Plain Bedding For Kids

Designer kids bedding patterns, with age appropriate themes, can simplify the task of decorating your kids rooms. That being said, the bedding set does not need to be the centerpiece of the design that you might adopt to decorate your children?s bedroom.

Plain colors; bright or pastel, are great to use as a starting point for creating fun themes or just to add the right blend of decorative accessories.

One very good idea is the use plain color bedding and complete the foot of the bed with the addition of an elaborately designed bed skirt. Experiment with bright striped patterns, large dots, paisley, or other fanciful patterns. Match the bed skirt with curtains or wall decals or a lovely plain color kids rug. that coordinate with the bed skirt for a finished look.

Also, lots of bedding patterns sold as adult bedding can be used as kids bedding; just decorate and accessorize with the appropriate kiddy touch.

Do not limit your options; free yourself from dependence on bedding for kids. They are sometimes very expensive. Keep an open mind and be on the lookout for inexpensive sheets, comforters and duvet covers. Stick with plain bedding; there is nothing worse than bad quality kids bedding parading as designer versions.

To find these, browse web stores, check your local department stores, flee markets etc, just look around.

Like this? Share it with others.

Cotton Bedspreads

Any Bedding For Kids

The term Kids Bedding is often used to refer to age specific whimsical pattern suitable only for kids. However, short of bedding featuring themes of an adult, nature, any colorful, unique or plain, comforter, duvet, coverlet, quilt or sheeting can suffice as children?s bedding. This does not mean however, that anything will be lost when it comes to decorating the room.

One might argue successfully that plain bedding proivdes more flexibility to add more decor without the kids room end up looking too cluttered. What about the importance of surrounding your children wit their favorite images and themes, you may ask. It is a fact kids bedding with with patterns and themes stirs their imaginations and encourage creativity, but there are many other way to incorporate these images and themes into their surroundings.

Themes and images can be added though the use of photographs, illustrations, posters, sports memorabilia and just about any item that fits withing a them will do. Kids Wall Decals and Kids room rugs are wonderful for this purpose. You are only limited by your imagination.

Consider using just about any pattern you find suitable for boys bedding or girls bedding and do not limit yourself to whimsical designs. There are many gorgeous quilts, comforters, pillowcases, and pillow shams that does not fit the conventional mold of kids bedding, but with a little imagination and experimentation with different styles, even some adult styles of bedding achieve a marvelous bedroom for your kids. As always give them a say, it?s their room, but do not limit yourself.

Like this? Share it with others.

Cotton Bedspreads

The difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Question: What is the difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Answer: The common misconception is that they are one in the same. Technically, they have similar functions; they are both slip covers for bed pillows. However, they serve difference purposes and are designed differently.

Pillowcases are more functional. They are meant to be slept on. They serve as protection for your face while you sleep; absorbing oil, perspiration and ?drool, there I said it. Pillowcases are usually constructed from the same fabric as the beds? fitted or flat sheet, and normally designed to match them.

Pillow Shams on the other hand, serves more decorative purposes.� Typically, they are not meant to be slept on, they are there only for embellishment. Pillow shams can add a real nice touch to a room, and serves as a nice compliment to your kids bedding. They are usually designed to coordinate with the kids comforter, quilt, coverlet, or Kids duvet cover and may be adorned with ornate laces, embroidery and generally more intricate patterns than pillowcases. You can also expect pillow shams to be a little more cushioned.

A pillow sham is a wonderful way to add some flair to a tired looking pillow and make it radiant. Pillow shams are usually zipped in the middle, which serves as an insertion point for the pillow. Shams can also serve as a pillowcase, but more people will avoid this because pillow shams are more costly, as they are usually made from more expensive fabric and designed more elaborately.

There is also the Euro Sham. What is a Euro sham you ask; simple, the word Euro means cushion is German, a Euro sham is a cushioned pillow.

Like this? Share it with others.

By LETHACarter26 on 03 17 2011

The personal loans seem to be important for people, which are willing to ground their company. As a fact, it is not hard to receive a bank loan.

Cotton Bedspreads

Plain Bedding For Kids

Designer kids bedding patterns, with age appropriate themes, can simplify the task of decorating your kids rooms. That being said, the bedding set does not need to be the centerpiece of the design that you might adopt to decorate your children?s bedroom.

Plain colors; bright or pastel, are great to use as a starting point for creating fun themes or just to add the right blend of decorative accessories.

One very good idea is the use plain color bedding and complete the foot of the bed with the addition of an elaborately designed bed skirt. Experiment with bright striped patterns, large dots, paisley, or other fanciful patterns. Match the bed skirt with curtains or wall decals or a lovely plain color kids rug. that coordinate with the bed skirt for a finished look.

Also, lots of bedding patterns sold as adult bedding can be used as kids bedding; just decorate and accessorize with the appropriate kiddy touch.

