� � � � � � �

e International Newsletter for Professional Drapery Workrooms Volume 1, Number 1 November 1993

It's boy! It's a gi ' •

{No, it's a NEWSLETIER ...... )

from Cheryl: Welcome to the new world of CJZJewWHA T?! You are about to begin a journey toward confidence, strength and understanding of the con1-plex industry of custotn window treat­ment fabrication. No longer do you need to feel frustrated, alone or isolated. CJZJewWHA T? is intended to

of professionalisn1! Send in your terrific solutions and ideas. The more we share with each other, the more we will all learn and the healthier our industry will be. (It doesn't hurt your credibility to be published in an international profes­sional publication, either!)

Send in your frustrations and your suc­cesses. Let's encourage each oth.er, we'll only be stronger for it.

serve any of your work­room needs. Where to buy supplies, books, videos, pat­terns, etc. How to make new treatn1ents. How to

make treatments faster or better. OZJewWHAT? will in­forn1, inspire, motivate, sup­port, solve, ease, and son1e­times even make you sn1ile!

05ewWHAT?' s .

CJZJewWHA T?' s motto is "Sew generously and you will reap gener­ously". Familiar, truthful words borrowed fron1 the Holy Bible, applied a new way. Give your custom­ers n1ore than they ex­pect! The n1ore generously, kindly andrespectfullyyou treat your customers, the greater your return. azJewWHA T? is YOUR

newsletter. Call or send in your questions and chal-

motto is "Sew

generously and

you will reap

generously."

lenges. No mater how experienced or 0 � novice, no matter how basic or ad-

� vanced, it will be covered!

A great BIG thank you! to the n1any friends who have supported the idea of this newsletter. I really appre­ciate all of the encouragen1ent! Also, over 15,000 newsletter flyers have been distributed by you wonderful folks. It's so great to be in an industry with such terrific people!

0 § It can be difficult at tin1es to obtain � � information in our industry. Let's help � � each other and pron1ote an atmosphere � � 0 � � 0 0 ?t

YOU'RE INVITED! Send in all of your ideas, accomplish­

ments, tricks of the trade, challenges; con1plaints, suggestions, questions, words of wisdon1 or hutnor, and requests. We

\want this newsletter to serve you in the ) - best possible way! If you have a terrific supplier (or are a supplier yourself), let us know so we can feature then1 in the supplier profile. If you provide products

or services for other workrooms, let us know so we can feature you in "Workroom's Workrooms." Let us know of any educational events you are spon­soring or attending. And by all n1eans, send in your step-by-step instructions for a special or new treattnent and if pub­lished, receive $100! Let's see if you can be in an issue more times than Barbara Gellendin did this one!

See INSIDE

for

subscription information.

Proud Parent

Cheryl Strickland Publisher and Editor

'\'1tlii,�,�,�����S/: . • ···�.;F;; :r:· ::·;dh�:;,,:;.\1 . :,·: .. ro,IJ;l,, , , ,,.�W , " .

.. ·.;:?.·��·�;�·�r�����·!··•·•··;·:· . � Readers ·A·s�:.i.' , . ' I • . -_· ' - : , �

:cSpedai,! F��tUfe,:.::::

/� :<�'�U'b�,cril5�:f�'i'��·df,��;,,·.::,.i" ... ;,

':·····.·.·.[������; 1���!:t�r9.9� ·

r ricks :btth� tr�de .. , '- ;:�.:. 7 i' ::· !'' :· : .. ; ; ; ' ' : -�-�- '

.Equlprrf�n·t:·:f�ctJs . B�oks,e�C. • ·

Classified :

Announcemer:ltS

Calendar

Help !

2 CV6WVVHAT.�--------------------------------------------------

B

e3 •

I te

Creating a sunburst can be an intri­cate, tin1e-consuming and costly process. But here's a gorgeous one you can create in less than 30 minutes using no rods, brackets, or custon1 fran1e!

Measuring: 1111111111 No template is required for this fabri-

cating n1ethod. Simply measure (illustra­tion) around the arch (A) and across the bottom of the arch (B).

Yardage:

5. Sew loop half of hook and loop rape (Velcro) onto the back side of the folded edge, stitching exactly where the gather threads were sewn. This applies the' Velcro and holds the gathers in place at the san1e tin1e.

6. There is no #6. You're done already! It's that simple!

The secret of how these look so pretty and are so easy to do is they are n1ounted directly to the window frame with the other half of Velcro! It can be stapled into the (photo) wood or self adhesive type can be used.

