Some of my favorite links:

Designer Resources.

	dreamDraper	Imagine taking a digital picture of your client's windows and designing a treatment right on the picture, showing design and fabric. It will sell the client every time. The Dream Draper software is the best available for space planning and window treatment design. As a bonus, it is lots of fun to play with. Evan Marsh Designs, the authors of Dream Draper (DD), also carry Quick Quote. An awesome quoting tool that drives off of QuickBooks.  Free yourself from the chore of bidding and give yourself more time to play with designs. Evan Marsh Designs also hosts an interactive online forum for DD customers to trade their tricks and experience with the software and to share workroom questions and challenges in general.
	dreamDraper xChange Forum	You are cordially invited to register and participate in the dreamDraper xChange forum. We encourage discussion on all aspects of the window fashions business, not just on dreamDraper products. As moderator, I love answering questions and helping with challenges.
	The Helser Brothers	This is the go-to company for all your hardware needs. Their customer service is the best. They will work with you to overcome any and all hardware challenges. They are able to design and custom make metal rods and rod accessories to any shape or size. Of special note is their Composition hardware line and the online interactive software that allows you to design your own finials. Also, make their blog a favorite on your reading list. It is playful and very informative.
	Park Place Interiors	Nearly one-hundred high-quality furnishings and accessories at great prices! Plus, they offer a paint discount program in conjunction with Sherwin-Williams Paints.
	Adaptive Textiles	Adaptive Textiles™ offers direct pigment printing on a variety of natural and synthetic grounds. Supported by the world-class DuPont™ Artistri® service operation, our team has developed a production-capable digital solution for printed textiles. This technology offers brilliant colors, excellent color fastness, and superior print reliability. Applications include: home furnishings, apparel, and soft signage. From product development to production, Adaptive Textiles™ provides exactly what you need in short runs. · Enjoy greater design flexibility (no screens). · Experience on-demand printing with low inventory costs. · Explore eco-friendly options for textile printing and distribution. · Print your exclusive designs or customize our stock patterns. · Benefit from our on-site workroom for samples and finished goods.

 

Professional Pattern Companies

	Decorate Now Patterns	Decorate Now Patterns is a line of custom drapery, curtain, window treatment, and valance sewing patterns created by a professional custom workroom for other workrooms.  Decorate Now Patterns specializes in casually elegant window treatments for today's busy lifestyle. The patterns have been developed and tested in the workroom to meet the exacting standards of custom work.  Each pattern comes with two sets of instructions--one full set and Decorate Now Pattern's unique Instructions at a Glance.  The patterns include details not normally found in home sewing patterns, such as double cording, layered buttons, extra fullness, wide ranges of sizes, and other custom touches.   The pattern line includes Timeless Classics, Fun & Contemporary, and a selection of DN Originals designs.
	M'Fay Patterns	This company offers a wide selection of full-size patterns which encompass many of the custom designs that are popular today. They offer a Digest of designs for use with your clients, and their customer service is very highly rated.
	Patterns Plus	This company also offers a wide variety of full-size custom decorative patterns. Detailed instructions include fabric computation and suggestions for Owner is Joan Willis, author of Arched Window Treatments. Patterns Plus conducts seminars at most of the major trade shows.
	Pate-Meadows Designs	Many patterns for creative and unusual treatments.

 

Workroom Resources.

