I'm being "creative" and I need to share. I'm so proud, I can barely stand myself.

A few years ago, I bought a floor display model of an aluminum Grace frame; then bought a Janome 1600DPX to go on it ... this being the closest I could get to a long arm machine set-up (then & now). When my son moved out of this house a couple years ago, I set everything up (with a practice quilt on it) in his former room in the basement. As I am caregiver to disabled husband (& his dog), I never got much quilting practice. Then the economy tanked and my son joined the ranks of the unemployed. When his apartment lease ran out last month, so he could come back here to live, I dismantled my frame and stashed everything in "safe places". Here's where I confess that the "safe place" in this house is a black hole into which stuff disappears forever. But, in this instance, I have not lost anything except my machine oil.

A few days ago, I re-read on this board about the styrofoam boards cut to fit around one's sewing machine and covered with vinyl. So I said to myself, "Self, your Janome 1600 is sitting going unused, your designs & instruction book, ditto, so what to do????"

During the past 3 days, I rearranged EVERYTHING in my downstairs sewing/cutting room. Then I removed all tools & "guy" junk off a heavy duty rolling table (bookstore discard) which my son then took apart, moved into my sewing room and put back together again. Everything just fits perfectly! Just a few minutes ago, I plugged in the 1600 and sewed a little bit and did a satifactory job. So there is hope! All I need now is the foam board bought & cut to fit; I already have the vinyl; then I can get back to practicing FMQ. (The machine also does other stuff - straight stitch only - but I bought it primarily to do FMQ.)

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you. I surely do appreciate you.

So happy you have it figured out! I know you are happy to be back sewing!

where there is a will there is a way...You did it, happy dance all night!

Happy dance for you! I'm so glad you are able to have a usable space so you can get back to doing what you love.

Thanks for the great share!!! Happy,happy sewing :D

Glad to hear that you have been reunited with your sewing. Have fun, and show us your progress.

Isn't it wonderful when things just suddenly work out? So happy for you. Looking forward to seeing your posts of WIP.

It's great when an idea percolates away and then you act on it. Well done....happy FMQ'ing.

Well done, great deal on the heavy table, getting DS to move it for you.

Congratulations! Happy to hear you'll be back at it soon.

YOu go girl. We expect great things from you, Weezie.

awesome,. welcome back to sewing, have fun!

Thank you, all. I may have accidentally mis-lead you. I have, in fact, been sewing all along ... I just have not been quilting. Every finished quilt top goes into a box to be quilted later. Because I'm really picky about everything I make, I want to feel much more comfortable at FMQ. I am able to meander and stipple, but my stitches aren't as uniform as I would like. I bought a lesson book of designs (flowers, feathers, etc.) for FMQ and I must practice, practice, practice. Now that I have another place set up for the Janome 1600, hopefully I'll be able to do that every now and then.

lets do a happy dance that you get to have your machine out of hiding. bummer about the son moving back in but hey at least he has you to move back in with. that is a blessing. plus he can sit with your hubby and play nurse for a few hours a day while you get some meds in your sewing room. just don't forget to thank son for losing his job so that you get to have some fun. (as long as he has a sense of humor) I am doing a happy dance for you that you get to have your sewing machine back out.

Woo Hoo!!! I hope that you find a lot of time to get in some practice :D:D:D

Congrats on getting your FMQ set up. Sorry your DS moved back in. Mine did a year ago. He sleeps in my sewing room. It's the only place we had to put him. I have to wait till he gets out of bed to sew. Frustating!!!!!

That's an even worse situation than mine! I have part if an upstairs room in which to sew and an entire downstairs room. If I can accomplish what I hope to with my machine on the table instead of on the long frame, I'll be fairly satisfied.

Since my son was on his own for a couple of years, he now does his own laundry, bathroom cleaning, and usually prepares his own meals. My DH has special dietary needs, so family meals with me as chief cook are ancient history.

Happy for you!! As a caregiver myself, I know how much you need some time for yourself!! This will be a needed respite for you!! Enjoy!!