional Sales Manager for Forest Drapery Hardware. 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 and The Workroom Channel, 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.
Lindsay Orwig owns A Chick and A Chair Upholstery in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Lindsay is teaching Chair Upholstery: Essential Skills Workshop, October 17 - 19, 2019. Lindsay specializes in smaller-scaled pieces, vintage treasures and family heirlooms. She is an instructor for the Weekend Warriors program at The Funky Little Chair, administrator for the Professional Upholsterers Network on facebook, and a member of the National Upholstery Association. You can find Lindsay on facebook, and instagram @achickandachair Robin Matthews owns Seams Sew Right in Kinnelon, NJ. She offers custom window treatments, bedding and slipcovers to wholesale and retail clients. Robin teaches Introduction to Window Treatment Installation at Workroom Tech. Robin is a an instructor for Custom Workroom Conference, and a member of the Window Coverings Association of America. You can find Robin on facebook and instagram @seamssewright For a list of upcoming classes, visit www.WorkroomTech.com. Custom Workroom Technical Center or "Workroom Tech" is a training facility dedicated to the custom workroom industry with weekly hands-on classes for window treatments and soft furnishings. Classes are for all skill levels, whether you would like to learn to sew home decor and start a workroom business, or are an established professional seeking to hone your skills. Workroom Tech is owned and operated by Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker, owners of Home Dec Gal and producers of Custom Workroom Conference.
welcomes two new instructors!
This article first appeared in Keely's blog which you can read here. Scroll to read full article 1. This is Beverly’s master bedroom before photo and during the installation process. My installer uses a laser level to find the perfect line that will keep all the custom window treatments level going around the room. Bill, my installer, is loved by all of my clients for his professional workmanship and his fun personality. 2. The after picture shows how much drama and height the custom drapes and valances add to the room. Beverly’s master suite in El Dorado Hills already has 10 foot ceilings, but when I mount the draperies just below the beautiful crown moulding it makes your eye go up and expanse the room even more. Creating a flip over style for the drapery at the top, let me use the same top treatment as a valance for the two side windows flanking the bed. 3. Here are the fabrics laid out on my cutting table and I am getting ready to make the custom patterns for Beverly’s project. The main floral print Floret / Yellow Grey is from Vern Vip’s Fabric Collection and adds a modern take on a floral. The beautiful grey silk Titan / Pewter and the tassel trim BI100 / Oyster for the drapery is from Calico’s vast fabric and trim selection. 4. The timeless silk drapery frames the white shutters Beverly already had on the window. The short rod with a finial on each end is a contemporary rod detail. 5. This close up of the valance shows the rod flush up against the wall in the corner and the opposite end capped off with a Victorian style finial from Design Elements. All of the hardware (Fluted wood poles, rings and finials) are in a beautiful custom finish called Imperial Bronze with Gold & Gray. Beverly and I both thought it was the perfect finish for the room. The pleat style is a modern take on a French pleat and pinched higher up to give a more flared out look. 6. No designer bedroom would be complete without an array of custom pillows. The fabric on the front bird print pillow shams is from Vern Vip’s Collection and is called Jamison / Grey Citrine. The front king size shams are framed in back with three euro shams in Studio Velvet / Steel with gold cording 1009T / 6819. The two gold accent pillows are another Vern Vip fabric, Flurries / Citrine with self welt cording. The center accent pillow is a beautiful light blue/grey damask called Tessa / Blue Topaz and framed with a moss trim Karoo / Soleil. All of these pillows give Beverly’s bedding the custom details that she was dreaming of. 7. I enjoyed decorating this room for Beverly’s and loved seeing the joy on her face when she saw here new room for the first time. Beverly’s response when she saw this blog post: “It’s really a great write up and the transformation of my bedroom is still a joy to see. Everyone who sees it always says how beautiful it is and the workmanship is amazing!” – Cheers, Beverly Right at Home Interiors has proudly been in business for over 25 years. Owner and designer Keely Hersh views fabric as a main feature in home décor and manufactures your custom window coverings, bedding and room décor accessories at her in-house custom drapery workroom. As Keely says, “Excellent customer service involves taking care of my client’s project to the final detail.
Master Bedroom in El Dorado Hills featuring Vern Yip's Fabric Collection
Scroll to read full article This past spring, Penny Bruce from Denton Drapes Sewing School in England visited our school, Workroom Tech in North Carolina, to teach couture soft furnishings. It was a wonderful class and the students created exquisite drapery samples. Before the class, Penny asked if we could provide a seam roll for the students to use, like the one she uses in her workroom. She shared photos of the seam roll she uses, which is covered with half wool fabric, and half muslin. According to Penny… “It is an amazing tool to have at hand to ensure perfectly pressed seams. By laying your seam onto the seam roll, the shape of the roll allows the seam allowance to fall away from the sewn seam, thus ensuring a perfectly pressed flat seam without any impressions. It makes pressing seams so much easier and the seams look perfect! I would not be without one in my workroom”. I created a suitable seam roll with a heavy cardboard tube, bump interlining, wool and cotton fabric. We now have a seam roll for students to use at Workroom Tech. Thank you Penny, for the inspiration to create this workroom tool! What you will need: 1) A large diameter heavy cardboard tube 2) A piece of bump interlining large enough to wrap around the tube with a double thickness, and several inches extra on each end 3) Pure wool and cotton fabric (like muslin or drapery lining) large enough to roll over the tube plus seam allowances, and extra for wrapping the ends. 4) Tape 5) Scissors, needle and thread Step-by-Step: 1) Sew together the wool and cotton fabric. Press the seam open and place face down on the worktable. Place the bump interlining on top, lining up the cut edge with the seam. 2) Tape one edge of the bump interlining to the cardboard tube. (Photo 1) Make one roll of the interlining tightly around the tube, tucking the ends inside the ends of the tube. 3) Begin rolling the cotton fabric around the tube, sewing the cut edge to the bump interlining already wrapped on the tube, just to secure it in place. (Photo 2) 4) Wrap the interlining and cotton fabric together until you get to the wool fabric. Trim off any excess wool fabric. It should cover one half of the roll, plus turning under a half inch along the edge. (Photo 3) 5) Pull the wool fabric tight, and pin to the roll. (Photo 4) 6) Stuff the ends with extra interlining. (Photo 5). Pleat up the fabric on the ends and hand stitch. (Photo 6) 7) Hand sew the edge of the wool fabric to the cotton fabric. (Photo 7) 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.
