Tory and SNP MPs call for a confidence vote on Sir Lindsay Hoyle amid a row over his position.
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Mastering Major Mixing Techniques for Optimal Music Production
Major mixing techniques play a pivotal and transformative role in shaping the sonic landscape of a musical composition. This intricate process involves the artful manipulation of individual audio elements to achieve a cohesive, balanced, and professional-sounding mix
Let’s delve deeper into the significance of EQing, compression, and the impactful use of reverb and delay in achieving a professional and distinctive sound.
EQing (Equalization):
Equalization is a fundamental tool in major mixing that significantly influences the frequency balance of a track. Here’s a closer look at its importance and application:
- Balancing Frequencies: EQing allows for the meticulous balancing of frequencies within a track. By cutting or boosting specific frequencies, it addresses clashes, reduces muddiness, and enhances the overall clarity of the mix.
- Complementing Style and Genre: Skilled mixing engineers understand how to apply EQing techniques in a way that complements the style and genre of a song. It’s not just about fixing problems but also about bringing out the best in each element for a cohesive and polished final product.
- Understanding Instrument Roles: EQing demands an in-depth understanding of each instrument’s frequency range and its role in the mix. This requires time, patience, and skill to identify problematic areas while maintaining a harmonious balance between all elements.
- Professional Level Quality: Hiring a professional who excels in these nuances can elevate your music from an amateur level to industry-standard quality. Proper balancing for clarity, removal of unwanted frequencies, and precise boosting of certain frequency ranges using tools such as equalizers contribute to a polished final product.
Compression:
Compression is a dynamic tool that plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of music production. Its effective use provides consistency, sustain, and punch to instruments and vocals while minimizing background noise. Key considerations include:
- Controlling Volume Levels: Compression is instrumental in maintaining consistent volume levels, ensuring a smooth and balanced sound throughout the track.
- Adding Sustain and Punch: Skillful application of compression can add sustain and punch to instruments and vocals, contributing to a more impactful and dynamic musical experience.
- Reducing Background Noise: Compression is adept at reducing background noise, enhancing the overall balance of the mix and allowing the primary elements to shine.
- Key to Professional Sound: Understanding and utilizing compression effectively is often the key to achieving a professional-sounding mix, unlocking potential and taking your music career to the next level.
Reverb and Delay:
Reverb and delay are sonic enhancements that add depth, space, and dimensionality to tracks. Their strategic use can set your music apart in terms of creativity and originality:
- Creating Depth and Environment: Reverb simulates reflections, creating a sense of space, while delay adds rhythmic interest through echo effects. Used sparingly, these effects enhance the listening experience without overwhelming the listener.
- Textural Atmosphere: Both reverb and delay can add texture, character, and atmosphere to tracks, contributing to a unique sonic signature that distinguishes your music.
- Experimentation for Creativity: Experimenting with different settings is crucial when using reverb and delay. This process allows you to explore new sonic possibilities, giving you more control over how each track interacts within the overall production.
- Setting Your Music Apart: The creative use of reverb and delay can set your music apart, providing it with a distinct identity within your genre and capturing the listener’s attention.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding and mastering major mixing techniques, including EQing, compression, and the use of reverb and delay, empowers musicians to unlock the full potential of their music. These techniques are not just tools; they are artistic expressions that, when wielded with skill and creativity, elevate a musical composition to new heights.
Whether through precise EQ adjustments, dynamic control with compression, or the spatial enhancements of reverb and delay, major mixing techniques are the key to crafting a professional, engaging, and unforgettable sonic experience.
Two Ideas For Reupholstering My Studio Desk Chair
Yesterday, I listed reupholstering my desk chair as one of the items on my “to do” list for the office area of my studio. If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you might remember that this desk chair was originally a dining chair that looked like this…
It didn’t have casters on the legs, and the nailhead trim was silver. So I did a little makeover on the chair by cutting the legs down, adding casters, and then using a little Rub ‘N Buff in a gold/brass color to change the color of the nailhead trim.