Do not limit your options; free yourself from dependence on bedding for kids. They are sometimes very expensive. Keep an open mind and be on the lookout for inexpensive sheets, comforters and duvet covers. Stick with plain bedding; there is nothing worse than bad quality kids bedding parading as designer versions.

To find these, browse web stores, check your local department stores, flee markets etc, just look around.

Like this? Share it with others.

Cotton Bedspreads

The difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Question: What is the difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Answer: The common misconception is that they are one in the same. Technically, they have similar functions; they are both slip covers for bed pillows. However, they serve difference purposes and are designed differently.

Pillowcases are more functional. They are meant to be slept on. They serve as protection for your face while you sleep; absorbing oil, perspiration and ?drool, there I said it. Pillowcases are usually constructed from the same fabric as the beds? fitted or flat sheet, and normally designed to match them.

Pillow Shams on the other hand, serves more decorative purposes.� Typically, they are not meant to be slept on, they are there only for embellishment. Pillow shams can add a real nice touch to a room, and serves as a nice compliment to your kids bedding. They are usually designed to coordinate with the kids comforter, quilt, coverlet, or Kids duvet cover and may be adorned with ornate laces, embroidery and generally more intricate patterns than pillowcases. You can also expect pillow shams to be a little more cushioned.

A pillow sham is a wonderful way to add some flair to a tired looking pillow and make it radiant. Pillow shams are usually zipped in the middle, which serves as an insertion point for the pillow. Shams can also serve as a pillowcase, but more people will avoid this because pillow shams are more costly, as they are usually made from more expensive fabric and designed more elaborately.

There is also the Euro Sham. What is a Euro sham you ask; simple, the word Euro means cushion is German, a Euro sham is a cushioned pillow.

Like this? Share it with others.

By LETHACarter26 on 03 17 2011

The personal loans seem to be important for people, which are willing to ground their company. As a fact, it is not hard to receive a bank loan.

Cotton Bedspreads

Plain Bedding For Kids

Designer kids bedding patterns, with age appropriate themes, can simplify the task of decorating your kids rooms. That being said, the bedding set does not need to be the centerpiece of the design that you might adopt to decorate your children?s bedroom.

Plain colors; bright or pastel, are great to use as a starting point for creating fun themes or just to add the right blend of decorative accessories.

One very good idea is the use plain color bedding and complete the foot of the bed with the addition of an elaborately designed bed skirt. Experiment with bright striped patterns, large dots, paisley, or other fanciful patterns. Match the bed skirt with curtains or wall decals or a lovely plain color kids rug. that coordinate with the bed skirt for a finished look.

Also, lots of bedding patterns sold as adult bedding can be used as kids bedding; just decorate and accessorize with the appropriate kiddy touch.

Do not limit your options; free yourself from dependence on bedding for kids. They are sometimes very expensive. Keep an open mind and be on the lookout for inexpensive sheets, comforters and duvet covers. Stick with plain bedding; there is nothing worse than bad quality kids bedding parading as designer versions.

To find these, browse web stores, check your local department stores, flee markets etc, just look around.

Like this? Share it with others.

Cotton Bedspreads

The Dictionary of Bedding Terms

Bed Skirt - A decorative bedding accessory that usually matches the comforter or duvet. Also called a dust ruffle it goes in between your box spring and bed frame and hangs around the bottom of a bed.

Blend ? Refers to a fabric made of a combination of fibers, such as cotton/polyester, or cotton/linen. Blends give the fabric features of each of the fibers used.

Combing ? A finishing process, combing removes short fibers and debris from the yarns. The finest fabrics are combed.

Cotton ? Universally used for home ?soft goods? such as bedding, cotton comes in different degrees of quality. The best cotton is Egyptian, followed by Pima and Supima.

Damask ? A glossy, patterned fabric with intricate patterns, damask is similar to brocade but is flatter and reversible.

Down ? An excellent insulator, the fluffy tufts come from ducks and geese. Used in bedding and outerwear.

Down Alternative - This type of bedding is filled with synthetic materials as opposed to goose or duck feathers and is just as soft and breathable as a real down comforter.

Down Proof - Any fabric with at least a 230-thread count is considered down-proof, and will not leak or bleed feathers and down from the inside.

Dupioni Silk - Produced when two or more silkworms spin their cocoons closely together.

Duvet ? Any bed comforter; can be slipped into a duvet cover.

Egyptian Cotton ? The best-quality cotton, because it has the longest cotton fibers, is grown in Egypt. Egyptian cotton is used to make high-quality bedding. The next best cottons are Supima and Pima.

Fill Power - The ability of down to regain its shape when pressure is released. The higher the fill power, the greater will be the insulating value of the down.

Flannel ? A brushed fabric, created by a process that raises the nap, making the fabric warm and soft.

