It snowed today. Big hefty snowflakes. It settled for a while but the sun is out now and everything is melting.
Paul has finished painting the sitting room and everything looks new and fresh. I am very pleased with the colour of the walls. Well, actually there is no colour because it is very neutral, a blank canvas. The bay window looks cold and stark. I am wondering whether to tackle making some curtains myself or pay the money and get them made. Sewing curtains is a relatively straightforward task but I’m not sure if I’m physically up to fighting with voluminous yards of fabric.
Talking of sewing, my favourite television programme is back later this month, The Great British Sewing Bee. I love watching the amateur sewers trying to make sense of the patterns and tasks that they are set. Some of their results are hilarious, others are impressive. A new presenter this year, comedian Joe Lycett (haven’t a clue who he is) taking over from Claudia Winkleman.
Neutral paint is best for walls. I've given up curtains, and use silk/rice sheets as window covers instead. At a certain age, one wants comfort not struggles of any kind.
ReplyDeleteSilk sheets are a good idea.
DeleteI used to sew a lot, clothes mostly. I've gotten away from it and wonder if it would all come back to me. The one thing I despised, however, was making curtains. I'd rather handle small pieces of fabric. Do show us what you end up doing. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI'm the other way around, I'm not very good with small pieces of fabric.
DeleteHave you thought of some nice blinds???? I notice you have a radiator under the window and I find my curtains sit a little above the radiator but the heat tends to go up the back of the curtains warming the window instead of coming into the room. Just an idea;) Room looks beautiful, have used that colour myself and have never tired of it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm planning is a long, bronze pole across the top with faux curtains (i.e. never get drawn) at either side and roman blinds at the recessed window. Seems pointless having drawn curtains cutting off the radiator from the rest of the room.
Deletelycett will bring humour and lightness to the proceedings, which seems what everyone wants in this kind of presenter competition .......
ReplyDeleteI think the balance of humour and earnestness works well with this type of programme.
DeleteI used to make curtains but found large ones very hard going! So glad The Sewing Bee is back -though it will drive my OH away to do something else.
ReplyDeleteWithout a large table I used to end up on the floor on my hands and knees. Funnily enough Paul enjoys The Sewing Bee just as much as me.
DeleteI sold our first house with home made floor to ceiling thick and lined curtains included in the sale. They were still pinned up on the hems with safety pins and our buyer said her's were pinned the same way that she had passed on.
ReplyDeleteI shall miss Ms Winkleman
I never hemmed the last curtains I made, just let them puddle fashionably on the floor. (Paul said they were a trip menace)
DeleteLoved your curtains in France. Get sewing it will save you going to coffee mornings and making poppies!:)
ReplyDeleteGet them made. No need to put yourself through curtain making now.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm thinking.
DeleteOne of my favourite programmes too Sue - makes me feel quite good at sewing now and again but most of the time it makes me feel inadequate in that department. I would agree with Rachel - wrestling with voluminous quantities of material is not for the fainthearted. I had my sitting room ones made and I don't regret it for a second although they did cost an arm and a leg. They will see me out.
ReplyDeleteThis is supposed to be our 'forever' home now so I don't begrudge the cost.
DeleteThe pictures look like the waiting room of a private doctor's consulting rooms.
ReplyDeleteWell I suppose that's better than an NHS waiting room.
DeleteIf you have a machine and have some curtain-making history, I'd suggest you make them yourself. You may be disappointed in the finish or the cost of having them made by another. But if you aren't too particular about how they turn out, you could start your own community club, like those knitting clubs hipster girls join these days, and get your neighbours in to share in the "fun" and have them hand sew them for you. Just put on some coffee and bikkies and direct the proceedings!
ReplyDeleteI left my machine in France so I would have to borrow my daughter's. Not too sure about a community effort!
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ReplyDeleteLady Magnon bought plain Indian bedspreads for our curtains, then simply shortened them and added the hook bits. They're beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to find beautiful fabric in the shops nowadays.
DeleteI am also looking forward to the return of sewing bee. In my " youth" I did a lot of dressmaking etc. I have also made many curtains in my time. The largest being 3 widths wide and full length...loose lined too! Never again! They are still in use but the linings are falling apart.
ReplyDeleteIt's the sheer volume and weight of material that make curtains tricky.
DeletePaul seems to be a very practical man who completes all the tasks you set for him. Why not instruct him to make the curtains too? All he has to do is to look at a couple of YouTube videos beforehand. Easy peasy.
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's an excellent idea.
DeleteIt's a beautiful room. Can't wait to see photos of it all finished.
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