What drew me to this chair in the first place is the really high back. I like a big desk chair that makes a statement. I don’t like small desk chairs that get lost behind the desk. Before buying this one, I had searched and searched for a pretty velvet desk chair in a bold color, and while I found plenty of them, they all had a short back that seemed to barely peek over the desk. So those didn’t fit the bill. I remember finding one that was perfect at Ballard Designs, but it would have been about $1500, and I didn’t really find a fabric from their fabric selection that I loved anyway. I say that as if I’d ever spend $1500 on a desk chair. 😀 I wouldn’t.
So that’s why I’m opting to keep this chair and reupholster it instead of just purchasing a new chair. It’s the perfect size, and it’s actually very comfortable. I love the design, the style, and the size, but I don’t love the color anymore. Plus, as I showed you yesterday, my cat has done a bit of redesigning on it for me.
So I need to reupholster it in a cat-proof fabric, and velvet is always my go-to fabric for that. I checked on Spoonflower (the same place where I had my floral mural wallpaper, the floral curtain fabric, and the colorful square wallpaper printed), and they do offer a performance velvet that can be used for upholstery. So I started playing around with a couple of ideas.
First, I tried doing some stripes using the colors from the floral design, which I also used on the square wallpaper design. Here’s a (very rough) mock up of what that could look like…
I added the stripe on the back and the seat, and then did the rest in a solid eggplant color. I’m not sure about doing the entire chair in the stripe. My first thought is that it might be overwhelming and busy. My second thought is that trying to match those stripes would be a nightmare, and might end up looking very sloppy. But I could do horizontal stripes on the back and seat cushion, and then vertical stripes on the rest so that they’re very intentionally different, and wouldn’t require matching up the stripes from one section to another. I didn’t do a mock up of that idea, though, because I’m just not that good at doing mockups.
The second idea I tried was using the same colorful square design that I made for the studio bathroom wallpaper. I can have that same design (but probably with smaller squares) printed on fabric. That would look something like this…
Again, I paired it with a dark eggplant color for the sides. And the chair in those pictures is sitting in front of the old, original wallpaper that had the smaller, darker flowers. If you’ll remember, when I decided to go with the larger flowers, I also lightened the colors on some of the flowers quite a bit. But the new wallpaper isn’t so drastically different in color that it would affect what goes on the chair across the room.
So those are the two options I’m toying around with right now. I might play around with those stripes a little more and try out some various edits, like perhaps doing the stripe vertically instead of horizontally, or using fewer colors with wider stripes.
But just based on the two options I’ve done so far, I think the fabric with the colorful squares is my favorite. My only concern is that I might be getting a little heavy on the squares and rectangles. My floor is painted squares. The bathroom walls will be covered in colorful squares. The paint swatch cabinet is covered in colorful rectangles.
And then I bought a huge colorful wall calendar to go on the wall next to my desk. I haven’t shown y’all the wall calendar yet, but it’s this one from Kaleidoscope Living. It’s huge, and glorious, and colorful, and amazing…and more rectangles.
I feel like the room is already getting pretty heavy on the colorful squares/rectangles, and that makes me think I need to make the stripes work, even if they’re my second choice. But we’ll see. I may end up throwing caution to the wind and adding more colorful squares.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Six Figure Spa Chick: Candace Holyfield Parker is At It Again!
As the excitement of Super Bowl weekend swept through the city, one event stood out among the glitz and glamour: Candace Holyfield Parker’s Super Bowl Weekend Extravaganza. Combining the thrill of the big game with the tranquility of wellness, Parker orchestrated a one-of-a-kind experience that left attendees feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
Set against the backdrop of the bustling cityscape, Parker’s event brought together a diverse array of guests, from sports enthusiasts to wellness aficionados. But what truly set this gathering apart was Parker’s unique blend of entertainment and enlightenment.
At the heart of the event was Parker’s commitment to holistic wellness. Amidst the festivities, guests were treated to a series of rejuvenating spa treatments and wellness workshops led by Parker herself. From soothing massages to guided meditation sessions, attendees were invited to unwind and recharge amidst the excitement of the weekend.
But Parker’s event wasn’t just about relaxation – it was also a celebration of community and camaraderie. Throughout the weekend, guests had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, forging new friendships and deepening existing bonds.
