I can’t believe it, but the curtains for my sewing room are finished!!! I also can’t believe it took me SO long to make 2 valances!! We’re talking hours and hours! It was the fabric’s fault. Linen is ravely if you didn’t already know and has to be treated kindly or you’ll end up with a mess of threads if you aren’t careful…I was careful and slow going. I treated the fabric like it was a kleenex and inserted any pins I used into the fabric in slow motion…just to be sure I didn’t pull any thread runners in the fabric.
After I had cut off the part of the curtain panel to make the sliding curtain on my bookshelf…
…I took the rest of the panel, laid it on my table, measured it, and cut it into five 10″ sections.
Then I sewed 2 sections together at the ends to make the long piece for the smaller window and 3 sections together to make the long piece for my window by my machines.
I found a roll of some silky like binding in my elastic drawer and used it on both edges to give the curtains some stability and enclose all the ravely edges. I don’t remember where it came from but it was perfect and gave them a nice neat look as well.
My hubby snapped this picture of me standing up and sewing…I’ll be glad to sit at my new table soon.
I was determined to get the curtains finished TONIGHT..and not have to work on them tomorrow, so I kept sewing and sewing till they were done!
They are simple, but pretty and very crisp looking in my new room! I do like them. It’s a good thing!!!
I also couldn’t find the control foot to my serger, (so I had to zig zag my edges) my seam ripper and still haven’t found my reading glasses…(I know they are hiding somewhere in my living room in some tub probably!!) It really is a miracle I got these curtains finished!!
I’ve got to get to bed…it’s almost 2:00 a.m. Yikes!
Thanks everyone. See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
They look great but working till two in the morning! You are a driven woman! I hope you are still sleeping! Have a good day!
Sylvia from NH
Hi Sylvia,
I might just be a crazy woman… :o)
I’m glad you like my curtains!
Blessings, Jeanne
Wwow, Jeanne, the curtains look GREAT! I love the clean cut look of the fabric, and am so pleased that you decided to go with just a valance and blinds at your window. So up to date, and fresh looking!
Are you taking something to look younger? You look very young in the picture of you sewing! Hoping you soon find your reading glasses, and other things!! And yes, like Sylvia says, I hope you are still sleeping at this early hour!
Hi Linda,
I was planning on just making valances all the time…curtains hanging down would just get in the way!!
I have lost 25 pounds since doing Weight Watchers this time…40 pounds all together. I tried back in 2011 and lost 30 but gained 15 back… I feel much better!! Thanks for noticing. I have 14 pounds to make goal! :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the look of your new curtain and valances! Looks very polished. Such a good idea to bind the edges with that silky stuff, too, so they don’t keep on raveling, because once That starts…
I see you are sewing bare-footed. Do you usually sew with no shoes on? I know some do–and some take shoes off to drive, or to work the foot board pedals of an organ. Not I. My shoes stay on all the time, no matter what! To each her own!
Thanks for your comment on prepackaged Communion. We were discussing how to do Communion with our priest and mentioned this, but got a strange reaction. It seems the diocese is looking at doing Communion like Catholics (I’m Episcopalian), where only the priest takes the wine. I don’t think that will go over very big past this “crisis”. Sunday we noticed blue tape on the pews but none of us realized what we were looking at. The tape was to designate seating areas if we ever open up for in-person services. I can’t imagine how long all this is going to go on but I feel sure at least another five months. Hopefully at some point the truth will set us free. I don’t see that being any time soon.
Here in NZ I don’t think we fully realise how lucky we are. We are almost back to normal, just our borders are still closed. We even have sport with spectators.
Thank you Charlotte,
I’m glad you like my valances.
No, I usually have my shoes on all the time, but my flip flops were making me just a little too tall when pressing on the foot control, so I took off my shoes as I was sewing.
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
The curtains look fantastic and I love the one your bookcase. I have a huge bookcase and it drives me crazy with all the different color jackets so I make a curtain for it and love it. Just ties the room together.
