Project: Seasonal Backdrop
Fabric: Direct Print to Heavy Knit

Great example that shows how dramatic a digitally printed backdrop can be. The season theme played out perfectly with the lighting and props.

Project: Celtic Woman
Fabric: Voile / White; Poly Silk / White

While Celtic Woman is a touring production, it showcases a group of 5 very talented singers in a theatre style presentation. The design was specific and unique, calling for absolute accuracy in developing swagged legs and drapes to perfectly mimic designer renderings. As the show was designed in England we needed to offer comparable American textiles that would look and light like the UK fabrics being called out. This classic design with a contemporary twist showcased our custom sewing abilities beautifully.

Project: Jennifer Hudson
Fabric: 15oz Encore Velour / Black; Satin / Silver; 8oz Supervel / Grey

This tour drew entirely on pieces from Rent What? Inc's "Silver Satin Series" rental inventory. The specialty stage scene for Jennifer Hudson was sophisticated and affordable for a new artist on her first tour. Of the many pieces available in the Silver Satin Series, an Austrian backdrop, giant contemporary swags and velour legs offered full upstage coverage. Downstage was a bi-parting traveler track and main stage drapes, also rental pieces from Rent What?.

Rent What? is proud to feature quality stage curtains and backdrops made by Sew What? Inc.

Project: GRIDWORKS for Princess Cruises / Ruby Princess
Fabric: IFR 26oz Velour / Custom Dye

Once again we had the privilege of working with Gridworks, one of the premier providers servicing the audio/video needs of the cruise line industry. This most recent project was for Princess Cruise’s Ruby Princess while in dry dock. Gridworks team of installation experts had visited the ship some months prior to dry dock, and were armed with the measurements for a fast changeover and successful replacement of the drapery elements in both the Princess Theatre and Explorers Lounge.  All elements were sewn from Inherently Flame Retardant velour. Aside from the obvious and most featured Austrian Drape  there were over 20 other items dressing the stage – including several scrims, a leno, a muslin cyclorama and plenty of masking drapes, legs and borders.

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Photo By: George Davidson

Project: Dancing With The Stars Tour
Fabric: 8oz Supervel / Atomic Red

How could you not love this show! One of our most prized “drapery performances” – our drapes are the star of this touring stage. By utilizing 8oz Supervel, an inherently flame retardant fabric which is light weight and yet durable, we brought designer Butch Allen’s vision to life. Let’s face it – nothing says Broadway like red velour and lots of swags!
By the way – all the elements drop into hampers and pull out for tie off at the next venue – everything was made to be installation friendly.

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Photo By: Jesse Sandler

Project: John Mayer at the Nokia Theatre
Fabric: Silver Poly Satin 

Both the producer and designer knew “what” they wanted for the live DVD recording of John Mayer at the Nokia Theatre. Only problem was – they could not “find” it as a rental. Their decision to custom make a drape to suit their needs was made only 3 days before the show was to be filmed. Needless to say they were thrilled to learn that Sew What? could not only make the 30’ x 60’ Austrian Drape in time, but could do it at an affordable price.
PS: So catch this news: the Nokia Theatre loved the drape so much they actually purchased it from the John Mayer Production and it is now a resident drape at the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre!

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Project: GRIDWORKS for Princess Cruises / Queen Victoria
Fabric: IFR 26oz Velour

Gridworks is one of the premier providers servicing the cruise line industry. This particular project was for Princess Cruise’s newest addition to their fleet, the Queen Victoria. Initial artist renderings showed design concepts and then a visit to the ship wile being built in Italy solidified the dimensions prior to construction. All elements were sewn from Inherently Flame Retardant velour. Aside from the obvious and most featured Grand Drape and valance there were over 25 other items dressing the stage – including several scrims, a leno, a muslin cyclorama and plenty of masking drapes, legs and borders.

Photo By: George Davidson of Gridworks
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Project: ICE Direct From Russia. The Riviera Hotel, Versailles Showroom. Las Vegas.
Fabric: 12oz Clear FR Vinyl

This was a challenging project and an unheard of suggestion - Make drapes from clear vinyl! Despite initial fears and trepidation we jumped headlong into the non-traditional use of this “tenting” substrate. Not only did the drapes hang beautifully as can be seen in the image, but the effect was indeed “ice-like”. Just what the designer had envisioned.

Sewn in a traditional theatrical style with 50% fullness and webbing grommets and ties at top, this plastic curtain will hang rink-side in Las Vegas while the artists make their magic on the ice.

Project: Vienna Music Festival 2006, Production of The Gospel Of Colonus
Fabric: Various Voiles and Satin
............ DIGITAL PRINTING by Sew What?

Lee Breuer and Bob Telson's award-winning Broadway show returns for its 20th Anniversary Tour with the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Original Soul Stirrers and J.D. Steele of the Steeles. The Gospel at Colonus is a musical celebration that seamlessly blends the agony of Greek tragedy and the ecstasy of American gospel music and the sanctified church.

Designer Alison Yerxa chose a variety of colored and patterned voiles which when layered and combined with crushed satin created a dynamic stage set design. Addition of bullion trims and woven ropes gave accent to the swags and jobots on both upper and lower levels of the scene.

The beautiful rendering designed and created by Alison Yerxa was reproduced as a digital image onto coated vinyl and is seen as the medallion nestled into the arch of the church. Sew What? Inc's digital printing services have been utilized by many of the top designers and performers, as well as for many ballet and opera companies.

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Project: Victoria Hall
Fabric: 21oz Velour Custom Color

Victoria Hall in Santa Barbara recently underwent a facelift, with a new grand drape and window treatments provided and installed by Sew What? Inc. Utilizing a beautiful sienna 21oz cotton velour, all the drapes were fully lined with the added beauty of 100% fullness.

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Project: Tropical Sunset Backdrop
Fabric: Heavy Weight Cotton Muslin

This 40'w x 9'h custom backdrop was painted for the award winning cruise line "Crystal Cruises". Painted entirely by hand with durable outdoor paints, this drop can be seen sailing the seven seas aboard the Crystal Symphony.