Candace Holyfield Parker’s Super Bowl Weekend Extravaganza was more than just an event it was an experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended. And with Parker at the helm, the future looks brighter than ever for those seeking to embrace wellness, connection, and celebration in equal measure.
For more info follow Candace Holyfield Parker IG @Sixfigurespachick
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Our 5 Best Cordless Impact Wrench Picks (2024)
Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Impact wrenches are a must-have for any automotive worker, but they can also be highly useful around your home. Cordless impact wrenches provide maximum mobility and a high power level, making them useful for anything from removing lug nuts to metalworking to changing a tire. The best cordless impact wrench for you will largely depend on what you need it for and how much power is required. To help you find the best tool for your needs, we created this guide to the best cordless impact wrenches available. Here are our top picks.
Best Cordless Impact Wrenches: Our Top 5 Picks
Compare Top Cordless Impact Wrenches
Best Overall
Good for: This cordless impact wrench is a good choice for a serious do-it-yourself (DIY) project or for a professional who needs a tool capable of handling large jobs with a high torque level.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who gave this product positive reviews liked that it was highly durable, powerful, and easy to grip. Several others were impressed with this wrench’s batteries and that the tool kit included two separate and long-lasting 5 amp hour (Ah) batteries. On the other hand, a few customers felt this tool was overly heavy, and some also said the case didn’t fit properly.
Best Value
Good for: This impact wrench is good for those who need an impact wrench for standard household tasks but don’t want to break the bank.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who left a positive review for this wrench liked that it had excellent power and speed for its size and that it was lightweight and maneuverable. On the other hand, others felt that this wrench struggled to loosen lug nuts, and others felt it didn’t have as much torque as advertised.
Best Mid-Level
Good for: This impact wrench is a good option for DIYers seeking a well-built, mid-torque model that can work for small and medium-sized household projects.
What Customers Are Saying
Our team found that this impact wrench drew positive feedback from Amazon customers for its portable, lightweight design, durable build, and high power level. However, we did note that some other customers felt this tool’s battery died too quickly, and others said its charger was inefficient.
Best Heavy-Duty
Good for: This impact wrench is a good choice for those working on large household automotive or construction projects looking for a well-built, efficient tool with high torque output.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who liked this wrench said it was well-built, had excellent torque, and easily removed lug nuts and bolts. However, we noticed that a few customers felt this wrench’s variable speed was difficult to control. Others said that this cordless impact wrench ran out of battery life quickly.
Best for Small Jobs
Good for: This impact wrench is good for customers looking for a less expensive impact wrench that still produces enough power to work on small and medium household tasks.
What Customers Are Saying
Our team found that customers impressed with this cordless impact wrench said it was durable and well-built. Others found that it had a long-lasting battery. However, one customer did note that they felt this impact wrench’s fan was too loud when charging.
What To Know Before Buying Cordless Impact Wrenches
Cordless impact wrenches are extremely useful tools for construction, mechanical, or landscaping projects, but finding the best option for you will depend on several factors. You should consider the wrench’s battery, ergonomics, power level, and size before purchasing.
Battery
The battery level of cordless impact wrenches is measured in voltage, while the battery size is measured in Ah. Typical power levels include 12 volts and 18 volts for small- and medium-sized tools and 20 volts and 24 volts for larger impact wrenches. Tools with a higher Ah will typically run for a longer charge. Ah levels can range anywhere from 1.5 to 6 depending on the make and model.
Ergonomics
Impact wrenches can be challenging to use and maneuver if you’re not used to them. However, most modern tools have features that make them easier to operate. Look for cordless wrenches with a comfortable handle to ensure the tool won’t cause hand or wrist pain. Additionally, many cordless impact wrenches come with ring lights and vibration control to reduce common pain points. Models with a lightweight design will usually be easier to handle than heavier models.
Power Level and Speed
The higher the power level, the more efficiently you can get through the job. Powerful tools can run at a higher price point, so it’s important to know what job you’ll be performing and if you need maximum torque and RPM.
The power level of a cordless impact wrench is determined by its torque, which high-level models are capable of upwards of 3,000 pounds, and compact models sometimes offer as low as 100 pounds. The speed is measured by IPM (impacts per minute) and RPM, which indicates how quickly it can drive nuts and bolts.
