Cleaning up your sewing space..Join me?!
01-04-2010, 12:23 PM
#253
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by Bev
I just came upon a large, VERY large Rubbermaid bin labeled "one yard lengths only," but when I opened it I found that there were tons of different lengths including fat quarters!
What do you suppose I was thinking that day that I stuffed this bin in the very back of my closet, then put my loaded library book cart in front of it almost insuring that it would be safe from prying eyes, including my own, for the rest of the century?
I DO remember the fabrics, in a fuzzy sort of way, but when and why I hid them away is a big mystery to me. Especially since I labeled the bin incorrectly. If I weren't so tired I'd sit down and enjoy looking at them. But I had to come in here to my computer, and try to relax. I think I've had it for today.
What do you suppose I was thinking that day that I stuffed this bin in the very back of my closet, then put my loaded library book cart in front of it almost insuring that it would be safe from prying eyes, including my own, for the rest of the century?
I DO remember the fabrics, in a fuzzy sort of way, but when and why I hid them away is a big mystery to me. Especially since I labeled the bin incorrectly. If I weren't so tired I'd sit down and enjoy looking at them. But I had to come in here to my computer, and try to relax. I think I've had it for today.
When I was still relying on bins....soo so sew-me!
I labeled them, alright...and then still couldn't remember EXACTLY what was in them.
That is why, over time I did my level best to work my way towards shelves.
Two things kept me from having them:
1 - Fear...that others would then see all the accumulation.
SOLUTION: Silly me! you can't leave shelves of fabric open to ultra violet rays and dust. You have to cover them!:lol:
2 - with all that I had, I wasn't sure I was worthy, deserving of something so luxurious as shelves. Now, isn't that kind of thinking, REALLY SILLY?
I didn't know I felt that way. My guilt over my never-to-be-completely-quenched, thirst for fabrics made me feel unworthy.
Once I realized I had all these fabric/quilt related issues...which probably stems from deeper lol, issues...
I laugh, bc these are old broken records that need to be tossed...
Now??? Of course my lovelies deserved to not only be taken care of in the best manner, they deserve to be proudly shelved, bc there is an artiste' in the midst and the sooner I got things better organized, the more creating that was going to happen.
I have a huge stash and am proud of it. Me and/or hubby worked for all of it, except for the 'giftings'.
Why should any of us, be ashamed?
That is one of the things I learned that made me laugh the most after joining this board. I had never belonged to any kind of quilting group, period.
Most quilters have guilt of some kind over their stuff.
Either the amount of it, or the condition that is going on, concerning their stuff.
Some of it is induced by family. Well, genius' are mess-prone, but ideas just come and come. They don't wait for CLEAN???? Thanks for the chuckles, Bev!
(what did you use a sawzall on) :?:
01-04-2010, 12:38 PM
#254
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by MistyMarie
Okay, so here goes. My "sewing space" is beginning to take over my house. I find notions, fabric, quilt magazines, books, et cetera in virtually every room of my house. My husband is a custom reloader and his hobby takes up only a small chunk of our storage room and his gun safe is in our basement family room. My hobby has burst throughout the house.
A couple of years ago, my husband's sister killed herself. Shortly after her funeral, her husband was deployed to Iraq. Our 14 year old nephew had no place to go, so we cleaned out our basement bedroom and gave it to him for a year. This meant my fabric stash ended up in our storage room, in our laundry room, and my dining room was taken over. I ended up putting up shelves in my laundry room, but they were quickly overtaken with kitchen things, kid things, and UFOs. My counter became a catch-all for mess instead of a cutting board and ironing station. This past summer, I lost both my grandmothers, so I was gone much of the summer.
(As a teacher, summers are when I get most projects done.) So, with the school year approaching, I got busy and painted the bedroom a color I could live with. (Not bright red, as it was before!) I have slowly been organizing the room, prior to moving down my long-arm. Right now it is taking up my dining room. It isn't even out to full length and it is too cramped to work in there right now, so I haven't used it since I bought it.
Yesterday, I went down to start working on the room again, only to discover that our new kitten was peeing in my block basket and on a pile of fabric I was organizing onto shelves. So, today I have been washing fabrics and will be shampooing the carpet in a few minutes. I plan on having my room ready to go before my husband deploys at the end of March. I have two more bookcases to move in and a cabinet to build. I am going to leave my sewing machine upstairs in the laundry room because it is right off the kitchen and I still feel connected to the family when I am working on a quilt because I can see all the way to the family room when I am sitting at my machine.
So, hopefully the next pictures I post in a few weeks will show SIGNIFICANT improvements! Wish me luck... and energy.