I love you standing to sew. I can not sew sitting down or with shoes on. Truth be told I hate having shoes on the house. I guess I owe that to mother as we were never allowed to have our shoes on in the house as the carpeting was white. I also sew bare footed. Hope you got to sleep…I really want to know what your and George take as your both like the Energizer Bunny.
Hi Sandra,
I’m glad curtains worked for both of us…
I was in my barefeet because my flip flops made me too tall to use the foot control comfortably, but most of the time you’ll find me with shoes on.
Thanks Sandra,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m agreeing with various people above. Like Charlotte, I’m definitely for shoes. Like Linda, I think you are looking young and thin — maybe it’s having so much work and George’s surgery behind you and not in the near future. Like everyone, I think the curtains are lovely and perfect.
I also have some news. This is my last whole day here. TOMORROW I ESCAPE. In December you all sent me money for a Christmas gift for my hospice caretakers. In February I moved from hospice to rehab to start relearning to walk. I still use a walker or cane, but I can walk, and tomorrow I will walk out of here. Yesterday my sister stocked my new refrigerator with the food I put on my grocery list — choosing groceries was so much fun after a long year of hospital food.
What a lifeline this blog has been. Now I get to start Lockdown on my own. As a person over 70 with damaged kidneys, l need to avoid coronavirus. Having the blog to start my day with company will really help.
Love to you all,
Marilyn
What wonderful news! I can’t imagine being in the hospital for so long. It probably does feel like escaping. What a wonderful sister you have. Hopefully your lockdown won’t last too long and you can totally be free to move about. In the meantime, stay safe. It’s good to have you back full time.
We are so happy for you, Marilyn! Know that we will be here for you if ever you get lonely!! Not likely with this blog!
So happy for you Marilyn! You are a brave hard worker and going home has to be wonderful!
Enjoy home! I’m sure you will!
What fabulous news!! Congrats on your hard work and welcome back to Coronaland. So glad you’ll be able to forage in your own refrigerator once again. I’m sure a breath of fresh air and being around your own things will be uplifting too. So glad you’re heading home.
HI Marilyn,
Let me add my CONGRATS to you as well on your getting to go home tomorrow! I’m sure we have NO idea what it means to you, but I bet there will be some tears as you walk through your front door!
May your home greet you with open arms of love!
We love you!
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m so happy for you Marilyn. You’ve worked very hard to get where you are. Enjoy being back home.
Hugs
Ingrid
Marilyn, this is a real answer to prayer–and, yes, many of us on this list have been praying for you!! With all that, plus the Christmas party we helped you throw for your helpers, I think we all feel like we’ve had a tiny part in this victory!
You said “new” refrigerator–are you moving into a new place now? What fun!! (Well, just having a new fridge can be kinda fun!!) It will probably feel like Christmas for you! Please keep us all posted on how you are doing! Hugs! Charlotte
So happy for you even if you do still have to be in lockdown it will be so much better in your own home. Stay safe
Love how the two window valances pop with that wonderful white trim. Ties in with the nice wall paint and is not overwhelming. Love the last photo with the white storage pieces. Getting excited to see everything put back together. I read an article on the shortage of flooring for decorators so doesn’t sound promising that the floor planks will be in anytime soon. 🙁 Does anyone in your area or even a few hours away have flooring in stock that might work? Seems like it would be worth it to try and find something else to get your project completed.
Working on a dress for Sylvia Scarlet who is 18″. She was excited until I told her it wasn’t really for her. I told her I would make her one though too, if I can piece together enough scraps. 🙂
Thsnks Joy
I’m glad you like how the curtains turned ut. At first I thought they were too plain and kind of boring. But this morning, I thought they looked nice and crisp and they are simple but very pretty.
After you said what you did about the article on the flooring delays, I looked it up too and found a few articles about flooring delays. Most places don’t keep the vinyl plank flooring in stock because of the inventory expense.