Size
Most cordless impact wrenches are 1/2-inch drive models that accept 1/2-inch sockets, but smaller (usually 3/8-inches) and larger (1/4-inches) models are also available. Cordless impact wrenches are typically full compact or subcompact, with most models being full compact unless labeled otherwise. Full-sized models have longer tool heads that can produce higher torque. However, a sub-compact model may be better for fitting into tight spaces. Sub-compact wrenches will typically be lighter and more maneuverable than full-compact tools.
Common Uses for Impact Wrenches
Many associate impact wrenches with professional construction or automotive projects, but they can also be extremely useful to have for less-intensive household jobs. Here are some ways you can utilize a battery-powered impact wrench to help you get things done around your home:
- Assembling furniture
- Changing tires
- Checking brakes
- Crafting metal when welding
- Installing cabinets
- Installing shock absorbers
- Mounting TVs
- Putting together a swing set
- Replacing bike pedals or handlebars
- Securing rail components on a deck
- Swapping lawn mower blades
- Tightening and loosening bolts
FAQ About Cordless Impact Wrenches
What’s the difference between an impact wrench and an impact driver?
Impact wrenches can deliver more torque than an impact driver, making them more suitable for use on heavy-duty projects such as removing lug nuts or large bolts. Additionally, impact wrenches usually have larger chucks ranging up to 1 inch, while impact drivers typically have 1/4-inch chucks.
What are the advantages of a cordless wrench vs. an air-powered wrench?
Cordless impact wrenches provide more maneuverability and convenience than corded wrenches or wrenches that run on compressed air. Air-powered (also called pneumatic) models may be less expensive, but they require an air compressor setup to work properly.
How do you maintain a cordless impact wrench?
Cordless impact wrenches need routine maintenance to ensure they continue to work properly. Cleaning the tool regularly, lubricating it after each use, and properly charging and storing the battery are some basic steps you can take to keep your wrench working properly and extend its shelf life.
What safety precautions are needed when using an impact wrench?
You should wear proper safety equipment, such as hearing protection and safety glasses, when using an impact wrench. You should also keep the work area free from hazards and ensure the area is well-lit before operating the device. Never use an impact driver if intoxicated, overly tired, or on medications.
Who This Cordless Impact Wrench Guide Is For
Cordless impact wrenches are highly useful for any homeowner or professional looking for an efficient tool that can perform various heavy-duty professional jobs and make it more efficient to complete at-home DIY projects. We examined cordless impact wrenches of various sizes, power and speed levels, and designs to find the best options for you.
How We Selected the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of cordless impact wrenches with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
Refreshing My Home for “Almost Spring”: Early Spring Decorating
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I am so glad February is finally here! Not only is this the month our first grandson will make his appearance, but it feels even more like spring is finally near. Of course the weather doesn’t always cooperate in February but still, I am full of anticipation for sunshine and flowers! After adding my tulips to the living room, I was inspired to get in the spring mood around the house with some early spring decorating! Yes it’s 6 weeks away but we’re half way there 🙂 so this past week I started some early spring refreshing and cleaning. I’ll have more to show you next week but here are a few things I’ve done so far!
A vintage crock makes a charming vase for spring flowers. I was able to stop in a Trader Joe’s on the way back from some errands the other day and grabbed a big bouquet! My original plan was to divide them into smaller bouquets but I set them in this vintage crock temporarily when I returned home. Once I saw them here I loved them so much I decided to leave them! It is an instant joy bringer.
This darling teapot has been a perfect “not-quite-but-almost-spring” pick me up! A spot of tea has been one of our afternoon rituals on many dark days this winter so we were delighted to be gifted this new Laura Ashley teapot. It couldn’t be more adorable and definitely has me romanticizing the idea of a cuppa tea in the English Countryside (while thoroughly enjoying it here on our island in the PNW).
The kettle comes in a few pattern options (all so lovely!)…you can see them all here. There’s an electric kettle version too. The toaster is also dreamy!
Spring cleaning has been on my mind and I found the neatest towels for the job! This set just arrived over the weekend and I’m already in love. They are a reusable paper towel substitute, but much thicker and much more absorbent than regular paper towels. You can wash them in the washing machine, or in the top rack of a dishwasher.