Hotel Bedding ? Hotel-style refers to the luxury bedding and linens used in upscale hotels. The sheets are usually of high-thread-count, designed to exceed the look and feel of everyday household sheets.

Jacquard ? A decorative weaving technique that weaves designs such as flowers directly into the fabric; can be gorgeously detailed.

Percale ? Percale refers to the weave of a fabric; it must have a minimum thread count of 180. Many people wrongly use the term to mean a polyester/cotton blend, but percale does not imply any particular content.

Pillow Sham ? A decorative pillow cover

Pima, Supima ? An excellent variety of cotton grown in the Southwest US. SuPima is a certification mark used when the product such as bedding is made entirely from Pima cotton grown by Supima Association members.

Ply, Plied ? Yarns that are twisted together after spinning to create a new yarn. Plied yarns don't increase the durability or strength of the fabric, so they should be counted as only one yarn.

Sateen ? A process that gives the fabric a shiny finish. Not related to quality.

Thread Count ? The number of threads (both length and width) in one square inch of fabric. A count of 200 for bedding is considered good, and anything over 250 is high. Although a high thread count is desirable, the quality of the cotton and the finishing process can often be more important than thread count.

Welt ? Another name for cording could be on a comforter or pillow sham, term ?self-welt" means that the cording is made from the same fabric as the main body of the item.

Wool ? Refers to the fibers from the fleece of lambs, sheep, goats, and other animals. Sheep?s wool is most common. Lamb's wool comes from sheep less than 8 months old. Merino wool is from a specific breed and is the softest and finest.

Cotton Bedspreads

The difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Question: What is the difference between a Pillowcase and a Pillow Sham

Answer: The common misconception is that they are one in the same. Technically, they have similar functions; they are both slip covers for bed pillows. However, they serve difference purposes and are designed differently.

Pillowcases are more functional. They are meant to be slept on. They serve as protection for your face while you sleep; absorbing oil, perspiration and ?drool, there I said it. Pillowcases are usually constructed from the same fabric as the beds? fitted or flat sheet, and normally designed to match them.

Pillow Shams on the other hand, serves more decorative purposes.� Typically, they are not meant to be slept on, they are there only for embellishment. Pillow shams can add a real nice touch to a room, and serves as a nice compliment to your kids bedding. They are usually designed to coordinate with the kids comforter, quilt, coverlet, or Kids duvet cover and may be adorned with ornate laces, embroidery and generally more intricate patterns than pillowcases. You can also expect pillow shams to be a little more cushioned.

A pillow sham is a wonderful way to add some flair to a tired looking pillow and make it radiant. Pillow shams are usually zipped in the middle, which serves as an insertion point for the pillow. Shams can also serve as a pillowcase, but more people will avoid this because pillow shams are more costly, as they are usually made from more expensive fabric and designed more elaborately.

There is also the Euro Sham. What is a Euro sham you ask; simple, the word Euro means cushion is German, a Euro sham is a cushioned pillow.

Like this? Share it with others.

By LETHACarter26 on 03 17 2011

The personal loans seem to be important for people, which are willing to ground their company. As a fact, it is not hard to receive a bank loan.

Cotton Bedspreads

Pinch Pleat Drapes

Pinch pleat drapes are a classic window treatment. This drapery style is highly versatile and can just as easily be used in an elegant formal room design or a casual one. The draperies are created by a series of pleats that are gathered in groups of three or more pleats along the top of the drapery fabric. The spacing between each group of pleats is typically two to three inches apart. The header above the pleats is also usually two to three inches, depending on the style of pleating.

The Appeal

The appeal of this style of drapery construction is that the fabric falls to the floor with neat rounded folds that have a permanent look. Whether or not your draperies are closed or open, the fabric holds these pleated shapes.

Types of Pinch Pleats

You may be surprised to learn that there is more than one type of pinch pleat. In fact, there are eight popular types of pinch pleats. These include:

• Triple pinch pleat: Three pleats typically have a three inch header and are created by having three pleats per width. You can also find a four-fold pinch pleat that is created the same way as the triple.
• Butterfly pinch pleats: Comprised of a minimum of five pinch pleats per width, the butterfly pinch pleat is stitched two inches from the top of the drapery material. This stitching causes the top two inches of the pleat to fan out in a butterfly effect.
• Double pinch pleats: Created the same way that the triple pinch pleat is made, the double pinch is just that, two pleats sewn together.
• Fan pinch pleats (also known as the French pleat): This is a different looking pleat that is usually comprised of three pleats but unlike the other pinch pleats, this one has no header and the pleats are sewn together at the very top of the drapery material.
• Goblet pinch pleats: This style lives up to its name and resembles cylindrical goblets. The pleats are stuffed so the base opens up and bowls out.
• Inverted pinch pleat: Pinch pleats are sewn on the front of the drapery fabric, but with inverted pinch pleats, these are sewn on the back of the fabric. The pleats are then pressed flat and the space between these pleats, known as the ditch, are sewn from the front of the drapery fabric along the seam lines. This type of pleat is hidden but gives the same type of effect.
• Pencil pinch pleats: The most popular style of pinch pleats are pencil pleats. These are created to be deep pleats that are drawn tightly together to form highly crisp-looking pleats and are slender like a pencil.
• Rollback pinch pleats: This turn-back pleated style creates a deeper and wider column that carries the pleated fabric form to the floor.

