My dad asked me how my guest room makeover was coming along today.
"Dad, it's taking me forever. I could probably get it done in 4 days but it's impossible when you have little kiddos."
He then told me he just watched The Bridges of Madison County and paraphrased a line from the movie, "When you have kids you put your life on hold to watch their lives grow. Then when they're grown and you pick your own life back up you don't know where to begin."
Preachin' to the choir.
So here's my slow progress on my latest room makeover.
I found these amazing green trellis sheets at HomeGoods several moons ago. I actually purchased them for a client who has run in to some snags so her room has been put on hold. Collecting dust in my closet I thought I'd put them to good use. I'm using them for a few things (don't want to prematurely ruin the suprise) but I will reveal that I cut them up and made a bedskirt. I simply detached the existing ruffle from the muslim and sewed on a new skirt. I will also reveal that I've given up on sewing machine. The thread broke 10 times while I was truckin' along. What up? I fooled around with the thread tension on my needle and bobbin to the extent of a few explicitives...still can't figure the darn thing out. Any ideas?
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38 comments:
Oooh that trellis sheet is amazing! And I love that lamp ~ great find! Can't wait to see it all come together :)
I am in love with green right now! You should totally paint the lamp!! I painted some lamps recently and they came out fab (if I do say so myself).
When my sewing machine does that it's usually the thread not the machine. Try a different thread (if possible a higher quality one) and see if it doesn't help.
ha! Crazy lamp coincidence :)
Lucky find on the sheets and the lamp. Looking forward to a reveal of the guest room when it is finished.
Ohhhhhhh so lovely! I used those same sheets in blue to make a runner for my dining room table! Can't wait to see the reveal!
Try changing the needle in your machine. In theory it should be changed with every new project. I'm learning this the hard way now that I've started sewing for the first time since middle school!
Karla
Hey girl--gorgeous sheets! I can't believe they were on clearance that low! Sometimes when I am sewing something large like that, I have to ball it up because it can pull with its own weight and make the thread tension higher. are you working on a really big table with enough area to hold the weight of the fabric?
i am so jealous! i have been searching high and low for super graphic sheets for my bed, and i really can't find them anywhere! they are lovely :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT ALL!!!! I can't wait to see the end result, no matter how long it may take! ;)
i'm a bit jealous that you're always finding great trellis stuff at home goods, because i NEVER FIND THAT STUFF!! why, why, whyyyyyyyy????
and enough of my whining. i LOVE that print, and i LOVE that you're using it for a bedskirt. it seems that whatever you have up your wonderful, stylish little sleeve will most definitely be fabulous. can't wait to see it!
Your father is a wise man...listen to him!!
What an amazing find, this room is off to one fabulous start!
Janell
I love HomeGoods for bedding too! Such a great mix! Love that lamp!!
Eddie
I have to agree with Jen M, I noticed after I bought an embroidery machine, that I quit buying cheaper thread and use the thread I embroider with and the sewing machine I almost threw away now works like a dream. Also, you may want to make sure the bottom bobbin was wound correctly (sometimes they get wanky) and I would make sure there isn't lint buildup either, a little canned air in the crevices always seems to help - Happy Sewing!
You must have the world's best Home Goods- there is never anything that awesome at mine!
I saw very similar sheets at HG but sadly I was with the husband who gave me the famous "now what are you going to use that for?" So I passed and then had second thoughts two days later. But they were snatched up by someone else. Love what you did with yours!
Don't you just love scoring a bargain. That lamp is awesome. Are you going to paint it? Can't wait to see the end result of the room!
Angex
I made those same exact sheets into pillows! : )
Michelle, this is going to be a fabulous room! By the way, we just posted a thank you on the blog- it's been an amazing week!
xoxo Pattie
Cant wait to see the final outcome!
Is there a home goods here in Tucson? I would say its your needle, if you haven;t changed it, that can cause a lot of problems. You want a VERY sharp one. For home decor weight a 14-16 size. A sewing book I read said to change your needle EVERY time you start a new project. I dont always do that, but its a good idea to change often.[
oh! i can't wait to see what it brings! soon you will have to move just to have new rooms to re decorate!
I had the same problem with my sewing machine this weekend. I'm sure cheap thread wasn't helping, but I finally figured out that my needle was in backwards (flat side toward the front, rather than the back). While I was troubleshooting, I also cleaned out all of the lint and oiled it. Like new! Maybe I'll try nicer thread now...
I can't wait to see your update when it's complete! I finally got around to finishing my curtain tie-backs and throw pillows this weekend for the living room I "updated" FOUR months ago! ;) Funny how life goes on, anyway.
You've got such an eye for bargains, but in the end it all looks like a million dollars. :)
I love when you spot something you own in a magazine or on TV. Not sure why. It's always so fun though.
I love the sheets! So pretty.
What an awesome deal!
I'm convinced that you have more talent in your little finger than most people have in their whole bodies! You are amazing.
Can't wait to see the finished product.
Congrats on your great finds! I can't wait to see what you do with the room.
Oooooooo those sheets are to die for! I found a trellis patterned wallpaper that I'm going to use in my dining area. I wish I had those sheets though. Love what you've got going so far. Can't wait to see it!
3 sets!! That's not fair! I never found a single one. The bedskirt looks great. Can't wait to see the room.
just seeing that price tag made me miss homegoods so much! we don't have them here! i miss stalking that store!
Love the sheets and what a great idea to use them for a bedskirt,you are a very clever lady. I just bought two pillows for my playroom bed with that same green, it just makes me smile. I have two sets of bedding one for when a girl guest is there and one when the boys are there. I was lucky like you and got most of them on clearance. I am right with you on when will it get done?? I did get the trial qt. of paint yesterday so that counts, right?! You can see the bedding here
http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/enter-my-brain-if-you-dare.html
I also show the beds made up in another post, but like you I have lots to do. Today I posted on some of the elements I would like to use. Have fun!! I am trying too.
Kathysue
Great job on the sheet! I do love the design and HomeGoods!
I just love all your decor ideas. I love home goods.. but we don't have one up here near Tacoma.. so in order for me to go there I have to drive 2 1/2 hours to Portland :-(
You are so lucky with that home goods find! I would die to have that!
I have come late to this party, but agree that cleaning, oiling de-fluffing the machine can't hurt. However I am cheap, and rather than use a new needle each project I sharpen them (just on an ordinary sharpening steel). Especially useful when all you can find in your sewing kit is leather needles, ultra-fine, ball-point, etc. etc..
I've just discovered your blog and I love it! Hours of reading over the Easter weekend. Kate
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