The length of the tablecloth from the edge of the table to the bottom of the cloth is the drop. Always include the drop length in your tablecloth measurements. There are three common drop lengths: short, 10" to 12" (25.5 to 30.5 cm); mid-length, 16" to 24" (40.5 to 61 cm); and floor-length, 28" to 29" (71 [...]

Customized tabletop fashions are a simple way to change the look of a room without spending too much time or money. These easy projects make good home sewing sense for several reasons. Home-sewn table fashions, unlike purchased ones, are not limited to a small selection of standard sizes. Design a tablecloth yourself, and scale it [...]

Ruffles add interest to a pillow or enhance needlework pillows.Make ruffles from matching or contrasting fabric, or purchase lace or eyelet ruffling. Cutting Directions Cut pillow front and back 1" (2.5 em) larger than finished pillow.  Cut ruffle strips twice the desired width plus I" (2.5 cm) for seam, length two to three times the distance [...]

Though the technique is centuries old, inlaid wood has a trendy appeal that is equally at home with all decorating styles – from traditional to contemporary, casual to formal. However, because of the skilled craftsmanship involved, the cost for an inlaid wood table is often beyond the means of appreciating homeowners. An authentic inlaid wood [...]

Snap tape and hook and loop tape are easy to handle and give closures a flat, smooth finish. Snap tape allows some give on closures and is suitable for pillows that are very soft. Because closure seam allowances 3/4" (2 cm) wide, use 5/8" (1.5 cm) tape. Overlap closures are placed in the center back [...]

Mock corded pillows are corded after the pillow is assembled. Cutting Directions Cut pillow front 1" (2.5 cm) larger than the finished pillow. Cut back the same length as front. For hook and loop tape or zipper closure, add 1-1/2 (3.8 cm) to back width; for overlap closure, add 5-1/2' (14 cm). YOU WILL NEED [...]

Knife-edge pillows are plump in the center and flat around the edges. These simple pillows can be made in half an hour. Use the knife-edge pillow directions to make removable pillow liners. Sew liners from muslin, sheeting, cotton sateen or similar fabrics. Cutting Directions Cut front and back 1″ (2.5 cm) larger than finished pillow [...]

To choose the right fabric for your pillow, consider how the pillow will be used and where it will be placed in your home. For a pillow that will receive hard wear, select a sturdy, firmly woven fabric that will retain its shape. Pillows get their shape from forms or loose fillings. Depending on their [...]

Pillow styles range from simple to elaborate. Choice of technique affects your sewing time. Choose a simple knife-edge pillow, or invest more time in tailoring a box pillow complete with cording and a zipper. 1) Neckrolls are small round bolsters that are often trimmed with lace or ruffles. Sleeping bag pillows are the simplest neckroll [...]

The hobbled shade falls into soft folds because it is twice the length of the Roman shade. The folds are held in place by twill tape.  Read about Roman shades before beginning this project. To determine the number of folds, subtract 3″(7.5 cm) for the hem from finished length of shade. Divide this number by [...]