Where to Buy

There are many online drapery shops where you can purchase either ready-made�or custom-made draperies, especially pinch pleat styles.

Try these shops for great looking drapes and reasonable prices:

• Custom draperies
• Discount draperies
• Swags Galore

Tips for Hanging Pinch Pleat Drapes

You may buy ready-made pinch pleated draperies, have them custom-made or perhaps you?re an accomplished seamstress and may decide to make your own draperies. Once you have your draperies and are ready to hang them, it doesn?t matter if you spent a lot of money or worked within a budget; if you don?t hang them correctly, they?ll look cheap.

• Measuring for your drapes: You want to make sure you allow for the amount of space pinch pleated draperies take up when open. The pleats create more bulk than panel draperies, so you want to be sure you allow for this fabric in what?s known as stack back. This term refers to the open position when the draperies are pulled back on either side. By the same token, you want enough drapery fabric that?s wide enough to cover the width of your window, the rod return as well as the desirable overlap effect when the draperies are closed. A good rule of thumb is to allow two to three times fabric width as the actual width of your window. For example, if your window measurement is 60 inches, then you want the actual draperies to be 120 to 180 inches wide.
• Drapery pins: To get the professional look of even-hanging draperies, you must first get all of the drapery pins inserted into the pleats at the same distance from the top (header) of the draperies. It?s crucial that the pin placement is even. Use a measuring tape to ensure that all of the pins are lined up.
• Train drapery pleats: Sometimes even after steaming and correctly hanging draperies, the pleats don?t cooperate and hang as they should. You can correct this common problem by training the pleats with control clips that you clip onto pleats, typically clipping them onto the back of your fabric so as not to show.
• Double traverse drapery rod: Many people prefer some form of privacy barrier, yet need to open the draperies during the daytime. Some opt for mini-blinds or shades while others prefer to hang a sheer curtain directly behind the pleated drapery. You can accommodate the latter effect with a double traverse drapery rod.

Before You Buy

Keep all of these tips in mind when making your final decision and ordering. Take into consideration how much light comes into the room. Do you need to screen harsh Western sunlight in the summer months? Perhaps�the windows in your room face North with very little light entering yet the room is very cold in the winter.�You may prefer to purchase two sets of draperies, a lightweight fabric and a thermal backed draperies. You have a wide selection of choices when it comes to these fabrics and more in a pinch pleat design.

Author: Sally Painter

Cotton Bedspreads

Kids' Bath Towels

The sky is the limit when it comes to kids' bath towel choices. Your child can find a towel with her favorite cartoon character that makes the search for the ideal towel�fun and exciting.

Hooded Towels

One of the most popular designs today for kids? towels is the hooded bath towel. These towels have been very popular for infants because the hood helps keep the baby warm while you wrap the rest of the towel around her body. However, hooded towels are not just for babies.

You can find a great selection of hooded towels designed for bigger kids. These� terry cloth towels are soft and plush. You can find brightly colored towels in many different designs, such as mythical creatures, monsters, farm animals, wild animals, sea creatures and more.

Just don?t be surprised if your child gets somewhat attached to her favorite hooded towel.�She may use�her towel as a costume or cuddle up with it while watching television.

Personalized Towels

Along with hooded towels, children love personalized towels. Anytime you can put a child?s name on something, it makes that object special to the child. Who wouldn?t want to use a bath towel with their name written on it? Now if they would only invent personalized soap, maybe it wouldn?t be such a battle to actually get a child clean.

You can find personalized bath towels with fun patterns such as pirate ships, jungle animals, flowers, sports items, hearts and more. You can also have your child?s name added on some hooded towels. In addition to personalized towels, you can have your child?s initials placed on a monogrammed bath towel.

Bath Towel Sets

A great way to buy bath towels for kids is to buy a bath towel set. Most bath towel sets include a bath towel, hand towel and washcloth, although some towel sets only include the bath towel and a washcloth. At The Company Store, you can buy a bath towel set that includes a water resistant toiletry bag.

Disney Bath Towels

If your child is a big�Disney fan, you can find bath towels with Disney characters on them. At Amazon, you can find many Disney character kids? towels including:

• Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Cinderella
• Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Macy?s also carries Disney hooded towels with characters from Toy Story, Cars and the Disney princesses.

