Category: Events

  • Sensory Gala

    Sensory Gala

    Rainbow Draperies is a huge supportor of local community, and one way we like to show that is by connecting and giving back to local organizations.

    This month we are highlighting the Connect Society. “Founded in 1963, Connect Society exists to strengthen connections among Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people. They are a nonprofit community agency providing individuals and families with resources to help them fully participate within families, relationships, and the community. They believe the ability to communicate fully is an essential and basic need. This is their purpose.” Taken from the About Page on The Connect Society’s website

     

    Textiles play a role in our sensory experience, This was first brought to my attention when Louise Berezowsky first came into Rainbow Draperies. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she took in all the many samples of gorgeous textiles, colours, patterns, and textures everywhere. Louise was at Rainbow a little over two years ago to take photos for a mutual client that was capturing the images of locally made hand crafted fabrications and how this related to her business. As Louise took in all the interesting textures at Rainbow, her mind started going a million miles a minute and spontaneously declared one day we should do a “Sensory Gala” together.

    As a self-identifying visionary and dreamer, I instantly shared her thought process. Without ever connecting the dots before, Louise created a direct path for me to understand the importance textiles play in our daily lives, which goes far beyond beauty. We at Rainbow get obsessed with function and form, precision and solutions all day long, but on this particular day, the concept of senses and how touch, sight, sound, smell, and sound (or lack thereof) can all impact our quality of life, at the risk of sounding dramatic – this changed me forever. I never thought about it from a sensory point of view before. Sure, touch has always been a factor – and when I think about it, sight has always drawn me into a pattern or colour palette and, at times, almost forced me to touch it. But this was taken for granted, almost as tho it was instinctual, not personal, or intentional. Do you know what I mean? Often creatives do that, tho, right? Take for granted what comes naturally to us; the secret sauce is taking that gift and positively impacting others. Especially from an individual point of view. It hit me that this is the bottom line of what custom design truly is. Making a plan specific for someone.

    It became instantly obvious that textiles play a role in our sensory experience and should be considered this way in the design process. Who will be touching it, looking at it, and operating the beautiful custom fabrications? What impact does that have on the overall user experience? These are the questions I now ask every time I have the opportunity to get to know the beneficiary.  When we think of the person who will benefit from good design, perhaps better materials will be selected, and better function will be incorporated. For the love of people, it’s a whole thing, and I am here for it.

    Okay so back to that fateful day with Louise, well her vision came true! This year, The Connect Society is hosting a fundraiser Gala Called Sensory on April 4, 2025

    For more information click here

    They are even hosting a FREE ENTRY Day On Saturday April 5, 2025

    I am so excited about this and about my small role in it. Rainbow Draperies donated cut-offs and roll ends, and labour to The Connect Society, each piece more textural, and beautiful than the last. Showcasing such exquisite textiles to the community has been so rewarding. As I watch eyes illuminate with expression over the different pieces of cloth, I am humbled and honoured to be a part of it all.

    We are passionate about inspiring future generations on the importance of maintaining high standards and preserving the artistry that defines custom design in the interior design industry.

    We also strongly believe in what goes around comes around. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, consider the Sensory Gala and open your mind to an immersive experience. It might just change your life. To get more involved in how textiles can play a role in your next design project, please reach out.

  • The invisible Threads of Community

    The invisible Threads of Community

     

    “The invisible Threads of community” – an unconventional skirt

    Locally Made with discontinued hanger samples

    This skirt is more than a garment – it’s a reflection of people coming together, connecting over a vision, custom design, and handmade skills.  Created from small discontinued samples, and cut off waste, what some might call “garbage”, this skirt embodies the power of imagination to execution.

    At Rainbow, my team and I are deeply rooted in supporting local Edmonton. We are a women-owned business for 54 years, connecting the design community with local talented seamstresses. Every material we touch carries a story, connected to a local Edmontonian, and by repurposing these discarded fabrics in this skirt, we give them new life while honoring the past projects that have been woven through our space.

