It’s not a huge space down here, but it is useable space and that is what I am so grateful for. The two bins under the table? one holds batting scraps, the other orphan blocks and parts. The gold box on top of the bin at the far end is where strings go when using the cutter.
I know there are questions abounding out there about our upcoming mystery ---when I said the name of the quilt was EASY STREET, I really meant it! There are no crumbs or strings in this quilt. The smallest “strip” size you will use is 2”, and you can wait until we get to that step to pull what you need to pull.
Don’t forget that you don’t need ALL the fabric bought, if you have to buy, before we start! The great thing about scrappy mysteries is that if you run out of one purple or aqua, or want more variety in your black-on-whites. There is time to get some. It won’t stand out like a sore thumb…or a sore left middle finger, like the one I cut opening a box yesterday…typing with a bandaid at the tip of my finger is not working so well!
Anyway – I wanted to start your day with a question and a chuckle that came my way via email this morning from Virginia O.
She writes:
Good Morning Bonnie,
I have a question regarding the Easy Street Mystery.It DID make me laugh!! Especially today as I pack to leave for the West Virginia retreat tomorrow morning! Must remember the right class quilts, the right trunk show stuff, and my own projects ---make sure I have the foot control, the right foot for the machine ((WHICH MACHINE?!?)) and everything else!
If we need to purchase an EZ angle ruler, what size should we purchase: 4 1/2", 6 1/2" or 10 1/2"? Thanks for the information.
A bit of humor for your day. Since hearing your talk and taking the Blue Ridge Beauty class form you in Charleston, SC I have gone to classes twice with all my leaders and enders ready to sew and have left my class project at home. Thought that might make you laugh.
Oh yeah, back to Virginia’s question regarding the rulers ---either the 4.5” or the 6.5” Easy Angle will work. The 10.5” will NOT. Besides, it is just too big for the job –I find myself most often grabbing the 6.5” one as my go-to of choice. It fits well in my hand and works for just about everything I need it to do. I have a harder time cutting with smaller rulers.
Tan to brown to black to grey!
Speaking of grey/gray:
Interesting, no? I grew up spelling everything GREY, and distinctly remember getting it wrong on a spelling test. I wish I could now go back to that 3rd grade teacher and prove to her I wasn’t wrong. When thinking of the word grey, I think of Greyhound –which would never be spelled GRAYHOUND. SO, whatever!Which is correct, the "grey" or "gray" spelling?
Have you often wondered "Am I spelling g-r-e-y correctly...or is it g-r-a-y?". How do you spell the color grey or gray? Well, the answer is they are both correct. There are two acceptable spellings. Gray is used primarily in the United States and other areas that use US English. Grey is used in Great Britain and areas that use UK English.
The only exceptions to these rules are:
1. Proper nouns such as a last name; Earl Grey and Zane Grey would not be spelled Gray and L.H. Gray must be always be spelled Gray.
2. Greyhound as in the dog breed.
3. Food irradiation (quantity of radiation energy absorbed by the food as it passes through the radiation field during processing). 1 Gray = 0.001 kGy = 1 joule of energy absorbed per kilogram of food irradiated.
When all else fails..
grAy is how it's spelled in America
grEy is how it's spelled in England
Purple, Aqua-Turquoise and into the solids!
The very bottom shelf holds muslins. the second shelf up has everything that is 1/2 yard or less. Gosh, I’d love to take time to play with solids! I love seeing them there like a rainbow! And that sticker on the cabinet? DH had this cabinet in the garage until I confiscated it. It had been his cycling gear cabinet and that’s his biking sticker that will NOT come off. I’ve tried goo-gone and any other number of “un-stick-it” stuff and that sticker is there to stay. I don’t want to use a razor blade because it will hurt the finish of the cabinets, so ---oh well!
Fat Quarter Bins!
The center stack has a 3 drawer thingy that has rulers, etc in it. I’m going to empty that -- and they are going to go into the drawers of my hoosier cabinet we brought down from the sunroom/office upstairs:
Lots of quilty goodness can work in this lovely old hoosier! The book case will be centered on that wall where the quilt is hung – the boxes of carpet squares to do THIS side of the basement are stacked there for now.
