Sewing Room ReVamp

I've been picking at this post for a few weeks but didn't want to post until I could get some pictures.

My sewing area was a nightmare. A state of disarray that I had promised myself it would never get to. The cubbies I originally bought to hold my stash were bursting at the seams. It looked like a fabric store vomited all over my cutting table, ironing board, desk, treadmill, chair....pkgs of cotton batting stacked beside my desk - you get the visual a huge disorganized mess (I purposefully didn't take a before picture).

Bargain Lovers Club

My stash and supplies has really grown since I started this experimental journey. One of the local fabric stores having a 50 % off sale once per month (there was another last weekend) has really contributed to my downfall. I always try to go in and buy at least one pkg of batting and usually end up walking out with a lot more. I also received my monthly Block of the month clubs fabric from http://www.sew-sisters.com/. I have all this stash and other than a few rug mugs absolutely 0 finishes. I better get working on that ratio so I can continue to justify my fabric purchases.

I think he may have over polished that one section
on the upper left - the light reflects off of it in
all my pictures

To solve my issues, Chris found an old grannies cupboard being sold locally. We bought it for next to nothing about a month ago but Chris was in the painstaking (have I mentioned he's the most anal person I've ever met?) process of refinishing it and it's finally done. I love it! Normally, we wouldn't refinish a piece from what we were told was from the 40's but it was previously well loved and had already been modified with painted glass, decals, etc. and was a bit rough around the edges. Seeing it wasn't original, we decided to take the plunge, refinish it to suit our needs and just love it ourselves. New glass bought for the doors and some interesting handles. I spent all Sunday re-organizing everything and ended up moving things around in the sitting area section of the basement as well. Below the doors are missing. He spent extra time finishing them and when he installed them - they are crooked. I won't tell you how many hours he spent before realizing the wood itself has twisted but honestly I don't care if they are a bit off. I LOVE IT!!

My area is so clean, organized and I feel a real sense of peace when I walk into the basement and it's a joy to work in !! It's actually a lot roomier than it looks in this picture.

Scrappy quilt has been getting some love, but I'll be honest hexagons are still getting the majority of my time. The 7 Morris Apprentice mini charms packs are done and it's past time to open the Kona Solids jelly rolls but I've been procrastinating. This is my biggest issue - trusting my color choices. So, itching to do more Hexies I cracked open the Aspen Frost mini's and have been busy. There is something so relaxing with the whole process for me. Only issue is it's after midnight each night and I don't want to stop. If I think back it was like this while working on my first blocks. I think it's a confidence issue. I know it really suffered when I attempted to actually quilt something. When I first started in Feb I didn't question if I could do anything - I just did it ...

Fall fabric picks

Chris has already put another project on my lap. On the weekend I took my little hexagon mug rug that I finished a few weeks ago and placed it on the Lazy Susan on our dining room table to save it from a candle we had burning. He wants me to make a larger one - all hexagons to cover the entire surface. We love that piece of spinning wood but it sure does take a beating. It's the catch all for everything that could scratch/damage the table. Dropped in to the 50 % off sale, I wanted a bit more Christmas-y fabric. My daughter picked out some fall fabric and I picked the solids to contrast (am also going to use the Kona Solid 'Parchment' that came as part of this months Kona Club). I'm going to try to get a few things (ideas that are rattling around in my head) finished in time for Canadian Thanksgiving which is only a few weeks away including something for my Lazy Susan (thank goodness I have a few days off the week before). I've really made a dent towards Christmas so I should put that aside for now besides I didn't find the Christmas fabric I was looking for (though I did find this fun white with red) but of course I found exactly what I want online. Hmmm.....

Batik Lovers Club

Thinking about the needed class/skills building effort I was referring to in my last posts I pulled up my LQS online calendar. They have many beginner courses available but all are during the day (which is not going to be doable with my 8-5 job), the only exception of Thursday evenings. The one evening I can't make it because of other obligations. I can't take any of the beyond beginner courses that are offered until I have completed the level 1. (which makes sense - I personally hate it when I'm giving or attending advanced training and there are individuals who haven't even grasped the basics. It throws the entire schedule off and usually means you never really get to the end of your session ). I'll take another look in the Spring - maybe the schedule will work then.

I'm also a member of craftsy - I probably should take a closer look at their lessons again.

I did find this though: Sarah Quilts is doing a "Your 1st Quilt" tutorial http://sarahquilts.com/2013/09/12/your-1st-quilt-introduction/ and included a tutorial on backing/basting. The light blub finally went off. I know exactly one of the areas I've been going wrong. I knew the batting had to be bigger than the top, what I didn't realize was the back should be larger than the batting. What does that mean for me ... well I'm going to have to add more fabric to the backing of my poorly named doggie quilt. It's a good thing I have lots of fabric left over. Looking forward to her next posts to see what other little things I've been doing wrong.

Kona Club

Lessons I learned this month...
Backing needs to be the largest part of your quilt sandwich.
EPP Hexagons are addictive & I am working really hard not to make all my posts about Hexie love.
Don't ever refer to your quilt with a lame or cutesy name thinking you will give a new/better name later. The name will stick and then every time you refer to it, it'll be with a cringe and will feel the need to apologize or admit you know it sucks. (I do still love this quilt despite it's name)

Did you see my counter? I have 2 followers!! Super excited! A huge THANK-YOU to both! I believe I'm following you back, let me know if I'm not.  :)

Lastly, here is a chair that we were recently given from Chris's grandpa who moved into a retirement home. It has so many memories for Chris and is a really special piece. Originally there was a his & hers. Only this one remained. Isn't it beautiful!

Happy Fall Sewing!