The Professional Workroom Table

Oh the joy of a new worktable. The aroma of fresh cut wood and a clean canvas just waiting for that first bolt of fabric.  A new work table can make a workroom pro swoon and the novice green with envy. 


Many a workroom started out on a dining room table, pool table, ping-pong table or the floor (ouch!).  Using a good worktable will make your measurements more accurate and your work more efficient.  If you are working on a make-do table, do yourself a favor (and your back) and invest in the time and materials to create a professional style worktable.  You will be glad you did over and over and over again.


Window treatment construction is hard and messy work.  Scissors, glues, markers, fabric dyes and spills can turn the beautiful canvas into a soiled, sad mess.  Does this look familiar?

The good news is that a solidly constructed worktable will last forever and the canvas can be replaced over and over again.

One of the most common questions we hear is "do you have instructions for building a worktable"?  Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.  We listened.  Not only are we going to provide printable instructions but we will present a live, photo-filled, interactive and fun online seminar complete with a construction list so that you can build a worktable of your very own.

The start of a worktable. Build two frames for the table top and bottom shelf.

The frame is connected with legs.  This is a small sized table at 6' long.  Make the table as long as is possible for your room.  Most workroom use a 10' or 12' finished length which will need legs in the center as well.  The height is customized for the user.  Make it too low and you will have a back ache but make it too high and you will not be able to reach the center.  Choose a height that is near the hip.

Add 3/4" thick plywood for the table top.

A layer of work table under-layment creates a pinnable surface which is then topped with padding and canvas for ironing.

But wait, there's more!  There are time-saving products and tools that will make your work table more efficient like the Printed Worktable Canvas, Worktable Extension Bracket, Table Clamp Fabric Dispenser, Table Top Edging and other ideas that will be shared in the webinar.  A worktable is one of the best investments you will ever make in your workroom business.  Even a hobbyist will enjoy the benefits of a good work surface for home dec projects, quilting or garment sewing.

Join us for Constructing a Professional Workroom Table 
on Thursday, April 14, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.   
Click here to register.

French Pleated-Grommet Panels

Do you like the look of traditional pleated panels but would like to update the style for a more modern interior?  This drapery style combines both tried-and-true French Pleats with sleek Grommets to create a traditional panel with a contemporary edge.

Here's how:

1. Make a drapery panel with a buckram heading.  Allow for 6 grommets and three 5 to 6 inch pleats for each width.

2. Determine grommet placement, cut holes and set the grommets, leaving space for the pleats to be sewn in-between.

3. Sew in the pleats from the top to the bottom of the buckram and tack to create any pleat style such as French (shown here), Goblet or Euro styles.  Install on decorative hardware just as you would for a flat grommet panel.

This style offers a very small stackback on the window, perfect for situations where there is not much room for traversing draperies.  One width stacks back to approximately 4" and when pulled out on the pole covers approximately 20".  Like with flat grommet panels, a baton should be used if the draperies will be traversed on the pole.  This will make traversing easier and prevent the fabric from being stretched or soiled.

This French Pleated-Grommet Panel features EZ-Set™ Matte Nickel Grommets #GE12/T and 4" Heavy Weight, Iron-On Buckram #BXA44 from Rowley Company.

Relaxed Romans with Sure-Shade™ Encased Lift Cord Shroud Tape

The following relaxed shades were made with the new Sure-Shade™ Encased Lift Cord Shroud Tape from Rowley Company.  This innovative tape replaces traditional shade lift cord and rings, creating a shade that is compliant with the 2010 ANSI/WCMA Standards for corded window coverings.

 

Relaxed shade with a center pleat and button detail.  Button Border by Finestra Decorative Hardware® can be found in two styles, two sizes and three colors in the 2011 Rowley Catalog, page 99.  Custom finishes also available.

The Encased Lift Cord Shroud Tape replaces sew-on rings and lift cord.  The tape is sewn to the shade and the cord travels freely within the tape allowing operation of the shade and preventing the cord from forming a hazardous loop when fixed spacing is used, following guidelines and instructions provided.  The cord exits the tape at the last tack point under the lift system and is threaded into any system that accepts cords.  The EZ-Rig™ Shade System is shown.

Relaxed Roman shade is created by cutting the bottom section of the shade slightly wider.  Permanent folds keeps the swag shape consistent.

Back of Relaxed Roman Shade showing weight bar and Encased Lift Cord Shroud Tape

To learn how to make the shades shown above, and other popular relaxed shade styles, register today for the free online seminar

"Soft and Creative Shade Styles"

presented live on April 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. 

