SewWhat? Magazine November 1993

e International Newsletter for Professional Drapery Workrooms See INSIDE for Volume 1, Number 1 November 1993 subscription i n formation. It's boy! It's gia ' of professionalisn1! Send in your terrific • solutions and ideas. The more we share {No, it's a NEWSLETIER......) with each other, the more we will all from Cheryl: Welcome to the new learn and the healthier our industry will Proud Parent be. (It doesn't hurt your credibility to be Cheryl Strickland world of CJZJewWHAT?! You are about to published in an international profes­ Publishe r and Editor begin a journey toward confidence, sional publication, either!) '\1tli,�,�,�����S/: . strength and understanding of the con1- : ·;dh�:;,:;.\1 . .• ···�.;Fr;;o:r,I:·J;l,, �W,,,,. , \" :,·: .. plex industry of custotn window treat­ Send in your frustrations and your suc­ /� :.<·:.;c:�'S�?R,..'I·Up�'e•�.e-ba_··�' �-dd;:�,c,e·��arrriisl,�!F5�·A���:f��·s���t'i'U�:·.!i.·'f•�· ·e;·:d·.�,:f.:::,�:�;,,·.::,.i\"...;, ment fabrication. No longer do you need cesses. Let's encourage each oth.er, we'll ':· ·. ·.[������; 1���!:t�r9.9� · to feel frustrated, alone or isolated. only be stronger for it. rricks :btth� tr�de.. , .Equlprrf�n·t:·:f�ctJs'- ;:�.:. 7i'::· :!'' :· ..; ; ; ' ' : -�-�- ' CJZJewWHAT? is intended to . B�oks,e�C. • · serve any of your work­ CJZJewWHAT?'s motto Classified : Announcemer:ltS room needs. Where to buy is \"Sew generously and Calendar supplies, books, videos, pat­ Hel p ! 05ewWHAT?'s . you will reap gener­ terns, etc. How to make motto is \"Sew ously\". Familiar, truthful new treatn1ents. How to words borrowed fron1 the make treatments faster or generously and HolyBible, applied a new better. OZJewWHAT? will in­ way. Give your custom­ forn1, inspire, motivate, sup­ you will reap ers n1ore than they ex­ port, solve, ease, and son1e­ pect! The n1ore generously,� times even make you sn1ile! generously.\" kindly andrespectfullyyou treat your customers, the��� azJewWHAT? is YOUR newsletter. Call or send in greater your return.� A great BIG thank you! to the n1any friends who have supported�� your questions and chal- lenges. No mater how experienced or�0 novice, no matter how basic or ad- the idea of this newsletter. I really appre­� vanced, it will be covered! ciate all of the encouragen1ent! Also, over 15,000 newsletter flyers have been§0 distributed by you wonderful folks. It's It can be difficult at tin1es to obtain so great to be in an industry with such terrific people!�� information in our industry. Let's help or services for other workrooms, let us� each other and pron1ote an atmosphere know so we can feature you in \"Workroom's Workrooms.\" Let u s know���0 YOU'RE INVITED!��00 Send in all of your ideas, accomplish­?t ments, tricks of the trade, challenges; con1plaints, suggestions, questions, words of any educational events you are spon­ of wisdon1 or hutnor, and requests. We soring or attending. And by all n1eans, send in your step-by-step instructions for )\want this newsletter to serve you in the a special or new treattnent and if pub­- best possible way! If you have a terrific supplier (or are a supplier yourself), let lished, receive $100! Let's see if you can us know so we can feature then1 in the be in an issue more times than Barbara supplier profile. If you provide products Gellendin did this one!

