Sewing Room Storage

Life presented me with a few sewing room challenges this week – firstly my fat quarters were overflowing and I had started to stack them on the floor - not an ideal place for fabric. Then my jelly roll strips were disorganised and untidy and getting more so each time I went to use them.  And finally, the bookshelf in the sewing room fell down on Tuesday evening!

The bookshelf dilemma was relatively easy to solve in the short-term – I moved all the books to the living room bookcase.  However, the fat quarter storage required a trip to Ikea where I purchased two tall CD storage units.  There are enough sections to seperate according to colour and pattern.  I love it.  When I walk into the sewing room now it feels ordered and calm - as opposed to chaotic and messy.

As for the jelly roll situation – serendipity stepped in to help solve that mess.  Firstly I folded each strip and secured it with a plastic coated paperclip.  This is providing a great way of keeping the strips tidy and it allows me to swap them around when deciding on fabric choices (I wouldn't recommend using metal paperclips as they may rust over time).   

 

But I was still left with the problem of storing all the folded strips.  That is where Amy from Amy Made That comes in (and quite frankly, it is hard to keep her from nosing around any sewing room – so be warned!)

It was Amy’s turn for the May sew-along project and she chose ‘May baskets’ as this month's project.   The baskets can be any type you like whether it is appliquéd or quilted baskets or actual pots constructed from fabric.  Amy mentioned two fabric constructed baskets on her blog and I decided to make the free basket pattern from The Sometimes Crafter.  Less than one hour later and I had created the ideal place to put my jelly roll fabrics.   

I hadn’t checked the measurements before making the basket so I didn’t know that it would be the perfect fit for my new storage unit too. How cool is that? 

I adjusted the pattern slightly because I didn’t have stiff interfacing and the box was too floppy for my needs.  So I top stitched each side and along the bottom edges.  This firmed the box up considerably and helps it keep its shape.  If you decide to do the same then do not top-stitch right to the edge or into the corners as you may catch the other side – stop stitching ¼” from the side/edge.  An alternative would be to top-stitch the sides and place a piece of card in the bottom of the box. 

Check back with Amy this month as she will be showing off her choise of May basket and if I know Amy it will be a stunner.  Also pop over to Susie's Sunroom where Susie shows off her string baskets made using the Pink Penguins free tutorial.

The bonus for me in all this (aside from a neat workroom) was that I was left with 4½” square scraps after cutting out the box and, as the project took less than an hour, I still had most of the evening left - with nothing planned.  So I set up an audio book on my tablet and set about making a pretty little coaster using one of the gingham scraps, my Spring Lambs mug rug pattern and a few simple embroidery stitches. 

What a blissful evening – May sew-along project done; storage sorted; I listened to good book and hand stitched a pretty little coaster. Evenings don’t come much better than this.

If you fancy spending a blissful evening making May baskets then hop on board the sew-along and make some friends on both sides of the pond.  And don't forget to post your photos to the Across-the-Pond Flickr group. 

Sew until next time .......

Turquoise Reindeer

I am going to make a couple of assumptions about you all today.  Firstly, as you are reading this blog I predict that you might just put needle and thread together now-and-again.  Am I right?  I also predict that sometimes you sew in your pyjamas – right?  And some mornings when you wake early, you don’t want to put the sewing machine on for fear of waking the family so you grab a piece of hand sewing – correct again eh?  Well welcome to my world.  And it is an odd world at times (as many of you will already know)! 

One day a couple of weeks ago I had been working on a reindeer design that had been in my sketchbook since before last Christmas.  

The sewing went well – two designs were made up – one Scandinavian in style and one with Christmas binding.  As far as I was concerned I went to bed with the task in hand completed and a job well done.  And that is where I should’ve left it .... but did I?   Did I heck-as-like?

The following morning at 3.45 a.m. I woke with turquoise reindeer running round my head – the noise was deafening and I had no alternative but to get up and find a way to let them out to play without waking the family.  So I set out with needle and thread and hand-appliqued another reindeer mug rug.  What I should point out here is that it was dark – very dark and my daylight lamp was downstairs in the lounge.  Had I attempted to move it I would’ve woken the family for sure so I used the light above my bed (the same light that fills up the fluorescent stars on my bedroom ceiling – ‘tis a very odd world indeed!!) 

So here is another assumption I will make about you – that you have sewn something by hand – close-up work – feeling pretty pleased with yourself because it all looks so lovely.  You then put the completed item down and go and make a cup-of-tea.  When you return you no longer see two lovely turquoise reindeer – instead you see two psychedelic reindeer, wearing what appears to be a dress and all you can think of is ‘ABBA’ (the pop-group).  Why ABBA?  I have no idea – sometimes even I do not understand the world inside my head!

Daughter sees mug rug and says, “Strewth, either you were on drugs when making that or you have a serious problem”. 

Son says, “Cool mug rugs - I like the turquoise one the best”.  
Welcome to my world son – welcome to my world.

p.s. From his facial expression, the reindeer on the right doesn’t seem too happy to be wearing a psychedelic dress but Rudolph seems very pleased indeed!!!

p.p.s.  If you are wondering why Christmas mug rugs in the middle of April?  The answer lies with Amy of Amy Made That.

Flower Vases and Sew Alongs



Patchsmith pattern featured in April 2013 Online Quilt Magazine

I had my first magazine article published this month in the Online Quilt Magazine.  I included this lovely Three Vases Mug Rug pattern alongside my 'What is a Mug Rug' article.  The magazine details a very pretty version of Three Vases which uses Tapestry fabrics (shown above).  


However, I also made this country version from a rectangle of linen together with odds-and-ends from my scrap box.  I seem to return to red and green, gingham and checks, time-and-time again and I never seem to tire of them.

I am looking forward to using some of my favourite country fabrics in the Zakka 2.0 sew along.  The postie has finally delivered my book so I am all ready.  Last year's Zakka sew along was so much fun and I have missed it.  Zakka 2.0 looks to include plenty of patterns and projects to keep us busy - many of which will make nice Christmas presents. 

Zakka Sew Along 2012

I am already planning on adding a modern-country twist to some of the projects.  So why not join in – it doesn’t start until June so you have plenty of time. 

Can't wait until then?  Then how about the Sew Can She Crazy Quilt Block sew along – which looks so much fun.  Included is a great little tutorial on making a crazy block by the Sewing Loft - you quilt it as you go along - what a good idea. 

This is a very relaxed sew along running from 20th April through to 18th May so no pressure - plus there are some great prizes for the finished projects. I don't know about you but I am drowning in fabric scraps ranging in size from 1” square to 4” square plus pieces of left-over binding strips and I have a great little project in mind.  

Of course, if these two are not to your liking you could always whip up a journal cover in this month's Across the Pond Sew Along - now that really is one very, very relaxed group!

Sew until next time ........