To Sew Or Not To Sew

Have I happened to mention that I don’t sew? 

Well, perhaps I don’t sew but I do have this genetic defect that allows me to think I can do most anything if I try hard enough (with the exception of major plumbing and electrical of course).  Now that doesn’t mean I actually can do everything that I think I can but I will generally at least try.

So with that in mind shortly after I bought my house I purchased fabric to make curtains with.  I had looked at custom window treatments (or more accurately drooled over them) but couldn’t justify the cost for something I could “do myself”.  So off to Zimman’s I went.

The window in it's original dressing
when I moved in - don't you just love the
window shade that matches the wallpaper?

Well, fast forward a couple of years and I ashamed to admit curtains were not still made - fabric was still sitting. 

I had no pattern (and why would I make this any easier on myself by buying one?) so decided to take a look at some curtains I had to see how they were constructed to see if I could copy them.  I had a custom valance as well as a ready-made valance that I had used in previous houses but neither of which were just what I wanted for this house. 

Old ready-made was perfect for measuring

I measured & drew out a plan, then realized I hadn’t bought any fabric to line the curtain so headed out to Freddy Farkle’s Fabric Outlet to find just the right khaki.  Can’t have unlined curtains, right?

A couple of weeks ago I vowed to finally get this done, laid out all of the materials and realized I hadn’t purchased enough trim so back I went to find more.  After visits to several fabric shops I couldn’t find the trim to match my original selection so ended up going a different route.  Note to self, next time measure twice, cut once.

Pinning in the trim

This past Sunday evening I finally sat down and pinned everything together and last night got down to business with the sewing machine.  I have a very basic sewing machine that my Mom had picked up for me a few years ago at a yard sale – a new swanky (i.e. expensive) model would be lost on a novice non-sewer such as me.  I’m sure if knew how to use a swankier model it would have made sewing that trim on easier but my basic model worked just fine!

It took me a total of about 3 hours and luckily I had thought it through enough that it wasn’t too stressful once I actually got down to it.  I somehow knew that ironing as you go makes all the difference in your end product so pinned, ironed then sewed and it went fairly smoothly. 

Before the final stitching - the trim is stitched in but that
was all at this point

And here is the finished product:

Not totally perfect but not bad for a novice who doesn't
sew...right?

Zimman's Fabric Fabulocity

Let me just start this post by stating “I don’t sew”. 

I wish I sewed, I have lots of ideas of fabulous things I could make if I sewed and I even have “plans” to sit down and sew some of these things….someday.  But as of today, I don’t sew.

My grandmother was a seamstress by trade and was massively talented in the art of sewing, knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, etc. (as were most of the elder women in my family).  She even upholstered her own furniture…I did not inherit her skills.

Now of course, the fact that I do not sew does not stop me from drooling over lovely fabrics and trims and there is no place better to do said drooling than Zimman’s in Lynn MA. 

Zimman's
80 Market St., Lynn MA

 Zimman’s is an old (very old) department store that now is 4 floors of every kind of fabric and trim imaginable – 2 of the floors are filled with really interesting unique furniture pieces (all fabulously upholstered, of course).  The charm brought by the original tin ceiling and grand staircase remain but instead of your average department store it’s really a decorators dream now.

Decorated Nook coming down the stairs - makes you
want to bring a book and stay awhile doesn't it.

3rd floor Furniture...

So, I was recently traveling through Lynn and decided to stop by Zimman’s on a whim.  I am looking for some cool Thibaut wallpaper for a possible guest room project (hint: ceiling...) and thought perhaps I might get lucky and find what I have in my head sitting out just waiting for me to find it. 

Thibaut Gatehouse Collection, April Pattern

One quick side note, I just have one question regarding this wallpaper search….does anyone stock wallpaper anymore or does it all have to be custom ordered???  Makes it tough for those of us who need to see & touch before committing (sound familiar anyone?). 

 Well, unfortunately my quest for an in person visit with this fabulous wallpaper was not to be but I did stop by furniture...

Where I found this fabulous
lamp that is just calling to
come home with me...

and this stunner!

And a visit to Zimman's wouldnt be complete without a stop to the closeout basement...

 and of course found this beautiful piece of fabric that I just had to have. 

 I “plan” on making a shower curtain with - how hard can it be right?  All I can say is stay tuned and wish me luck with the button holes…