2 CV6WVVHAT.�--- --e3 • te 5. Sew loop half of hook and loop rape (Velcro) onto the back side of the folded I edge, stitching exactly where the gather threads were sewn. This applies the' Velcro and holds the gathers in place atCreating a sunburst can be an intri­ the san1e tin1e.cate, tin1e-consuming and costly process. 6. There is no #6. You're done already!But here's a gorgeous one you can createin less than 30 minutes using no rods, It's that simple!brackets, or custon1 fran1e! The secret of how these look so prettyMeasuring: and are so easy to do is they are n1ounted111 No template is required for this fabri- directly to the window frame with thecating n1ethod. Simply measure (illustra­ other half of Velcro! It can be stapled intotion) around the arch (A) and across the the (photo) wood or self adhesive typebottom of the arch (B). can be used. Yardage: Caution: the self Two tin1es full­ adhesive will not stickness is plenty even to metal very long. Asif using sheer or lace. the metal sweats in(As the fabric is periods of htoniditypulled into the cen­ and quick tempera­ter creating the sun­ ture chang e s, theburst, the radius de­ Velcro will fall off/creases, increasing Try a couple of drops'the fullness tremen­ of super glue periodi­dously. You want a cally ifyou 1nust usepretty treatment, but selfadhesive on nzetal.as little fullness in Velcro is applie d directlythe middle as pos­ to window frame As the Velcro i ssible.) Multiply the stapled around thedistance around the arch (A) by 2. The arch of the window, it will need to betreattnent will be railroaded, so this is the clipped to work around the curve.atnount of needed yardage. The fabric is now attached around theB Sewing: arch by its Velcro. The excess fabric is all1. Turn and sew sn1all side hen1s in the pulled into the center bottom of the win­cut ends of the piece of fabric. dow and tied. The side hems are now lying across the botton1 of the window (B).2. Fold over and press one selvage to Tying is a difficult task while trying tothe back of the fabric to elin1inate it and hold all of that fabric together. Cable tiescreate a finished edge. are the perfect solution! You know, those stnall plastic straps - one end slips 3. Sew 2 gathering threads (long into the other end and teeth keep it fron1gbasting stitches) through both thicknesses slidin back out. Cable ties can beof fabric along this folded edge. purchased at any building or electrical supply stores. I've also heard fron1 tny :4. Pull up gathering threads to one sen1inar attendees that they can be pur- 'half of original size. This is the satne size chased at San1's Wholesale Club in bulkas the distance around the arch because bags very inexpensively.we used two titnes fullness. Cut off all but about 2\" of the excess

�ewWHAT? 3 fabric and cover it with a rosette pinned Canada at 775 King St. E., Han1ilton, Ontario, L8M 1A7, 416-529-2772, and in or scvvn on. If you prefer, leave about 1011 the United States fron1 A Final Touch, of fabric instead of 211 and usc it to create 5449 Big Sky Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89129, 702-658-7671.\ a self-rosette. Pull the cut ends out away frotn the tied area and tuck thcn1 back under to the cable tie. Now place another cable tie around these ends to hold then1 in place around the original cable tie. Special note: nzake sure your fabric isat least 4\" wider than one half of thedistance across the bott01n of the arch(B). If not, you will run out of fabricwhen tJ)Jing to pull it to the center. Try it! Your customers will love the Another design idea: Use decorative QiJewWHAT?gorgeous look, the great price, and how shirring tape in place of the gatheringeasy these sunbursts are to take down, is a monthly newsletterclean and put back up. threads. Imagine 4\" wide stnocking or published and edited by If you have no convenient place to pencil pleats around the outside edge of Cheryl Stricklandmount the Velcro around the window, 101 Strickland Terrace,you n1ay want to consider using a new the sunburst. They're gorgeous! There Swannanoa, NC 28778special type of rodding that is L-shaped are also Velcro compatible shirring tapeswith the hook half of Velcro already available that already have the loop fiber 704-686-3185laminated onto one side. It can be easily created in the tape. This elin1inates the 800-222-1415mounted around the arch with screws need for applying Velcro onto the back FAX 1-704-686-3185(inside n1ount) or brackets (outside of the tape. The three suppliers I an1tnount) because it is flexible! The treat­ Contributing writerment itself can be made with the exact aware of for these types of tapes arc Jenelle Wats.onsteps already shown. This rod is called Canadian Drapery Hardware in TorontoTbe Peifect Sunburst and is available in Design 416-630-6900, R.H.Rowley in Charlotte, Alex Alford NC, 800-343-4542 and any of the Dofix dealers, main con1pany: 800-962-8983. Yearly subscription cost is $29.95US, $44.95Can . .Mastercard and Visa accepted.READERS ASK: happen with jabots. It can also prevent a CSewWHAT? motto: patterned lining fron1 shc)\ving through the Sew generously and