And because I know you want to see it ---
The Sewing Machine Museum.
See? It’s really not THAT many --- is it?? *cough* Speaking of machines ---I hope to be able to go pick up the pink Atlas today, I’ve got to call first and make sure that it is ready. AND…Gerald emailed to say that the school bus orange/yellow featherweight is READY!! I’m sending a check off for that today. Whoowhoooo! Other than that, I am in no hurry to fill the remaining empty shelves you see above.
I’m off for a bone density scan this morning –and then I’ll be back here getting things ready for the retreat tomorrow. I need a big “cutting out and kitting up” session!
At this moment I’m not sure on QuiltCam tonight – I should know more by afternoon if it is going to fit in my schedule. Stay tuned and check back later!
Have a great Thursday, everyone!
60 comments:
I wish my space looked so nice and tidy. Looks great!! I'd never want to leave!
Where did you get the white cabinets? They would go nicely in my sewing room.
Did you try fingernail polish remover on that sticker? I know it works to remove them when nothing else does.
It all looks wonderful. I wouldn't be able to remember what machine was what on those shelves. Glad you can remember and know what kind of bobbins etc too.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I thought about comparing my sewing space to your sewing space. The best thing I could come up with is that you have a sewing "mansion" and I have a sewing "teepee...small teepee at that!" (chuckle, chuckle) On a serious note...everything looks wonderful and I'm very envious of your organizational skills! :)
Thanks for the Show Bonnie! I love your solids cabinet too - such color!!! I'm also loving the colors in your new mystery - got my paint chips yesterday! If it's not giving too much away, could I ask what size half-square triangle dies we might be using? I have a new Sizzix cutter and very few dies yet - only strip dies so far. So if I could order what I need for the HST's in advance it would be great because it takes them some time for them to arrive at my LQS. If not, no problem, I'll just run a little behind... which I'll probably do anyway :*D You could just email me privately if you don't want to publish it on your blog. Thanks for the excitement of a new mystery!
Ever so often we need a deep cleansing! It looks so neat and clean! unlike my space where I threw some fabric off my table bc no matter what i did to it, it was not going to be big enough for the backing of a baby quilt! I chose another fabric! Dang it anyway. Now there is something else to pick up and put away.
I've been collecting strings and scraps and putting them in Strawberry boxes, I have have a whole couter that should be cleared that is full of different colors of Strips.... What a mess!
I wish I had a large enough space to have all that storage! I've got a little less than half of an average-sized bedroom for my sewing space ... about all I have room for is an ironing board and a 5' folding table (with my Bernina and cutting mat taking up all surface space). I do have a small bit of space in the closet for my supplies. It's far from ideal, but I'm able to make it work, and that's all that matters. ;-)
Then I have a pup tent! ha!
I am inspired to re organize my studio after seeing how you stack your fabric, not all I need is some time and some good music or some great pod casts.
Bonnie - thanks for the clarification on the Mystery Quilt fabrics, today and last night on Quiltcam. I still need to get some of the black on white fabrics but knowing that I can substitute something for the grey/gray makes life even more wonderful than usual!
Mine is a closet!LOL
Your organizational tips continue to inspire me. I will be refolding and reorganizing my fabric soon. I have a collection of five sewing machines. (Don't tell my husband!) I don't have room for any more.
I am loving watching your organizing take place. Are you going to be sewing in your basement as well, or is that just for storage? I need to clean my basement a bit so I can have some storage down there. hmmmmmmmmmmm
Your studio looks beautiful -- ready for a magazine shoot! Have you considered taking the doors off the tall cabinets so that the shelves are open? (For some people, seeing everything at once is too much stimulation; for others, having things out-of-sight means that they are out-of-mind as well. You may be the former. I am the latter.)
I think I counted 31 machines in the museum. How many do you have out (that you're currently using)? How do you decide which vintage machine to use?
Bonnie, For that sticker on your cabinet try heat. I did craft shows for many years and found the best way to get those darn stickers off things is heat. Hold a blow dryer on the sticker for a few minutes till it gets good and hot. Then try pulling it off from one end. If it starts to pull off add heat as you go to keep it hot and keep pulling. I hope this helps you. Judy in Pa.
luzzi2@ptd.net
Love the museum. In the right-hand set of shelves, I think I see a machine's blue carrying case top only. Is that the machine currently in use? Also I do not see Petula's mod soft-side case. And, since I'm nosy, what is the case on the far right of the upper row--looks to narrow for a machine?
