Home Organisation Tips For Busy Parents

If you want to create a room that's unique and represents your own sense of style, creating your own soft furnishings is a must. Whether completely bespoke, repurposed or bought new and altered, soft furnishings can add warmth, depth and character to any room. You don't need to spend a fortune or be an experienced interior designer to create your own curtains, cushions and throws, but it is important to plan out each piece you want to create to ensure it fits with the overall theme of your room. Here are a few tips for successfully creating your own soft furnishings.

View A Range Of Patterns

You may have a specific pattern in mind for an item you want to make, but question why you are drawn to that pattern. Do you really like it, or is it simply a pattern you've used before and are comfortable with? Just because you like a specific pattern doesn't mean it's the best one for the job this time. View a range of patterns and draw inspiration from them while keeping the style of the room and any future décor projects in mind. If you select a pattern that's new to you, try it out on some scrap fabric first to prevent expensive materials being damaged.

Shop For Materials In Person

It's so convenient to shop online and the choice is unparalleled, but fabric and embellishments are best bought in person. The colour of an item on the screen can vary from the true colour, and you may find you select materials that aren't the right shade for your colour scheme or that don't look particularly well made. When shopping in person you also have the opportunity to compare similar products side-by-side and you can take advantage of instore deals on end rolls of fabric.

Choose The Right Sewing Machine

A standard sewing machine is ideal for mending hemline tears, replacing zips and creating buttonholes, but an overlock sewing machine is better suited for creating strong hems, decorative edges and high-stress seams that are required when creating a piece that needs to be able to stretch. These sewing machines can create several stitch patterns using up to five cones of thread at once and are ideal for attaching embellishments, such as beads or sequins. Overlock machines can be used with thick materials, such as wool and denim, and they are best for attaching elastic to cushion covers or creating pleats on your curtains. They are not difficult to use and suppliers are typically happy to give a demonstration of any machine you are interested in.

When creating your own soft furnishings don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new accessories, stitches or materials. Have fun creating a home that reflects your personality rather than the vision of a homeware store.