1. home and garden
2. home furnishings

Atlanta • Chicago • Boston
WINDOW COVERINGS
WEEKEND ACADEMY
2007
Atlanta • July 21 - 22
Chicago • August 11 - 12
Boston • September 8 - 9
Register by phone 888-298-9222
Online at www.wcaa.org or www.chfschool.com
2007 Window Coverings Weekend Academy
Meet the Founders
The Window Coverings
Association of America was
founded in 1987 and is the
only nonprofit trade
organization serving the window coverings industry.
The Custom Home Furnishings
Academy was founded over ten
years ago by industry expert
Cheryl Strickland, and was
purchased in 2005 by Margie
and Andy Nance.
The CHF Academy has trained thousands of people all over
the world to begin careers in this profitable field. It is also the
home of the highly acclaimed “Career Professional” program.
With this title, potential customers will know that your professional training was completed at the most recognized school in
the industry.
The WCAA helps members grow through enhanced sales and
marketing programs, educational opportunities, and increased
buying power. Collectively, these programs make your business more profitable with the ability to attract more customers.
The CHF Academy instructors are the best in the
industry, bringing years of experience to the classroom. Training is available whether you are just starting to explore an exciting career, or you are looking for new techniques and ideas to
grow your existing business.
Our members include designers, decorators, workrooms,
installers, retailers and industry partners. Benefits include local
networking through local chapters (in many areas and continually expanding), discounts on educational programs and
bookstore purchases, e-mail groups to share ideas, industry
partner coupons (valued at $1,500), directory listings (in print
and online), a bi-monthly newsletter, business discounts for
bank card processing, and interest-free financing.
Success begins with education.
Are you a member?
Invest in your business.
Invest in yourself.
$375 per attendee
WCAA members save $55.00
CHF Network members save $20.00
WCWA tuition includes classes, vendor exhibits, open forum discussion,
lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday evening.
Join industry professionals for this exciting weekend event.
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• Learn old and new fabrication techniques
• Focus on business goals and financial success
• Network with peers
• Meet exhibitors and see new products
• Win valuable door prizes
Register now . . . Class sizes limited
Atlanta
•
Chicago
•
Boston
Three Convenient Locations
Atlanta Marriott Northwest
ATLANTA AREA
July 21 - 22
200 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: 770-952-7900 Fax: 770-952-1468
www.Marriott.com
Room Rate - $109 per night
Doubletree Chicago-Arlington Heights
CHICAGO AREA
August 11 - 12
75 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: 847-427-4232 (Direct Line)
Fax: 847-427-4298
Room Rate - $104 per night
Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center
BOSTON AREA
September 8 - 9
181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 888-543-9500 Fax: 508-480-9343
www.rplazahotels.com
Room Rate - $103 per night
Network with WCAA Industry Partners.
Meet the Exhibitors
Award Fabrics
Glen Raven
Greenhouse Design
Kasmir Fabrics
M’Fay Patterns
Minutes Matter Studio
Progressive Window Fashions
Rollease
Scot Robbins
Sloan Machinery
Somfy Systems
United Supply
Vista Window Film
The Zipper Lady
Special Exhibitor Presentation:
Putting the Elegance into Window Fashions
with Premium Drapery Linings
Presented by Hanes Fabrics
with Tim Allen and Susan Schurz
Saturday during lunch
Learn about the many different types of
lining materials and how to choose
the best linings for your designs.
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2007 Window Coverings Weekend Academy
Class Descriptions
The Elegant English Curtain - Susan W. Schurz
Saturday 8:30-10:00
In this class you will be introduced to the traditional English curtain making techniques. This
style of drapery panel fabrication is admired for its soft and luxurious appearance and craftsmanship. Alternative techniques to replicate the English curtain method will also be shown.
London Shades - Donna Skufis
Saturday 8:30-10:00
If you are not offering fabric shades to your clients, don’t miss this class. Learn to engineer
London shades the fast and easy way. Both the flat and pleated styles will be covered and
mounting techniques will also be included.
Skirted Panels - Beth Hodges
Saturday 10:30-12:00
We all know panels are HOT! In this class, students will learn to take a plain panel and make
it into something scrumptious. Learn to add godets and circular ruffles as well as inserts and
contrast bands for a fashion forward statement.
What Are You Worth? - Jeanelle Dech
Saturday 10:30-12:00
Participate in an honest and energetic discussion of the difficulties in pricing
custom work. Students will perform a break-even analysis on their business, then use this
information to determine an hourly rate that will result in meeting their financial goals.
