“Swanky Collection”

I have posted about the wide variety of specialty drapery collections that Rent What? has available for rent, from “Rockin’ Red” to “Industrial Textures” to “Delightfully White” and beyond.  At Rent What? we have tried to think “outside the box” to continually re-imagine soft goods and stage decor to create interesting and beautiful new drapery options for our clients.

Today, I want to give you a sneak preview of our newest specialty collection, the “Swanky Collection.”  We have just added the first piece in the collection, and it is definitely something different.  Rather than a traditional custom stage curtain made of fabric, instead this piece is actually a series of individual linear pieces composed of mirrored plates suspended on invisible threads. 

Each thread of mirrored plates is separate and distinct – different heights, different placement of mirrored plates – allowing a completely customizable dazzling linear mobile.  By attaching each thread to a different location on the stage truss, you can create a unique mobile “drape” for every show.

I am so excited about this new piece.  I hope you like it as much as I do.  Stand by as we add more “Swanky” pieces to the collection – I’ll keep you posted.

Want to get more information and see it in action?  Take a look at it currently on tour with John Legend.

3D meet 2D

Something that can give a stage a great deal of depth is the planning and integration of real world objects in front of a printed backdrop. It takes some coordination and planning can help pull off the effect but the end result is worth it.
Case in point, we did an illustration of a steam punk machine complete with all the cogs, wheels, bells and whistles for Motley Crue. ( you can see it on the header of the graphic design page on sewwhatinc.com)

The stage designer used huge barrels, copper tubes, oil drums and alike placed strategically in front of the printed piece to pull off a dark, fire breathing mad science steam punk effect.

People still come up to me and tell me how much they loved that stage. Isn’t that what it’s all about. A memorable experience.

“Magical” Metal Mesh

Earlier this year we were contacted by Jason Bishop, illusionist extraordinaire, regarding our Metal Mesh drapery.   He felt it had just the right look to complement his amazing illusions.  The textures are terrific, and the ability to light it in different colors gives it so much versatility.  After working with Sew What? Account Manager Gwen Winter, Jason chose to purchase a custom 25′ h x 45′ w Metal Mesh Drape, fashioned as a Tear-Away for that quick “magical” reveal.

Well, last week Jason contacted us again to rave about the drape.  He sent us photos of the drape on stage with The Jason Bishop Show.  They’re terrific photos – check them out!

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Get your gray on!

In a world of high impact graphics, vibrant colors and over the top visual/video effects at shows, I’ve found over the last few years that the color gray and shades of gray are my favorite colors to work with.

For most people, gray evokes images of battle ships and gloomy days. From my perspective, it’s a lighting directors dream. A gray backdrop lets the lighting designer take control of the mood and drama of the stage.
Add the texture and sweep of a complex swag to your drapes and you can achieve beautiful effects that will transcends your stage to a whole new level. It’s not the only color of course, but something to consider when your planning your tour. Get your gray on!

New Photos on Flickr

If you haven’t gone to our Flickr page recently, you are missing out!  There are a ton of new photos there, from a variety of stage drapes and custom backdrops to theatrical equipment such as traveler track and kabuki systems.  I am sure you will see something that will inspire or educate you!  Here is just a small sampling:

Satin Austrian Curtain

I have posted many times on how beautiful Austrian curtains are, and this photo really highlights that beauty!

Traveler Track

There are some great photos in this set that show exactly what each component is and help with the installation process.

Kabuki Systems

I have discussed Kabuki Systems and Solenoids in the past, but I know that sometimes it is hard to visualize from a written post.  Hopefully these photos will help.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our portfolios!

Whether you are staging a rock tour, designing a theatre, or planning a special event, custom stage drapes, wide format digital backdrops, and other soft goods can play an intregal part in bringing your vision to life.  But what if your vision is tenuous?  You have a general idea of the mood you’d like to create, but you are unsure of how to use drapery to help achieve that mood.  How about checking out the Sew What and Rent What portfolio pages?  We’ve got photos of many different projects that we’ve worked on in the past – I’m sure that you’ll see something that strikes a cord!

Rock ‘N’ Roll

Maybe the Katy Perry parachute inspires you towards a red, white and blue patriotic theme, or Chris Cornell’s Metal Mesh drape gets you think of a cool industrial look.  Remember, these looks aren’t just for Rock ‘N’ Roll – similar looks would work for a special event.

Theatre

Maybe the gorgeous swags used by Jennifer Hudson inspire you, or the Austrian used by John Mayer at the Nokia fits the bill.  Traditional and dramatic theatrical drapery such as swags and Austrians aren’t just for traditional theatres – they look beautiful in any venue, whether it is a concert or a special event.

Digital Printing

Whether you choose a large scale backdrop with elaborate scenes, a step and repeat banner, or a geometric pattern, digital printing can be one of the most “custom” ways to achieve your vision.  Check out the terrific images we printed for Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, and many more.

Need inspiration? Check out the Rent What Photostream on Flickr

I’ve posted in the past about the great photos that Rent What? has posted on Flickr, but as it has been awhile, I thought I’d mention it again.  We’ve told you a lot about the various custom stage curtains, theatrical backdrops, and other theatrical soft goods and supplies that are available for purchase through Sew What? and / or for rent through Rent What?  But, as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and so if you are looking for inspiration for your next show or event, why not look through the many great photos in the “Concerts and Curtains” photostream on Flickr?

