Every so often I feel the need to get my fabric organized into some kind of order. I think I do this because I tend to forget what I have tucked away in the wire baskets, boxes and shelves. It starts out in some kind of order then with me pulling this fabric out and that piece here and there things do not get put back in the same place. It all gets mixed up. I very much want to do the Little Brown Bird quilt in mostly “almost solids” with other fabrics tossed in as needed. The Red and Green Traditional Applique will be done in the same way. I wondered how much I had to work with so on Friday late in the day I started pulling out batiks and marbles. I normally do not pre-wash which I know a lot consider bad form 
but I have rarely ever had bad luck doing it this way – really in my memory I have only had a piece here or there bleed and still the quilt was not ruined as I was able to “fix” it in some way. But with these two applique quilts that I plan on doing I wanted to make sure I didn’t have to fix so I set about washing bits and pieces and pressing. Then seeing as I was doing that I set about re-organizing shelves. Here is how my shelves ended up:
these are all batiks, moda marbles and that type of fabric. All of these are fat quarters or close to that, some a little smaller and some a little bigger. On the top shelf in the black picture frame is a photo of my mom.
on the opposite side of the wall these wire baskets hold fabric that is mostly prints, most of these again in the size range of a fat quarter.
the boxes on the top shelf still contain all the scraps, these consist of strips, patches, bits and pieces of all small sizes - big enough to use in scrap quilts. Most are pressed and folded neatly (most). The lower shelve has yardage in about 1/2 to 1 yard to 3 yards each.
the photo in between those small stacks of yardage is of me and my 9 siblings photo taken several years ago. (originally we had 12 kids in the family we have lost two brothers over the years) - I'm second from the right side (tall dark short hair)
the whole shelf on one side of the room. The bolts on the end of the shelve are leftovers from the Dutch Treat quilt in the aqua shades, the beige/whites are for specific projects for background, the print was something I had got on a clearance and have not used much of it. The bolts are for these projects: the second dear jane quilt, Little Brown Bird, Red and Green Applique and the Star Crazy quilt. I like to get the background all at once and normally in 10 to 12 yards so I have enough for the whole quilt without running out as these quilts usually take a year or longer to complete and I don't want to have to try to find it later if I do run out. On the top shelf I placed the civil war fabric that I won recently so I won't loose track of it. Keeping it handy makes me look at it so I can plan something to use it for down the road. At the very end is a stack of white on white and neutrals to use in scrap quilts. Top shelf is a photo of my girls when they were high school goofing off.
my work table and sewing machine, rulers on a rack above - photo on the wall is a small photo of the grand kids from 5 years ago I think - I need to update that with a newer photo. Under the work table are four canvas boxes with patterns, freezer paper, one just with Dear Jane fabric (red and the top that is finished to the 9 rows right now) The purple ribbon on the wall is one I won for best of show at the local county fair about 10 years ago? for the double wedding ring quilt with flower applique border. Ironing mat is on the floor under the sewing machine when not in use. The boxes on the table hold my circles and four patches for current quilt in the works.
This photo is aimed to add my computer area to the mix so you can see the small space I use for that area too. Everything is organized! I have a small space and need to make the most of all areas. One thing I need to do though is close the top to that computer and only use it now and then - instead I keep popping back and forth to the computer when I could be getting more quilting done! The far end of this long computer area is my husband's area and he is not neat and organized - I do not touch that area! He has his own method? The printer separates our areas.
from this angle you can see the thread storage and the wall hanging on the wall. That thread cabinet from Gutermann is one of the best investments I made over the years in this sewing room. The others are the large floor standing quilting frame - sturdy and well worth the money spent and also the sewing machine a Janome Jem Plantium 720 - a small machine but very good for what I use it for - much better than the several cheap machines I got over the years from Wal-Mart.
So this is my sewing room organized once again. I did order several more plastic project boxes and the star crazy quilt which is scattered on the sewing machine table along with the ring binder will go in one of the boxes when I get them at the end of the week to stay organized.
An over view of my skinny long sewing room (yes the floor needs to be cleared up once again under the quilting frame - but in a way it is, the tote bag has knitting equipment, the basket has give away's for the future, the black bag on the floor is a portable design wall that I recently purchased and will be put to use in a day or two when I start to put together my circles and four patches.