We slowed down using paper towels (other than for the really messy jobs) years ago, but our wash loads increased with all the dish towels we went through. I think these are perfect, sooo cute and just the right size to fit in your hand and to tackle most jobs. Plus they don’t take up much room in the drawer at all! These are already a real hit at our house. I definitely recommend them!
You can see all the cute pattern options here.
I noticed we were getting a little lazy with our bedroom tidying this winter, so it was time for a almost-spring refresh. I don’t know about you but I find it hard to feel inspired in winter! The past few years I’ve challenged myself to work on my bedroom in January and that has helped. Our room wasn’t horrible but I noticed there were just too many random things sitting around.
We’ve been talking about simplifying in HomeBody Gathering Place and last week the topic was simplifying to create a bedroom sanctuary. I finally decided it was time to get out of my winter slump and pick things up in here! I started by cleaning up this corner. It only took a few minutes to put stuff away, tidy and finish it up, but now makes me happy!
Now that we have our hardwood floors upstairs, a few weeks ago I brought in a rug we already had. Partly to make it cozy but also because our pup Jack is getting older now and needs some traction on the hardwoods. Then I fell in love with this quilt I saw and decided to treat myself to it as a birthday gift last month :).
Dreams come true! My dream as long as I can remember was to have a big stack of colorful quilts folded up on a shelf, so one by one I’m going to make that dream come true in this house! Quilts just feel so homey and comforting and the colors and patterns add so much charm to a room.
This week in HomeBody Gathering Place I taught our weekly lesson on simplifying our closet, so I’m doing a mini-refresh in mine, too (along with others in the community who are doing the same!). A couple of our mottos are “baby steps” and “progress over perfection! Speaking of dreams coming true, I began The Inspired Room 17 years ago in January 2007 (!) with a dream to help others turn their home into a sanctuary. It has been a rewarding journey ever since! And it’s been especially amazing over the past year to create the HGP community. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to teach the principles and ideas that have inspired me for so long, as well as continuing to share here on TIR and through my books.
By the way, HomeBody Gathering Place will open to new members again in a few weeks for our spring sessions on style. I can’t wait for that one! I’d love to have you join us. You can learn all about it at homebodygatheringplace.com
Soon it will be Valentine’s Day! Flameless candles are my favorite way to add a little romantic touch to our home all year round. A few months ago I discovered these wonderful flameless candles when I was trying to find flameless colored tapers! I took a chance on this brand I hadn’t heard of and bought the blue tapers to give them a try. We enjoyed them so much all winter (see more photos of them in our home here). Now I have other colors including shades of green and shades of pink which I think will be so fun and pretty for spring. They come in sets of three shades and a remote! They are so pretty we leave them on all evening. There’s also a cream/shades of orange set here.
Source: Green Battery Operated Taper Candle (linked other colors too)
A Few Recent Posts:
7 Home Organizing Tips + Organizers That Changed Our Lives
Valentine’s Day Decor and Gifts
How I Create a Winter Sanctuary at Home
Let’s Talk About Trends: Butter Yellow Trend
Bathroom Decorating Ideas and 100+ Decor Finds
7 Updates to Our Vintage Mint Green and Pink Bathroom (and redefining home goals!)
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Louis Vuitton Spell On You Fragrance Review
[unpaid/sample] You know when you experience a fragrance and it just speaks to you right there and then? This is the kind of perfume I could wear for the rest of my life and that really doesn’t happen very often. Louis Vuitton Spell On You reminded me so much of a fragrance my mum used to wear – her dinner party or going out fragrance – and realised that the notes from that continue to inform my own perfume choices.
The first note that hit me when I tested a sampler of the fragrance (the bottle was sent for photography, courier waiting outside …. the pressure!) was honey, and I really don’t like honey other than in very, very small quantities. But, because of all it’s wrapped around in this blend, I was more, ‘mmm, how delicious – a honey note’. Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud (who believes fruity fragrance popularity is declining) is at the helm with Spell On You with a mind to create something mischievous and romantic and uses the floral headiness of Sambac jasmine and rose to achieve the optimism of romance part perfectly. The honey note comes from the acacia flower with a side order of powdery iris and a pinch of musk. I think you could say that the mischievous aspect is more about sensuality – this is a fragrance that settles onto the skin so deliciously and seamlessly that I feel confident that those around you will move in a little closer.
