Hi Shellybedsaul, Welcome to the craft forum. When you mentioned all the painting you have done, I just had to hop in here to be sure you know about the Tole & Decorative painting forum too. We'd sure love to have you come post pics of some of your projects and chat with us there too. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/tole/ And for table dressings, as well as table settings and vignettes, the gals on the Holiday forum play around with those during and in between holidays. You would probably have some fun checking out that forum too. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/christmas/ Several years ago, I painted designs on muslin squares using the acrylics and textile medium to make quilted pillows. I also painted on some cotton tee shirts. Both washed really well. I've also stenciled on some white cotton napkins with it, and they are holding up nicely too. I don't know about man made fabrics, but there might be suggestions on the textile medium bottle. Would love to see photos of any items you paint. ;o) Luvs

Marti - Welcome to the forum! Have you been on other Garden Web sites besides sewing? I hope some sewing people will respond with advice for you. I have sewn several drapes, but I still consider myself a novice. There are some occasional posters on this site who have sewn drapery professionally. Some times, this site does not get much "traffic", though. If you are not getting many responses, please post this question on the Home Decor forum of Garden Web. Lots of sewers over there! There is so much math involved in drapery! I'm going to try and condense your above post to get a clear picture. Correct me if I've messed up. You want to cover 3 windows in MBR : 2 on the same wall: One is 100" wide, the other 150" wide. 1 on other wall : 168" wide. All will be 106" long. Fabric you have purchased (not counting lining or buckram): 47 yards of gold tone on tone stripe 30 yards burgundy ruched/smocked 17 yards gold floral/sage vine Your plan is to have 2 fabrics on the drapes : Top 24" burgundy, lower part gold stripe. You may use the gold floral/vine in accent pieces in the room. Below, I've put together some ideas in response to your questions: 1. I think there may be some risk in the drapes not hanging straight with the smocked fabric (at the top). However, if you put the smocked fabric at the bottom, that may help. I've not sewn with smocked fabric and have no clue if a stabilizer can be used. 2. What type of lining did you purchase? I assume that all of your fabrics can be lined. 3. I've never done goblet pleats, but have seen descriptions/video online. I think either of your fabrics could be made using goblet pleats, but the smocked (& the gold) would benefit by having buckram. 4. I only have one traverse rod in my home. It's great for opening & closing (one-way draw) my French Triple Pleat drape on the wide sliding glass door. If the drapes were goblet pleats, would they get messed up and not stack neatly when drawn? I never thought about that. P.S. Can you post pics of the fabric from a distance? How about a pic (from a distance) of the burgundy next to the gold stripe?...lay them flat on the floor, just one above the other. Laurie Here is a link that might be useful: Home Decor site

Thanks for the welcome, all! Sometimes, forums do not move fast. I am patient! I should have realized it was a joke...immediately after I posted the thread, I re-read it and considered that it could possibly maybe be a joke, then changed my mind. whoops! Now, it does make me laugh :) Well, I've only not bunched a neckline once, so I'm not the one to ask, but... I first pressed the facing while it was right side to right side, then fileted (tidied?) the seam allowances little bit by little bit. BUT, I did not open both of the seam allowances, I just pressed one open. Not sure how to explain that. And, I finally decided to follow directions and NOT iron over the pins. I pinned it back (50 linen, 50 cotton, close to neck neckline with facing, no interfacing), let it rest, took most of the pins out, gave a light spritz with my water mister, let it rest, took all the pins out and then pressed with the tip of the iron very carefully. I had the heat lower than usual on the iron. This was my fifth neckline!!! Took a lot of attempts and practice and whining... Thanks again for the welcome! Jennifer

Be sure you make your 'scrap' or trial piece the same thickness as your finished product will be; including the interior seams, if any.