Caution: the self adhesive will not stick to metal very long. As the metal sweats in periods of htonidity and quick tempera­ture changes, the Velcro will fall off/ Try a couple of drops' of super glue periodi­cally if you 1nust use self adhesive on nzetal.

Two tin1es full­ness is plenty even if using sheer or lace. (As the fabric is pulled into the cen­ter creating the sun­burst, the radius de­creases, increasing the fullness tremen­dously. You want a pretty treatment, but as little fullness in the middle as pos­sible.) Multiply the

Velcro is applied directly to window frame As the Velcro i s

distance around the arch (A) by 2. The treattnent will be railroaded, so this is the atnount of needed yardage.

Sewing: 1. Turn and sew sn1all side hen1s in the

cut ends of the piece of fabric.

2. Fold over and press one selvage to the back of the fabric to elin1inate it and create a finished edge.

3. Sew 2 gathering threads (long basting stitches) through both thicknesses of fabric along this folded edge.

4. Pull up gathering threads to one half of original size. This is the satne size as the distance around the arch because we used two titnes fullness.

stapled around the arch of the window, it will need to be clipped to work around the curve.

The fabric is now attached around the arch by its Velcro. The excess fabric is all pulled into the center bottom of the win­dow and tied. The side hems are now lying across the botton1 of the window (B).

Tying is a difficult task while trying to hold all of that fabric together. Cable ties are the perfect solution! You know, those stnall plastic straps - one end slips into the other end and teeth keep it fron1 sliding back out. Cable ties can be purchased at any building or electrical supply stores. I've also heard fron1 tny : sen1inar attendees that they can be pur- '

chased at San1's Wholesale Club in bulk bags very inexpensively.

Cut off all but about 2" of the excess

fabric and cover it with a rosette pinned or scvvn on. If you prefer, leave about 1011 of fabric instead of 211 and usc it to create

\ 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 is at least 4" wider than one half of the distance across the bott01n of the arch (B). If not, you will run out of fabric when tJ)Jing to pull it to the center.

Try it! Your customers will love the gorgeous look, the great price, and how easy these sunbursts are to take down, clean and put back up.

If you have no convenient place to mount the Velcro around the window, you n1ay want to consider using a new special type of rodding that is L-shaped with the hook half of Velcro already laminated onto one side. It can be easily mounted around the arch with screws (inside n1ount) or brackets (outside tnount) because it is flexible! The treat­ment itself can be made with the exact steps already shown. This rod is called Tbe Peifect Sunburst and is available in

READERS ASK: What does interlining mean; what

are its purposes, and where can it be purchased?

Interlining as a verb means to place a

layer of fabric between the outer fabric and its lining. Interlining can prevent contrast colored lining fron1 bleeding through the front fabric, changing its color - as can

Canada at 775 King St. E., Han1ilton, Ontario, L8M 1A7, 416-529-2772, and in the United States fron1 A Final Touch, 5449 Big Sky Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89129, 702-658-7671.

Another design idea: Use decorative shirring tape in place of the gathering threads. Imagine 4" wide stnocking or pencil pleats around the outside edge of the sunburst. They're gorgeous! There are also Velcro compatible shirring tapes available that already have the loop fiber created in the tape. This elin1inates the need for applying Velcro onto the back of the tape. The three suppliers I an1 aware of for these types of tapes arc Canadian Drapery Hardware in Toronto 416-630-6900, R.H.Rowley in Charlotte, NC, 800-343-4542 and any of the Dofix dealers, main con1pany: 800-962-8983.

happen with jabots. It can also prevent a patterned lining fron1 shc)\ving through the front bbric. Interlining can block out light, create a high degree of insulation or create a thicker, softer look to a treatn1ent. Typical lining can be used as interlining, but it will not give the thick look of actual interlining, which is n1ade of flanneL

. Suppliers that

cany lining also carry interlining.

THINK ABOUT IT!

If it weren't for the last n1inute, nothing \Vould get done.

The future isn't vvhat it used to be.

I'n1 ttying to arrange n1y life so thati don't even have to be present.

�ewWHAT? 3

QiJewWHAT? is a monthly newsletter

published and edited by Cheryl Strickland

101 Strickland Terrace, Swannanoa, NC 28778

704-686-3185 800-222-1415

FAX 1-704-686-3185

Contributing writer Jenelle Wats.on

Design Alex Alford

Yearly subscription cost is $29.95US, $44.95Can .