Oversized Towels

Oversized bath towels for kids are not that easy to find. You can use a kids? beach towel as an oversized bath towel if you are unable to find one.

One place where you can find oversized bath towels for kids is the Colorful Childhood Store. These large, plush, hooded towels are big enough to use as beach towels. They were designed by a mom from Virginia named Wendy Carter. Carter was inspired to design these towels because of her oldest daughter?s attachment to her beloved ?ducky? hooded towel, which she had received on her first birthday. The little girl would not get out of the bath without this special towel. Mom Wendy has designed a total of 15 different kids? towels which will work for kids up to eight years old.

Organic Cotton and Bamboo Bath Towels

Most kids? bath towels are made of 100% cotton terry cloth. If your child has sensitive skin or allergies, you should consider buying bath towels made from organic cotton or bamboo. Organic cotton is guaranteed to be free of chemicals, pesticides and other toxins because it is grown by environmentally friendly standards. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. Bath towels made from bamboo fiber are naturally odor resistant and a great choice for those with sensitive skin. You can find organic cotton and bamboo kids? towels at Green and More and Toys R Us.

Other Resources for Kids? Bath Towels

You can find bath towels and bath towel sets for kids at the following online retailers:

• Lauren?s Linens
• Lillian Vernon
• Beso
• Pottery Barn

Make bath time more fun with plush, cozy, colorful kids? bath towels. With so many styles to choose from, you?re sure to find a towel your child will love.

Cotton Bedspreads

Any Bedding For Kids

The term Kids Bedding is often used to refer to age specific whimsical pattern suitable only for kids. However, short of bedding featuring themes of an adult, nature, any colorful, unique or plain, comforter, duvet, coverlet, quilt or sheeting can suffice as children?s bedding. This does not mean however, that anything will be lost when it comes to decorating the room.

One might argue successfully that plain bedding proivdes more flexibility to add more decor without the kids room end up looking too cluttered. What about the importance of surrounding your children wit their favorite images and themes, you may ask. It is a fact kids bedding with with patterns and themes stirs their imaginations and encourage creativity, but there are many other way to incorporate these images and themes into their surroundings.

Themes and images can be added though the use of photographs, illustrations, posters, sports memorabilia and just about any item that fits withing a them will do. Kids Wall Decals and Kids room rugs are wonderful for this purpose. You are only limited by your imagination.

Consider using just about any pattern you find suitable for boys bedding or girls bedding and do not limit yourself to whimsical designs. There are many gorgeous quilts, comforters, pillowcases, and pillow shams that does not fit the conventional mold of kids bedding, but with a little imagination and experimentation with different styles, even some adult styles of bedding achieve a marvelous bedroom for your kids. As always give them a say, it?s their room, but do not limit yourself.

Like this? Share it with others.

Cotton Bedspreads

Liven up with kids room rugs

Colorful kids room rugs are a great way to add a finishing to touch to a kid?s bedroom. Kids Rugs adds interest and liven up kids room simply and easily, all you have to do is lay down a themed rug for an instant change to a bland room

Additionally, rugs, like Kids Wall Decals are a splendid alternative to high-priced wall treatments, wallpaper and expensive custom paint jobs. Rug patterns can instantly add sparkle to the look and feel of a child?s room, even with ordinary white walls that are sometimes necessary, particularly in rented a house or apartment.

Fanciful kids rugs are a great options for kids, who change their minds from time to time about the ?things? they find trendy. While it?s difficult to change wallpaper and painting, it?s simple to just put away a rug and lay down a new themed area rug.

Little boys and girls cannot resist sitting down and playing with their favorite things for long periods of time. Kids rugs lends themselves perfectly to playtime with patterns that includes; constructions vehicles, stars, animals, letters and numbers or their favorite cartoon characters.

Your budding sports fans, construction business owners and pilots will love colorful rugs, decorated with their favorite themes. Kids rugs are often made in the primary color scheme. Try adding one as an accent to a room that is white and another one such as yellow, this could compliment the boys bedding or girls bedding which could be a mixture of plain colors, preferable bright colors. This kind of design usually last longer than whimsical animal themes.

Kids room rugs is a simple and easy way to improve the look of your kids bedroom, there is an endless variety to choose from and prices may vary, but given the large variety it should be easy to find one that fits your needs and budget.

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Cotton Bedspreads

Pinch Pleat Drapes

Pinch pleat drapes are a classic window treatment. This drapery style is highly versatile and can just as easily be used in an elegant formal room design or a casual one. The draperies are created by a series of pleats that are gathered in groups of three or more pleats along the top of the drapery fabric. The spacing between each group of pleats is typically two to three inches apart. The header above the pleats is also usually two to three inches, depending on the style of pleating.

