October 24, 2007
Welcome to those who have recently signed up for our newsletter and to those who've been with us awhile. We hope you'll find the information useful and inspiring. We know this is a tremendously busy time of year so we've included a couple of ideas to help you in the workroom and on your installations.
Happy sewing!
Chris
Installation Tips from Chris
I do most of my own installations and here are a couple of tricks that I have used. I hope you find them helpful.
1. I keep about a tablespoon of joint compound in a small ziplock bag and store it in my toolbox. If I need it, it is much more discrete than the "tub". Use the bag itself as the spatula. It is lighter than carrying the tub and with a bit of practice, no one will notice your faux pas.
2. I take a clean white hand towel on all installations. While installing, nothing impresses a homeowner more than taking that towel out and wiping down a cob web. Before taking their treatments out of the bag, I wash my hands and dry them. The customer knows they are getting a conscientious and clean installation. Finally, I wipe the floor to collect any sheet rock dust. It really shows you care and they will want you back to do the next room.
Chris
Miter Magic
Mitered corners for table toppers and Napkins
I just love cloth napkins. They're a little bit of luxury and even better- an eco-friendly idea. I still can't get my mom to use them when she visits; she still reaches for the paper towel so we don't "waste" the good ones.
Chris taught me this one too and she did it over the phone which speaks highly of her patience. In my photos I'm going to draw on the fold lines just so you can see what's going on. Also I have used super sized blue tape and black thread. Lots of no nos but you'll get the idea better.
Using this method you can make lots for Thanksgiving or every day. Treat yourself!
Prewash fabric. Determine your finished size and add 2 inches.
To determine your miter, fold one napkin (just one!) in a double hem and press. * For the rest of the napkins you will follow tapes place on the sewing machine.
Open corner and press in miter. Note: you will only sew the first 5/8" of the angle from the point. Place a piece of tape on your sewing machine to establish your seam allowance and end point.
Sew all four corners, trim seam allowance to 1/4".
Turn corners out and sew with the 1/2" turned under. By mitering the corner the fabric is read to "magically" fold itself into place one section at a time.
Press when finished to tame the hems and fold.
Sandy
Questions for The Pillow Lady
I just signed up for the newsletter and I would like to look at the past issues- how do I do that?
Jordan
Thanks Jordan,
We are currently working on that and will have a link to that site when it's finished.
Contact us......
Have a question or comment? Ideas for articles you'd like to see? Write to Sandy@thepillowlady.com . We can't answer every question personally but we will include some in future newsletters.
We'd love to hear from you!