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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Getting there. . . Behind the Ironed Curtains

Ok, who among us is old enough to get the joke in the title?

However... what is here, below, are un-ironed curtains,
waiting for their place in the sun.

It's a tale of Great Expectations!


Back on Friday, what was I thinking? (Read here.)

I challenged myself to sew all the curtains for That Old House over the weekend, and also paint the hall bath vanity, and have my husband and brother-in-law hang a mirror over that vanity.

Well, the guys did their job on Sunday evening. Since this job involved power tools, my sister and I made sure they got that mirror up before they got their glasses of wine.

So -- there's a new mirror in place of the old medicine chest.

And the vanity is painted a lovely off-black.... not. I haven't done that yet. I am using the excuse that I need to do some touch up paint here and there, and I will do all the painting on the same day, to minimize the mess.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

But the curtains? They are sewn! And I have the very sore shoulder muscles and swollen hands to prove it. I wrapped up the sewing late Monday night, so I did not manage to make my Sunday night deadline, but -- they are done!


Those bolts of fabric?



They are now big piles of folded curtain panels. Sewn, but not yet ironed and hung.


I hit some roadblocks along the way, not least of which was using unfamiliar machines. My own serger and sewing machine are 20-plus year old Kenmores, and I figured that using my designer daughter's spiffy new White serger. . .


and electronic Juki sewing machine would make the whole job quicker and easier. . .


Proving the maxim about making new friends, but keeping the old.... because the old are gold. It would have helped to have the instruction booklets for these new machines; it took me an hour just to figure out how to load the Juki's bobbin, and that was after it took me 40 minutes to find the foot pedal.

I hope that tonight Howard and I will get the curtain rods installed. So that tomorrow -- ta da! -- I can really take after pictures of the windows!

One missed opportunity -- I didn't have enough of that rose-printed fabric. I bought that fabric for the dining room which has 3 windows. The pink bedroom has 4 windows. Oops. I don't have time to shop for new fabric, so that room will have simple bamboo shades for the Open House on Saturday. I doubt anyone will faint.

The clock still ticks... our Saturday Open House looms, and there's still so much to do!

I love a party!

22 comments:

  1. Oh my, I just finished making drapes for 4 windows and I can't imagine making anymore than that at one time. I do agree using our old friendly sewing machines is so wonderful. I can't wait to see the finished project. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I'm impressed that all of those curtains came from your hands in a matter of days.....I can't wait to see them them ironed and hung...and ahem, yes I got the pun in the title......someone had to explain it to me.....not. Ha.

    suzanne

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  3. I have a 25 year old Kenmore and a almost 10 year old Kenmore and I wouldn't trade them for the world! Good luck with the curtains! I have to do our den curtains. First I have to find the fabric! I also got the pun! Can't wait to see the finished job!

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  4. GM Cass...girl I got the pun..I been around along time..Its sounds like you have really gotten alot done..glad to hear you got the bathroom done..and thats alot of curtains to make in a weekend..Girl I have my Mama Singer from the 40's and it still my best machine..als have a Singer 2000 thats about 30 years old..You have a neat cutting table there..every time I sew I have to use my Kitchen table...so needless to say I don't sew like I would like to...Good luck I know you will get it all done...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  5. Woooo Hooooo - - - I don't have to eat my weight in chocolate!!! Well, I probably will over the rest of my lifetime, but I don't have to RUSH to do it.

    Glad you got it all finished, can't wait to see them hanging at the windows, and I DEFINITELY REMEMBER THE IRON CURTAIN!!!! :-)

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  6. We're all pulling for you .. and yes, I am definitely old enough to get your joke!

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  7. Hi Cass! Oh, I'm so proud of you! Now that was a feat you accomplishes! I can't wait to see your new curtains all smiling on your windows.
    Oh, Cass!! I got the gravy boat yesterday! It's so pretty! Thank you, thank you! I'm so proud of it and I will do a post on it soon!
    Thank you again for drawing my tiny name!
    You are a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. You are my hero, Cass. I can't imagine sewing drapes with lining and pleating and everything. They are looking good and I can hardly wait to see the finished product!

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  9. I can't believe you have time to blog while making all these draperies! Have you forgone sleep? And having a party this weekend?

    I stand Amazed...

    Scribbler

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  10. Hi Cass,
    Glad to know you are alive and well and that your marriage is still in tack after your weekend warrior program. Did I hear someone say BUBBLE BATH and CHAMPAGNE? Hope you make some time to relax. I was laughing about the sewing machine story and understood your pain completely.
    Can't wait to see everything when it's done!

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  11. Wow! Curtains, Party, Blogging...That makes me tired!!! But then again I am so old I get the joke!!!! Great job! I have my Singer from the late 60's that I love! Got it in elementary school and still use it. How many gifts can you say that about? :D Jewel

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  12. Oh Cass, good luck!
    I am tired just reading all you had to do. Last year when preparing for my daughter and step-son's high school graduation I felt like you do, we just kept going and going and going like the energizer bunnies until we dropped in fits of exhaustion. Good luck, my dear. Cindy

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  13. It looks to me like you have made fantastic progress! So many beautiful draperies all ready to iron and hang. Oh, I can't wait to see them all hanging. Oh yes, unfortunately, I got the pun! laurie

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  14. That's an enormous undertaking. Have a nice cup of tea and a soothing bath so you can enjoy the party.

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  15. Aha!
    The "what a weird counter" in the kitchen has found a use, besides getting in the way.
    I like the fabrics.

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  16. Wow, I am REALLY impressed! Doubly so, since I can't sew! Can't wait to see them on the windows. :)
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  17. Morning,Dear One, I have something for you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  18. Morning,Dear One, I have something for you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  19. My goodness, you've been busy! Can't wait to see them on the windows.

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  20. I am in awe of your daring, fortitude, and ability. Love every bit of the fabric. Just choosing it all must have taken a lot of skill. Look forward to seeing the results.

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  21. Wow, what a lot of work! I'm looking forward to seeing your finished work of art. :-D ~Arleen

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