Click here to register: Soft and Creative Shade Styles

Stapling in Style at CHF Academy

Students in the hands-on Upholstered Cornices Class at Custom Home Furnishings Academy, in Charlotte, NC enjoy wearing the "Safe & Sophisticated" Ladies Safety Glasses from Rowley.  These stylish safety glasses protect eyes when using staplers, nailers, jig saws or other power tools.  Thanks CHFA for the photo, the students are lookin' good!

Click here to learn more:  Ladies Safety Glasses Video

Great Style with Less Effort; Rowley's EZ-Set™ Grommets

EZ-Set™ Grommets

Rowley Company offers an exclusive line of EZ-Set Grommets which require one quarter less force to set vs. our regular grommets.  They are available in 6 colors in square and round shapes and work with both the Grommet Press and #12 Cutter and Setter, or with the new Plastic Grommet Setter (shown below).

Antique Brass, Frost Silver, Black, Antique Copper, Matte Nickel and Polished Silver

EZ-Set™ Grommet with Plastic Grommet Setter Step-by-Step:

Mark for grommets in the drapery heading and cut out one hol

 .

Place the grommet front on top of the setting die base and top with your project (face down).

Place grommet washer over the grommet on the back, with the small teeth facing down.

Place the setting die top into the hole.  Be certain, with square grommets, that the grommet is placed even.

Set the grommet with a hammer, striking the center of the setting die.

You have successfully set a grommet!

Continue cutting holes and setting grommets across the top of the drapery.

The drapery is finished.  Always use an even amount of grommets.  For a single width panel, eight EZ-Set™ grommets are used.

The finished panel is placed on a decorative rod and installed at the window.  Rods with a diameter of less than 1 3/8" diameter can be used with the EZ-Set™ Grommets.

EZ-Set™ Grommets and the Plastic Grommet Setter can be found on page 205 of the 2011 catalog.

Sure-Shade™ Universal Drive Tension Device

When fabricating, selling and installing window treatments with bead or cord loops, a tension device is required in order to comply with the 2010 ANSI safety standards.  Rowley Company has designed a simple, cost effective device that can be used for shades, traversing drapery or any other style driven by a bead or cord loop.

The Sure-Shade™ Universal Drive Tension Device is available in 7 colors, is easy to install and has a slim profile. It includes inside and outside mount brackets, cable tie, instructions and necessary screws.  Stock #CT70/color

Colors: DB=Dark Brown, N=Off White, P=Pecan, G=Grey, B=Beige, W=White, K=Black

The thickness is approximately 1/2 inch

The device is 3 inches long and is shown with the inside mount bracket attached.  A wall mount bracket is also included.

Width of the device is 1 1/8 inches

The device is attached to the bead or cord loop by the workroom or manufacturer.  This is very simple to do, following these steps or you can watch a short video on our website.

Click here to view:  Universal Drive Tension Device Video

1. Pull back on the screw hole, this will lower the gripping teeth inside the devide.  A paper clip can be inserted into the hole if you find this awkward to do.

2. While holding the tension, drop the bead chain loop into the end.

3. Slide the guide into the end with the smooth side next to the bead chain loop.  Release the tension and let the guide snap in place.

To prepare the shade for delivery, pull down on the screw hole, releasing the tension and slide the Universal Drive Tension Device all the way to the top, next to the drive system.  Check to make sure the system will not operate.  Roll up the cord or bead chain loop and secure it to the device by threading the cable tie through the screw hole and cinching the loop to the device.

A Child Safety Warning Tag must be attached to each device (#ANS16) and is sold separately.

New Button Borders

Button Borders are available in two sizes with an inside diameter to fit #60 or #75 button forms, two styles; Beaded and Neo-Classical and three colors; Pewter (left), Theater Antique Gold (right) and Old World Gold (center)

Add a covered button to the center of the Button  Border.  A crimp or snap together button can be used.  In this example, a button was made using the Button Form Clasp with Locking Washer but a sew-on on button can also be used with the Button Borders and sewn or tied to your project.

Adding Fringe Adhesive or Hot Melt Glue will hold the button form snug and in place.  If needed, clamp the button to the border until the glue is dry and then add to your project.

This finished button is used to create a custom detail on a box pleated valance.  This Button Border is shown in the Beaded Style with Old World Gold finish.

Button Borders are custom made and hand painted.  They are available in finishes other than the three stock  colors shown, call 1-800-343-4542 for more information.

Just imagine the design options!  Add padded buttons with borders on headboards and pillows or  as an accent on top treatments and shades.  Create buttons from velvets for a plush look or linen for a cool, crisp design detail.  

A Button Border is used with banding to accent the bottom of  a Roman Shade.  Button Border in this example is the Beaded Style in Theater Antique Gold finish.