    It is a quiet but powerful reminder that craftsmanship is not just about the end product but about the relationships it fosters. This skirt is a celebration of those ties that make up a community, each colour and pattern unique to itself, is hand sewn together, to create a bigger pattern. This symbolizes the power of individuals coming together, and the unseen stitches that make us bigger, even more powerful as a whole.

    I hope while you view this skirt it reminds you of a connection to something in your own life, a quilt or a fabric of a loved one. Look deeply at the variety within each pattern. Think of a person that has left a mark on your life. My mission, as a woman in the arts, is accomplished if that brings back a memory, making visible your inner circle, which now connects me, and my team, to you and your loved ones. These are the invisible threads of community.

    Vision by Kim Neeser, execution by the Team at Rainbow Draperies.

    Our Skirt will be on display at the Skirtsafire Festival starting March 6th, running until March 16th. Rainbow has been a huge fan and sponsor of the festival for a decade now. Skirtsafire is a unique Edmonton festival that creates platforms for women’s voices in the arts.

    Honorary Skirts – women in the arts

    Honorary Skirt for 2025
    Catherine Vu

    Since the beginning in 2013, SkirtsAfire has had an Honorary Skirt. Each year when it is considered who should be chosen for the next Honorary Skirt, Skirtsafire looks for a woman who is well known for her work, accomplishments, and community spirit; who inspires greatness from other women. Someone passionate and connected to the community she serves. This year’s Honorary Skirt is Catherine Vu. For more info on the past Honorary skirts visit Skirtsafire.com.

    The first “Skirt” in my life that I would like to honor is my Momma, Cheryl Meiklejohn. Without her unparalleled generosity, talent, and unconditional love and belief in me, I would not know how great it is to try hard, believe in miracles, and experience the world to its fullest. If I had a creative idea, without even asking “why?” Momma C would often say “Yes, you go girl”. And I have A LOT of ideas, so the bandwidth on this was large. Over a decade ago, I asked Momma C if she would sew costumes for my theatre friends, and she said yes. She barely knew the girls but she knew they were important to me and that was all she needed to justify the hours of handcrafted time and talent she donated to make these costumes.

    Costumes hand sewn by Cheryl Meiklejohn

    Since then my eyes have been opened up to countless women in the arts.  I see talented seamstresses working with their hands every day to create custom drapery and bedding for the home, and I see women who are providing for their families through freelance business models. At the same time, these ladies are quietly curating safe and comfortable spaces for their neighbours and clients. I am grateful to be surrounded by such extraordinary women. As we approach International Women’s Day and celebrate Women’s history month, I can’t help but feel proud to be a woman. Surrounded by women. Raising young women. I honour all of you.

    A trip down memory Lane

     

    Unconventional Skirt made by Jane Kline out of hangers

    The first year I participated in the unconventional skirt challenge, my mind was blown wide open by the possibility of what can be done with materials. I was overwhelmed by Jane’s ability to manipulate such a rigid material into a “textile” for a skirt. I was officially hooked on Skirtsafire and the community that it connected me to.  This raised my bar instantly. I knew what could be done with a needle and thread, but now the sky is the limit, and understanding what materials you want to work with is just the beginning. If you can drive down Whyte Ave,  look in the window at Gravity Pope, and see another skirt by Jane Kline made up of recycled mirrors.

     

    A few of my creations

    Skirt made of old play bills and show tickets by Kim Neeser

    That first year I participated in the festival, I was inspired by the theme “In her closet,” I went to my closet and pulled out dusty boxes of old keepsakes that had been stored, untouched for years. I created petals with the grommet cutter at Rainbow (Sorry momma, probably dulled the blade that year).  All the circles were made of theatre ticket stubs, playbills, and other memorabilia. Then died pink and assembled into an asymmetrical skirt, worn by my niece Shae Lanovaz.

    Skirt Made of corks and seashell necklaces by Kim Neeser

    One year I even reluctantly modelled my skirt! Talk about nerves, to create and model! That was next level comfort zone push for me! But I feel stronger for it. I gathered necklaces from all kinds of relationships I had made a long the way. Some came as far away as Africa, that a close friend donated from one of her trips. I love the thought of how each strand tells its own story and how connected they create a movement.