you will What does interlining mean; what front bbric. Interlining can block out light,are its purposes, and where can it be create a high degree of insulation or create reap generously!purchased? a thicker, softer look to a treatn1ent. Typical lining can be used as interlining, but it will CSewWHAT?s mission: Interlining as a verb means to place a not give the thick look of actual interlining, Tohelp professional draperylayer of fabric between the outer fabric and which is n1ade of flanneL Suppliers that workrooms with all of theirits lining. Interlining can prevent contrast needs. Eliminate: the unnecessarycolored lining fron1 bleeding through the . wasting of time, the frustration offront fabric, changing its color - as can cany lining also carry interlining. not being 2.ble to find resources, the discouraging and lonely moments of being a small. workroom, and the managerial challenges faced by large workrooms. THINK ABOUT IT! All featured products, services or suppliers are intended forIf it weren't for the last n1inute, nothing \Vould get done. The future isn't vvhat it used to be. infonnation-sbaring purposes only. No endorsement or recommendation is intended by these profiles, wbicb are open to an_v companies or individuals senJing tbe workroom indust1)'.I'n1 ttying to arrange n1y life so thati don't even have to be present. Copyright© 1993 Cheryl Strickland.

4 �ew�HAr.�-- Editor's note: A Special Feature is any­ wave, in and out several times. Ok, so that thing else I think you'd tL'ant to know one's stretching it, but I know somebody about that doesn't fit into any of the other out there would like it! (Maybe over a water categories! bed?) The point is, use your imagination' and go for it! Looking for inexpensive, but unique If you do not bend the rods, various 3- valances·to offer your custon1ers? Fight- D shapes can be created using styrene, as L ing·-against complaints of \"I just can't thin, slightly flexible plastic that comes in afford that in today's economy\"? Here's big sheets. It is available from many build­E what I feel is the perfect solution: The ing supply companies. If you do have new \"Snap-A-Clip\" bracket designed by trouble locating it, the inventor will assist you an installer in Norridge, IL. Let's take a by making the valance for you or giving you .look at this innovative product. the number of a styrene supplier. The Snap-A�C l i p A gentle curved look is snaps over the larger created by cutting a strip size typical oval rodding of styrene as long as your with another piece of w indow is wide and the same rodding slid slightly wider than the val­ into the side of the ance is high. The rods are bracket, forming a T used BACKWARDS, with shape. You say, \"big the opening in the rod deal, real exciting, facing forward. The verti­ Cheryl.\" Whenyou see cal pieces of rod used in all of the virtually un­ the brackets hold the top limitednumberof styles and bottom rods to the that can be created very exact width you desire and easily using this little t h e styrene is simply bracket, you'll see why The Snap-a-Clip slipped into the opening I am so excited about it! in the top and bottom rods. One challenge we have always had in Because the styrene is slightly wider than our industry is being able to install stable the rods are apart, it creates a bow. The valances using a rod at the top and the entire rod system is covered with a sleeve bottom. End brackets are used on both of fabric, either flat or gathered. The effect rods and center supports can be placed on looks like a gently curved upholsteredNow you can create the top rod, but not on the bottom rod - the cornice, but at a tiny fraction of the cost, unique custom weight and work. Using a much wider valances of any window is in the way! These types of piece of styrene forms a tnuch bigger, very attractive, D shape. To detem1ine the size valances are very wobbly and unstable. (I to create the sleeve of fabric, run a string know, I have then1 in my bedroon1!) By snapping a Snap-A-Clip onto both the top height and width and the botton1 rods with a length of rod around the unit and measure it. Allow someusing regular oval between them vertically, the valance is now extra width for ease in putting on the rod, completely stable. We are no longer limited . just as you would any other pocket.rodding and the new by how high or wide we can create these Separate strips of styrene can be taped Snap-A-Clip bracket side by side with duct tape to create many types of valances. You can make one 30\" geometric shapes, three of which are shown high and 300\" wide if you want to! by U ni-Systems, Because both rods are now stable, an in the photo.4859 N. Cumberland, endless nun1ber of unique styles can be In1agine being able to use any of these created. The rods can be bent to fon11 many unique styles in any width or height valance.Norridge, IL 60656, different shapes. Step the valance toward Phenomenal! For more infonnation contact the room and back again. Curve the rod the inventor, Dan Bonk, at 708-453-6001 and708-453-6001. fotward and back again. How about a send me pictures of what you've done!

