Sewing How To's:

French seams:

1. This type seam can be used on sheer fabrics, fabrics that ravel, or unlined draperies.
2. With wrong sides together, sew a scant ¼" seam. (see diagram 1)
    
   
    
3. Trim any long strings that might show through second stitch line.
4. Fold treatment so that right sides are together & sew a 3/8" seam, enclosing the first seam. (see diagram 2)

Inserting drapery weights into hems & seams:

1. Drapery weights can be attached to each seam in the seam allowance. Weights should be attached at the bottom of hem before the hem is sewn.
2. After side hems have been pinned, unfold side hem at bottom & open up bottom of hem. Insert fabric covered weight into the first fold of side hem. (see diagram 3)
    
   
    
3. Use tagging gun or staple pliers to secure fabric covered drapery weight. Tag or staple the fabric tab on top of the drapery weight. (see diagram 4, dotted square box represents hidden drapery weight) (purchase staple pliers from Atlanta Thread & Supply - see Sources)
    
   
    
4. Diagrams below do not show interlining & diagrams have been exaggerated to show detail.
5. Fold side hem back & pin.
6. Blind stitch or hand hem side hems as usual.
7. When using a blind stitch machine, the side hem area with the drapery weight will have to be hand hemmed.

Gathered chain covers for chandeliers:

1. 6" - 7" cuts x 2 ½ - 3 times the length of chain. Sew all strips together. Finish off the top and bottom, by folding under 1" and straight stitch, or use Dofix tape, Rowley's Trim adhesive or Millennium tape. (If using a silk fabric all edges should be serged or zigzagged to prevent raveling.)
2. Gather down the length of each side of chain cover. Apply Millennium Tape to one side of the gathered stitching, leaving the paper on the tape. Be sure to burnish the tape. (Burnish: rub the paper with back of finger nail. This process makes the tape adhere to the fabric.)
3. At the job site, put the chain cover around the chain and remove the paper from the tape 6" at a time. Turn the other gathered side in and press it to the tape to cover the chain.

Turkish or boxed corners:

1. With right sides together fold corner to form a point.
2. Measure down cut edge 2" - 3" (amount depends on desired size of box), draw a straight line across point & sew. (see diagram 5)
    
   
    
3. Repeat on all four corners on front & back of pillow.
4. Trim points to a ½" seam allowance & finger press seams open.
5. Place right sides together with welting in between the front & back of pillow.
6. Secure each corner with a pin. (all corner seams should match)

Zippers:

1. Zippers by the roll can be purchased from upholstery suppliers. Metal or nylon zippers can be used in shams & pillows. For stability, use a metal zipper in boxed cushions & large bolsters. (see Sources - Upholstery Suppliers)
   1. Cut the desired length of zipper. Use pliers to attach the slide.
   2. Use zipper stops or fabric to finish zipper. Attaching zipper stops is the easiest way to finish off a zipper. (purchase zipper stops from an upholstery supplier - see Sources)
      1. Fabric option: Cut two pieces of ½" or ¾" twill tape 2" long. Place tape at the top and bottom of the zipper. Straight stitch on the left and right side of the teeth of the zipper. This eliminates sewing across zipper teeth.

Inserting a zipper: (example is for a queen sham)

1. Use a 16" zipper for shams. Use a longer zipper for boxed cushions & large bolsters.
2. With right sides together, sew the two back pieces together using a ½" seam. (Back stitch at top & bottom of zipper opening. The opening will be marked 16" in the center of the sham. Use a seam ripper & break a stitch on both sides at the top & the bottom where zipper will be placed. Also, break several stitches in the center of the 16" area, this will make it easier when opening the stay stitched area.)
3. Tip: As you are sewing the 16" area, enlarge stitch length or pull material through the sewing machine to make the machine sew larger stitches. Press seam open.
4. Center zipper on back of seam in the 16" area that has the broken stitches. The teeth of zipper should be in the center of the stitch line. (see diagram 6)
    
   
    
5. On the backside of sham using a zipper foot, straight stitch the zipper on one side of the opened seam allowance, when you come to the zipper tab unzip the zipper a couple of inches & finish sewing, back stitch at the top & bottom as you sew the zipper to the sham. (see diagram 6) It is not necessary to stitch across the zipper. Back stitching secures the stitching on the zipper. The tab of zipper should be up before sewing down the other side of the zipper. If tab is down, the zipper will be locked when you try to open the zipper.
6. Work zipper a couple of times to make sure it operates properly.
7. Since you have broken several stitches, you can pull on the seam & it will tear open. Use a seam ripper if fabric is delicate.