    Skirt Made with drapery cardboard tubes, and ribbons by Kim Neeser

    Another year I made a skirt out of drapery cardboard tubes. I cut them into 1/2″ circles and then sewed them together to create a new textile. Adorned with a box of old ribbons that had been given to me by a friend a few years earlier. She told me she “knew I would use them wisely one day”. Modelled by another niece Taylor Thiessen.

     

    The blue patchwork skirt made by sample book quilted together with pleated sheer headers by Kim Neeser

    The next year I asked that same friend who donated the ribbon, Erin, to model. I had a very difficult job go sideways because of discontinued fabrics and it caused a lot of stress. I worked through the project as I always do with determination, and in the end made this skirt out of that sample book. A make lemonade situation. It was while I cut the squares out of the book and sewed them together to create a new textile that I released my frustration and anger towards things I could not control. In the end, the client cried over the use of the discontinued fabric and we positively connected over the stress. It was truly transformative. I added some pleated sheer headings from another job to give it some extra movement. This was February of 2020. So I fondly look at this photo with great understanding that we don’t know what is just around the corner and it is truly how you handle it that matters.

    Skirt made entirely of selvage edges cut off from drapery fabrics by Kim Neeser

    2021 Covid changed the way theatre and events could be hosted, so the live runway show changed to a still display in a retail store front window on Whyte Ave. We adapted the competition to a challenge, bringing artists together to create and display. I am very proud of this shift I helped influence. The Skirtasfire festival always screamed community and coming together for me. Now we were coming together over the challenges and creating as a greater whole. The director Annette Loiselle and manager Breann Jang couldn’t agree more, and away we went with window displays showing off the challenge of working with unconventional materials, keeping the skirts element of the festival alive and well despite the Covid restrictions.

     

    From creator to curator

    photo by April MacKilins of me and artist Loraine Dezman admiring her skirt at Gravity Pope

    In 2022, my role changed from creator to curator, where I worked with the artists that were hand selected from previous years to create 4 window takeovers on Whyte Ave. Rainbow even created some window coverings to create backdrops and a reveal on opening day!

     

    Photo by April MacKilins of me and artist Una Momolu looking at her skirt at The Paint Spot. Props designed by Karen Bishop and Jani Galarneau

    The giant red curtain created a backdrop between the front window and the store at The Paint Spot, It was all closed off until reveal day and then opened up to reveal the skirt for all to see. Got to love a good theatrical drama moment. I mean, theatre and drapery go together like “warm weather and cold ice tea” Mark Ambor. 

    Rainbow made Mountain curtain on curved rod to create backdrop for window display at The Quiltbag

    Okay, last look at some fun creations by Rainbow Draperies, check out this mountain curtain installed on a curved rod to create a window backdrop.  Ibeam was mounted into the ceiling and the drape was patchworked to create a mountain range. This drape was made entirely out of cutoff fabrics and discontinued hanger samples. Because the window had a reveal, the drape was designed to hide the skirt and was completely hidden inside, and then swooshed open to reveal the display on the day of the launch. It was such a gas to hear the oohs and awes! After the festival, the drape was gifted to The Quiltbag as a room divider, and change room!

     

    Fini the Mini, a mini skirt used as a mascot made of finials, and cardboard inserts from Gravity Pope shoes

    After taking on such a big project, four windows, four retailers, multiple artists, it was time for me to take a step back. So, the next year I designed a mini mascot using a decorative finial and the cardboard shoe inserts from Gravity Pope. She is cleverly called “Fini the Mini” and I adore her. The buckle is an old hardware sample, and the belt was made from Holt Renfrew trim. I had a client many years ago who wanted valance boxes accessorized with the signature ribbon used at the till to wrap the garments. Obviously, I held on to the role of ribbon. I won’t reveal how I got it, but I am proud of my crafty ways. If I can see your vision, I will go the mile to see it come to be.