Valentine’s day is the obvious hook for Louis Vuitton Spell On You but looking further ahead, this blend is like carrying a summer night bloom bouquet with you all of the time. Spell On You has a push-pull energy between softness and headiness – it smells of good times, of sensual languidity, of intimate evenings and skin that’s been held. It leaves the lightest of trails on your clothes so folding away sends the memories back to you – really, this is a giver. It’s a luxury brand, so expect a luxury price – £255 HERE – and if the mood strikes you, you could buy Spell On You its own travel case, £460.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
Dan Azeez faces off with Joshua Buatsi ahead of light-heavyweight collision: ‘I want to prove myself’ | Boxing News
Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi have faced off ahead of their light-heavyweight collision this Saturday at the OVO Arena Wembley, live on Sky Sports.
Azeez has risen through British boxing’s small-hall circuit to win national and continental championships.
But now he will take on an old friend and former sparring partner in Buatsi to win the right to challenge for a world title.
“Just standing here outside the OVO Arena is just bringing memories of when I won the British title. We are literally days away and I can’t wait,” Azeez told Sky Sports News.
“These are the kinds of nights I dreamt about. I didn’t turn pro thinking I want to make loads of money. I wanted to write a legacy. I want to achieve something. I wanted to prove to myself.”
Croydon’s Buatsi is a former British champion himself. Azeez may be an unbeaten professional like Buatsi, but this fight is still a step up for the Lewisham man.
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Buatsi knows an undisputed fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol could create a world title opportunity so he cannot slip up against Azeez
Buatsi is an Olympic bronze medallist and the No 1-ranked contender in the WBA’s light-heavyweight rankings. Their contest will be an eliminator for that world title.
Azeez wants to triumph against the odds. “I’ve just got to be myself, but I just know there’s just a drive in me and it shows up on fight night,” he said.
“I think that’s what’s got me to where I am. That just needs to keep shining and prevailing on fight night and that’s what’s going to keep me going.”
He continued: “Watching me in the small halls, you wouldn’t have envisioned me at the top tier of the ladder.
“Both me and Josh, we’re both ranked top in every single governing body. Tell me this five or six years ago, I would never think it. But I’m here now.”
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Ahead of his blockbuster clash against Buatsi, Azeez finds his rhythm by taking on a new challenge outside of the ring
The two might have a shared past as sparring partners, but that has all now been set aside. In fact their rivalry has only intensified after the fight had to be postponed from its original date last October, when Azeez had to pull out with an injury to his back.
“It doesn’t matter whether I know him or not,” Buatsi warned. “The weeks and weeks away are for moments like this. The emotions you get now, nothing can replicate it.
“These are the nights where I get the emotions, when I’m someone else. I can’t replicate it, this kind of feeling. So, to be able to experience this in its natural form is amazing.
“We’re here. I’m happy to be here and I’m looking forward to the fight. Saturday couldn’t come any quicker.”
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How To Make Lined Pinch-Pleat Curtains, Part 1
I’m so close to having the first of the two curtains panels finished for the back entry of the studio. The first one is taking me a bit longer simply because it has been so long since I’ve made lined pinch-pleated curtains, so I’m having to remember the process along the way. I thought I could perhaps refer back to my own tutorial, but I realized that I don’t actually have a tutorial on how to make a simple, no-frills, no-trim, single-width lined curtain panel.
So I thought I’d take this opportunity to take photos of each step so that I can provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a single-width, lined, pinch-pleated curtain panel. So here we go!
First, I install my curtain rod and rings. I used to do this after the curtain panels were made and ready to be hung, but I’ve found that it’s so much easier to install the rod first, and then make the curtains to fit the height of the installed curtain rod.
I also go ahead and add the rings, but I remove the clips first. No properly made curtain panels should ever be hung using clips.