I ••• SEND IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPH OR DRAWING OF A NEW OR UNUSUALTREATMENT ALONG WITH THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO .FABRICATE IT. IF CHOSEN FOR PUBLICATION, YOU WILL RECEIVE $100 ALONGWITH THE CREDIBILITY AND EXPOSURE OF BEING PUBLISHED IN AN INTER­NATIONAL NEWSLETTER! HELP THE INDUSTRY! YOUR IDEA GOES HERE! EARN $100 (Because this is the first issue, we have no submissions yet from subscribers. Next month will be featured the \"Working Swag\" by Ori Katzin, Custom Window Treatn1ents and More, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Ori's surprise shade treattnent looks like a typical shade when down, but looks like swags and jabots when raised. Really unique! Don't miss it!) LOOKI GU (<ret your light so shine before 1nen that they nzay see yourgood works andgiveglory to your father who is in heaven. )/Matthew 5:16 It's a fact of life- we are known by our actions. Though our Lord accepts us byour faith, the world doesn't. Our hearts may be filled with the love of the Lord, butwhat about the products of our labors? Can people see God's love in the daily thingswe do, in the stitches we sew, the designs we create, or even the boxes we pack? If we use the talents He has blessed us with to the fullest, the answer to thisquestion should be an emphatic YES. While the world n1ay focus on quantity, we,as children of God, should put our focus on quality. We should cotnplete the taskswe are asked to do to the best of our ability, no 111atter how sn1all or how large ourtasks may be. We shouldn't do anything half-way; our Lord didn't bless us with halfa talent, did He! By doing the best we can, those people who see our work will recognize it asbeing good and won't have a reason to be unhappy with our products. And thenn1aybe, just maybe, they'll be able to see the wonderful blessings of the Lord-- evenin something as tiny as a stitch.

6 C0�1VVHAT.�--WORKROOM'S Editor's note: Several workrooms exist TRICKS OF THE TRADEWO�KROOMS that offer special�y services to other work­ rooJns. Using these services provides several • Cording sewn around a circular pillo-vv advantages, including: costing less because will wave in and out when the pillow is they can make it faster (since it is their stuffed. There is too tnuch cording, be­ special�y), opening up a world q( selling cause the circle gets sn1aller, acco111111odat­ opportunitiesfor treatments that you don't ing the thickness. To avoid this problen1, know how tofabricate, being able to accept Ivlatilyn Bray ofDrapetyDelight!, El Cajon, jobs too big to handleyourse?(, andfreeing CA, sends in this suggestion: Gather the your timefor other money-mqtking endeav­ edge of the circles of fabric before sewing ors. Because these workroorh 's workrooms on the cording (or ruffle) and then sew it on can be a very valuable resource for the top of the gathers. Ivlarilyn wrote, \"I hope industry, we will be spotlighting one each this helps you and others\". Love your attitude, Ivlarilyn! Keep tl1ose tenific ide�s nzonth. Ifyou qffer services to other work­ co1ning! rooms, let us krwwl • Many workroon1s consist of only one Carol's Roman Shades,lnc. person. This 1nakes several tasks very dif­ ficult. Barbara Gellendin, Creations by Bar­ Carol'sRo1nan Shades, Inc. has been in bara Anne, Ivlenominee Falls, WI has de­ business for 14 years in Grover City, CA. vised a sin1ple, but priceless, technique for A leader in the industty in inventing and reaching across the table with a pencil. She fabricating innqvative Ron1an and balloon has attached it to a long dowel. Boy, dolfeel shades, Carol's se1ves client.