    For more info on Skirtsafire

    The festival starts March 6th – 16th and hosts a variety of shows. For more info check out their website here: www.skirtsafire.com.  Our skirt will be on display in the lobby of the main stage play “Dance nation” at the Gateway Theatre. Thanks for reading my post, your support is more meaningful than you can ever imagine, it’s the invisible threads of community.

     

  • Why Custom Hardware is the Secret Ingredient to Exceptional Design!

    Why Custom Hardware is the Secret Ingredient to Exceptional Design!

    The Power of Custom Hardware: Why It Matters for Your Design

    When it comes to home design, the smallest details can make the biggest impact. One element often overlooked is custom hardware—but it plays a vital role in creating a polished, cohesive look. Unlike off-the-shelf options, custom hardware offers the flexibility to fit your project’s unique needs, ensuring that every element works harmoniously.

    Tailored Fit & Functionality

    With custom cuts and specialty assembly, hardware can be designed to fit your space perfectly. This precision ensures smooth installation and better functionality, something mass-produced hardware often lacks. Custom pieces are made to accommodate the size and scale of your drapery and furnishings, creating a flawless fit.

    Custom fabrications & hardware installed

    Personalized Color & Texture

    Choosing custom hardware allows you to match the color and texture to your drapery or room’s aesthetic, ensuring that everything from curtain rods to finials complements the design scheme. Whether you’re going for sleek metals, matte finishes, or warm wood tones, you have endless options to match your vision.

    Consideration of Scale

    Custom hardware can be made in a variety of sizes to suit different projects. Whether you need oversized rods for large, dramatic drapery or minimalist brackets for a lighter look, custom designs give you control over the scale of every component.

    Cohesion & Excellence

    Perhaps the greatest advantage of custom hardware is the way it ties everything together. Every component—from the color and scale to the material—is thoughtfully chosen to ensure ease of use and visual harmony. It’s this attention to detail that elevates a design from good to exceptional, blending form and function seamlessly.

    When designing with drapery, custom hardware is more than just an afterthought—it’s the key to achieving excellence. It ensures that your design vision flows from concept to installation, creating a look that’s uniquely yours.

    For more information on how to design custom window coverings with specialized hardware join us for our next Limited Edition workshop.

    We will be unpacking the design details of channel rods, architectural tracks and motorization options, a to-the-trade event for those that want to elevate their design knowledge and offerings.

     

  • 5 Great Tips for Accessories

    5 Great Tips for Accessories

    🎨 Unlock the Ultimate Accessory Secrets! 🌟

    5 Tips for Great Accessories!

    Dive deep into the world of handcrafted, locally made creations and discover why these artisanal gems are the design industry’s secret sauce to unique one-of-a-kind spaces. Connect with fellow designers, gather inspiration, and celebrate the vibrant talent right here in our community. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your designs and network with the best in the industry. Save the date and be part of the creative revolution!

    See event details here

    “You’re a Limited Edition” 

    Welcome to “You’re a Limited Edition,” a free workshop that empowers good design with ease and excellence.   Our custom cushions & home accessories are more than just home decor; they are a celebration of individualism and the art of being wonderfully you.

    In a world where mass production often overshadows personal expression, we are committed to crafting cushions & accessories that honor the beauty of individuality. Each piece is meticulously hand-crafted, reflecting a blend of timeless artistry and contemporary design. Not only are they handcrafted, the materials that go into them are the best. From the decorative designer fabrics that you get to select to the luxury inserts of your choosing, invisible zippers, and that little bit extra that you always get with Rainbow.

    Our custom fabrications are designed to embrace the perfect imperfections that make each of us distinct, offering a touch of personalized elegance to any space.

    When you choose to work with Rainbow, you are not just selecting a home accessory; you are curating an experience. An experience that honors your unique style and the story you tell through the spaces you design.

    This “limited edition” workshop is designed for creative and innovative decorators and designers. Do you have concepts and ideas of designs that pop into your head when you see a space and you want to be able to create a solution that matches your vision? That’s what these workshops are all about they help get you from vision to creation.

    We are business to business sales model, but we are always thinking about the end consumer first and I have spent a lot of time breaking down the step-by-step details to a good experience. Be sure to come by!