Custom Workroom Technical Center or "Workroom Tech" is a trade school dedicated to helping custom workroom businesses with training for custom window treatments and soft furnishings. There are classes for all skill levels, whether you would like to learn how to sew home decor and start a workroom business, or are an established professional seeking to hone your skills.
Workroom Tech is owned and operated by Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker, owners of Home Dec Gal and producers of Custom Workroom Conference. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tryon, NC, Workroom Tech is at the center of a charming town, within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops and galleries.
Susan Woodcock is the author of Singer(R) Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments, Sewing Window Treatments: An Absolute Beginners Guide, and is an instructor for Craftsy and The Workroom Channel. She is a popular speaker for design and workroom programs, organizations and groups.
😊thank you. How would you attach it to fabric. Would you be able to show this? I cant see how the bottom ( with two corners) can be attached to fabric.
Hello, The banding can be attached to fabric with 3 different methods; a) machine sewing, b) hand sewing, or c) adhesive products (iron-on fusible tape, double-sided sticky tape, or fabric glue). We have a podcast and blog about this topic on the website www.workroomtech.com/blog-podcast
Hello, To attach to fabric, you can machine sew, hand stitch or use an adhesive. Most often on a drapery or roman shade, I will machine sew with a matching thread before adding linings.
I got all my supplies and I'm reviewing your video. I have a question. At 10 minutes in, the fusible buckram extends to the edge of the fabric. At 12:02, however, the buckram does not extend over the hemline. When would you do it one way, and when the other?
Hello, The side hems are unfolded - that is why the buckram looks shorter at 12:02. When the side hems are folded back over the buckram extends to the outside edges (less a little bit so it't not too tight).
Thanks for this video. I am a quilter trying to make draperies for my home for the first time. When adjusting the width of the pleat to get a good position of the seam, how much difference is noticeable? I am planning for euro pleats and my math says one pleat would be 4.25” and the next 5”. I’m thinking thinking that will be too noticeable? Thanks for any help!
Hello Stephanie, Fold up two pleats and look at them from across the room. Can you tell a difference? If you have not finished your side hems, you could cut away off one side to change the amount added to the pleats. Sometimes it's helpful to plan your pleats and spaces first and then you can plan the finished panel size.
Hello, How you install the shade depends on the operating system. If board mounted use L-brackets or use the brackets that come with the system you choose. You can purchase dofix products as a trade customer from dofix.com or if you are not a business owner you can purchase the items used for this shade from www.homesewingdepot.com
If I am doing a lumber pillow that is 18 x 11 , do I increase my dimensions by the amount of the angle- like 20 x13 on my cut pieces? Also, do I need to use a boxed form or just get a much bigger one so it will fill the space? Thank you in advance!
The size of the pillow cuts are to match the pillow insert seam-to-seam. It will appear smaller because it is thicker / boxed in shape. You might want to make a sample to get the exact finished size that you want. You don't need a boxed insert - you can use the knife edge insert
Hello Diane, You want the drapery to finish slightly larger than the rod width when pleated. This will give you ease so you don't have to stretch the panel. It also reduces "spring back".
Hey Susan, great webinar. I do have a question about calculating "ease" in a 1-way draw drapery. Would this entail removing 1" per panel width from the overall length of the panel? In my case, the w2w fabric is 156"; so would I calculate pleats based on 153"?
For customer pillows yes, I most often serge the pillow cuts before sewing. This is a sample to show the zipper method - not a "real" customer! The topstitching prevents the zipper from showing when the pillow is stuffed.
This was so helpful! Having the zipper teeth ride on "top" of the cording was something I'd never done but the outcome is what I was looking for. And finishing the other side with topstitching was a perfect way to finish. Thank you for this very helpful video!
You can follow the same measurement or customize it for a lesser sized pleat or greater size pleat. A mock-up in muslin would be a good idea to see how it works.
You just saved me! A good friend of mine asked for two bolster pillow for her daybed. I was honestly going to have to say no, because we are both perfectionists, and I knew that neither one of us was going to be happy with the outcome. I have been able to, in the past, cinch it together, but it was a permanent solution. She wants a bolster cover that is removable. Thank you, thank you.
Hi there! Thanks for this - its a great help. I'm sewing a Roman blind where the band is at the front edge of the blind but wraps around with the base fabric to the back. Is the method any different when you need to do this? Many thanks
Hello Bernice, There are instructions for a wrapped banding for a Roman shade in my book "Singer Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments". You can also see banding tutorials on the Workroom Tech blog at www.WorkroomTech.com Best Wishes, Susan Woodcock
Anything I need to do differently when putting a zipper into a needlepoint pillow? I dread zippers but this method seems easier than what I've been doing for years.
Although the size is the same as the insert seam-to-seam, the pillow will appear smaller because it is thicker / boxed in shape. You might want to make a sample to get the exact finished size that you want.
This method looks brilliant! I have transparent buckram, but it is only fusible on one side. Should I just tack it as you did in the blackout roman shade method or machine stitch it to the interlining? What would you recommend?
I have an order for a double flange sham with overlapping backs. Have never done one of these. Any Ideas????? I can get the front with a fold down on the flange but can't get the back to work
Thank you so....much for your expertise! You have helped me to gain my sewing confidence back and I'm now ready to tackle my very large front room drape project. I'm using the Euro Pinch Pleat application and I'm feeling confident thanks to you!!
I see you have a hem on the blackout lining. I have done this also but it seems to have air in it, sort of puffing. I've flattened it with my hand but it's still puffing. Any recommendations to sort it, Yours looks lovely and flat in the video.
Thanks so much for sharing this method Susan. One question, are the panels suitable for dry cleaning? Should that be avoided and another cleaning/maintenance method suggested to clients? Thanks
Can you please tell me which tool you used to sew your hems, they are perfect. I can't seem to find a rolled hem foot for a 4 inch or 3 inch hem. What type of foot did you use?