The Appeal

The appeal of this style of drapery construction is that the fabric falls to the floor with neat rounded folds that have a permanent look. Whether or not your draperies are closed or open, the fabric holds these pleated shapes.

Types of Pinch Pleats

You may be surprised to learn that there is more than one type of pinch pleat. In fact, there are eight popular types of pinch pleats. These include:

• Triple pinch pleat: Three pleats typically have a three inch header and are created by having three pleats per width. You can also find a four-fold pinch pleat that is created the same way as the triple.
• Butterfly pinch pleats: Comprised of a minimum of five pinch pleats per width, the butterfly pinch pleat is stitched two inches from the top of the drapery material. This stitching causes the top two inches of the pleat to fan out in a butterfly effect.
• Double pinch pleats: Created the same way that the triple pinch pleat is made, the double pinch is just that, two pleats sewn together.
• Fan pinch pleats (also known as the French pleat): This is a different looking pleat that is usually comprised of three pleats but unlike the other pinch pleats, this one has no header and the pleats are sewn together at the very top of the drapery material.
• Goblet pinch pleats: This style lives up to its name and resembles cylindrical goblets. The pleats are stuffed so the base opens up and bowls out.
• Inverted pinch pleat: Pinch pleats are sewn on the front of the drapery fabric, but with inverted pinch pleats, these are sewn on the back of the fabric. The pleats are then pressed flat and the space between these pleats, known as the ditch, are sewn from the front of the drapery fabric along the seam lines. This type of pleat is hidden but gives the same type of effect.
• Pencil pinch pleats: The most popular style of pinch pleats are pencil pleats. These are created to be deep pleats that are drawn tightly together to form highly crisp-looking pleats and are slender like a pencil.
• Rollback pinch pleats: This turn-back pleated style creates a deeper and wider column that carries the pleated fabric form to the floor.

Where to Buy

There are many online drapery shops where you can purchase either ready-made or custom-made draperies, especially pinch pleat styles.
Try these shops for great looking drapes and reasonable prices:

• Custom draperies
• Discount draperies
• Swags Galore

Tips for Hanging Pinch Pleat Drapes

You may buy ready-made pinch pleated draperies, have them custom-made or perhaps you?re an accomplished seamstress and may decide to make your own draperies. Once you have your draperies and are ready to hang them, it doesn?t matter if you spent a lot of money or worked within a budget; if you don?t hang them correctly, they?ll look cheap.

• Measuring for your drapes: You want to make sure you allow for the amount of space pinch pleated draperies take up when open. The pleats create more bulk than panel draperies, so you want to be sure you allow for this fabric in what?s known as stack back. This term refers to the open position when the draperies are pulled back on either side. By the same token, you want enough drapery fabric that?s wide enough to cover the width of your window, the rod return as well as the desirable overlap effect when the draperies are closed. A good rule of thumb is to allow two to three times fabric width as the actual width of your window. For example, if your window measurement is 60 inches, then you want the actual draperies to be 120 to 180 inches wide.
• Drapery pins: To get the professional look of even-hanging draperies, you must first get all of the drapery pins inserted into the pleats at the same distance from the top (header) of the draperies. It?s crucial that the pin placement is even. Use a measuring tape to ensure that all of the pins are lined up.
• Train drapery pleats: Sometimes even after steaming and correctly hanging draperies, the pleats don?t cooperate and hang as they should. You can correct this common problem by training the pleats with control clips that you clip onto pleats, typically clipping them onto the back of your fabric so as not to show.
• Double traverse drapery rod: Many people prefer some form of privacy barrier, yet need to open the draperies during the daytime. Some opt for mini-blinds or shades while others prefer to hang a sheer curtain directly behind the pleated drapery. You can accommodate the latter effect with a double traverse drapery rod.

Before You Buy

Keep all of these tips in mind when making your final decision and ordering. Take into consideration how much light comes into the room. Do you need to screen harsh Western sunlight in the summer months? Perhaps�the windows in your room face North with very little light entering yet the room is very cold in the winter.�You may prefer to purchase two sets of draperies, a lightweight fabric and a thermal backed draperies. You have a wide selection of choices when it comes to these fabrics and more in a pinch pleat design.

Author: Sally Painter

Cotton Bedspreads

KIDS FIRST!

This day and age parents have to be more careful than ever in monitoring what their children are watching on television. Television, video games, and movies have become more violent than ever. This has been a main concern causing much debate over how the images in the media will affect your child during the present and future. With the internet as the most popular media outlet, it makes it even more difficult to monitor what your child is being exposed to on a daily basis.

Luckily, there is a website dedicated to kid friendly media,
www.KidsFirst.org. This ingenious site brings together everything you and your child need to develop a strong understanding of what quality media really is. You will find an unlimited amount of resources including, Top 100 Kid?s Film List, Clubs, film festival selections and press coverage, news & info, a YouTube group, movie reviews, and an online store!