$ fro1n across the entire United States. Ivlany workrooms stupid, now, Batbara! But, really, I needed the contract them to fabricate intricate and exercise all those runes I ran atuund the table! Sl)PPLIER PROFILE unique shades they choose not to 1nake EQUIPMENT FOCUS the1nselves. Editor�'note:OSt:JrWHA H does The BuckramSewingAttad11nent, manu­not endorse or reconznzend any Carol'soffers 23 different style shades in factured by Creative Engineering ofcompany or individual. Profiles their catalog, including botton1-up, arched, Crestwood, Kentucky could be the draperyarefor infonnation-sharing pur­ 1notorized and the Rollease headrail sys­ sewers new best fliend. With this attach­poses on(v. Ifyou would like to be tems. They will also create a tnock-up for n1ent, gone are the clays of guiding yourproftle�cal!B00-222-1415. anydesiredcuston1-designed shade. Carol's fabric through the 1nachine while you uy to recently con1pleted tl1e largest shade fuey'veNAME: United Supply CompanyLOCATION($): ever 1nade: a whopping 252\" wide by 216\" line up the buckran1 (crinoline) and the Charlotte, NC 800-334-1207 long. (I think it would be a pretty good edge of the piece you're working on. This Atlanta, GA 404-925-8607 guess they put a 1notor in that one, wouldn't attach1nent does all the work for you. All Nashville, TN 615-331-9296 you say?) I'd like to see the living roon1- you need to do is feed the fabric under the yes, living roo1n- in which that one was 1nachine, the guide does the lining-upYEARS IN BUSINESS: 32 auto1natically. Designed for stt·aight-stitch installed! For n1ore infonnation or to re­ sewing 1nachines, the guide can be pur­SERVICES FOR WORKROOMS: chased directly fron1 Creative Engineering. quest a free catalog, contact: for n1ore inforn1ation or to place an orderCreate made-to-measure (MTM) Carol's Ro1nan Sbadesand cut-to-measure (CTM) rods 489 North first StreetWORKROOM SUPPLIES: Grover City CA, 93433 call 800-626-5388 or write: 800-422-1210 Creative EngineeringWoven and non-woven bucrum 5719 West Hwy 22(crinoline), drapery weights and Ask for \"the\" Carol herself or Lauri Crestwood, KY 40014 pins, cording (piping), motors, Roberts in custotner service. wide variety of lining, trim, swag-making systemBRAND NAMES: This month's Words for GrowthParkhill, Kirsch, Graber, Roc-Lon, Cotnbine a strong belief in yourself with prayer and anything can happen !Conso, Claesson, Makita

VIDE PATTERNEn1bellishing \Vindow Isn't this balloon fantastic? That's exactly just 'What it'sgtreatments is \"in!\" This gor­ called! TI1e \"Fan-Tastic Bal­ eous Button Jabot and loon\" can be n1ade into a working balloon shade or aBow are co1nplin1entaty stationaty valance. The bot­ ton1 can be created with oraccessories used by the without the pennanent full­ ness at the botton1. The fandrapety industry to accent can stand up or lie down and four different head styles canswag and jabot treattnents, be used. This balloon is easy to tnake, yet elegant and dis­valances, canopies, bal­ tinctive. Patterns Plus #5903, $25.00. Order or send forloon shades, cornices and catalog by tnail: tc.just about anything else Patterns Plus PO Box 50428you can think of. They are Ft. Nieyers, FLeven used by thernselves 33905-0428as wall hangings. A videoshowing exactly how tocreate these exciting ac­cessories is no\v- offered Le arn How to Cre atefor $29.95 by Jaymie Lutz, this Button J abotDesign House of Interiors,1474 Harker Road, Allentown, NJ, 