Interesting use for Pipe and Drape

In the past, I have posted about different ways to use Pipe and Drape, in addition to traditional exhibit booths (such as for trade shows).  Well, recently we were contacted by Aaron Valdez, who asked for our help in creating a unique item using pipe and base hardware and custom drapery.

Aaron Valdez is the owner of “Perfect Shot Photo Booth.”  He had a great idea – utilize pipe and base hardware and custom drapery to create a portable photo booth for use at weddings and special events.  Aaron had the vision, but he needed help in figuring out how to achieve his vision. 

Gwen Winter (Sew What? Senior Sales) worked with Aaron in designing his “perfect” photo booth.  The hardware is simple – pipe and base hardware including uprights, bases, and telescopic drape supports.  It is the drapery that turns it into a photo booth.  We utilized Black 15oz Encore, which is not only a blackout fabric, but also has an attractive back, so that no lining was required.   The drapery was sewn so that the hardware was concealed both inside and out, and included a custom top as well.  Doorway openings were made on both sides, creating an entrance and an exit, and Pewter 15oz Encore was used as a trim, to make the entrance and exit easily identifiable to guests inside the booth.

I think it turned out great – what do you think?

I am also happy to say that Aaron was so happy with the process that he sent a great note of thanks:

I wanted to write and tell you thank you so much for all of your help in tending to our project. Your customer service as well as that shown by the entire staff at your company has been unparalleled. I was immediately impressed at the warm reception we received when we entered your office. What started out as a curious visit ended in you creating a design that was even better than I had ever imagined possible for our company’s application. The photo booth is now in full operation and is working excellently. It looks very professional thanks to your design ideas and your company’s implementation of it. Thank you so much for your help in our endeavor and you have certainly made us a lifetime customer.

I’d also like to add that I was especially impressed at how my designer, Gwen, sat down with us and made sure she understood exactly what my vision was and then created a design to fit my specific application. So many other companies only had a generic answer for me while Sew What? Inc. worked with me to design something that was exactly what I needed.

Aaron Valdez

Owner, ”Perfect Shot Photo Booth”

Vybe Booth for WSA

This afternoon, Shane Nelsen (Senior Sales and Creative Director) shared a photo with me of a project he worked on back in January.  The photo was so great that I just had to share it.

Shane worked with Marisol Vasquez, Vice President of Groove Footwear / Vybe. Inc., to create a gorgeous romantic exhibit space to serve as a background for their beautiful shoes at the WSA (World Shoes + Accessories show).  What do you think?

Photo Courtesy Groove Footwear / Vybe Inc.

How was this look achieved?  The beautiful ornate furniture, display pieces, and accessories (provided by the client) that, along with the various drapery pieces made by Sew What?, combine to make the space stand out from the crowd.  FR Velvet Drapes in Regal Purple, pleated onsite to approximately 100% fullness, line the back wall to anchor the space.  The sides and ceiling of the space are kept more open and filmy through the use of sheer drapery panels in Fuchsia Voile. 

And the crowning glory?  The amazing digitally printed panel prominently displayed in the center of the back wall, flanked by the velvet drapes.   I love the artwork Groove provided for the panel (which I believe is the same or similar to the wallpaper on their website) - it sets the perfect mood for the space.

Exhibit Booths

I post a lot on traditional stage curtains as well as on the drapery we make for music tours, but I realized this afternoon that I have not posted on another element of our business – exhibit booths, drapes and supplies.

You may not know what I mean  by “exhibit booths,” but I am sure you have seen them (or perhaps even used them yourself).  These are the booths you see at trade shows and convention vendor floors. 

Commonly, the elements that are used to make up these exhibit booths are referred to as “Pipe and Base” or “Pipe and Drape.”  Often the booths are connected in a side by side and/or back to back configuration – a common configuration is to have a series of booths with 8′ backwalls and 3′ side walls (you can see drawings of these types of configurations on the “Wholesale Pipe and Drape Packages” page of our website).

In many cases, the standard booths are provided by the show organizer or venue – but booth holders often personalize them with their own drapery – or even bring their own hardware as well as drapery.

The hardware includes uprights, bases, and drape supports.  We distribute a “slip-fit” system of hardware.  This means that the bottom of the upright slips right into the center of the base – no screws required.  Uprights have slots in two areas – at the top and at about 3′ from the bottom.  The final piece of hardware is the drape support (also known as the crossbar).  This is the “pole” that the drapes hang from.  These drape supports have “hooks” on each end which fit into the slots on the uprights.

Drapes are usually made with an open rod pocket at the top – the drape support slides through the pocket (similiar to a home window drape sheer).  The most affordable option is to purchase single-width unpleated panels that are unpleated and use extra panels pushed together to give a natural pleated appearance.  For example, for a 10 foot wide backwall, we would recommend 4 drapes at 4′ wide each (or a total of 16′ in drapery width).

“Pipe and Drape” system are truly a “do-it-yourself” option.  A single stand-alone booth with an 8′ backwall, two 3′ sidewalls, and an open front requires only a few components and can be put up in by a couple of people in 15 minutes.  We even sell a couple of single booth packages that gives the customer every thing needed for a 10′ x 10′ booth – bases, uprights, telescopic drape supports, drapes, along with carry/storage bags for everything.

But another option that can personalize a booth is to purchase custom drapes.  Perhaps you select a different fabric, a different color, have an image digitally printed on the drapes, or even do something fun like these two-toned angled drapes  that we made for ourselves, to use in our own booth at a trade show:

Yes, the huge corporations spend a huge amount of money having custom booths designed and built for them – and many of them really are amazing.  But for the rest of us, pipe and drape is a great option that is both affordable and easily customizable.