Barely Controlled Chaos

Anyone that has been in my sewing space knows that some parts of the space are neat and tidy. Others, are piles of barely controlled chaos. This is what my cutting table looked like on Saturday morning. No room to get anything done. I had to tidy just so I could get started.

The serger was still set up from my last project. Complete with a pile trimmings.

During the week I made these somewhat lumpy arm warmers using leftover fabric from last week's Halloween project. I haven't given up on arm warmers. I just don't think this is a pattern worth pursuing in the current form. I did learn a few things when I made them. I can make a fun cuff for a sweater with this idea. 

The Juki is still set up and waiting for my next sewing project. 

This pile of charity quilts was waiting to be trimmed and prepared for the next meeting of the Annapolis Quilts for Kids chapter.

I suppose I should admit that the only problem with the clutter is that I have trouble settling on a project when I can't find the cutting table. I need room to work. I need room to think. Excuse me, I need to go create.

Odds and Ends

After the reveal of the Building Blocks shawl from Stephen West I'm still working on the final sections. Don't let my slowness fool you, I will finish this project! The weaving in will be the death of me, so if I have 10 minutes or so of free time I will sit still and weave in some ends. Because, no matter how much I wish, there is no weaving-in faerie.

What can you do with Electric Quilt besides make blocks or plan layouts? You can print up a worksheet to decide on your quilting plan. I printed the quilt design with block outlines so I could see the blocks without color.

I used my Frixion pen to make some scribbles, trying different things until I found some I liked. I use the Frixion so that if I decide I don't like a single design I can easily erase my marks. You can erase the lines with the end of the pen, or make a pass with a dry iron to remove all the marks in a single pass.

I found that a local craft store had these letters on sale. While the photo is horrible because of the light from the window, the encouragement is awesome! It is so nice to continue to add to my creative space.

Sewing Studio: Thread Storage

I've been slowing building up my collection of thread.

I've also found that storing that thread is not as easy as you would think. As I've said before, I belong to Superior Threads' thread of the month club for So Fine #50. This is my all-time favorite thread for machine quilting. It blends nicely and a joy to work with. Don't think this is just for long arm quilters, because it isn't. It is a great thread for piecing and quilting on your home sewing machine, too. I don't recommend things I don't use (and I'm not compensated to say any of this).

I asked a local carpenter if he could make me a thread rack to replace the smaller racks.

Something big enough to hold all this thread. He brought back this six-foot long wonder. It was up to us to hang it in the closet.

Drill, drywall anchors, screws, time and another set of hands and the new rack was installed.

Now I can see what I've got.

Room for more thread!

Sewing Space

I love seeing how other people set up their creative space. I figured it was time I shared a couple of my own.

When we moved in both upstairs rooms had carpet. Since moving in we've removed the carpet and replaced it with laminate flooring. It is so much easier to keep clean. We also had the walls painted. Here is my cutting table.

I put up some hooks to hold some of my thread racks. I think I need more thread racks, or a carpenter.

Good thing I made room, too. Because new So Fine! arrived. Have you tried the topstitch needles from Superior Threads. I love them. You can often find these are local quilt shops. Whenever someone complains of shredded thread I recommend they try a topstitch needle. I use the  #80/12 Topstitch Superior Titanium-Coated Needle (Blue Package) for my sewing and embroidery.

The newest addition to the studio was the television my husband and son installed over the Thanksgiving holiday. I now have my very own Amazon Fire TV Stick. I can watch all the Amazon Prime goodies with it.

Extra points if you know what's on the TV without trying to read the title on the top of the screen.

Pressing Station, Part Two

In Part Two we will put together the base for the ironing station.  This sounds much fancier than it is.  Basically, it is just a shelving unit.  Check out Part One first!

This part of the project is brought to you by IKEA.  There was some excitement that the EXPIDIT shelving units from IKEA were no longer being carried.  Don't worry, they have been replaced with KALLAX.  I have no idea what the difference is, other than colors.  Not all the colors have changed; white is still there.  One KALLAX, or EXPIDIT, in color of choice in the four squares size.

IKEA was kind enough to supply the instructions for this one, so I won't drag you through it.  They do recommend two peeps (this is short for people).  My second peep's job is to not squish my fingers during assembly.  You will also need a set of four legs.  I used CAPITA legs.  I couldn't find any in the store in the 6" size, so I went with the 8" size.  I have a similar cabinet near where I put my ironing board, so this added height is actually a good thing.  Strictly speaking, you don't need the legs, but if you want your pressing station to be around counter height (I have found that this is perfect for me, anything lower makes my back hurt), and be adjustable, I recommend the legs.  They are really only slightly adjustable (about 1/2"), perfect for those of us with crooked floors.

I picked the bottom of this cabinet by the fact that I had a small scratch on this end.  I marked for each leg and Darling Husband did the drilling of pilot holes.  

You don't have to have them, but I think they make the process go so much more smoothly.  That one on the corner is kind of close to the assembly screw.  I took this into account when I did my marking.  Feel free to move those legs anywhere you like as long as they provide a stable platform for the cabinet.

Screw in your brackets.  This is where another set of hands, or DH with a drill with the screwdriver attachment, comes in handy.  Just don't over-tighten as these are easy to strip out since the cabinet is just particle board under that laminate.  

Assemble the legs.  Don't over tighten, in case you want to adjust them once you get the cabinet set up.  Add the felt pads that came with the KALLAX unit if you wish.  I use them to protect my flooring, not because I need to move the completed unit around.

Materials List for Part Two

KALLAX shelving unit in four-block size

CAPITA legs, set of four

Tools:  Cordless drill, screwdriver, tiny off-set hex wrench that comes with the KALLAX (we have a collection of these)

Only one more part and this pressing station will be in business.