From Concept to Installation - Beth Hodges & Jeanelle Dech
Saturday 1:30-3:30
Join Beth Hodges and Jeanelle Dech as they re-visit two client projects from
the past. Students will follow each job from the initial sales appointment to
the final installation, noting the design principles and sales techniques used to
close the sale, plus trouble-shooting at the installation.
Arched and Unusual Treatments - Susan W. Schurz & Donna Skufis
Saturday 1:30-3:30
Arched treatments are not as difficult as they appear. Together, Susan and Donna will show
you the secrets of how one technique can be used to create many different arched styles. Expect
to see a variety of treatments including pleated panels, slouched styles, top treatments and more.
Hardware Headaches - Beth Hodges
Sunday 8:30-10:00
Bays? Bows? Arches and eyebrows? Learn about hardware solutions to these difficult-to-dealwith windows. Get some new ideas for these painful window problems.
Box Pleated Valances - Susan W. Schurz
Sunday 8:30-10:00
Box pleated valances are one of the most popular and versatile top treatment styles. In this
class you will learn the techniques used to create unique and truly custom designs including
pattern drafting, motif placement, shaped edges and more.
WCWA
Atlanta
•
Chicago
•
Boston
Class Descriptions
Outdoor Cushions - Jeanelle Dech
Sunday 10:30-12:00
Learn the techniques upholsterers use to create perfect box cushions in less
than a half hour. Topics include pattern matching, pattern placement, welt
cord, zipper insertion, and special materials used for outdoor applications.
Creative Mounting Techniques - Donna Skufis
Sunday 10:30-12:00
Do you need solutions for difficult mounting situations? Create the illusion of a floating or
raised-mount, or use vertical mount boards for swags. Donna will show a wide variety of board
mounting techniques.
Embellishments - Beth Hodges
Sunday 1:00-2:30
A choux? Learn the art of fabric embellishment: rosettes and crosses, fabric
cords and cord drops. Add just the right element to your window treatments
for the perfect finishing touch.
Pillow Fashion Show - Susan W. Schurz
Sunday 1:00-2:30
Pillows can be functional or purely decorative and add the finishing touches to any room.
This class will show many different pillow styles from simple to complex including knife edge,
boxed, gathered edges, borders and embellishments. Fabrication tips and pillow forms will also
be discussed.
Special Events
Windows of Opportunity:
The Role of Window Fashions
in Interior Design
with Margi Kyle
Sponsored by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions
Sunday 3:00-5:00 (Immediately following WCWA closing ceremony) This
exciting program, developed by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, details the role of
window fashions in interior design, including a history of styles and window types. Margi
presents the many window treatment options available and how to select them,
environmental and safety considerations, and the business aspects of both residential and
non-residential window coverings.
There is a $25 fee for the Windows of Opportunity textbook, a comprehensive
guide and program summary.
WCWA
Open Forum
Saturday 8:00-9:00
Join CHF Academy instructors for an open discussion answering
your most pressing questions.
Sponsored by the CHF Network
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2007 Window Coverings Weekend Academy
Meet the Instructors
Beth Hodges is the owner of Beth Hodges’ Soft Furnishings,
a wholesale workroom employing five people, located in Elberton,
Georgia. In business for over 20 years Soft Furnishings fabricates projects all over the country, while remaining a home based business. Beth
has been the residential installation instructor at the CHF Academy
since the inception of the class. Beth
holds certifications with the Window
Coverings Association of America as a
Certified Window Coverings Professional
and as a Certified Workroom Professional.
She is also certified by Window Fashions
Magazine as a Window Fashions Certified
Professional, Master Level. Beth presently
serves as the president of the Window
Coverings Association of America.
Jeanelle Dech is president of Adaptive Textiles, a digital textile
printing company in West Chester, PA. She shares over 20 years experience creating custom home furnishings
and has become known for her energizing
and innovative approach to design and
fabrication. Jeanelle teaches slipcover
fabrication, outdoor décor and business
classes at the CHF Academy, and also
serves on the board of directors for the
Window Coverings Association
of America.
Susan W. Schurz is the owner of Tavern Hill, a to-the-trade
custom drapery workroom in central Virginia which specializes in a
hand crafted, high end product. She recently expanded her business to
include Tavern Hill Sketches, a custom window treatment design and
drawing service specifically for interior design professionals. She is the
High End Fabrication Methods
instructor at the Custom Home
Furnishings Academy in Charlotte, NC
and is a member of the Window Coverings
Association of America, serving as Vice
President of the Richmond, VA chapter.
Susan has published a book, Sketches for
Home Decor, which features her drawings
of window treatments and other soft
furnishings.
Donna Skufis has operated a one-person fabrication studio just
south of Cincinnati, Ohio for 20 years. She specializes in difficult and
demanding window treatments and soft
home furnishing designs and will take on
most any fabrication project that is
challenging. Concentrating on wholesale
clients only has allowed her to
devote more time to teaching and traveling.