.Mastercard and Visa accepted.

CSewWHA T? motto: Sew generously and you will

reap generously!

CSewWHAT?s mission: Tohelp professional drapery workrooms with all of their

needs. Eliminate: the unnecessary wasting of time, the frustration of 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.

All featured products, services or suppliers are intended for

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)'.

Copyright© 1993 Cheryl Strickland.

4 �ew�HAr.�--------------------------------------------------

s E

Editor's note: A Special Feature is any­thing else I think you'd tL'ant to know about that doesn 't fit into any of the other categories!

Looking for inexpensive, but unique valances· to offer your custon1ers? Fight-

L ing·-against complaints of "I just can't afford that in today's economy"? Here's what I feel is the perfect solution: The new "Snap-A-Clip" bracket designed by an installer in Norridge, IL. Let's take a

.look at this innovative product. The Snap-A�Clip

snaps over the larger size typical oval rodding with another piece of the same rodding slid into the side of the bracket, forming a T shape. You say, "big deal, real exciting, Cheryl." When you see all of the virtually un­limitednumberof styles

wave, in and out several times. Ok, so that one's stretching it, but I know somebody out there would like it! (Maybe over a water bed?) The point is, use your imagination' and go for it!

If you do not bend the rods, various 3-D shapes can be created using styrene, a thin, slightly flexible plastic that comes in big sheets. It is available from many build­ing supply companies. If you do have trouble locating it, the inventor will assist you by making the valance for you or giving you the number of a styrene supplier.

that can be created very easily using this little bracket, you'll see why I am so excited about it!

The Snap-a-Clip

A gentle curved look is created by cutting a strip of styrene as long as your w indow is wide and slightly wider than the val­ance is high. The rods are used BACKWARDS, with the opening in the rod facing forward. The verti­cal pieces of rod used in the brackets hold the top and bottom rods to the exact width you desire and the styrene is simply slipped into the opening in the top and bottom rods.

Now you can create

unique custom

valances of any

height and width

using regular oval

rodding and the new

Snap-A-Clip bracket

by U ni-Systems,

4859 N. Cumberland,

Norridge, IL 60656, 708-453-6001.

One challenge we have always had in our industry is being able to install stable valances using a rod at the top and the bottom. End brackets are used on both rods and center supports can be placed on the top rod, but not on the bottom rod - the window is in the way! These types of valances are very wobbly and unstable. (I know, I have then1 in my bedroon1!) By snapping a Snap-A-Clip onto both the top and the botton1 rods with a length of rod between them vertically, the valance is now completely stable. We are no longer limited by how high or wide we can create these types of valances. You can make one 30" high and 300" wide if you want to!

Because both rods are now stable, an endless nun1ber of unique styles can be created. The rods can be bent to fon11 many different shapes. Step the valance toward the room and back again. Curve the rod fotward and back again. How about a

Because the styrene is slightly wider than the rods are apart, it creates a bow. The entire rod system is covered with a sleeve of fabric, either flat or gathered. The effect looks like a gently curved upholstered cornice, but at a tiny fraction of the cost, weight and work. Using a much wider piece of styrene forms a tnuch bigger, very attractive, D shape. To detem1ine the size to create the sleeve of fabric, run a string around the unit and measure it. Allow some extra width for ease in putting on the rod,

. just as you would any other pocket. Separate strips of styrene can be taped

side by side with duct tape to create many geometric shapes, three of which are shown in the photo.

In1agine being able to use any of these unique styles in any width or height valance. Phenomenal! For more infonnation contact the inventor, Dan Bonk, at 708-453-6001 and send me pictures of what you've done!

I •••

SEND IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPH OR DRAWING OF A NEW OR UNUSUAL TREATMENT ALONG WITH THE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO . FABRICATE IT. IF CHOSEN FOR PUBLICATION, YOU WILL RECEIVE $100 ALONG WITH 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 your good works and give

glory 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 by

our faith, the world doesn't. Our hearts may be filled with the love of the Lord, but what about the products of our labors? Can people see God's love in the daily things we 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 this question 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 tasks we are asked to do to the best of our ability, no 111atter how sn1all or how large our tasks may be. We shouldn't do anything half-way; our Lord didn't bless us with half a talent, did He!

By doing the best we can, those people who see our work will recognize it as being good and won't have a reason to be unhappy with our products. And then n1aybe, just maybe, they'll be able to see the wonderful blessings of the Lord-- even in something as tiny as a stitch.