Your studio is looking great! I need to put in a bit more time in my sewing space so it will be all ready for action come the day after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the upcoming mystery!
Nann, I'm with you. I want to seeeeee all my pretty fabric. I do really enjoy when it is at least semi-sorted into color groups, but otherwise, the more the merrier!
Bonnie, if you can't remove the sticker, just cover it up! Maybe a quilty bumper sticker or a little wall hanging held up with magnets. Loved seeing the studio get organized, I need to do the same :)
I was going to recommend heat, as well, followed by goo gone. OR....create a pretty cut-out of your own and decoupage it on top of the bike sticker. Just love the colour stacking of fabrics. All mine are folded and stored like your, but just in big colour blocks. I like the gradation method....seems like it would give you a better idea of where the holes are in your stash. There are always holes in our stashes and as quilter, we are honor bound to close those up...off to the quilt store we go!
Loving the look of the re-org....seems vaguely familiar.....I have 3 open shelving units and one unit for bolts; with a closet for tubs and all else. We must have our organization if we are to make this passion work! Good job!
Oh my I love all of your neatly folded fabrics! I think my first thought was ooooh all of those neutrals.. JEALOUS!! And the machines.. yep that is all that many!! LOL. But they are yours and you should enjoy them.
Bonnie, the studio makeover is fabulous! You've inspired me to get mine organized. It WAS organized when we listed our house for sale last year but when we took it off the market in April, I relaxed a bit too much and it's now a cluttered but still creative space. I love your cupboards for your stash. My stash is in the same type of bins as your fat quarter bins. I admire your energy and enthusiasm. You've done a huge job in the time you've been home. Enjoy your retreat!
And now that I've seen the fabric requirements for EASY STREET I'm thinking that perhaps I WILL do the mystery. I myself have a retreat coming up in mid-November and I'm taking both Orca Bay and Roll Roll Cotton Boll with the hopes of finishing both tops. Then I will give myself permission to start another mystery.
You rock!
Mavis in Victoria, BC
Your studio is really starting to come together. When you had the cabinets moved away from the wall and the panelling was exposed I was going to suggest you paint it. Now that the cabinets are back in place along with the new trim I can see you were right, the panelling doesn't show that much.
I love seeing your fabric stash neatly put away by color family. I sometimes visit you page that shows your fabric stash. It's good to have everything organized in one place. Once you get everything organized you can upload updated pictures of your current space.
As to the spelling of the grey/gray, I use the two interchangeably when it comes to the color. I don't think it matters how you spell it as we all know what it means, same thing with the "ou" spelling of words.
your space is really looking good! i've got the same issue with stickers - my sewing area used to be my son's bedroom and he stuck weird stickers on the walls. sigh. i just cover them up with orphan quilt squares and pretend they don't exist!
I am loving watching your room come together. Thanks for the folding tips. Was wondering where you got your cabinets. I have open white shelves now and need more but can't find of course.
Homeschooled my son while we were overseas and he still spells COLOUR once in awhile.
I worked once in a china shop and we used rubbing alcohol to remove stickers. I love your organized space. Everything looks so nice and neat. I'm happy because I have the fabrics needed to do the new mystery..all except gray. Went out this morning and bought that. The other colors were on my shelves..lime can be a zinger and I had white/black from Orca Bay. So I'm set. How do those shelves hold up all that weight on the sewing machines?
Your space looks so inviting...it's motivating to see! Know you will enjoy it a lot. And from one machine junkie to another: love seeing all your machines. Just bought a 401A at an auction last night. It needs a foot control, but the stitch selector knobs are turning again. I think they haven't moved for a LONG time! :)
What an inspiration you are, Ms Bonnie! I do have my fabrics organized like yours since I need to see my stash. The only thing I don't have is fat quarters. With the price of fat quarters increasing to as high as $3.50 each, I can't justify them. I buy 1/4 yards or 1/2 yards. Then go up from there. A 1/4 yard is often cheaper than a fat quarter. I also like the scrap option for a quilt to make later.