Once those the rings are added, I can measure for the finished height of my curtain panels. I measure from the floor to right at the top of the little hook ring, which gave me a measurement of 88 7/8 inches. Then I subtract about 1/4 inch to get my finished length for my curtain panels.
Next, I cut my fabric. For each panel, I allow about three yards of fabric. The first step is to square up the bottom edge of the fabric. I do this by folding the fabric in half lengthwise, and then using a framing square (you can tell I’m a builder at heart 😀 ) to square up the bottom edge of the fabric.
Once the bottom is square, I generally cut off the selvage on both sides of the fabric. For these curtains, I’m using Spoonflower fabric, which is printed with this large white space on both side edges.
So instead of cutting off just the selvage, I cut off all of the white area right up to the printed design. I repeated that on the other side edge of the fabric.
Once the fabric was all trimmed, I measured the (new) width of the fabric and wrote down that number. My fabric was 53 7/8 inches wide after being trimmed.
With the fabric all trimmed and squared on the bottom, I was ready to pin in the hem. I did this by turning the fabric up four inches and pinning it into place along the bottom fold.
Here’s a look at it once it was folded and pinned all the way across.
And then I folded it up again another four inches, pinned it into place along the top fold of the hem, and then ironed the folds into place.
In order to sew the hem, I used a blind hem stitch on my sewing machine. First, I folded the four-inch hem back against the face of the fabric so that only the top edge of the folded hem was exposed on the right side, and the back of the fabric was showing on the left. And then I placed that under the foot of the machine.
Here is what a blind hem stitch looks like. Most machines have this stitch. Even my $120 Kenmore sewing machine that I started off with 20 years ago had this stitch.
It will sew about four or five stitches on the right, along the top fold of the hem, and then every fifth or sixth stitch, it will reach over to the left and grab just the tiniest bit of that fabric on the left.
Here’s a closeup of what that stitch looks like with the hem still folded back against the front of the fabric.
And then when the hem is unfolded, it looks like this…
And when the fabric is turned over with the right side of the fabric facing up, you can’t even see those stitches, hence the name “blind hem stitch.”
Here’s an even closer look. Can you see the stitches? In person, if you’re really looking for them, you can see them. But no casual viewer of these curtains is ever going to notice those stitches.
Putting that fabric aside for a while, I was ready to prepare the lining for the curtain panel. Just as I did with the fabric panel, I started by squaring up the bottom edge, and then pinning a double three-inch fold along the bottom edge. I always do a double four-inch fold for my face fabric hem, and a double three-inch fold for the lining hem.
Once that pinned in and ironed, I sewed that hem into place with a standard top stitch. You can do a blind hem stitch on the lining as well, but I never have. I don’t see the point in it, and since I’m making these for me, I’m fine with a topstitch. If I were working in a professional drapery workroom and making them for a paying customer, I might choose otherwise.
One of the reasons I don’t bother is because I always use blackout lining, and there’s just really no hiding stitches on blackout lining. I love the blackout feature, but I hate that it shows every single stitch, and even every single place where pins are added. And wrinkles are just about impossible to remove from blackout lining. So a topstitch is fine for me.
And the last thing to do to prepare the lining is to cut it to the proper width. I had already measured the cut width of my face fabric, which was 53 7/8 inches. To figure the cut width that I needed for my lining, I just subtracted 4 inches from that number. So I measured and cut my lining to 48 7/8 inches wide. Since blackout lining doesn’t have a selvage, I only needed to make one cut along one side edge to get the proper width. If I were using a thinner fabric lining with selvages, I would have cut both side edges.
Now that I had the face fabric and the lining prepped, I was ready to join them together. I did this by placing the face fabric, right side up, on my work table.
And then I placed the lining, right side down, on top of the fabric. Measuring from the bottom edge of the hemmed fabric, I measured up 2 1/2 inches for the placement of the bottom edge of the hemmed lining, and began pinning the lining and fabric together along the side edge.
So again, the right (face) side of the fabric and the right (face) side of the lining are facing each other, and the bottom hemmed edge of the face fabric extends 2 1/2 inches below the bottom hemmed edge of the lining.
And I pinned those together all the way up the side of the fabric.
