I used tea to stain some of the men's handkerchiefs and while they were drying I messed around with the 'sheets', blanket and fur throw. My intention has been to use the larger men's handkerchiefs cut into slices to make the bed curtains.
Since this was just testing I didn't iron the lace 'sheet'.
And the tea stained handkerchiefs dried so I put them against the bed to see how I liked them. It's not a huge contrast but there's a bit of one.
After doing all that though, the staining, I'm wondering about the bed curtains.
My research shows Tudor style beds looking more like these:
The double pillows aren't historically correct, so I'm not worried about those. But I am concerned that the drapes should be heavier looking.
So I went looking through my fabrics. The bed cover with the fringe has a touch of teal green in it, and I've got some satiny looking fabric that looks nice with it. And some that is more of a match for the browns and beige that's in it.
I'm leaning towards the satiny looking teal, maybe lined with one of the handkerchiefs?
The upside of using a stiffer fabric is that they could be straight panels rather than pleated or gathered. Even if I lined the panels to lighten the inside of the bed, it would give the room more color.
What do you think? I don't want to do a bedskirt because really, they didn't have them in the simpler houses and I have to draw the line somewhere. And I've got that gorgeous lacy 'sheet'. Maybe I could do a simple liner of the satin under it? To show through the lace? Or would it look too elaborate?
Like I said, second guessing myself.
I think that what you did so far looks great and just right in this scale. I wouldn't change that. But it's a great idea to make some heavier curtains. I love the fabric with diamonds, it looks perfect. You can pleat it, baste it and try to iron the pleats. Sometimes it works fine (depends on the fabric) and it will look nice around the bed.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about that. I've got a pleater that I could use. and I've got a decent amount of fabric too. I'll try it out and see. I got a suggestion on facebook about layering the handkerchief fabric behind the diamond one.
DeleteYou can also sew the pleats on the fabric behind. It will secure them on right place. :) Everything depends on how the fabric will behave. ;)
DeleteI've done that too. It'll be dependent on how the fabric takes pleats. Sometimes the thicker fabric needs sewing. I'm more worried about the top of the curtain showing since the rods are exposed on this bed.
DeleteMaybe some decorative tape in matching colour?
DeleteYeah, that's a possibility, or I could get some molding to fancy up the edges and cover the rods with it. It'd have to be thin to go over the rods and not stick out over the posts. I'll have to mess with it.
DeleteThat is a tough decision! My humble opinion is that I LOVE the teal because the diamond just looks so Tudor, the color is rich and the sheen just says "Queen". I like the weaved fabric with it for that period, too. I don't like the floral, but what do I know? 😜
ReplyDeleteI guess the best advice I can give is make it and see how it looks. If you don't LOVE it, be willing to keep trying until you do. I know there is the deadline, but this is Your Best Work, so do the work. 😘
Thanks Jodi! I know this is not going to be easy but I think the satiny drapes will be worth it in the end. Something to get started on and let sit and dry while I do other things.
DeleteI like the teal fabric...the weight, the color, the pattern....it looks Tudor like to me and would fit the build.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm just about decided that I'm going to use it. And line the back with one of the handkerchiefs to hide any sewing I need for the pleats if glue doesn't take.
DeleteAn idea...
ReplyDeleteCut a piece of thin cardboard to fit the underside of the top of the bed canopy, glue the curtains on that, then glue the assembly into the bed.
I think it would work except the curtain rods show under the canopy... I could get away with it if I cut some trim to cover them up. I'm going to mess around with them while I have to wait on glue drying for other things.
DeleteI also like the teal fabric for the color and pattern, it looks Tudor like. But seeing those wonderful fabrics the right decision is hard to do,Sheila...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these gorgeous pictures of Tudor beds and curtains, they're beautiful.
Hugs, Ilona
Thanks Ilona! I think the general consensus is right and I'll end up with that teal for the curtains. Life is always interesting around here.
DeleteI also love the diamond fabric. I also like the idea of a liner of satin under your lacy sheet, so that the lace really shows. Beds from that time were pretty elaborate, so I wouldn't worry about that. I hope the pleating goes well!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I might try the liner, just to see how it looks. But I'm going to try and not stress over it as much.
DeleteI like the dark rich colors in your research photos. The patterned teal fabric would look great on your bed. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteThanks Troy! I'm hoping everything turns out nice!
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila! I LOVE color... and think the teal fabric would be very lovely and appropriate! They did love color in the Middle Ages... and the Tudor era was all about silk velvets and brocaded fabrics.... the more sumptuous they were the more they proclaimed your social standing. I think a Queen would have the richest fabrics available! LOL! I have heard of using aluminum foil between the layers to shape the folds... I managed okay folds in my satin brocade curtains using floral wire in the hems.... I think the pleater requires getting the fabric wet? That always bothered me with the satin-y fabrics! So far I LOVE the lace and fur bedding!!! :) Keep up the great work!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Betsy! I'm pretty much decided that I'll end up using the teal. I've got floral wire, and tin foil. I'm going to test a small piece using some tacky glue but it might come down to other methods.
DeleteGREAT second guess - Teal is one of my most favourite colours and I love the way it lightens and brightens both the dark timber and white bedding. If the satiny fabric is a synthetic, you might have trouble getting the pleats to hold without stabilising them in some way. I have also read about using foil but I am wondering if that would be too stiff and clunky for your curtains. What about soaking the pieces in a mix of thinned down white glue before popping them in the pleater so they dry to shape? The glue should dry clear and if you keep the white liner separate that can then be pleated and steamed to fit pleats of the curtains. No idea if that would work - just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to see and read how you solve this one.
Anna x
Thanks Anna! I think I'm going to end up doing something to stabilize the pleats because the fabric is synthetic. I'll have to mess around with it.
DeleteI love the gorgeous lacy sheet and the fur on the bed. The teal is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
Thanks Drora! If I can get started on it before I do the wiring this weekend I might make some progress by Sunday night. Hopefully!
DeleteWhat pretty fabric for curtains, I love the teal. It will look so good with all your wood items! And I love that it will add more dimension and texture to your bed linens. Hope your weekend mini-ing is going well!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristine! I am excited about it. And I've got some ideas to help the bed along a bit. Maybe make it not look so generically Tudor.
DeleteI overslept this morning! Yikes.