Studio Update

2013-05-22T08:11:00.000-04:00

I use our smallest bedroom as my sewing space. This bedroom doubles as our guest room, although it it is used only infrequently for that purpose. But with my mother arriving tomorrow, it was time for a clean-up, which is also a good time to take pictures.

The window looks out on our backyard. I bought the table a long time ago, in my single gal days. It is a gate leg table that I use fully extended for my sewing machine, then it folds down to a small size when not in use. The bulletin board holds inspirational pictures and the white stacking bins under the table hold pieces of fabric that need another home.

This is the scene I look at while I sew. Well, usually the bed is covered in "work in progress" - my current project in whatever state of unfinish it is in. Keep Calm and Sew On, my downsized Spools quilt, hangs on the wall.

I made the balloon shades and pillow shams out of fabric I bought at a Laura Ashley store in London in the mid-80's, then toted home in my suitcase (this was before the 50 lb. limit). They were originally part of my single gal condo decor. Almost all the furniture in this room is what I call orphan furniture, originally acquired for another use in another home.

Hanging on the wall at the foot of the bed, between window #2 (view of next-door neighbor's house and driveway) and the closet door, is Say Yes To The Dress. My husband hung the curtain rod in here on Sunday, so this is a new look. I'm planning a revolving exhibition of quilts on this wall, and wanted to be able to accomodate bigger quilts, hence the length of the pole.

That's a small stool on the floor (the blue color), good for holding work in progress, but I have a folding suitcase stand that goes there for visitors.

This shelving unit is on the back wall, behind the sewing table. The shelves house all of my quilting books, my Japanese magazines, and most of my supplies. My Christmas fabric stash is behind the cabinet doors. What looks like three drawers are actually two, one shallow and one deep, that hold my patterns, rulers, and miscellaneous tools. An antique baby dress on an old padded hanger provides a touch of whimsy.

Here's a close-up of my sewing area. Scissors, pins, and a little basket of scraps for leaders and enders. And of course, my trusty Bernina, which I heart, heart, heart.

The corner of shame - all the stuff I haven't found a home for yet, hiding there behind my basket and bag of Fig Tree Designs fabric. I've been drawing from this stash for my Fig Tree Harvest quilts but have three quilts made and a fourth in the works and hardly a dent in the fabric supply!

I keep the rest of my fabric stash in the closet and in some large Rubbermaid bins in the attic (really an unfinished 3rd floor). I must get serious about whittling the stash down one way or another; I saw pictures from Spring Quilt Market and there are new fabric collections calling my name!

I hope you enjoyed this little tour.

Scrap Basket Sunday - Week 6

2013-05-19T17:35:00.002-04:00

34 Lemoyne star blocks finished! Only a few more to go.

I've been using the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star ruler from Studio 180 Design to make my blocks. It is bewildering looking at first but I've found it very easy to use once I gave it try.

Now the originator, Deb Tucker, has added instructions for using the ruler to make more complicated looking versions of the Lemoyne star block, including a banded version and a striped version she calls Liberty Star. See photos below.

Instructions and video demonstrations for both versions, plus a couple of other variations are at the Studio 180 website. I plan to try one of these variations sometime.

Kim has been hosting Scrap Basket Sundays. Visit her blog for links to the other scrappers and see what they are up to.

Pure Entertainment

2013-05-16T08:24:00.000-04:00

I've got nothing quilty today but this is my new favorite commercial and I had to share it. Have you ever traveled with children? Just need a laugh?

I just love this: the funeral mass music, the people who look like zombies, been through hell, "his shoes," then they reach their hotel room and...heaven!

Quilting on Main Street

Studio Update

Scrap Basket Sunday - Week 6

Pure Entertainment