A couple of years ago, my husband's sister killed herself. Shortly after her funeral, her husband was deployed to Iraq. Our 14 year old nephew had no place to go, so we cleaned out our basement bedroom and gave it to him for a year. This meant my fabric stash ended up in our storage room, in our laundry room, and my dining room was taken over. I ended up putting up shelves in my laundry room, but they were quickly overtaken with kitchen things, kid things, and UFOs. My counter became a catch-all for mess instead of a cutting board and ironing station. This past summer, I lost both my grandmothers, so I was gone much of the summer.
(As a teacher, summers are when I get most projects done.) So, with the school year approaching, I got busy and painted the bedroom a color I could live with. (Not bright red, as it was before!) I have slowly been organizing the room, prior to moving down my long-arm. Right now it is taking up my dining room. It isn't even out to full length and it is too cramped to work in there right now, so I haven't used it since I bought it.
Yesterday, I went down to start working on the room again, only to discover that our new kitten was peeing in my block basket and on a pile of fabric I was organizing onto shelves. So, today I have been washing fabrics and will be shampooing the carpet in a few minutes. I plan on having my room ready to go before my husband deploys at the end of March. I have two more bookcases to move in and a cabinet to build. I am going to leave my sewing machine upstairs in the laundry room because it is right off the kitchen and I still feel connected to the family when I am working on a quilt because I can see all the way to the family room when I am sitting at my machine.
So, hopefully the next pictures I post in a few weeks will show SIGNIFICANT improvements! Wish me luck... and energy.
MistyMarie...I think you just joined us, so welcome, but you sound just like one of us already.
Thanks for braving the pics! I am going to feel so much better for you, when you are able to get your stuff more organized so you can work, lol! (((hugs))):-D
Isn't this freeing? We are always posting pics of our best works, but now we are really getting down to the nitty gritty and we are going to feel better for it. (said in my best therapeutic/counselor voice, lol!)
I used to think I was a minority...nope. We just need to help each other with this part too.
Each person will decide what works best for them. Houses are different sizes and shapes, and potential space is different.
Believe it or not...poking fun, there,...I can see how pretty your house is, even if you do have a great love of the quilty things. You can tell you have really enjoyed your hobby, and it just grew on you...lol...that's funny...ok, sugared up, here...feeling the 'cheese'... :mrgreen:
01-04-2010, 12:42 PM
#255
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by MistyMarie
Here is part two... the room that needs to be my stash room and quilting room...
Looks like your making a great start.
You know, those that have the most to do are going to feel the best when it is finished.
I use to clean for ppl, 200 years ago...lol...I'm itching to come over, but I have some stuff waiting on me right here.
Oh what fun, to do it together. I love yacking and doing anything with friends.
This is exciting to me. I can't wait to see all the progress.
yummers! :-D
01-04-2010, 01:23 PM
#258
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,640
I keep my fabrics in those plastic drawers stacked in the closet, and 2 smaller sets stuffed with envelope patterns, trims, cutting tools, etc. I have an old file cabinet in the closet for quilting magazines. I was my fabric before I fold it and put them into the drawers. labeling the outside with the color. Sometimes I will go to the dining table to cut my fabric.
I put potential projects together (pattern and material) in larger see through bins. I am full to capacity and vow to not buy more till some of those projects are done. It all fits in the closet. My machine sits on a gateleg table that I can expand. I use the ironing board for support when quilting and sit in front of the tv to do the binding. My computer desk and a sofa and bookcase are in here too so I can rest as needed. It is hard to keep it all clean though.
I put potential projects together (pattern and material) in larger see through bins. I am full to capacity and vow to not buy more till some of those projects are done. It all fits in the closet. My machine sits on a gateleg table that I can expand. I use the ironing board for support when quilting and sit in front of the tv to do the binding. My computer desk and a sofa and bookcase are in here too so I can rest as needed. It is hard to keep it all clean though.
01-04-2010, 02:27 PM
#259
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by MistyMarie
Originally Posted by quilter girl
MistyMaire - What have you used to wrapped your fabric on thats on the bookshelf and what size is it. I wish you the best of luck - take it one step at a time. I find if I put on some music with a beat to it - it makes me work faster & yeah I do turn up the volume :thumbup: You will be so proud of what you get done.
(She decided to start selling these on E-bay about a year ago, so they are available if you look for them. She also has fat quarter pieces, but I am not THAT organized.)
Here is a picture of my corner of my laundry room:
01-04-2010, 02:32 PM
#260
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Fortunately I am a very organized person and can not stand clutter in my work spaces, so the studio is pretty much organized. I do have the fabric set out on my cutting table to use for my next quilt but it is not in disarray.
Now my house is a little different........ :lol:
But I am impresses with all the hard work you guys are putting in getting your spaces organized. :thumbup:
Billy
Now my house is a little different........ :lol:
But I am impresses with all the hard work you guys are putting in getting your spaces organized. :thumbup:
Billy
um, on second thought: do you live where it snows?
never mind,...was a nice thought for a few seconds, but I ain't leaving my grandbabies :wink:
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