6 C0�1VVHAT.�-----------------------------------------------------

WORKROOM'S WO�KROOMS

Sl)PPLIER PROFILE Editor�'note:OSt:JrWHA H does

not endorse or reconznzend any company or individual. Profiles are for infonnation-sharing pur­poses on(v. Ifyou would like to be proftle�cal!B00-222-1415.

NAME: United Supply Company

LOCATION($): Charlotte, NC 800-334-1207

Atlanta, GA 404-925-8607 Nashville, TN 615-331-9296

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 32 SERVICES FOR WORKROOMS: Create made-to-measure (MTM) and cut-to-measure (CTM) rods

WORKROOM SUPPLIES: Woven and non-woven bucrum (crinoline), drapery weights and pins, cording (piping), motors,

wide variety of lining, trim, swag-making system

BRAND NAMES: Parkhill, Kirsch, Graber, Roc-Lon, Conso, Claesson, Makita

Editor's note: Several workrooms exist that offer special�y services to other work­rooJns. Using these services provides several advantages, including: costing less because they can make it faster (since it is their special�y), opening up a world q( selling opportunitiesfor treatments that you don't know how tofabricate, being able to accept jobs too big to handle yourse?(, andfreeing your timefor other money-mqtking endeav­ors. Because these workroorh 's workrooms can be a very valuable resource for the industry, we will be spotlighting one each nzonth. If you qffer services to other work­rooms, let us krwwl

Carol's Roman Shades,lnc. Carol's Ro1nan Shades, Inc. has been in

business for 14 years in Grover City, CA. A leader in the industty in inventing and fabricating innqvative Ron1an and balloon shades, Carol's se1ves client.$ fro1n across the entire United States. Ivlany workrooms contract them to fabricate intricate and unique shades they choose not to 1nake the1nselves.

Carol's offers 23 different style shades in their catalog, including botton1-up, arched, 1notorized and the Rollease headrail sys­tems. They will also create a tnock-up for any desired custon1-designed shade. Carol's recently con1pleted tl1e largest shade fuey've ever 1nade: a whopping 252" wide by 216" long. (I think it would be a pretty good guess they put a 1notor in that one, wouldn't you say?) I'd like to see the living roon1-yes, living roo1n - in which that one was installed! For n1ore infonnation or to re­quest a free catalog, contact:

Carol's Ro1nan Sbades 489 North first Street

Grover City CA, 93433 800-422-1210

Ask for "the" Carol herself or Lauri Roberts in custotner service.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE • Cording sewn around a circular pillo-vv

will wave in and out when the pillow is stuffed. There is too tnuch cording, be­cause the circle gets sn1aller, acco111111odat­ing the thickness. To avoid this problen1, Ivlatilyn Bray ofDrapety Delight!, El Cajon, CA, sends in this suggestion: Gather the edge of the circles of fabric before sewing on the cording (or ruffle) and then sew it on top of the gathers. Ivlarilyn wrote, "I hope this helps you and others". Love your attitude, Ivlarilyn! Keep tl1ose tenific ide�s co1ning!

• Many workroon1s consist of only one person. This 1nakes several tasks very dif­ficult. Barbara Gellendin, Creations by Bar­bara Anne, Ivlenominee Falls, WI has de­vised a sin1ple, but priceless, technique for reaching across the table with a pencil. She has attached it to a long dowel. Boy, dolfeel stupid, now, Batbara! But, really, I needed the exercise all those runes I ran atuund the table!

EQUIPMENT FOCUS The BuckramSewingAttad11nent, manu­

factured by Creative Engineering of Crestwood, Kentucky could be the drapery sewers new best fliend. With this attach­n1ent, gone are the clays of guiding your fabric through the 1nachine while you uy to line up the buckran1 (crinoline) and the edge of the piece you're working on. This attach1nent does all the work for you. All you need to do is feed the fabric under the 1nachine, the guide does the lining-up auto1natically. Designed for stt·aight-stitch sewing 1nachines, the guide can be pur­chased directly fron1 Creative Engineering. for n1ore inforn1ation or to place an order call 800-626-5388 or write:

Creative Engineering 5719 West Hwy 22

Crestwood, KY 40014

This month's Words for Growth Cotnbine a strong belief in yourself with prayer and anything can happen !

