I made faux hobbled roman shades as valances in my breakfast nook:

and I went with a coordinating fabric in the window in the kitchen which is open to the breakfast nook.

Does hobbled in the context of roman shades mean "static" and unusable? I love your mix of patterns, Annie-- thanks for the photo! Seeing what you've done has convinced me that coordinated fabrics will be just fine.

I think that faux shades are definitely the direction I want to go-- the right casual look and it should showcase the pattern if I keep the folds on the bottom like the photo I shared. That will also make it more likely that I will have enough fabric. I won't be able to do the nice big folds that you have in yours.

I have seen custom roman shades where the back fabric was visible. As I've gone through photos this afternoon, I am not seeing that. Perhaps it's the angle-- anyhow, I think using the coordinating fabric for the back of the valance will also help tie it all together.

Now to find the second fabric! I may run over to the other house and take a photo of the fabric-- I'd love help in finding a great match!

I like the idea of *matching* fabrics better! Too much of the same thing can sometimes look mundane~Annies's pictures proves the point! ;o)

2 yards of fabric spread over 4 window sashes gives you 18' per window, and at most 16 inches with hems at top and bottom. If you add in any faux folds, it is going to come up even shorter,

Have you tried calling Jack Valentine Designs and asking if they know where you might be able to get more fabric?

Actually, I have 3 yards of fabric. It's still going to be tight because it is a large pattern that I'd want to be positioned just so.. but I think it is doable. It's at least worth blocking it out on the material.

I've contacted the seller (design diva fabrics) and just this weekend got a number for JVD. I will try them next week. I am not optimistic given that I havent found ANY reference to it online. Also, it's hand printed so I am guessing it was a very short run.

Pattycakes, I am with you. I like the dynamic of multiple patterns and since I am going for a quasi-sorta modern cottage style (which basically means all the stuff I already have with a few modern lines and colors thrown in), I think it will work well.

Thanks for the compliments.

Hobbled means that each fold is visible as opposed to stacked one on top of the other.

What you might consider is getting a coordinating print to use as bands on either side of the main fabric. That way you can get more impact from the main fabric and make it go further. Then you can add straps, as I did, to cover the seams in a solid color from the print. It would be very pretty. (I made my straps from another fabric which I folded over and pressed down using stitch witchery so no stitching shows through.

{{!gwi}}

For example, I have no idea what your fabric looks like, but let's say it's the fish pattern...use that as the center strip for each shade centering on the important part of the pattern you want, and sew a strip of the solid blue on either side and cover the seams with the greek key trim.

Such fun! There are so many ways to play with those options....just using a stripe for the side bands, 3 different coordinating prints...possibilities are endless and it would look so great with your cottage look you're going for.

Of course, then you can use that side fabric....whatever pattern you pick...to use for the kitchen window....unless you have some narrow strips of the main fabric left over and then you can use that to make side strips for the kitchen window and reverse it....so cool!

I agree with Annie, use two different fabrics. Can be really cute.

Annie, I had considered using bands of a different fabric but everything I saw in my head looked bad-- homemade. But I was stuck in a rut. Your example of coordinated fabrics got my adrenalin pumping--love the way a bright combo looks!! Also love the idea of using straps to cover the seams. I would really like one roman shade valance for each window block and your suggestions make that very possible.

Caminnc - I love your example too. I was picturing a solid or a very subdued second fabric--but I think the bold second fabric is really doing it for me.

I bailed on going over to the other house to photograph the fabric. Storm prep-- and more accurately, storm paralysis kept me home. I am going to go out in a bit and hope to grab a quick photo. Would love your collective input on what to pair with it.

Thank you both!

Not homemade....custom!

I've made all the window treatments in this house....definitely custom!

Why is it homemade is great in bread and not so great in sewing???
:)

So true, Annie.. I proudly display my homemade bread, preserves, etc. Why not my decor? I intend to make almost all my WT in the new house but my skills are rusty so I am self conscious about making my window treatments look I patched together scraps. This IS a scrap.. but an expensive scrap!

Here's the best photo I could get of the pattern/color. It's pretty darn close to true color. The lighting is very odd today with the storm and all of the photos I took on the window had an odd cast to them.

I don't usually like such a bright yellow--the walls are almost certainly going to be a gray green and I'll play with the turquoise and greens in the coordinating fabric, pillows and kitchen accessories.

The color is very off here.. but it gives a better representation of the full pattern with the scale of the window.

I am going to block out the fabric later this week.. but I have come to the realization that I may not be able to make it work. I have barely enough fabric to do what I want to do-- and that's without consideration of positioning the pattern correctly on each shade. I am not ready to give up.. so I am still looking for a coordinating fabric. I don't expect any of you can help with a color match given the quality of the photos-- but do you recommend a pattern? I was thinking stripes but the photos above have me thinking a pattern with a strong green or turquoise component.

I love how the bright color brings the dull and dreary space alive.. but if it doesnt work, I will surely find another fabric that will have the same effect.

Maybe something like this

Or

Funky, your choice of fabric is fabulous! I love anything with birds, no not care for yellow, but the combination, pattern, etc. is TDF!

Annie's 1st fabric swatch isn't too bad, I like the pattern, but are you wanting that much blue? I have to add it's not as typical as a standard stripe would be.

Thank you, Patty! It is really different from the other fabrics that have caught my attention over the years-- but I really love it!

Annie, like the first fabric you shared but I've not seen anything like that in the right color of blue. It is definitely a retro-leaning medium turquoise blue.

I am open to either green or blue as a primary color for the second fabric.. but probably lean more towards the blue. I think the right pattern is key.. it has to be one that I'll want to use on the back door and the kitchen window. I don't have anything in particular in mind.. but I'd like something interesting enough on its own as coordinating with the Chinese Bird.

I found this print but I think it is too much...

Oh yes it's too much....you want to be aware of scale...the 2 prints should be of very different scale...or you can mix with stripes, solids, geometrics, small dots. But 2 prints of similar scale will compete and the overall look is the loser, especially if they are close to each other...th e further apart, the moe likely you can get away with it...

Yeah, it's definitely too much.. too big, too busy, too everything. I don't think I can look online. I will have to go make the rounds with my fabric in hand. I do like the idea of a geometric.. and a stripe is always safe (but expected).

Thanks for your suggestions and guidance, Annie.

This has the yellow, green, blue in the fabric you like

Here is a link that might be useful: Fabric suggestion

and this has birds in it
with more turquoise color

Here is a link that might be useful: another suggestion

and this has birds in it
with more turquoise color

Here is a link that might be useful: another suggestion

Thanks for your suggestions, Loves2read! I have realized while checking out Annie's suggestions and doing my own search that I need to match the coordinating fabric in person. The blue, in particular, would need to be right in order to use it in such large swipes in the room (door blind and the kitchen wt) and still keep that cohesive look. I know that when I am matching photo to photo that I am finding "matches" with blues that I know are not right.

I also think I need to be aware of the sheen/weight of the fabric. This has almost a chintz feel and a slight sheen. I think I need a fabric that can stand up to it.. if that makes sense.. and I am not sure you can see that in a photo (though the darn wrinkles sure showed.. it does wrinkle easily).

Thanks again to all.. I have ideas to work with. Now I need to hit the pavement and start looking!