KIDS FIRST! is the coalition program that evaluates, rates, and endorses quality children?s feature films, DVDs, videos, CDs, TV shows and interactive media. The rating system uses volunteer, community-based juries comprised of child development professionals, teachers as well as parents and children from diverse geographic, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. A KIDS FIRST! endorsement is given to titles that meet the KIDS FIRST! baseline criteria and are approved by both adult and child jurors.?

Goals
A. To teach children to become critical media users;
B. To help adults recognize the importance of teaching critical viewing skills to children;
C. To help children identify and be aware of outstanding media programming;
D. To develop programs for children with special needs such as low-income, hospitalized or at-risk children.

To become a KIDS FIRST! juror, you need to take a training course. The course insures the quality of a KIDS FIRST! evaluation and endorsement. The training consists of two consecutive webinar sessions for a fee of $30 which is entirely refundable once you complete the course and evaluate six titles for the organization. Click, Become a Kids First! Juror for more information!

Great Bedspreads

Zicci Bea Bedding Interview

Zicci Bea is a dream realized by friends Yali Katz and Shoshanah Weinstock. Both women are interior designers and saw a need in the bedding market that they felt their combined unique design styles and perspectives could fill. Recently, LoveToKnow editor Sally Painter had the opportunity to discuss this new venture between friends in this exclusive interview.

Founders Yali Katz and Shoshanah Weinstock

A Look Inside Zicci Bea Bedding

LoveToKnow (LTK): When did you first open doors for business? How did you come up with the name?
Yali Katz (YK): We were fully open for business in January 2010. We brainstormed on our name, which is a play on our never used middle names, one fine day over lunch two years before we opened.

Friends as Business Partners

LTK: Two friends joining forces to create a company sounds exciting and challenging, what advice do you have for others who might be tempted to take the plunge?
Shoshanah Weinstock (SW): Just do it! Keep your eye on the goal and remember to be open about issues. Creating a business plan and partnership agreement are key. Shoshanah and Yali make a point to go Girl shopping once a month, no business talk allowed!
LTK: What is the one thing that you've learned in this partnership that surprised you?
SW and YK: Two people with different and many skill sets still require a support team to keep moving forward.

Bedding Collections

LTK: What types of bedding collections do you offer? It's all machine washable, which is a big plus!
SW: Our debut collection is composed of fun color spins on classic patterns that nearly everyone can identify with. Many of our patterns are not age specific and can grow from toddler to teen or teen to adult. Our reversible concept keeps the look of our bedding fresh. Clients can be hotel sophisticated one day and funky stripes another without investing in two bedding sets.
LTK: Where did the names for your bedding collections come from?
YK: Some were descriptive, some are an ode to people we work with, we brainstormed the rest.
LTK: How did you decide on the type of products to carry?
YK: We simply felt a need, then studied the void in the bedding market and developed a product in the style and price point that we were unable to find.
LTK: How much creative control did each of you have over your collections? What process did you use to narrow your choices and then make final decisions?
SW: We have complete creative control. All our patterns and colors were developed because of a need in the market so it was important for us to edit, edit, edit until we were satisfied. Our collection consists of girl, boy, adult, guest, bachelor and everything in between.

Healthy Earth Commitment

LTK: What is Healthy Earth Commitment?
YK: Healthy Earth is so important to us. We are moms first, then we are designers. Putting our children and selves to sleep on a product that uses certified safe dyes and no toxic chemicals is very important to us. We are also consumers and created a product that we can and would buy. The price points for our bedding are about half of what a similar product in design and quality would cost. We are able to do this because we keep our overhead down and pass that on to our customers.

Where to Buy

LTK: Besides online, customers can find your bedding in many brick and mortar stores. Any plans for your own retail stores? What's on the horizon for Zicci Bea?
YK: We don?t stop here. As interior designers we have so many ideas for accessories and possibly furniture. We plan to keep developing new patterns and don?t plan on limiting our offerings to bedding only. Stay tuned!

A Special Thank You

LoveToKnow would like to thank Yali Katz and Shoshanah Weinstock of Zicci Bea for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their story.


Great Bedspreads

Linens for Less

Buying linens for less doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality. You can find attractive, durable linens that are less expensive if you're willing to invest more of your time to find them.

Shop and Compare

Any savvy shopper will tell you that if you want to get the best prices, you need to shop around to compare prices.
There are certain discount websites that are known for having low, competitive prices, such as Overstock and Linens 4 Less. Check these sites regularly and then compare the linen prices by the brands and styles they have in common. Keep in mind, however, that jsut because a bedding store has the words "for less" in their name, doesn't mean that the prices will actually be lower.
Keep in mind retailers change prices frequently, sometimes even daily. The prices posted one day might be different on the next day. Even if you find a great deal on one website, keep checking other sites regularly. Shopping comparison sites can be helpful when you are looking for a certain type of bedding or linens, as you can compare prices across several stores.

