the christian left

new curtains 4

Originally uploaded by laceybatey

I decided to get us out of the “you know your mother knows your style” scenario and make new curtains. Sure, my old valances were just fine. In fact, I had a great time with my mom shopping and actually making the curtains. It’s really nice to have her to help since she is an amazing seamstress, just like all the women in her family. I do not remember my grandmother buying very many clothes in stores, in fact, because they “would just have to be ripped out and taken in properly” or because the lining didn’t match the fabric or because there was no lining, etc. She was one of the most amazing women I have ever met. All of the wonderful seamstresses (and my uncles can hem their own pants and all) in my family would be probably embarrassed by my skills…but they are done.

It’s nice to have these since I think things are beginning to come around to my style finally. It takes guts to tell your mom that the fabric she chose isn’t the one for you. And that it made me feel old. We just don’t have similar styles. Mom actually took it really well, after I finally got up the gumption to tell her how I really felt (politely, of course). We talked about how if we were to sell our house, we would be marketing probably to people who share our style, just like she would market to people who share hers. And if I were to have my parents’ house, I would redo most things. It’s wallpaper heaven, and that is not the heaven for me. But, I digress.

I just made some really straightforward valances — no more scalloped shape, but still very tailored and no excess. More of a cornice look. They are fully lined, and the fabric is nice drapery quality. I like the asymmetry of the design, and hopefully when my energy level is higher I can make some pillows, too. I think it freshens up the look, pulls things together, and reflects my (our) style better. And it didn’t take a whole lot of time either. I ordered the fabric from fabricguru.com on a Tuesday, it arrived the following day, and the curtains were hanging by Saturday evening.