NURSERY BEDDING &
ACCESSORIES deep. Use a single thickness of chintz, or a double thickness of
lighter fabric. Cut a panel of fabric for the back panel the size of the
finished overall piece. Cut three strips for pockets making the length of each
strip the same as the width of the panel, and adding 2.5cm(1 in) across the top
for a double hem, and 12 mm (t in) turning across the bottom. Cut sufficient
binding or bias cut fabric to bind the outer edge of the back panel, and make
two loops from fabric or binding to hang the storage pockets from the corner
posts of the cot or from two hooks on the back of the door. Turn under a double
12 mm (t in) hem across the top of each pocket strip and stitch. Turn under and
press a 12 mm (t in) seam allowance across the lower edge. Position the three
strips across the front of the back panel, spacing them evenly apart.
Tack in place down the sides and across the
lower edge. Top stitch in place. Mark the width of each pocket across the
strips, and tack down the marked lines. Top stitch in place, reinforcing the end
of the stitching at the top of each pocket by sewing a few stitches in reverse,
position binding around the outer edge of the front panel, making a pleat at
each corner to form a neat mitre. Position the ends of the strip for the corner
loops between the binding and fabric at each top corner. Stitch in place,
enclosing the sides of the pockets and stitching across the end of the loops. Turn
binding over to the back of the panel and stitch the folded edge in place by
hand or machine.
For deeper pockets, allow an extra 2.5 cm (1
in) for each pocket along the length of the strip. Turn and stitch the top hem
and press the seam allowance under along the lower edge. Before stitching the
strip in position, mark the stitching lines for each pocket and make a 6 mm (;}
in) deep tuck on either side of each line. Make similar tucks 2cmG in) from
each end of the pocket strip. Tack the tucks in place. Position the strips
across the back panel and stitch in place as before, so that the ends of the
tucks are held in by the base stitching. Remove tacking and bind the edge.
ACCESSORIES CO-ORDINATION
& GROUPING
One of the easiest ways to
give cohesion to a group of accessories and ornaments is to pick a theme. It
may be a color, a subject, or a similar shape, although the things you collect
need not necessarily be in the same style or period. Start with a core of items
with some connection and keep your choice flexible. A thoughtful, eclectic
mixture can reflect truly individual taste; in a collection of jugs, for
instance, a few genuine, antique examples will blend in beautifully with new,
reproduction jugs of any period.
Color grouping
Grouping ornaments and
accessories by their color is a powerful way to highlight a color scheme. You
could choose cushions, lampshades and picture frames in antique, muted soft colors
that pick up one of the tones in a rug, carpet or wallpaper. Select your colors
carefully: coral ceramic vases and lamp bases contrast well in a smoke-blue
living room scheme. In a predominately apricot bedroom, accents of soft
aquamarine could be introduced - in delicately embroidered cushions and
decorative glass.
Collecting ornaments in the
same colors, such as blue and white jars, bowls and plates and displaying them
against a matching backdrop brings a welcome freshness. Conversely, a
collection of brilliant saffron yellow plates on a dresser can make a
predominately cool blue and white kitchen scheme feel sunny and Mediterranean.
Large blue and white ginger jars were a favorite early-Georgian accessory
offering a welcome focal point and light relief to many heavily carved
mantelpieces. A pair, or group, of blue and white ginger jars can still do the
same for traditional mantelpieces, or use them to bring a classical touch to a
modern setting.
Covering old blanket chests and screens, small card and wooden
boxes and metal wastepaper bins in fabrics that either co-ordinate or blend in
with the rest of the furnishings helps to link some of the more disparate
elements. 176 Extra touches Collections and accessories can be witty and
tongue-in-cheek. An assortment of necklaces can enhance the necks of plain
glass and pottery vases. A trompe l'oeil painted cat on a fire screen with a
collection of needlepoint cat cushions makes an amusing point. If you haven't
much wall space on which to hang all your objects, consider displaying them on
a freestanding fabric-covered screen - the panels are perfect for pinning up
collections of old Valentine cards and dolls' hats. Antique toy and games
collections can be carefully displayed in special Perspex cases to great
effect. Medals, coins, stamps, old pieces of lace and fans can be framed in
deep box frames