Here are some of my favorites:

LED Stardrops

Want to add some sparkle to your next show?  Thinking about purchasing or renting an LED Stardrop.  You can choose between the traditional bluish white night sky look with the Classic Stardrop, or maybe mix it up a little with color through the Chameleon Stardrop.  Check out the LED Stardrops photo set for some great visuals.

Austrian Curtains

I mentioned before how much I love Austrian Curtains – they are so beautiful and can set so many different moods. I especially like when an Austrian seems to change color magically during a show (through the use of a variety of lighting techniques) – one moment red, the next moment blue.  There are a number of gorgeous examples in the Austrian Curtains for Theatre and Stage set.

Digital Backdrops

Digital printing is such an amazing option today!  Whereas in the past, the only way to have a large scale scenic backdrop was to commission an artist to hand-paint the image, today just about any image can be printed and sewn into almost any size scenic backdrop.  From a simple 8′ x 10′ backdrop for a trade show booth to a huge 40′ h x 60′ w backdrop for a concert – digitally printing can handle it all.  Check out some of our projects in the Wide Format Digital Textile Printing set.

And these are just a few of the photo sets available – there is so much more.  So, if you haven’t looked at the photostream lately, check it out – I think you’ll find great ideas and inspiration.

Janet Jackson # 1′s

Last month we did an interesting project for Janet Jackson’s 2011 tour.  Most of the time, we either make a theatrical drape or a scenic backdrop (often digitally printed).  In this case, however, we combined the two, with great results, and I wanted to share.

We started out by making a pair of Bi-Parting Traveler Curtains, each 30′ h x 30′ w, from sewn flat in Black 22oz Encore.  This achieved a traditional drapery look with deep blacks and full opacity.  We then added digitally printed elements by appliqueing one half of the digital design to the onstage edge of each of the drapes.  

With the drapes closed, the design is front and center, with the white of the digital design really “popping” against the deep black of the Encore drapes.  Want to see more?  There is a great photo of these drapes – check it out on Flickr.

Focus On: Pleating Styles

I have posted in the past on the subject of fullness, but I realized this morning that I haven’t posted on a closely related subject – pleating styles.

Most people understand the concept of pleating (what American woman hasn’t had a pleated skirt at one time in her life?) – but I would guess that most don’t realize how many different styles of pleating there are for drapes.  Today I thought I’d shed a little light on pleating options.

Box Pleating

A box pleat  is created by bringing the fabric together to form a loop on the face of the drape.  This loop is then flattened against the face of the drape in equal parts to either side, making a “box” shape, and is then sewn into place.  Depending on the amount of fullness desired, the size of the box pleat may range from about 3″ to 6″ or more in width.  Box pleating is frequently used for heavier napped fabrics such as cotton and synthetic velour, though it can be used on nearly any type of drapery fabric, including sheers, satins, and other lightweight fabrics (as with the White Voile drapes that we made for Rod Stewart in 2008).

Box pleating is the style most used in traditional stage drapery, and the preferred style of pleating here at Sew What?  As a matter of fact, I would estimate that at least 95% of the pleated custom stage curtains that we make here are box pleated.

Knife Pleating

For knife pleating, single pleats are created by folding each pleat in a single direction across the face of the drape and then sewing into place.  A drape with knife pleating typically has a greater number of more narrow pleats than that of a box-pleated drape of the same size and fullness.  Knife pleating is typically used for lighter, more delicate fabrics and for drapes with at least 100% fullness.  Knife-pleated drapes are typically seen used as drapery for special events. 

Shirring

While not technically a style of pleating, shirring is also used to create fullness in drapery, by gathering the fabric together to create gentle folds.  Shirring may be done manually, by stitching two parallel lines of strong thread across the top of the drape and then pushing the fabric together across the thread to form the gathers.  Another method is to sew shirring tape across the top of the flat drape and then pull the built-in strings to gather the drape.  Shirring is most often used on very lightweight fabrics such as voiles for a looser, more subtle form of pleating.

Pinch Pleating

For pinch pleats, a single pleat is created and then sectioned off make two or three more narrow pleats, and then sewn at the bottom of the header to keep the pleats together.  Traditionally, drapery hooks are inserted in the box of each pleat in order to hang the drape from a traverse drapery rod, allowing the drape to be easily opened or closed through a cord operation.  Today, however, there is also the option to utilize pinch-pleated drapes with clips and rings, for manual operation.

As pinch pleated drapery is almost exclusively used for formal residential drapery, this is a style of pleating that is practiced by manufacturers of residential drapery rather than by manufacturers of custom theatrical drapery such as Sew What?

Drapes for Glee (on T.V.!)

Back in June, I wrote a post about Sew What? and Rent What? working together to provide custom stage curtains to the Glee Touring Show.

Well, a few months later, we were approached by the folks at Glee again.  But this time, they wanted us to provide custom theatrical drapery for the set of the television show.  Very exciting!  We work with music tours and traditional theatres regularly, but not much in the television and film industry.  And Glee is the perfect television show to utilize our drapery, with its emphasis on music and performing.

If you watch the show, you may have noticed the Grand Drapes and Border, in gorgeous Brick 21oz Velour, in the episode entitled “Special Education,” which premiered in late November.  And keep your eyes out in future episodes - we provided a variety of custom drapery pieces to the show, including masking drapes, legs and borders, scrims, and cycloramas.

If you missed the episode “Special Education,” or if you want to watch again to check out the drapery, Fox offers full episodes online on the Glee website.