Wildflower Quilt and a Studio Tour

The top is done!!! More challenges as I had to figure out how to make parts of the sunflower 3-D.  This meant fusing fabric to both sides so that I can play a bit with how the leaf lays during the quilting process.   I can hardly wait to share with the guild members next week.

I read recently of another quilter who always takes time to clean up her studio after she finishes sewing a project.  That time is way past due for me.  No before pictures, but you will get a tour of my studio as I put things away in readiness for the next project.

This is Bernie, my Bernina, along with some things I like to keep close at hand.  My husband and I, along with a little help from my very talented brother, made this sewing table a few years ago, even cutting a piece of plexiglass for the insert which doubles as a light table, and I can leave notes underneath about settings for my machine.  Comes in pretty handy.   For machine quilting I wanted a surface that was very smooth and this  laminate top has worked quite well.     Last year I purchased a bendy, swively lamp that I can move where I need more light to see by. 

Tools I like tto keep handy include a pair of scissors for clipping thread, a quilting stiletto for guiding fabric under the needle, and a seam ripper for those mistakes I never make.

Also close at hand are two pincushions, one just for needles that are sorted by size, and a basket to drop my finished leaders and enders into.  Right now I am using some scrap triangles and making half square units for future project. (Leaders and enders are bits of fabric run through your machine ahead of and after the piece you actually want to sew, it keeps the stitches nice from beginning to end,  Especially helpful when chain piecing.)  I try to make these bits of fabric useful.

Note to self: I need to add a magnifier for reading the size on those sewing machine needles.  They seem to be using a smaller font on them these days that is making it hard for me to see.

A view of the entire table.  Bins underneath hold supplies and projects, which are labeled with a photo of the quilt.  The thread cases in this photo are actually out of place at the moment.  I love how organized they have made my thread collecection, which is almost as extensive as my fabric stash.

A glimpse of the view out my window while I sew.  Those are Mr, Linclon roses in bloom!

My husband designed a little raised table to fit my largest cutting mat.  We made it so that it was a comfortable height for me to use for rotary cutting.  It has the added bonus of giving me a place to store rulers and smaller cutting mats.  If I need to use the whole table to machine quilt a large quilt it can be removed from the sewing table as it simply rests there.  Apparently it makes for a good perch to look out the window at the birds too.

A favorite feature of my studio can be seen in the background-that little blue light is my speaker system (that cost less than $50.00 US)  I can plug my phone or laptop in a listen to my favorite music, either from Pandora or my own playlist.

I covered tin cans with fabric and lace to make some pretty storage for often used items.

 The university was getting rid of some old drafting tables-giving them away for free!  My dear husband saw them and came home with one for me thinking it would make a nice pressing table.  I LOVE that man!!!  I covered it with a couple of layers of batting and a piece of muslin, which can be removed for washing if needed.  

This, then is my work space...  Everything within easy reach.  The little blue and yellow quilt on the wall holds special memories.  I made it for my father-in-law when he made the move to Veterans Home to add a spot of color to his room.  It adorned his wall for many years.  Upon his death it came back to live in my studio and holds a place of honor in my heart because of the love of the man it was made for.

I attached a flat flannel sheet to one wall of my studio giving me a very large Design Wall.

This little corner of my studio is just for fun.  An old sewing machine and some favorite things that I have collected over the years Including some very well-love quilts from my childhood.  The sewing case underneath belonged to my mother, made for her by my paternal grandfather who was quite a craftsman in his own right.

And that brings us full circle back to the beginning.  This time with a view showing my bookcase, made for me by a dear friend fo the family, and the curtains which stand between the sunshine and my fabric stash.

While I call this my quilt studio, I think Bailey has pretty well laid claim to it now.  Looks like he is telling me it is time to get back to work.UQilting

Taking life a stitch at a time,
Deb