609-298-8077. Included with the video is apacket of patterns, written insttuctions,and the products needed to create them.)BOOK The F an-T astic B alloon, by Patterns Plus NEXT. MONTH...Marketing and Promotion from A to Z CLASSIFIEDby Kay Pegran1. Step-by-ste p stringingPublished by Kayn1ar Books (Are you lookirzg for personnel? Have the \". b o tto m -u p\" . shade ,Playa del Rey, California. $19.95 any equip1nentyou need orzuould like to Ori Katzin's \"Working sell? List it here! It's free, of course/) Swag\" shade , Barbara A must-have for hon1e fashions retail­ Ge lle ndin's time -saving,ers and interior designers, this extensive Wanted: Lots of input for this news­ ve rtical swag-dressingbook gives a practical guide to marketing letter! Let us know anything we can doand pron1otion. The book focuses on for you! Call 800-222-1415! bo ard, R.H. Row i e 'y ' svarious pron1otional vehicles like directtnail, advettising, seminars and home shows s cre w eye drive r, andas well as giving the reader valuable insight wh ateve r else you se ndinto sales and the psychology of the cus­ in 'th at's goo d stuff!totner buying process. Pegram is a regular columnist forDraperies and Window Coverings n1aga­zine and has extensive n1arketing expe­rience in the home fashions industry. Sheis also a noted seminar speaker at tradeconventions and con1pany meetings. The book can be ordered by sendingcheck or n1oney order for $19.95 to: Kaytnar Books PO Box 5944 Playa del Rey, CA 90296.For n1ore inforn1ation call 310-821-957'5.

n -w .s{./) � ::JC � CD u p) -<\"\"'\": =:' :::; {./) Vl ::;: r-i­ - :::J Vl(t) o.. p) :::. TnS. -c<r ::;: n The International Newsletter for Professional Drapery Workrooms 0 3:: Calend ar p.J .p.. ) p) ::;: :::i;i zo.. HELP! january 23-25 0.. rD Several workrooms National Workroom and Design Show, Nash­ n_, ville, TN, Sheraton Music City HoteL For n1ore3\"\" (D r-t- N� rD COOJ have requested a resource infonnation, call 612-293-1544. -.. '-..!n :J '-.JC\"D for the clear plastic round � co dowels (called ribs or c:t. 0 supports) used horizon­ january 28-30 :J tally in some styles of � Roman shades. Some Window Covering Assoc. of B. C. Window Fash­ ions Show, Vancouver, Canada. For tnore infonlla­ - workroom suppliers carry white ones, but we are tion, call Susan at 604-681-5226.2: february 5-7 rD Boston Curtain Show, Iv1arlboro, MA, Royal Plaza< Trade Center. For more information, call Peggy at Vi 407-627-3393.([) looking for clear because April 7-10 they don't show through r-t­ lace or sheer. Please call International World of Window Coverings (largest r-t- and let us know if you are show in US) Atlanta, GA, World Congress Center. For rD tnore infom1ation, call Peggy at 407-627-3393. -.. aware of a supplier. What's happening thatyou know about? Callo-· us at 800-222-1415.1� ANNOUNCEMENTS 0 �· Barbara Gellendin, of Menominee Falls, WI w;:ts the first to recently graduate from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a certificate as a I/) \"Workroom Specialist.\" What a terrific way to pron1ote professionalisn1 in our industry, by offering a college course and certification! Congratu­ 0 lations Barbara! Not only have you accomplished a wonderful personal ::; goal, but have become an integral part of the growing atten1pt to � encourage the world to view our industty as a professional one.CJ Get a terrificjob, like the White House or Disney World? Let ·us shout it to the world here next month. We all need to inspire and praise each other. Give� us a call/u 'D-< ..-- 0<�7,--3 0 ::; -..! lfl