Linen Bargains and Special Pricing

If you're shopping for table linens for a special event, such as a wedding, you can save a lot of money by taking the time to compare prices and paying attention to special pricing. For example, if you simply shop for a 70-inch round, ivory. polyester tablecloth you will find that most of the prices are similar from one website to another. However, if you change your keywords to shop for bulk pricing or wedding linens, then you can find sites that cater to bulk purchases and end up saving a lot of money. The following websites are a good starting point for table linen comparison shopping for:

• Tablecloths Factory
• Linen Tablecloth
• Linens 4 Sales
• eFavor Mart

Best Time of Year for Sales

According to Free Shipping, the best time of the year to buy linens is in January. The tradition of The White Sale is a marketing idea started in 1878 by department store owner John Wannamaker. Even to this day, many retailers still carry out this idea of the New Year's sales in bedding and linens.

Finding Bargains with Alternative Materials

Sometimes, you can find linens for less by looking for less expensive materials that are similar to the more expensive ones. A good example would be down bedding. Down is the soft, fine insulating feathers found underneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. There are different grade levels for down and the most expensive down comes from mature geese. This premium down can get quite costly when used in bedding. For instance, the difference in price between two king sized down and down alternative comforters can be huge. Luxury bedding filled with premium European goose down and covered by a removable silk cover could easily cost over a thousand dollars for a king size. The price could be much higher because of not only the premium down but also the silk covering since silk bedding is also a very expensive fabric. If you have your heart set on a certain type or style of linens, wait for a White Sale or check for the products at a discount store to save money.
In contrast, a comforter that is filled with a microfiber down alternative material, covered by a 300-thread count cotton casing can be purchased for under 300 dollars or much less at a discount bedding store or website. A good alternative to silk would be satin. Satin has the same light reflecting qualities as silk and also has a similar smooth texture and is significantly cheaper than silk. A microfiber synthetic material can have many of the same properties and advantages of real down; however it will be more affordable and typically easier to clean and care for.
The same idea applies to otehr types of linens - if you consider alternative materials, you may eild huge savings on items like towels, sheets, beddings, and curtains.

Affordable Eco-Friendly Linens

If you want to buy eco-friendly linens that are made from sustainable and renewable resources at an affordable price, there are a few of good choices. You can buy bath towels and sheets made from bamboo fiber or organic cotton.
Both of these materials are good choices for green household linens. Pure Fiber International is an eco-friendly wholesale manufacturer of sustainable bath linens and make both bamboo bath towels and organic cotton bath towels. A comparison of the two types of linens from a few other online retailers shows that organic cotton is slightly less expensive than bamboo fiber. You can find organic cotton towels online at:

• Sears
• Allergy Superstore
• Enviro Products World

You can find bamboo fiber bath towels at these online retailers:

• Vintage Tub and Bath
• Live Eco Friendly
• Earth Tech Products Inc.

More Tips for Finding Linens for Less

• Codes and coupons: Look for online discount codes and coupons for department stores and bedding retailers. Sites such as Current Codes list all current discounts and promotions from a large database of retailers. Many stores also offer early bird or customer appreciation sales as well.
• Mail alerts: Sign up for email or snail mail alerts from your favorite linens stores. Many shops send repeat customers or those on their mailing list coupons and special offers. Bed, Bath and Beyond, for example, regularly sends customers on their mailing list coupons for 20 percent off.
• Rewards programs: Many department stores offer rewards programs, where you can earn coupons or store 'cash' that you cna use on a repeat purchase once you've spent a certain amount. Using these programs in conjuction with a White Sale can yield great savings.
• Discontinued linens: Consider purchasing discontinued patterns on curtains, bedding, sheets, and table linens. You may save a substantial amount of money in purchasing a style that is from last year or is no longer being made
• Closeout stores: Shop closeout brick and mortar stores such as Big Lots, Marshall's, and T.J Maxx. Although these types of discount stores carry much more than just linens, you can often find name brands on sheets, curtains, towels, and bedding at a huge savings.
• Make sure it's really a bargain. Consider how often you'll need to replace the bedding you are considering in order to determine if the cheaper price is your best bet. A high thread count sheet set, for example, will wear well and offer incredible softness after numerous washings. A very cheap set of sheets with a low thread count, on the other hand, may pill and feel scratchy and rough after only a few washes and you'll need to replce it.

The secret to finding linens for less is to spend more time shopping and be diligent when comparing prices. The amount of time you spend researching and comparing your purchases can really pay off in finding great household linens at less expensive prices.

Author: Michelle-Radcliff

Queen Bedspreads