Thank-you for defining grey/gray! That helps me.
I've gotten all my fabrics together for this great Mystery quilt. Two of our daughters are going to do it as are 3 of our Grandchildren. We've decided where to set up our sew a thon and will have a great time! I've only got two fabrics to purchase. Will do that tomorrow! Then I'm set to sew!
Creation Location is looking good, Bonnie! You deserve a HUGE pat on your back for tackling the reorganization. I think a lot of us look at our stashes and are overwhelmed as to where to start ... you have given us a roadmap of sorts. Thank you for that and Quiltcam and for ALL you do for so many. Looking forward to seeing you in Lansing just before Thanksgiving ... taking the Star Struck workshop with a friend and can't wait! Travel safe this weekend!!
Hi, my name is Lane and I own 15 sewing machines and about 300 yards of fabric. But, Bonnie has more. That means I can have more, right? Where's my checkbook?
Be well Bonnie. I just love collecting, don't you? At least right up until folding time.
A little Pampered Chef dish scraper (just a little plastic square) is great for getting off things on surfaces you don't want to scratch. I let the Goo Gone soak on it and then use the scraper. For permanent marker on plastic tubs I've found that spraying it with Scrubbing Bubbles and letting it sit will pull that off. I have to repeat it a few times. I discovered this by accident one day when I left it on for several hours bz I forgot about it! I was cleaning something else off and was so surprised to see that the permanent Sharpie was being removed or lightened! Good luck with that. The rooms look fabulous and I love how organized you are. I tend to be a bit nuts about organization in my sewing room. I just have to know where everything is and I find that I use it up that way too. Thanks for sharing!
Cindy
P.S. The Scrubbing Bubbles work well for pen on the plastic tubs too. :)
Cindy
Thanks Judith for this comment----I was just going to suggest the blow dryer to Bonnie. It has always worked for me too----
The new organized studio space looks wonderful Bonnie! Your collections of fabric and sewing machines look so neat, and are fun to see! Thank you for sharing all the pictures. Especially the fabric folding directions---I may do Easy Street---I haven't did a mystery quilt with you since Orange Crush. Easy Street sounds fun! Have a safe trip.
What inspiration- Love your stash organization. That possum belly hoosier cabinet is perfect for storing fabrics. Old family heirloom or a memento of your travels? Would love to see you using your treadle some night. I have 2 bins of deboned shirts and need to get them cut into useable sizes. Coincidentally my Guild is doing Moth in the Window as our lottery BOM for November, and I sure have enough homespun plaids from these shirts. Still haven't figured out what to do with the buttons aside from some Christmas ornaments. The cotton scrap seams, collars, and plackets are used as tinder in the fireplace. Thank you for your QuiltCam sessions, and the new mystery postings.
just leave it on there...it will remind you that you "borrowed" it from hubby!
Everything looks great! Sometimes it's just nice to clean house.
BTW---my hair is GRAY!
I have all the colors for the mystery quilt, although maybe not quite enough purple. You space looks fantabulous! It's inspiring me to continue with sewing room cleaning and organizing. Thanks goodness for the crock pot. Less time cooking, more time for other pursuits. Ham and beans with cornbread tonight.
You might want to try WD40. It worked on getting duck tape of a stove that was sitting is storage baking in the Florida heat for about 3 yrs. Nothing got it off till I tried that.
Those shelves with the sewing machines must be super heavy duty! Those old machines are heavy.
Your downstairs is so nice and big, ours is tiny compared to our house, only under the living room. Stupid 4 level house. There is NO room on my walls to hang anything, it's all shelves full of fabric! One bedroom actually looks like a library..Oh my.... But I do have a concealed "back room" down here for the shelves of craft supplies. (I'm still in the country/prim doll making phase...remember the conglomeration of "stuff" that goes along with that Bonnie?)
Maybe that's why I'm FINALLY morphing to the quilting. I've been sewing since I was old enough to know what it was, and I'm a few years older than you. It's about time!
