Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Inspired Ideas

Our Free, Online Webinars Spark Custom Creativity

Cammie Berger, Cammie Berger Interiors, Charlotte, NC was inspired after attending the All About Pillows II webinar.  She created this beautiful pillow out of linen selvages.  What a great way to recycle what would normally be thrown in the trash.


Carol Collord, Creations by Carol, Medway, MA was inspired by ideas she picked up by attending the All About Pillows and The Best of Rowley Company Tips & Tricks webinars.  Carol created this grommet embellished pillow as a customer thank-you gift.



Many thanks to Cammie and Carol for sharing their pillows with Rowley Company.  We would love to hear from you!  Click here to submit pictures of your inspired creations.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Lambrequins



A lambrequin is a style of pelmet or cornice with long ends that extend down the side of the window, often to the sill or even to the floor.  Lambrequins were popular in the early to mid 19th century and were made with stiffened buckram, paper or wood.   The red, silk lambrequin above, c. 1850 is featured in the book Upholstery in America & Europe from the Seventeenth Century to World War I (1987 The Barra Foundation) where designs for lambrequins are "first being seen in The Workman's Guide in 1883, where they are praised as being 'very simple and may be cut to any shape'..."
Another interesting historical reference and a sound piece of design advice can be found in The American Woman's Home (Harriet Beecher Stowe and Catherine Beecher,1869) "...the patterns of these can be varied according to fancy, but simple designs are usually the prettiest.  A tassel at the lowest point improves the appearance."

Miss Beechers housekeeper & Healthkeeper, Catherine Esther Beecher, 1873

Early lambrequins were made with buckram, paper or wood.  These option are still available to the modern workroom as well as new materials such as FirmaFlex, a lightweight polyester fiberboard that allows for large, shaped projects with less weight than wood.  Before upholstering the structure batting or interlining should be added for softer edges and a  more uniform appearance.  The reverse side is usually lined (or painted) and a gimp braid covers any tacks or staples.


Lambrequins can be combined with draperies, shades or shutters.  The length of the sides helps to control light when blackout is desired.


Adding trims such as braid, fringe, banding or upholstery nails helps to outine the shape and give added texture and dimension to this flat style of window treatment.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Learn Upholstery Tips, Tools and Techniques

ROWLEY COMPANY has many products for the upholstery workroom such as upholstery nails, staple removers, pliers, mallets, jute webbing, gimp, air staplers, foam cutters and fiber.  If you would like to learn more about upholstery, visit our website for free instructions, videos and webinars.


Click on the INNOVATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE tab near the top of the page and select "How-To's" from the drop down menu for printable instructions for an "Upholstered Seating Cube" or how to make a "Headboard with Decorative Hardware". 


Click on VIDEO SOLUTIONS at the bottom of the homepage to see the new videos for the Foam Cutter, Air Stapler and Locking Button Form Clasp.


Click on WEBINARS to register for an upcoming, upholstery topic such as "Upholstery Tips & Techniques", "Make Your Own Upholstered Seating Cube" or "Deep Tufting for Upholstery".