	Custom Home Furnishings Academy	An impressive resource for professional training, newsletter and products. It features an exceptional forum for workrooms to interact. Depending on the forum registration level you choose, you also receive up to six fabrication/business webinars per year and the hard-copy bi-monthly magazine. Also features a store with video classes and special workroom supplies. A must on your favorites list.
	The Slipcover Network	Everything about Slipcovers. Not only is there professional support for those who make slipcovers on the forum, but there is a directory of slipcovers professionals that the consumer can use to contact someone to make a slipcover for them; calendar of slipcover classes going on around the country; and links to vendors and sites that might be of interest to the consumer and the professional;
	Draw-Matic	Draw-Matic is a manufacturer of tabling equipment for the drapery industry. Clamping bars, edge rules and sizing guides can be ordered to fit each persons individual tabling needs. Popular items include the fabric bolt cart and the rolled goods tree.
	Window Coverings News	A bi-monthly online magazine full of excellent articles on business, fabrication and design news.
	Workroom Association of America	The Workroom Association of America was formed to strengthen and support the artisans who are so vital to the soft coverings industry. Their mission is to bring value added programs and benefits to the workroom trade. In addition, their goal is to provide a voice to the needs and concerns of people whose skills are the cornerstone of our industry as they use their talents to turn raw materials into saleable products.
	Upholsterer Magazine Online	This is a comprehensive site for those interested in the art of upholstery. It includes links to other sites, an interactive forum, bookstore and supplies.

 

 

Workroom Supply Companies.

	Angels	Angels carries a full line of quality linings and interlinings. They also carry a line of quality batiste sheers. Their customer service is what sets them apart in a busy industry. Look for the candy in every bolt of fabric.
	Atlanta Thread & Supply	aka ATS, this company carries a wide range of workroom supplies as well as industrial electric shears, steamers, sewing machines and irons.
	Lafayette Interior Fashions	This company is a full service workroom. They also carry a multitude of workroom supplies, as well as Graber & Kirsch hardware. They truck their own merchandise, saving you the shipping fees. I find them especially convenient when ordering oversized rods and a mix of Graber & Kirsch hardware.
	Rowley Company	The first on your list of vendors. A very comprehensive supply company for workroom and installation products at very reasonable prices. Wonderful people to work with and excellent customer service. Online ordering available through their website.

Fabric Information.

	library.thinkquest.org	Our business requires the handling of many different fabrics and blends. Understanding the differences between fabrics may help in choosing appropriate fabrics for functionality and handling the fabrics both in the workrooms and on site. These links offer a wealth of information on fibers and terms.
	Fabriclink.com
	Fabrics.net

 

My Family.

	Klingshirn Winery	The family business of making fine Ohio wines was begun by my grandfather, Albert Klingshirn, after prohibition. My father, Allan Klingshirn, built a tradition of quality wines at affordable prices. My brother, Lee Klingshirn, is the third generation Wine Master, and has added many quality wines and champagnes to their stock. Check out the history of the business and learn some interesting details about different varieties of grapes. Klingshirn Winery also offers custom labels. Print your own special message on the label of a bottle of wine. If you live in Ohio, you can order wine on-line to be shipped to your home. If you are traveling from out of state, make it a point to stop by and sample some award winning wine. This site also links you to other Ohio wineries.
	My Employment Lawyer.	This site was developed by Neil Klingshirn, specializing in employment law. This site allows you to research some FAQs about employment law and provides a link to employment lawyers across the country.

My Friends in creative businesses.

	Ladybug Creations	Marsha Gomola specializes in two styles of dimensional embroidery. Both styles are surface stitchery.  The first, Brazilian, is a modern technique that began in the 1960s.    The two definitive features of Brazilian are the use of dimensional stitches and all of the work is done with Z-twisted rayon thread.   The second style, Stumpwork, was originally done about 1650 to 1700. Many of the historic pieces were done by young girls at the culmination of their embroidery education. Definitive features of Stumpwork include the use of wire, various techniques to create dimensional details, the inclusion of a tremendous amount of detail, and the use of figures.  Marsha creates as much realistic detail as possible with the goal of creating flowers and butterflies as realistically as possible. Her latest work includes the use of birds, specifically our own Ohio cardinal.
	Goingsewing-artista	The goal of this site is to help to educate you with the Bernina artista Software and Machine.  There are designs to exchange as well as design swaps.   You will also find projects and tips, and access to interactive classes. This site is owned by Reneah Raffay. She has owned the artista software from its inception.  She resides in Northern Ohio and instructs the artista software nationwide.

 

 

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