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Sunday, June 25, 2017

Oh, Behave!!!

The ease with which the fabric adhered onto the cornices was not repeated when it came to getting them to behave in the Pretty Pleat. The Stiffen Quick had no apparent effect at all on this rayon/spandex stuff (although it worked beautifully on the cotton samples), so I had to pull out the Big Guns! In Elizabeth's tutorial, she first dampened her cotton material, then further infused it with gel glue. I was astonished that in all of my supply drawers, I had no gel glue except for a partial 2oz bottle of actual fabric glue. I didn't want to chance not having enough, so I went with Sheila's method of watered down Tacky Glue. I thought I'd better wet my material first too, to better help the adhesive mixture distribute more evenly.


After the first coat had dried overnight, it still seemed a little unruly, so I added another coating of the water/glue mixture - a little more concentrated with glue this time. Sheila had wished me luck getting it out of the pleater, so after it had again dried overnight, I began the process of slowly peeling it away from the rubber form. She was right - it was a little tricky. This time, it was permanently molded in pleat form, yet still pliable enough to manipulate.

I needed enough material for two large and one small window, and luckily I had just enough to divide it into into six pleats each for the wider window panels, and three each for the smaller window. I stuck a metal ruler vertically into the grove of the pleat and used it's edge to run my Xacto knife along (to varying success) to separate them. I cleaned up the edges as best I could with small fabric scissors.

Once cut apart, the panels wanted to twist a bit. I was able to shape them fairly successfully without the pleats coming out, so that was a positive step forward.


I used hot glue to attach them to the cornices, and that helped to further stabilize the tops.


The bottoms, though - another story! I ended up having to attach them at the window sill and baseboard with another bead of hot glue.


And finally, they behaved! Please also notice the new trim around the door's window insert and the hinges. I am hating that crooked raised door panel so that's getting covered with some sort of panel, soon. It's funny what photos vs the naked eye reveals.







I like 'em, I think they work well for the vibe and color scheme, and from now on I will only ever use cotton or silk! The Pretty Pleat itself was a dream to use and to clean, so this was a smart investment that I am sure will pay off in lots of future projects.

So what's next? I have the frames picked out and an arrangement settled upon, artwork, mats and backs cut, and will begin the painting and gilding process on all the little pot metal frames.


And in other exciting developments, I received a fantastic open sketchbook with original artwork by Nancy Enge, along with some wonderful kits to make journals and office supplies. These will be a fun day project when I need a little break from major mini construction!



Hope you all have some fun things on the horizon, and that you'll share every challenge and triumph!

Now behave! :O)

Jodi

24 comments:

  1. The drapery looks amazing!! They were well worth the effort because the pleating looks wonderful and it looks very realistic!

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    1. Thank you Kat! I am satisfied, learned a lot, and an looking forward to something a little less challenging in the project! I hope the gilding of the frames is fun and rewarding!

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  2. Well done! The draperies add that special touch! :D

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    1. Thanks Brae! Another first marked off the list!

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    2. No doubt you are glad that the curtains are closed on this chapter of the interior decoration jodi but the results are SPOT ON! I LOVE the color of the drapes and the formal cornices and the curtains make a harmonious companion to the color of the walls and the carved woodwork around the openings.
      Oui Oui Cheri! :D

      elizabeth

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    3. Thank you, Elizabeth! You are so funny! I am glad the complicated window treatments are under my belt. When I finally have the ceiling and first floor lights completed I anticipate the sense of accomplishment will feel fantastic!

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  3. It all looks great Jodi. This is going to be one fancy-pants building when it's finished in such gorgeous colours. I love your choice of picture frames :0)

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    1. Thanks, Pepper! I am hoping that the "old bones" of the house will be a nice backdrop in the end to a more contemporary interior design. I know what I like, but I need to learn so much still about how to get there. The challenge has been a fun one so far, and I'm always a little out of my comfort zone which meets my goal of growing in skill and knowledge. I know that you can relate you super mini woman!

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  4. I just ordered the pretty pleater after reading elisabeth's blog! So, it is really best to use cotton material instead of synthetic one. so glad that we can exchange these experiences :-)
    as to stiff and 'whatever': I always moisten the fabric and made my own diluted spray glue with white glue and water. works wonderfully.
    you project looks great! it was well worth expermenting to find the perfect solution..

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    1. Yeah Marion! Me too! I can't imagine where I'd be without the knowledge of our talented and giving little community! I can't wait to see what beautiful treatments you conjure up with that phenomenal design sense of yours!

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  5. Do love the elegant lines of the draperies and the beautiful colours you have selected to use in this room...you are so right with the advice to use either cotton or silk fabric when using the Pretty Pleater. Beautiful work and it will be a lovely backdrop to furniture and accessories...can't wait to see what you do next! Cheers, Alayne

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    1. Thanks for the good words, Alayne! I am so glad to have you here and I hope you'll find it all nice to look at as I go forward making choices!

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  6. I love how the curtains look! They turned out wonderfully. Congrats on triumphing over the fabric and glue. Casey has some tips on how to make curtains as well and maybe a combination of methods will make the process easier. http://caseymini.blogspot.com/

    I love how the gold on the cornice detail turned out. The whole room looks so finished and beautiful already.

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  7. Thanks, Sheila! And thanks for the link to Casey's site! I can easily get lost reading all of the great knowledge and methods she has shared!

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    1. Oh yes... Casey's site reminds me of Pintrest. A rabbit's hole of amazing projects and tutorials!

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    2. Rabbit hole is the perfect description! I have to stop myself from going either place unless I have a whole day to kill!

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  8. They look lovely Jodi.. well worth the effort. I'm also looking forward to seeing your frames completed.. from the looks of what you have there, they are going to be fabulous. :) I love the Nancy Enge kits, they should be fun.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I love how the frames turned out! Now if mounting them goes as well I'll have big smiles today!

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  9. Perfectas!!! Han quedado muy elegantes. El plisado muy bien.

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    1. Gracias Isabel! ¡Me alegra que te gusten también!

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  10. Your perseverance with the Pretty Pleater paid off! The curtains look great! (I hate curtains... I am struggling with my attempts for the tiny house I am working on...!) The color you chose really frames the windows in a gentle but distinct way... and the arch on the valance is really a nice touch! Well done!

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  11. Thanks Betsy! The bigger the challenge, the sweeter the reward, right! Smaller scales are so challenging, but you make them look so easy!

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  12. Jody, I think you are stressing about the crooked door panel uneccessarily. I can see what you mean, but it doesn't look crooked in every photo. It must be minor. But if it does bug you, then best cover it I suppose. Everything is coming together nicely!

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    1. Thank you, Shannon! It's funny that what bugs me today is the least of whet will bug me tomorrow. I just need to learn when good is good enough!

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