~~ Outdoor fabric care , part 2~~

Love those outdoor pillows.  They create an inviting place to sit & spruce up your tired looking furniture. 


Do you know how to clean your outdoor pillows & cushions?  Here is some information on care of your outdoor fabric.  Some tips may surprise you....



The majority of the fabric I use is Richloom Solarium Outdoor Fabric. Below are suggested care instructions and facts regarding outdoor fabric:


• 100% Spun Polyester

• Vacuum, Spot Clean With Water Free Agent, Professional Cleaning Recommended

• Made in USA




This outdoor fabric from Richloom is solution dyed (solution-dye process is when the color is manufactured into and throughout the fiber, the color is part of the finished fabric). This gives the fiber consistent and durable color that stands up in tough environments, such as sustained direct sunlight. This fabric will withstand 5,000 hours sunlight and is perfect for porches, patios, deck side, pool side and boat side. This fabric is durable, water repellent and mildew resistant; it is designed to withstand harsh environmental effects.

~Spun Polyester is a 100% polyester material that has a soft fabric feel. It is an easy care fabric but should be cleaned regularly to keep it looking fresh and new.

~Printed Spun Poly is the same fabric that has its pattern printed on the surface. As with all printing inks (even light-fast inks), fading will occur over time. This can be prevented with the regular application of Solar Shield® fabric protectant.

~Clean with 50% combination of water and mild soap or detergent. For stains, a mild solution of bleach may be used.

Do not use bleach on printed fabrics!

http://www.sewninspirations.com/

Outdoor fabric is available in the latest color trends for stylish outdoor rooms.

Customize your own outdoor pillows - you choose the fabric & size.

~~ Outdoor Fabric, part 1 ~~

When researching on how to care for outdoor fabric, I was surprised to find out what I thought you should do - was wrong.  For the next couple of days I will give you some info on how to take care of your outdoor pillows & cushions.  I'll start off with a "did you know?"....
 

Did you know that mold and mildew CANNOT grow on synthetic fibers (that's what outdoor fabric is made of)? It's not the cushions that are going moldy - it's the dirt and pollen caught in the fibers that the mold spores live and grow on. Keep them clean and you'll never have this problem.  (How to do that?  Check in tomorrow & I'll give you the full scoop.)

~ New floral inspirations, decorative pillow collections & the outdoors ~

It's been awhile since I've added some tips.  Spring happened.  I stopped to enjoy the beauty around me. To me, the year begins in the spring.  There's something about the warmer temperatures, the budding of the flowers & trees; new life.



Shabby Chic, cottage style decorative pillow collections.

  Inspired by the flowers, I began creating collections in pastels & florals.

A bit bolder.  You won't find this collection on my site (sent to a cute shop), but it can easily be replicated (custom orders are always welcome).

This summer floral started me off on the outdoor pillow collections.  In the next posts, I will be discussing caring for outdoor fabric. 

Can't wait to see you then!





~What has inspired you lately?~

~~Decorating with small items~~

Grouping small like items together can make a big impact.  Sometimes, though, it's challenge to figure out how to display these knick-knacks in a creative way.  Here are some ideas, using what you can find around your home:

Wall pouches decorative balls

                                                 Decorative boxes with handmade hearts

Try creating a complete setting displaying your collections.

                                        Decorative bowls  decorative balls

                                                   Shells in milk glass bowl or clear bowl.

Tea cups on a silver tray.

. 

 

                                 

~What creative ways have you displayed small items?  I would love to hear your ideas.

 

 

~~ Vaulted ceilings & window treatments ~~

Have a vaulted ceiling and you're not sure what to do about window treatments?
Think that your curtains will get lost if you just frame the window?

Here's a quick idea to think about:

Try placing your window treatments above the doorway or window frame.  Try at least a foot above but you'll have to judge it according to how tall your ceiling and windows are.  Doing this will help fill in this space and it can also make your ceilings look higher.



Happy decorating!

~~ Refreshing your home's decor ~~

The cold days of winter is a great time to take a look around your home and see what needs to be refreshed.  Here are a few inexpensive ideas:

~Move accessories from one room to another.

~Change the color of a home decor item with a little paint.

~Change the knobs on your cabinets. 

~Rearrange your furniture, try angling the furniture for a different look.

*What are your ideas for a quick home decor makeover?



White Sale!

For Saturday Blog Shoppers

Change the look of your rooms,

simply by adding pillows!

$5 off each pillow or pillow set

regularly priced at $20 and above

in these 2 sections:

 http://www.sewninspirations.com/decorative-pillows.html

or

http://www.sewninspirations.com/decorative-pillows-for-children.html

Refunded through Paypal
Valid through Jan. 23

If you have any questions, please contact me:

admin@SewnInspirations.com



http://www.quiltsgaloreandmore.blogspot.com/
Please click the link above to visit other handmade shops.


Enjoy your weekend!



~~ Color Trend ~~

Next color trend for 2011 is a range of light turquoise to cream with a beige-orange for the "pop" of color in this sequence.


 
Bringing these colors to your room provides a relaxing and spacious atmosphere.
 
 
 

 
Here the grays and turquoise are brought together for a modern looking room.
 
Some ideas to bring this to your room would be to paint one wall beige and the others the lighter gray.  The beige wall would bring "eye relief" and brightness to your room.  Accent with the darker tones of turquoise, orange and dark gray.  Another is to paint the walls a light turquoise and accent with cream, copper and a bit more of the turquoise using pillows and other accessories.
 
Here are some examples that use some of the colors above:  http://www.sewninspirations.com/leaves.html  and   http://www.sewninspirations.com/circles.html 
 
Happy Decorating!
 
 
I'm taking a poll on the upper left corner, I'm curious how you will vote.