Harbour View, Lower Hutt

1175 days ago

All About Curtain & Upholstery Fabrics

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

There are five different styles/category of fabric that form the foundation for the vast array of curtain and upholstery fabrics you see on the market today. Each fabric style outlined below has its own unique characteristics and are produced using different techniques. Some of these fabric types … View moreThere are five different styles/category of fabric that form the foundation for the vast array of curtain and upholstery fabrics you see on the market today. Each fabric style outlined below has its own unique characteristics and are produced using different techniques. Some of these fabric types will be well known to you like plain and printed fabrics, while others less so.

You may be wondering why cotton and linen for example are not included here – this is because they are a type of composition that falls within one of these categories below.

Here we give you a high-level overview of the styles of fabrics available to you for your home interior or commercial interior project.

PLAIN
Plain fabrics are characterised by simple weaves and textures not showing any complex design.
Simple weaves are for instance – hopsacks, twills, herringbones and satins. Common fabric compositions used for plain fabrics include natural fibres (cotton, linen) as well as synthetic fibres (polyester, acrylic, etc.)

Plain interior fabrics take on a simple and paired back aesthetic. Ideal for a minimalist décor, you can complement plain fabrics with more textured and tactile textiles for added interest to your home décor.

PRINTED
Printing is the process of applying coloured designs and patterns to a woven textile. One or more colours are applied to the fabric in specific parts only, using thickened dyes to prevent the colour from spreading beyond the limits of the pattern or design. In quality printed fabrics, the colour is bonded with the fibre so as to resist loss of dye from washing and friction (crocking). Printing is an ancient textile manufacturing technique of which there are five print production methods you can use:

Burn Out Printing:
A process which uses chemicals, rather than colour, to burn out or dissolve away one fibre in a fabric. The purpose is to achieve a sheer design on a solid or opaque fabric. The chemicals used during production can make this fabric sensitive to ultraviolet degradation when hung in direct sunlight.

Digital Printing:
Rapidly becoming a popular and commercially viable printing method due to its flexibility, precision and consistency. With this new printing technique it is now possible to print any design, even with photographic detail, onto fabric. There are no restrictions in the amount of colour that can be used.

Engraved Roller Printing:
The printing method used for the majority of fabrics worldwide. The colours are printed directly onto the fabric. There must be one roller for each colour used in the print. The more colours used, the better the print definition and depth of colour. The number of colours used is printed on the left hand selvedge of a fabric along with the brand.

Hand Block Printing:

The oldest form of printing. Print designs are created by transferring dyestuffs onto fabric with the help of wooden, linoleum, or copper blocks. Artisans hand craft individual blocks to carry each different colour in a design and perfectly match block placement to create the all-over design.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1176 days ago

Tui time

Louise from Woburn

Spring has well and truly sprung - the neighbourhood kowhai and other blossom trees are dripping with tui. This is how you get rid of the hiccups apparently - I'm not physically capable of trying this myself, but good luck to the rest of you. Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), Woburn, Lower … View moreSpring has well and truly sprung - the neighbourhood kowhai and other blossom trees are dripping with tui. This is how you get rid of the hiccups apparently - I'm not physically capable of trying this myself, but good luck to the rest of you. Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), Woburn, Lower Hutt on Sunday.

Thursday 16 September is the last day to pre-order my Wild birds of New Zealand 2022 calendar (makes a lovely Xmas present), email me on louise@louisethomas.co.nz or DM for details.

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1176 days ago

Gardening time

Ian Hamilton from Natures choice gardening services - Lower Hutt

Spring is here and we are ready to help you get the yard back into shape!
Call us today - we are still catching up a we bit due to lock down but message us for a few quote 0272430951

1190 days ago

Print company soaring with success

Competenz

Family-owned Auckland print company Soar is flying high, with two of its team winning accolades at the prestigious Pride in Print 2021 awards.

Print apprentice Travis Jordan was named the Print Industry Apprentice of the Year, while Alex Huynh won the Workplace Trainer of the Year. For Travis, … View more
Family-owned Auckland print company Soar is flying high, with two of its team winning accolades at the prestigious Pride in Print 2021 awards.

Print apprentice Travis Jordan was named the Print Industry Apprentice of the Year, while Alex Huynh won the Workplace Trainer of the Year. For Travis, the award is an acknowledgement of the time and effort he has put into his craft.

“It’s really special and a reminder that you get out what you put in,” he says. “The award is something I’ll happily carry with me throughout my career.”

It's awesome to see not only one of our apprentices getting recognition, but also the skilled team member who trained him winning an award.

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1178 days ago

Get your financial life in order with MoneyIQ

Angela Quigan Reporter from Stuff

Hey neighbours, is it time to get your finances in order? If lockdown has focused your mind on the state of your bank account, we’re here to help.

Stuff has launched MoneyIQ, an eight-week email course that will give you all the basics you need to get your money sorted and start working towards … View more
Hey neighbours, is it time to get your finances in order? If lockdown has focused your mind on the state of your bank account, we’re here to help.

Stuff has launched MoneyIQ, an eight-week email course that will give you all the basics you need to get your money sorted and start working towards a brighter, richer future. You can sign up for free here.

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1180 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

This should not be too hard. Who is this?