Next, I pinned the other side together. Since the lining was cut four inches narrower than the face fabric, it initially looked like this with the pieces lying flat on each other.
So I had to pull the lining over so that the edge of the lining met the edge of the face fabric. I made sure that the bottom hemmed edge of the lining was 2 1/2 inches up from the bottom hemmed edge of the face fabric, pinned that into place, and then worked my way up the side edge, pinning the to pieces together all the way up.
Next, I sewed the pieces together along both side edges, sewing my straight stitch one inch from the edge. That’s a lot wider than a standard 5/8 inch that’s generally used when sewing most items (like clothing or pillows), but you’ll see why later. I repeated that on the other side.
Just a note: When sewing the lining and face fabric together, I sew both sides going in the same direction. In other words, if I start sewing at the hems and work my way to the top of the drapery panel on one side, I make sure to start at the hem and work my way to the top on the other side as well. That’s just a good practice and will save you a headache if you ever happen to be working with a fabric that shifts or crawls a little as it’s sewn. If it’s going to crawl, at least both sides will be crawling in the same direction.
With the sides sewn together, I always steam iron those stitches into place to smooth out the stitches as perfectly as possible.
Then I separate the lining and face fabric, and steam iron the seam so that the face fabric is folded back on itself, and the lining is straight (i.e., not folded).
And finally, I turn the panel right side out, and steam iron that seam once again from this side. Again, I make sure I’m ironing it so that the fabric is folded against itself, and the lining is straight.
With everything ironed flat, I’m ready to place the curtain panel back on my work table and get it all straightened out and flattened. I start at the bottom hemmed edges, and pin the two layers together all the way across.
And then flatten and smooth the layers until they look like this, with one inch of the face fabric showing along the back of each side edge.
Once everything is completely smooth and flat, I give those edges a good steam iron one more time to make sure those folds in the face fabric are securely in place, and I have a clean, sharp ironed-in crease along the edge of the drapery panel.
And that’s as far as I’ll get for today. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to finish the panel with the pleated header at the top, and all of the finishing hand stitching that I do for a really clean, finished look. So stay tuned for that!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Although it would be nearly impossible for any plant lover to choose just one favorite, here are a few of the standouts that look especially good in my Zone 6 Michigan garden at the peak of the growing season.
1. ‘Conca d’Or’ Orienpet Lily
(Lilium ‘Conca d’Or’)
Zones: 5–8
Size: 4 to 7 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid
This fragrant beauty may produce up to a dozen flowers on each strong, upright stem. In windy areas, it may need staking. It is very hardy and reliable, with cheerful blooms that glow against a column of deep green foliage over a long period in midsummer.
2. ‘Green Arrow’ Alaskan Weeping Cedar
(Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’)
Zones: 4–7
Size: 18 to 30 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist to average, well-drained soil
Native range: Coastal regions of northwestern North America
‘Green Arrow’ Alaskan weeping cedar has a distinctly linear, upright form and reliable, grass-green winter color—characteristics that set it apart from ‘Pendula’ Alaskan weeping cedar. Although impressive when planted as a single specimen, it is even more spectacular in groups.
3. Eucalyptus Wild Indigo
(Baptisia perfoliata)
Zones: 4–9
Size: 3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; moist to dry, well-drained soil
Native range: Southeastern United States
This unique-looking species of wild indigo has rounded leaves punctured by wiry stems. Its small yellow flowers appear at leaf axils starting in mid to late summer and continue for several weeks. The distinctive texture of eucalyptus wild indigo combines beautifully with other perennials.
4. ‘Galaxy Blue’ Agapanthus
(Agapanthus ‘Galaxy Blue’)
Zones: 6–10
Size: 36 to 40 inches tall and 28 to 30 inches wide
Conditions: Full sun; moist to average, well-drained soil
Native range: Hybrid of species from southern Africa
I have been hybridizing agapanthus for 10 years, and this one is a standout. It is extremely floriferous, bringing a hard-to-find shade of blue to the garden from midsummer through early autumn. Reliably hardy to Zone 6, ‘Galaxy Blue’ does particularly well in regions with consistently heavy snowfall.
Hans Hansen is the director of new plant development at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan.
Photos: Carol Collins