I hope you had a good day of sewing today…
Blessings, Jeanne
Your curtain and valances look great! So airy and pleasant. Hopefully your flooring will arrive soon and you can complete your project. I’m looking forward to seeing your new sewing station when all is completed. I have a couple bookcases in my sewing room and a shelf unit my hubby made for my fabric. I must confess I never thought about covering them with curtains. Must put that on my to-do list.
Need to head out to mow so I can finish before noon. It’s 10 a.m. now. If I lived where I grew up in PA I would have gone out earlier and been nearly finished. When I was a child I used to love to wake up on Saturday morning in the summer to hear all the power mowers going. My dad did not have one but it seemed all our neighbors got one when they came out. It was such a comforting sound. Like my world was all in order. It was a good time to grow up.
Hi Barbara,
Looks like hiding all our sewing stuff is common among everyone! I love having my stuff readily available and easy to get to, but I hate how messy it can look at times.
I hope you got your mowing finished.
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
So good to see you back in your special room doing what you love. Your curtains look grand and you gave us such a nice tutorial on how you managed them with those ravelly edges. You must be so happy with all that has gone on in that transforming room.
MARILYN-I’m so glad for you that you can now begin more mobility and sounds like you’re going HOME tomorrow. Joy, joy, joy must be filling your heart. It’s such good news.
Blessings.
Hi Becky
Whether sitting or standing, sewing is still going to happen in my room… it felt good last night…not so much at 2:00 this morning!:o(
Oh well, thanks Becky
Blessings ,Jeanne
You did it! They look so nice and crisp and blend so well with the white and grey and floor( if it ever comes😉😉)
Standing up sewing could be the future….the folks who work on a computer all day have those gadgets that raise the computer so they can stand and work☺️😜
You are way ahead of us☺️
Thank you. Kathie,
I did do it… I got those curtains made…and love them!!
You are too funny Kathie!
Blessings ,Jeanne
Oh Jeanne- I’m impress as always !! Your valances look wonderful and your sewing work is impeccable!
I sound like a broken record but the material is so crisp, light and airy and bushes your sewing room Inviting and welcoming and once again, the words light and airy and professional. Excellent work, Jeanne. I really admire your perseverance.
Hi Paula,
I really like the curtains now too…I actually wasn’t sure when I hung the first valance up…it looked too simple, but they have grown on me overnight and I like them now. They don’t draw attention to the windows, but just frame them in a pretty way.
Thank you Paula
Blessings, Jeanne
All the window treatments look Great! I even thought you made a matching ironing board cover. I think it all coordinates perfectly.
Thank you to everyone for the prayers. Son has still not gotten his test result. They said call if he doesn’t hear by Thursday.
How wonderful that you are finally going home, Marilyn! I can’t imagine so much time in the hospital.
Hi Julia,
I bought that ironing board cover a long time ago but hadn’t put it on until a few weeks ago. I hope I can find another one when it wears out. I really like how it looks too.
I pray your son’s test comes back negative.
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne
The room looks lovely. The curtains are just right for your sewing studio. They look professionally tailored and just the right finishing touch! Love them
I pray you and George are feeling much much better. I hope all went well with the staple removal.
Hugs
Ingrid
Hi Ingrid,
I’m thinking my room is starting to look lovely too! I can’t wait till it’s completely finished!
Today has been my hubby’s best day so far. He is trying to switch from the walker to my moms old roller walker with a seat and occassionally his crutches.
He didn’t even flinch when the staples were removed!! :o)
Thanks Ingrid
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne–The curtains are just perfect for your room (I love Ingrid’s description: “sewing studio”!), and your sewing skill is impressive. I have been sewing nearly all my life, and my work is not nearly as immaculate as yours. What an adorable picture of you at work! As I am relatively new to the blog, I love being able to put a face to the words!
Marilyn, welcome home! I hope your healing journey continues smoothly. Hugs!
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your compliments on my sewing…I knew you were new to my blog, but I hope you have already been inspired! I hope you pick up some sewing tips along the way.
My hubby took that picture of me standing there sewing and while it’s not the best, it did show how determined I was to get the curtains sewn.
Thank you so much
Blessings, Jeanne