Setting Up the Sewing Area and New Toys!

JodyS — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:24:00 GMT

Well, since I finished piecing the cat quilt and sent it off to be quilted I needed to get crackin' at setting up my sewing/quilting area. Since I'm a beginner I had nothing so-o-o-o I needed to remedy that.

My husband was nice enough to buy me a Janome MC6500 to begin my quilting adventures but I needed to set up an area. I've looked at sewing furniture and after I got up off the ground after seeing prices I knew there had to be a better, less expensive way. Fortunately space is not a hindrance in me doing this. With that in mind I scoured the Internet looking at ideas. Then I put together my own ideas.

First thing I wanted was a good, sturdy sewing table for my Janome. I settled on a Sew Perfect table which will arrive sometime today but not get set up until Friday. I have to move some things around downstairs first. Since there is an unused ugly hutch downstairs I commandeered it for sewing/quilting items. Then I also commandeered the sideboard that matched it for other things. I figured why not since they were sitting there unused. Next I created a quilting/cutting area using fold out sturdy tables (Costco loves me! lol): 1, 8 feet long, 1, 6 feet long and 1, 4 feet long. I butted the 8 foot one up against a wall and under a window so I have a view out to my lake (also, a deer family I feed, literally by hand have a habit of sticking their noses on that window demanding corn!) and put the 6 foot one at the end of it. The 4 foot one will be next to me while sewing/quilting. I will take pictures when I get that area cleared.

The 6 foot table will be my cutting area. I have 1 new toy for the cutting area that I just love! I call it a spinner. The hardest thing for me when cutting pieces of fabric was having to turn the fabric to cut another side. Needless to say I always messed that up. SO, I got the spinner, now I just spin the fabric without having to move it all all. YAY! Saved from cutting disaster. My quilting friend had one and loved it so I decided to get one. Now that I DO have a picture of :

I love it. It's sturdy, doesn't tip over and the cutting mat can be removed if it needs to be replaced. It beats those flimsy ones advertised in some quilting magazines. The one in the picture is 12inches by 18inches. I also have one that is 18 inches by 24 inches. I love toys that help me out.

The rest of the week I'll be cleaning the downstairs area, moving things and shooing cats off my tables! As soon as I get the sewing table put together and things in place I'll take some more pictures. One thing I KNOW I need to get is a good rolling chair. Until then I'm doomed to sit in a dining room table chair.

It's OK to spend some money on a few really fantastic items but there are just some things that can be done at more reasonable costs. And now, off to suck up some cat hairs...eeek!

Beginning...Again

JodyS — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:23:00 GMT

Just thought to put down what's going on with my learning to quilt...again. The last time I quilted I was 12 years old; that was 47 years ago! Needless to say much has changed. I'm acquiring all the tools and learning to use them. At the momenet I'm working on 3 small quilts. One is for my great neice and focuses on cats. The other two are the same for my great nephews and focus on hockey. So far I've cut and sewn some of the cat blocks. I can tell the best thing is NOT to get frustrated. This is a long process and nothing has to be perfect...I just have to learn and have FUN!

So, I'll try and put down my crazy, serious, fun and hair-ripping thoughts as I go along. I'll also attempt to post some pictures of my progress.

Suggestions, tips, shortcuts, etc. are greatly welcomed! And now, back to the basement.

JodyS's Blog : fun, beginning quilter

Setting Up the Sewing Area and New Toys!

Beginning...Again