Oh, for your back, I have my cutter on a table just like that. But I put bed risers under the feet to get it up so I don't have to bend over at all. What a difference that makes! AND... a bonus of a little more storage space under it LOL.
Deb N
I think the acetone polish remover work best. So many if the gentle ones don't work as well because they do not use acetone.
This post made me giggle with the gray/grey speak. How I spell it depends on who I'm writing to. i prefer the look of grey. It must be part of my quirkiness with spelling. A quirk of mine is spelling out the word "Okay". Since 4th grade, I cannot write ok, or O.K, it has to be okay. I do not know of a single person who spells out the entire word.
be safe traveling to WV with all that snow!
What inspirational organization - I wish I had your energy! All you need is a bigger sticker to cover the red one!
Grey or gray
Coulor or color
does it really matter?
Playing vith fabrics and colours is FUN - and doing a Bonnie mysteriquilt is even more FUN.
Looks like you have room for a few more machines ;)
Love your organizational efforts. I did something like it but now I'll try the rest of the method. But, really, I'm commenting because I'm keeping your photo of your sewing machines to have it for the next time I'm criticized for having 3 machines!!!
Bonnie I didn't read all the comments so I do know if anyone mentioned WD40 to help remove the sticker. I have found it works for lots of sticky stuff. You may want to give it a try all around the edges then slowly lift, sprsy again, lift and so on. Good luck.
I counted and Can feel good that I only have 10 right now. Not all of them are antique though. Love your commentary on GRAY/GREY. I'll go with the Gray. I have a few of those dreaded Gray hairs, you know...
I adore your space!!! I love that "basement" it may be, but it is so bright!
I especially like that you are using your antiques not just as displays, but also as working items. Those "old-timers" really knew how to build useful things! I use a similar storage for fabric, but on open shelves - doors make me shop 'cause I can't see what is already there, and I do enough of that when I CAN see what I have!
One question: why do you keep FQ's separate?
Okay, two questions: is your actual sewing/creating space on the "other side"? Other side of what, the stairs?
Bonnie, I agree with Judith, a blow dryer works on stickers that have resisted all other methods I have used. It even works on deli containers that I save for strings, only be careful you do not melt the plastic of thin plastic.
Bonnie,
I have Eucaliptus Oil removes almost everything.
However I do agree with Saska - looks good & will remind you of your hubby :-)
Dasha
Thanks for the pictures. Gives me an idea how someone uses their sewing space. Thanks!
Great organization!!! WOW!!!! P.S. I have always spelled it "grey" as well! :)
I wish my space was that organized. Since I live in an apartment, I would have to get rid of all the furniture to accomplish anything close to that. Re "grey" - since I was educated by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart - is there any other way to spell that word????? Hope you all survived Sandy without too much damage. Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, we got off much easier than expected with mostly power outages and trees down (big ones sadly), but we did not get the flooding that was expected.
Love the reorganization in the basement. As far as the bike sticker - don't you have a little quilt you can just stick over it by using
command adhesive hooks and a little dowel rod? You have to have a nice little quilt somewhere, right? LOL
Regarding the sewing machine museum - you don't have too many machines because you've still got open shelf space! Your sewing area is inspirational - would that we could all be that organized (and have that much room to be organized in).
wonderful! thanks for sharing.I have less fabric, but more machines (smile) I sometimes put a photo of the machine that is in each case on the end of the case. Keeps me from having to haul one too many off the shelf when I'm looking for something in particular...I use blutac to hold on the photo, that stuff kids use to put posters on their walls. That way I can take it off without damaging the case. It just occurred to me I could label the shelves like that...hmmm..this is what inspiration is all about! Thanks again- I thought I was giving you a tip, but you ended up giving me one!
Bonnie...regarding the biker sticker...
I could send you a Harley one to cover it....you could find a great quilting one to cover it
Or You can try your trusty hair dryer on it. Depending on the glue it may well peel off. Goo Gone requires the top layer/sealer to be breeched...that would require mild scoring and I wouldn't mess those nice cabinet fronts...
Oooo decoupage. Go retro....psychodellic and a little Doors music while you LA
Your new studio should be featured in your next book...it is so well,thought out...would you consider "timeshares" you are gone a lot.... :0)P
Jane NJ/wi
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