Somehow I have more fabric than I thought I had. I think I had so much packed tightly that when I re-folded and all it puffed up
Don’t forget the give away continues until Friday, leave comment on yesterdays post to be included.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Hi Karen,
I really like your sewing room. You are so very organized. I know what you mean about fabric getting mixed up and out of order; that happens during the creative process of finding the right fabric! Your quilting frame is beautiful and I’m so glad to see that there are still some of us that LOVE to hand quilt.
Have a wonderful day.
Becky in VA
January 17th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
You’ve got a lot in a not huge area and you’ve organized it beautifully. I long for the day all my projects are out of my wire baskets and they are available for my fat quarters! blessings, marlene
Marlene´s last blog ..Sort-Of-Not-Exactly
January 17th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
yes Becky I love hand quilting and you are right there are not that many of us around anymore.
thanks Marlene – keeping organized helps me keep on track and get things done.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Okay, you’ve put me to shame. I so need to spend a day cleaning up. My room has become a disaster again. But it won’t happen this week for sure. I’m teaching a workshop tomorrow and two trunk shows this week, plus chicken and noodle dinner at church on Wednesday. Maybe next week?
Mary L´s last blog ..New Siggies
January 17th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I am amazed at how organized you are with the small space. I too have a very small area, and am totally unorganized. lol
Don`t get me wrong, I love what the machines can do, but just like the hand done better!
I was pleased also to see you hand quilt. I do too!! I am from the old school, hand quilting is how you do it.
Tammy
tammy bowser´s last blog ..The Pennsylvania Farm Show
January 17th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
wow I wish I had a sewing room. I am in a corner of my living room supplies in my bedroom. I will be organized one day. I love all your ideas and work.
January 17th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
While I do now have one closet dedicated to my quilt supplies, which is nice, I loved seeing your quilt frame – next on my agenda for my hubby to make – he will get to see it too!
I still need to do some organizing within the closet – I guess it’s fish or cut bait!!! On to the organizing!!!!!
Teri
January 17th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
thanks everyone. Although a closet would be nice to store things like batting (which I just buy when I need) I like having the open shelves with the fabric decorating the room – it really brings it alive with color – or maybe that is the wall hanging! it certainly is alive with color.
January 17th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
You have done what I need to do too; get my sewing room more organized. Well, it isn’t that bad, but I desperately need one or two shelves for the fabrics that now occupy the sofa! I can’t even sit in that sofa – no space! LOL! DH had a look at some shelves not long ago, but he forgotten to check how deep the shelves are… I need a shelf for some books too…. Phew…. – why do we hoard?! (Spelling?) LOL!
astrid´s last blog ..UFO #1 / OPAM #1
January 17th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
You have made good use of the wall space above your work areas. I can see what you mean when you told me the room was narrow.
Wanda´s last blog ..Dotty done
January 18th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Your area is really nicely put together. I basically use the whole house LOL.
Crispy
January 18th, 2010 at 7:22 am
How nice to have an organized room….I’m impressed! Can you come over and help me organize both of my rooms…pretty please…lol
Ranette´s last blog ..Peppermint twist….a song or a quilt????
January 18th, 2010 at 7:29 am
yes Wanda now you can see why there is no room for the sewing machine to be out away from the wall. I still think at times to get a folding chair and turn the machine around to face the room instead of the wall – I would have to move the table though most times to get back to the chair so don’t know if I want to do that, but I might.
Thanks everyone – just have to make do with the space you have. I am glad I don’t need to have a box here or there scattered around the house.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:07 am
LOL, Karen – that’s what I was doing this weekend, too! Love the red dragon!
Maggie
Patchmaker´s last blog ..Take a Picture, Someone Said!
January 19th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Your sewing room looks so nice! Mine, even after I clean up, has this jumbled look!
Boy, you have really been busy…I miss a week visiting (sick and preparing classes so no time to visit
and there’s a whole set of brand new star blocks and more circles and a clean work room!
Miri´s last blog ..Sunlight and Shadow quilt: String quilt style
January 19th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
love the pictures of your room but what I really like is the squares with circles and the 4-patch blocks that you are making. I cant wait to see it done….it is going to be absolutely stunning.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I loved seeing your sewing room. You are a very organized person. I bet it is fun being from such a large family. I love the dragon!
Kathy´s last blog ..Planting Garlic
January 21st, 2010 at 1:32 am
You have a beautiful sewing room and sew organized..
Love the Dragon wall hanging and the Quilt on the wood rack.
this is my first time posting on a blog other than my own.
Congratulations in your 500th post.
from Kansas
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