Window Stuff

This week's project was windows! Specifically, the fabric window treatment and the moulding under the window ledges and around one window.

I'll begin with the fabric.  It was a fun project.  Here is my inspiration picture again:

 And here is the dye I bought in Charlottetown.

As per the instructions, I mixed the dye powder in 2 cups warm water and added that to a bucket of hot water with 5T of salt dissolved.

First, I tried a test piece of fabric.  I dampened it with hot water, rolled it up, and secured it with a rubber band where I wanted the color to stop. I placed it on the side of the bucket with the fabric in the dye up to the rubber band. I kept it in the dye 15 min stirring frequently, then another 20 min (because this was just a test, I didn't leave it in the full 45 min extra).  I took it out, rinsed it and it turned out great!

 So, now onto the real deal.   I rolled up all my damp fabric and secured with rubber bands.

 

Then I placed the fabric in the dye. I'd wrapped the bucket in my bathrobe to keep it warm because I was using the same dye solution as my test.  I also covered it with a plate to keep the heat in.

 After letting it sit 15 min, then 45 min, I undid the rubberbands and saw that the dye had not been absorbed evenly so I took the rubber bands off. I unrolled the fabric and folded it up so the fabric that had been on the inside was now on the outside. Then, I let it sit in the dye another hour.

 Here is the fabric drying on the clothes line. You can see the light blue on the right hand side of the fabrics.

Then, I repeated it all the next day with the darker dye. This time I didn't use rubber bands- I just folded up the fabric loosely. I let it sit 15 min, stirring frequently. Then after 10 min, I unfolded the fabric and refolded it, putting it back in the dye for the instructed 35 min. Here's the fabric after the second dye.  We had great sunny weather this week. It was great for line drying laundry!

My original plan had been to make window valance boxes, but I think I changed my mind. I like to keep in mind that this is a cottage, so when I hung the fabric loosely across the top of the blinds I realized I liked the casual look.  Here is a picture of one window.

 You can see the screws that are holding up the blind. I may get some drapery hooks to hang the fabric on those nails, or maybe I will try to place the fabric to cover them up.

Here is the side back door before the window treatment.

And here it is with the fabric on top.  The fabric over the doors has to be shorter so the door can open.

I like that on each side there are 3 curtain panels: on the right, one above the door and 2 over the windows and on the back, 2 wide panels over the windows and one above the center door. (It's hard to get a picture of the whole room. We've got more than 1/2 of it blocked up for our bedroom.)

Then on the left, there are 3 panels over the windows.  (See our hanging clothes rod? I will be so happy when this is in a proper closet. Right now we only have one closet which is where the washing machine and dryer live.  After all the reno's we will have 6 closets! Including the new laundry closet in the hallway!)

 Now, on to the mouldings.  With all the windows except one, I was able to put drywall on the sides and top so it looks "finished", although I will probably frame them out with moulding later. I cut the ledge on the bottom out of 1x6 pine, but needed something below.  

Restore to the rescue! When I bought moulding to go around the doors, some of it didn't work, but I was able to re-purpose it to go under the windows.  I cut the wood with a 30 degree angle and nailed it up with finish nails.

As it's been so nice outside, I've also been doing outside work and haven't yet caulked.  That will be a good project to do this weekend since it's going to rain. :-)

And finally here is a picture of the lone window that needed extra mouldings.  This is way before we even had the drywall up!

Here it is all moulded up.  Not very exciting, but it's been a long time coming!

Have a great weekend! :-)