When we moved into our new house, my mother sent me a few of her home dec books to use for decorating ideas. I was so excited to get the books…until I opened the box.
The first book I flipped through was entitled Creative Window Treatments. Being as that we have eleventy billion windows in this house, I was excited to get some ideas. The book was published in 1991, which is almost 20 years ago, but I thought there would still be some stylish examples in the book.
I must have forgotten how horrendously awful the early ’90s were.
This, my friends, is called a “Vent Hose Cornice.” It is literally a tube of fabric gathered over vent hose. Like the vent hose that runs from your clothes dryer to the dryer vent. I’m not even kidding, although I wish I was. True story.
This next one is really cool. Or maybe I should say “rad.” At any rate, I’m pretty sure this was actually in Zack Morris’s bedroom.
Multiple drapery rods are used together to create a dramatic top treatment. In the treatment shown here, wide curtain rods are covered with rod sleeves and the contemporary metal pole sets are left uncovered.
Design styles and fabric choices may come and go, but the backbone of home dec sewing remains the same. All three books have detailed step-by-step directions for sewing lined draperies, measuring the windows for formal treatments, working with self-styling tape, and more. I have all of the elementary education I need within these three books, but I can use my creativity to adapt these basic shapes into something spectacular for my home. I made my first set of self-styling, lined curtains and incorporated twisted welting onto a pillow using the instructions in these books. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way they those projects turned out, and I know that I would have been too nervous to attempt such things without what have become my home dec “manuals.”
I encourage you to browse used book stores, thrift shops, and even Ebay for these or similar books if you are interested in learning basic home dec sewing techniques. There’s really no reason to pay high prices for recently published books on these topics when you can learn everything you need to know from older publications. And who knows – you may need a good laugh one day.
I just hope my mom never wants me to give these books back.
Hi, Lindsay, oh my, I remember those looks SO well & am so happy things are simplified now. The PVC tube thing was a really popular one, with the fabric sleeve. Yikes! Those were hilarious pics. But I bet you are right about learning the basics from the books. Great idea. I just bought a really nice sewing machine from a yardsale in the fall & am going to attempt to sew a slip cover. My mom is a great seamstress, but I'm a novice. Figure I can learn though!
those pics are priceless! definitely a great laugh!
Pic #3 is sending me into OCD hell!!! Ha!
The tube one is my most favorite, I think. Awesome pictures….
You crack me up..
Holy cow! Those were … um … incredible?
Lol! I own both of those books and Creative window treatments book two!
OMG OMG OMG, my eyes are burning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(p.s….i really did LOL at the "making my head hurt a little more on the left comment though!)
Hey there my friend in creativity! I’ve always wanted to merge creative minds together and share our stories! You leave me wanting MORE MORE MORE…..Please respond to my email address and hoping we could be friends on Facebook and mesh ideas together! I’d LOVE your suggestions on my new master bedroom project! Hope to hear from you soon!
Laurie Graham
but i really need the instructions for the vent hose cornice. i also saw the book in the 90’s and the project has haunted me ever since. i have the window, materials, and hose, now i need the directions. please help!
I have those books in my storage room someplace. I bought them when I bought my first house..So stylish and creative then, so funny now. My how things change……………….