Making a Seam Roll by Susan Woodcock
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Demo Area Sewing Machine Tutorials Tuesday, September 17th This year the Workroom Channel is teaming up with Sloan Machinery to bring you live sewing machine tutorials right on the vendor floor. The demos are presented by Ann K. Johnson and Jeanelle Dech and will occur every hour. There's no need to register, the Sewing Machine Tutorials are LIVE for you to enjoy at your leisure. If you are not a registered conference attendee but would like to visit the vendor marketplace, complimentary passes will be available at the door. Print your copy of the schedule! The Custom Workroom Conference is an event created by and for workroom owners, to provide the very best in education and resources unique to our profession. Join together with others just like you, who have turned a love of creating window treatments, upholstered furniture and soft furnishings into successful businesses.
Print your copy of the schedule!
Scroll to read full article This article first appeared in Michele's blog which you can read here. If you’ve already started or are about to start an interior design business, don’t miss this important info-byte: get your interior design business plan in gear. “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’ Why You Need An Interior Design Business Plan We’ve all heard the term, ‘business plan,’ but then no one seems to explain the nuts-‘n’-bolts, the guts of the plan. What goes into this thing?? This is where most of us feel overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated, and then we put the whole plan on the back burner while we continue to plod along. Don’t plod! Don’t waste your energy heading down wrong-turns or dead end. A well-run business will impact every facet of your life. So, make a plan. Here’s what you need: Sections Of A Business Plan A business plan like your interior design financial statements comes with defined sections that act as a template. Once you know the sections, you can pick and pull them into your plan to add the details specific to your business. Section 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND OFFERINGS Begin your interior design business plan with a description of your business. Not everyone who starts an interior design business operates the same or caters to the same clients. This section helps you define your purpose; what do you do?? Go beyond the basics: categorize and define. For example: “design for large, open-concept interiors” does more to specify than just “design interiors.” Same thing goes for your offerings. Instead of “consult with clients,” explain from your heart: “personally consult with clients to learn about unique interests that will translate into the design approach.” Section 2 - IDEAL CLIENT, MARKETING PLAN, FINANCIAL PLAN Think of this section as your pie-in-the-sky desires for the business. “It is better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit” (Les Brown). Add to this section the type of client with whom you wish to work. The clearer your vision of the client, the more likely you will seek this sort of clientele. Also add the marketing plan. How would you like to promote your business? For example, if you want to partner with a professional, put this into your plan: “Work with XYZ talent to establish marketing parameters and develop campaigns.” This section also includes your financial plan: establish your interior design pricing, identify your interior design salary goal, include a baseline list of pricing interior design services, and establish your interior design fee structure. Again, work with an expert if you’re struggling to figure these out! This is where an interior design coach excels. Section 3 - MARKET DIFFERENTIATORS In here, define the things that set you apart – what makes you different in the market? Put your heart on the line, here. This is your passion, the reason you chose to start an interior design business. What do you offer that is unique from all the others who start an interior design business?? This section is your heart-and-soul and requires a real sense of your purpose. You chose to do this for a reason, and this portion of the business plan is where you identify your value to the market. Don’t Just Wish Upon A Star Stick to goals, not wishes; making a business plan gives your goals strength and purpose that propel you toward completing them. Get started by joining us in The Designers’ Inner Circle. You will have support, direction and clarity as you move forward to create the business that fits you! Michele Williams is the owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting. Using her software development and interior design business background, she empowers her clients to charge what they are worth and to have confidence in their financials. Michele is a Profit First certified coach focused on the interior design industry, and she hosts the popular Profit is a Choice podcast. You can learn more at www.scarletthreadconsulting.com.
When You Want A Goal To Be More Than A Wish, Make A Plan!
Scroll to read full article 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. 2019 Submission Deadlines SEPT/OCT Issue: Monday, September 30th NOV/DEC Issue: Monday, November 25th Guidelines: • Previously published content is welcome as long as the topic is relevant and you are the author and copyright owner. By submitting and signing below, you certify that you own or have acquired permission to reproduce the submitted work, including text, photographs, and video content. • We reserve the right to edit article submissions for accuracy, grammar, style, length, and format, without approval. • Publish dates and methods of distribution are at the discretion of the Drapery & Design Network. We reserve the right to decline to publish for any reason. Submission Procedure: • Please send the completed form to the editor, Jeanelle@jeanelledech.com. Subject: DD Article – Your Title. • Include the following text in the body of your email or as a separate Word document: Suggested title, article text, author biography (75 words or less), and related links •Attach photographs, logos, and illustrations (including your headshot) as separate files - NOT within the written text. • For image files that are too large to send as email attachments, please provide a download link from Dropbox or other file transfer service.
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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
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July-August 2019 photo credits: Liz Kelly, The Workroom Channel Keely Hersh, Right At Home Interiors Susan Woodcock, Home Dec Gal Penny Bruce, Denton Drapes l ,
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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.