She is currently an instructor for the
Custom Home Furnishing Academy,
D&WC Conferences, and a WCAA
chapter speaker.
WCWA provides education from the best
instructors in the industry.
Margi Kyle began her career upon graduating from The New York School of Interior Design, and Sheridan
College. Throughout Margi’s 36 years of experience in the field, she has taught Interior Design at Sheridan
College and The Academy of Design, authored columns for numerous newspapers and magazines, and has
hosted and produced television shows including: Dr. Decorator, The Designing Doctor, Let’s Build a House, Lunch
Time Live, Moments with Margi, and her latest, Desperate Design, a show local to the south.
Margi Kyle
ASID, IDS, WCAA, NSA
The Designing Doctor, LLC
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Margi owns the Designing Doctor, LLC, a growing interior design business in North Carolina. She enjoys
working with clients and their interior design challenges on a daily basis and understands the issues that
affect today’s professionals. It is Margi’s up-to-date perspective on Interior Design issues that endears her
audience. Most recently, Margi has expanded her career as the Executive Director of We Make Color Easy,
a division of the Dewey Color System.
Margi is sponsored by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Inc, as their Industry and Keynote Speaker.
To add to her credits, Margi is a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, a board
member of IDS (Interior Design Society) and WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), and
Advisory Council Member of The Dewey Color System.
Attendee Registration
Step 1: Circle your WCWA classes
Can’t decide? Attend more than one Weekend Academy!
Friday
7:00-8:30
GET ACQUAINTED WITH WCAA with Margie Kyle
Saturday
8:30-10:00
The Elegant English Curtain
Susan W. Schurz
London Shades
Donna Skufis
10:30-12:00
Skirted Panels
Beth Hodges
What Are You Worth?
Jeanelle Dech
12:00-1:30
1:30-3:30
LUNCH & SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Sponsored by Hanes Fabrics
From Concept to Installation
Beth Hodges and Jeanelle Dech
3:30-6:00
EXHIBITORS
6:00-7:00
DINNER & EXHIBITOR DOOR PRIZES: Sponsored by Minutes Matter Studio
8:00-9:00
Sunday
OPEN FORUM: Sponsored by the CHF Network
8:30-10:00
Hardware Headaches
Beth Hodges
Box-Pleat Valances
Susan W. Schurz
10:30-12:00
Outdoor Cushions
Jeanelle Dech
Creative Mounting Techniques
Donna Skufis
12:00-1:00
LUNCH
1:00-2:30
Step 2: Register
Arched and Unusual Treatments
Susan W. Schurz and Donna Skufis
Embellishments
Beth Hodges
Pillow Fashion Show
Susan W. Schurz
2:30-3:00
CLOSING CEREMONY & GRAND PRIZE DRAWING
3:00-5:00
Windows of Opportunity with Margie Kyle
Sponsored by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions
Phone 888-298-9222
Fax 636-273-4439
Name: __________________________________________________
Online www.wcaa.org or www.chfschool.com
WCWA Payment Information:
$375 non-members
$355 for CHF Network members
$320 for WCAA members
Business Name: ___________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________________
Fax: ___________________________________________________
Early bird discount:
register and pay in full
by May 30, 2007
$20 off
Join CHF Network:
$36 USA, $42 Canada
Includes 6 issues of the CHF Magazine
and unlimited use of the CHF Network forum.
Join WCAA:
$135 for one-year membership
$240 for two-year membership
Special Event: Windows of Opportunity
$25 fee for textbook
E-mail: _________________________________________________
Total to Charge Card: _______________________________________
Choose Location:
Atlanta Area (July 21-22)
Chicago Area (August 11-12)
Boston Area (September 8-9)
Hold your spot!
Cardholder: ______________________________________________
Card #: _________________________________________________
Pay in two installments.
$100 now and balance charged two weeks prior to event.
Step 3: Make hotel reservation
Exp Date: ____________________________ 3 digit card ID_______
Signature: ________________________________________________
(See details on page 3)
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Window Coverings Weekend Academy
WCAA Main Office
2646 Hwy 109
Suite 205
Grover, MO 63040
2007 Window Coverings Weekend Academy
Join our team of experts for two days of
intensive training for the window coverings
professional.
Tuition includes classes, vendor exhibits,
open forum, lunch on Saturday and Sunday
and dinner on Saturday evening.
$375.00 per person
WCAA and CHF discounts available
Atlanta • July 21 - 22
Chicago • August 11 - 12
Boston • September 8 - 9
Register by phone 888-298-9222
Online at www.wcaa.org or www.chfschool.com