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1178 days ago

December delights

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lower Hutt

From pine cones to tree-shaped centrepieces, have fun creating your own Christmas decor with Resene’s festive, on-trend colour combinations. Combine your favourite Resene testpot colours to match your Christmas style. Find out how to create your own.

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1178 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Reporter Community News

Today we have photographs and words from Simon Woolf.

"The bird feeders are now bringing in a few more different varieties of small birds. Today a flock of greenfinches visited, and a sole yellowhammer! The yellowhammer (pictured right) was a real treat, as you know they are around as they … View more
Today we have photographs and words from Simon Woolf.

"The bird feeders are now bringing in a few more different varieties of small birds. Today a flock of greenfinches visited, and a sole yellowhammer! The yellowhammer (pictured right) was a real treat, as you know they are around as they are very tuneful, however they are difficult to see at times. Our kaka also visited at least twice today!"

1183 days ago

Father and son graduate together

Competenz

Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he… View more
Another great story!
Southland father and son, Robert and Bobby Baird have recently received their forestry qualifications, proving you are never too old to learn.

While Robert has practical experience gained during four decades in the bush, he says vocational training like the qualification he has just done is helping keep people safe.

Competenz assessor Neville Muir worked with Bairds throughout their training programme.

“Bobby is very driven to succeed and very organised. He’s also very keen to continue upskilling his crew and there are a lot of different certificates still to do,” he says.

While Bobby is his boss at work, Robert turns back into ‘dad’ at the end of the day. “I give him a hand during the day when he’s got a lot of work on. We have a great relationship and it’s a magic thing to be able to do to work with your son.”

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1179 days ago

Min Kim - Exhibition of Bright & Vibrant Watercolours & Oil Paintings

Alfred Memelink Artspace Gallery

New Exhibition Season 8 Sept – 3 Oct

We are delighted to be back open again in Alert Level 2 and present Min Kim’s first exhibition at our gallery. Min’s exhibition, which was ready to open just as we went into lock down, can now be viewed and enjoyed. As well as Min’s bright and … View more
New Exhibition Season 8 Sept – 3 Oct

We are delighted to be back open again in Alert Level 2 and present Min Kim’s first exhibition at our gallery. Min’s exhibition, which was ready to open just as we went into lock down, can now be viewed and enjoyed. As well as Min’s bright and vibrant paintings to wow and inspire you, the gallery has a delightful collection of new art by other New Zealand artists in all genre and a unique range of NZ made gifts. When visiting the gallery please scan in or register, sanitize upon arrival, be mindful of others keeping a 2m distance and wear a mask for the duration of your visit as per regulations. Free entry, we look forward to see you.

223 The Esplanade Petone 04 9799889 021 472 156
Gallery open Wednesday – Sunday, 10.30 – 4pm

1179 days ago

'Poo in a loo and don't leave your rubbish', DOC rangers tell Kiwis

Reporter Community News

A DOC report says Kiwis have been exploring the outdoors in record numbers but their behaviour has not always been up to scratch.
Rangers say kiwis enjoying the great outdoors are failing to use toilets, littering, letting their dogs run rampant and damaging conservation areas in off-road vehicles.… View more
A DOC report says Kiwis have been exploring the outdoors in record numbers but their behaviour has not always been up to scratch.
Rangers say kiwis enjoying the great outdoors are failing to use toilets, littering, letting their dogs run rampant and damaging conservation areas in off-road vehicles.
Have you been out and about more since our borders have been closed and what is your experience?

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1180 days ago

Shredded Paper

Patricia from Normandale

I have two large rubbish bags of Shredded paper to give away to anyone who can use them. First in fist served - pickup Normandale

Free

1180 days ago

It's the simple things...

Neighbourly.co.nz

Hey neighbours,

Wrapped up in our bubbles - it's certainly been a tough few weeks. With our daily routines challenged, we were able to slow down and enjoy the better things in life. That's why we want you be a part of the Neighbourly joy movement and share the simple things that make … View more
Hey neighbours,

Wrapped up in our bubbles - it's certainly been a tough few weeks. With our daily routines challenged, we were able to slow down and enjoy the better things in life. That's why we want you be a part of the Neighbourly joy movement and share the simple things that make you happy.

Share a photo or story with your neighbours and you could be in to win Good Joe Coffee and Best Ugly Bagels (or bagels for your whole street!).
Share now!

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1182 days ago

Normandale Mon 6/9/21 Dr Maggie Lockdown. THE Painter

Sandra from Normandale

Girls can do anything and Dr Maggie Lockdown is painting the letterbox today.

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1180 days ago

We are open !

The Team from Red Cross Shop Petone

We are thrilled to announce that we are re-opening to the public today!!

Our shop team have been cleaning and putting out fresh stock for you, so we are thoroughly prepared and following Ministry of Health guidelines to keep you and our team safe.

Please remember that wearing a face covering, … View more
We are thrilled to announce that we are re-opening to the public today!!

Our shop team have been cleaning and putting out fresh stock for you, so we are thoroughly prepared and following Ministry of Health guidelines to keep you and our team safe.

Please remember that wearing a face covering, signing in and keeping a 2-meter distance from one another, is mandatory now.

We can now accept donations too, however, please check in with each shop, to make sure they have enough room to safely receive them.

You can find the contact details of the Red Cross Shop nearest you by clicking the button below.

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