So it seems there has been a lot of reader traffic on this blog while I’ve been busy! In the past week that I’ve been busy with other commitments related to work and a non-profit organization I’m involved with, I got my first reader question. How exciting!
Here is Becky’s question:
WOW! Your designs are wonderful! I was hoping you could give me a suggestion of a website, book, or whatever to learn to drape for decorating. My son is getting married in June on the historic Halley’s Bluff over looking the Osage River. (Missouri). His bride to be’s family owns the property. (Actually has a little cave under the bluff where Jesse James had a hide out!). I purchased a beautiful wrought iron gazebo from Sam’s club for the event. (I will have item in my yard after the wedding.). What kind of fabric do you suggest for draping? I have heard tulle, but than also read tulle “was tacky”. Voile is another fabric I have heard, but very expensive. Does tulle work for you? Any suggestions? I will definitely mark your site as a favorite! By the way, inour area we do not have anybody who does this for hire. Thanks. Becky
This is a good question. There are a lot of fabrics out there, but they all drape, or lie, differently on different surfaces. There are some better for laying against a table, others that look better hanging freely, others that…well, you get the picture. Let me give you a few examples.
This set up, a sweetheart table on a riser and an elaborate backdrop, is made up of mostly English netting and pink organza. Organza is sort of fluffy and can be easily puffed up. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll see my signature pouf at each gathering of the sweetheart table’s draping. I’ve actually been asked to demonstrate this pouf while decorating. I can do that in a video, if you guys want, but someone has got to request it.
You can also see that the poofiness of the organza gives you some pleasing lines when you loop it from gathering to gathering. Not all fabrics give you that much…body, for the lack of a better word.
This set up, a draped trellis set up behind a cake table, used two fabrics I don’t always care to use. One is the harder-textured silver netting on the trellis — when you’re running a lot of fabric through your hands the way I do when I’m draping, it hurts when the netting is hard. Also, on the cake table, the purple fabric looks like organza, but is not. I am pretty sure this fabric is charmeuse, which is opaque and thicker than organza, but has a similar shininess. It’s a lot heavier than organza and harder to secure. I would recommend using charmeuse as a tablecloth or tablecloth overlay, rather than as a draping material.
This sparkly, net-like material is called sinamay. It’s a handwoven, mesh material that I’ve often seen wrapped around individual roses to make a bouquet look bigger. As you can see, sinamay has some pretty sparkly threads woven into the mesh, and its perfect, in my opinion, for outdoor decor like this. You might also be wondering what party this is from. This is from my 18th birthday in 1996. Yes. I’m old.
This picture, as you can see from the date on the cake, is old school. Yes! These pictures are from 1998. More than 10 years ago! Wow. Anyway, I busted these pictures out to point out the use of chiffon. Chiffon….ooooh. It is luxurious, smooth and silky to the touch. It hangs gracefully. It comes in oh so many colors. The chiffon, if you can’t tell, is the fabric on the bottom of that triple twist on the column behind the cake. I also used the chiffon in the backdrop behind the sweetheart table. My mom didn’t like that backdrop as much as others I’ve done, I guess because it isn’t as visually large.
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Would you please upload a video demonstrating your signature pouf? Your site is amazing…I am truly enthralled. I have decided to take that step to become an official wedding planner, since I’ve loved doing it for friends for a while now. I have been reading your posts for well over an hour and I so appreciate all you have to share. I live in Ventura County and will be strenthening my Ventura/Los Angeles resources. Thank you for all of this…I an certain you will hear from me again soon!!
Hey Melanie! I won’t be able to do this soon, but I’m going to work on fulfilling your request!
can you do a video on how to drape a ceiling and to get thoes amazing backdrops
Please help me with i know how to do this things but i’m stuggling to fo it on the wall and ceilling, what kind of hooks or which equipment i have to use for me to drape on the ceiling or wall example i can use pins and what else to hang those materials
I would also like to know how to mount the material on the wall?
I will do my first wedding Dec. 19, 2010 and I want to know if you have a video on how the Fabric Draping is done in the hot pink sweetheart table picture. The set-up is gorgeous. The wedding is black and white with red accessories. The floral arrangement are beautiful also. I have viewed many sites, but nothing as elegant as this site.
Please help!
J Ann Moore
Would you please upload a video demonstrating your signature pouf as a decor coordinate I do love to learn
I am trying to figure out how to measure for draping how wide i should make it … my daughter is getting married and wants draping in the church.
My thought is to buy a bolt of fabric cut in widths of 18-24 inches and sew together and then drap it.oes that sould right? We have thought of a light weight satin i like the organza you used its beautiful!! You do really nice work. ‘I would appreciate any ideas tips you could pass on.
Thank You Kathy Pruitt
I’m from nigeria, we don’t have most of the fabric you mentioned above here. pls help me out.
Would you please upload a video demonstrating your signature pouf as a decor coordinate I do love to learn
can you do a video on how to drape a ceiling and to get thoes amazing backdrops.
Tips on fabric selection for drapes, ceiling decorations and hallway decorations.
Hello, I was wondering what you use to hold the fabric in place? Our venues here are very particular about what can and cannot be used. I haven’t done the draping myself before because we are used to beach weddings (Panama City), anyway if you could let me know that would be great. Thank you so much.
DOES ANYONE KNOWS WHERE WE CAN BUY CLOTH FOR DRAPINGS. WE ARE A VERY SMALL COMPANY AND FAR FROM EVENTPLANNINGCOMPANIES. WE’LL HAVE TO DO DRAPINGS OURSELVES. COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL WITH INFO…..FACTORY NAMES, ETC…. MANY THANKS!!
How do you gather and attach the organza and flowers to the table. Also how do you get it to stay on the arch?
Hi sweets, i will appreciate if you reply the questions above cos mine won’t be any different from what they’ve asked. Thanks.
Can you send the link to or the video on how to drape? Also for the head table do you recommend chiffon fabric?
Hi,
Could you drop a video on how to drape and do the rose with the fabric. Thanks
I am a special events decorator too and am a little hesitant to take up ceiling draping. Have you had a chance to make a video yet? I would love to watch your draping method – step by step.
Your backdrops and main tables are gorgeous, thanks for sharing.
Hi, What fabric do you recommend for wall drapings. I am getting married and the location we could afford, I am not too impressed with the walls. I am capable of doing it myself, however there are so many fabric choices tulle, organza, chiffon, organdy etc…. that I don't know what would look best. I would really appreciate your advice.
Hi, What fabric do you recommend for wall drapings. I am getting married and the location we could afford, I am not too impressed with the walls. I am capable of doing it myself, however there are so many fabric choices tulle, organza, chiffon, organdy etc…. that I don't know what would look best. I would really appreciate your advice.
Hi, What fabric do you recommend for wall drapings. I am getting married and the location we could afford, I am not too impressed with the walls. I am capable of doing it myself, however there are so many fabric choices tulle, organza, chiffon, organdy etc…. that I don't know what would look best. I would really appreciate your advice.
contact Tamika at Trendy Decor & Linens, Events With Style, very affordable and does a beautiful job 🙂
Would love to see a video of your signature pouf!
Can you please send me a link on the draping and best ways to decorate with draping
Hello. I am getting married outside and it’s an open pavilion. The ceiling seems to be metal beams. What could I use to hang drapery and what fabric would you recommend.?