VIDE PATTERN Isn't this balloon fantastic? En1bellishing \Vindow

treatments is "in!" This gor­geous Button Jabot and Bow are co1nplin1entaty accessories used by the drapety industry to accent swag and jabot treattnents, valances, canopies, bal­loon shades, cornices and just about anything else you can think of. They are even used by thernselves as wall hangings. A video showing exactly how to create these exciting ac­cessories is no\v- offered for $29.95 by Jaymie Lutz, Design House of Interiors,

Learn How to Cre ate this Button J abot

That's exactly just 'What it's called! TI1e "Fan-Tastic Bal­loon" can be n1ade into a working balloon shade or a stationaty valance. The bot­ton1 can be created with or without the pennanent full­ness at the botton1. The fan can stand up or lie down and four different head styles can be used. This balloon is easy to tnake, yet elegant and dis­tinctive. Patterns Plus #5903, $25.00. Order or send for catalog by tnail:

Patterns Plus PO Box 50428 Ft. Nieyers, FL

33905-0428 147 4 Harker Road, Allentown, NJ, 609-298-8077. Included with the video is a packet of patterns, written insttuctions, and the products needed to create them.

)BOOK Marketing and Promotion from A to Z by Kay Pegran1. Published by Ka yn1ar Books Playa del Rey, California. $19.95

A must-have for hon1e fashions retail­ers and interior designers, this extensive book gives a practical guide to marketing and pron1otion. The book focuses on various pron1otional vehicles like direct tnail, advettising, seminars and home shows as well as giving the reader valuable insight into sales and the psychology of the cus­totner buying process.

Pegram is a regular columnist for Draperies and Window Coverings n1aga­zine and has extensive n1arketing expe­rience in the home fashions industry. She is also a noted seminar speaker at trade conventions and con1pany meetings.

The book can be ordered by sending check or n1oney order for $19.95 to:

Ka ytnar Books PO Box 5944

Playa del Rey, CA 90296. For n1ore inforn1ation call 310-821-957'5.

The F an-T astic B alloon, by Patterns Plus

CLASSIFIED (Are you lookirzg for personnel? Have

any equip1nentyou need orzuould like to sell? List it here! It's free, of course/)

Wanted: Lots of input for this news­letter! Let us know anything we can do for you! Call 800-222-1415!

tc.

NEXT. MONTH ...

Step-by-ste p stringing the ". b o tto m -u p" . shade , Ori Katzin's "Working Swag" shade , Barbara Ge lle ndin's time -saving, ve rtical swag-dressing bo ard, R.H. Row i e 'y ' s screw eye drive r, and wh atever else you se nd in 'th at's goo d stuff!

;i rD 3"" r-t-rD -... :J � c:t. 0 :J � -

2: rD < Vi ([) r-t­r-t-rD -... o-· � 0 �· I/) 0 ::; �

CJ � u 'D

-< ..--< 0� 7,---3 0 ::; -..! lfl

n -w ::JC CD u """"': =:' -< Vl - :::J Vl(t) S. o.. n cr T -< p.J :::::i 0..

{./) � � .s p) :::; {./) :::; r-i­p) :::::. :::; n 0 3::: p) p) ..... :::; zo.. n_,

(D N� COOJ '-..!n '-.JC"D co

The International Newsletter for Professional Drapery Workrooms

HELP! Several workrooms

have requested a resource

for the clear plastic round

dowels (called ribs or

supports) used horizon­

tally in some styles of

Roman shades. Some

workroom suppliers carry

white ones, but we are

looking for clear because

they don't show through

lace or sheer. Please call

and let us know if you are

Calend ar january 23-25

National Workroom and Design Show, Nash­ville, TN, Sheraton Music City HoteL For n1ore infonnation, call 612-293-1544. january 28-30

Window Covering Assoc. of B. C. Window Fash­ions Show, Vancouver, Canada. For tnore infonlla­tion, call Susan at 604-681-5226. february 5-7

Boston Curtain Show, Iv1arlboro, MA, Royal Plaza Trade Center. For more information, call Peggy at 407-627-3393.

April 7-10 International World of Window Coverings (largest

show in US) Atlanta, GA, World Congress Center. For tnore infom1ation, call Peggy at 407-627-3393.

aware of a supplier. What's happening that you know about? Call us at 800-222-1415.1

ANNOUNCEMENTS Barbara Gellendin, of Menominee Falls, WI w;:ts the first to recently

graduate from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a certificate as a "Workroom Specialist." What a terrific way to pron1ote professionalisn1 in our industry, by offering a college course and certification! Congra tu­

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.

Get a terrific job, 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/