RV Quilting. Anybody do it?
 

We just bought our first rv. It's an older class A, 38' with one slide out for the living/dining room. My thought is to get a couple of 2 drawer file cabinets or shelving blocks or maybe a couple of taller kitchen cabinets, and set a laminate counter top on them. I could set it all high enough and wide enough that the free standing dining table will nest under the sewing table to save room when I'm not using it.
That's my thought. Give me all of your solutions!

We have a little 21 ft RV and last year was the first time I quilted in it. There's just enough room behind the coffee pot to store my Featherweight... and I did my piecing on the kitchen table. I know I've read lots of tips of storage etc. on the forum but can't quickly find it. There's one little article off site. http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide...ts_hobbies.php

But I also love to set my machine up and stitch outside. I make baggies of blocks before traveling. [ATTACH=CONFIG]399453[/ATTACH]

We have been talking about buying a RV and my only one request is that there is some place for my machine and storage of my current project.

I once took my sewing machine and all the fabric for my current project on the plane on one of our vacations. DH thought I was crazy, but while dh and ds watched their hours and hours of baseball I sat in the bedroom with chair and small table piecing my project. I so enjoyed it that I want to do it again.

Ah more success this search! (RV and camping) http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....archid=6039718

I take a sewing/embroidery machince combo on the RV. I cut my fabric before going and put the squares in baggies. I have plastic totes for my threads, sewing supplies, patterns and fabrics. I store them under the bed. As far as the actual sewing, I use the dining room table most of the time. We eat outside on the picnic table since the food is cooked on the grill, why drag it all back inside. If it's raining, cold and yucky then I do have the option of setting up one of those folding gray plastic tables either in the bedroom or living room. Our RV has 3 slides, two of them opposite of each other in the living room so I have a huge space available to sew. Hubby's flat screen in on the living room wall, he uses wireless headphones so I don't hear his TV and he doesn't hear my sewing machine. Another option if we eat inside is to use lap trays, I prepare the food and we sit on the couch or in the recliners with trays. I often sew outside if the weather is really nice, especially if we are at the ocean. A word of caution, do not leave your machine on the RV when it's stored, especially in damp or humid weather. RV's are not air tight, the machine will rust.

Not yet but that is how I want to retire. I have never traveled around the country and this would be the perfect way to have it all! I know there are companies out there that design RVs just for quilters. I have seen some and they are accomodating to the craft.

We have a 35ft 5th wheel and I have FW, a small ironing board and travel size iron, a few rulers, rotary cutter and mat and a small fabric stash stored in it. It can be done and my DH does not mind that I have taken up some storage space for these things since it keeps me busy when the weather is not the best or he and the dog are gone on the trails since I can no longer do hikes because of bad joints.

Ok, ok. You've talked me into buying a featherweight! :)

Elaine, I had a feeling we were sisters! And go to pictures and check out Lion!

i LOVE this picture!

We were in Jackson Hole and it was freezing cold wind outside BUT we had been able to bike & check out the quilt shop the day before. What a perfect place to spend time if you love biking on paved flat off road paths.

Oh so much info, after my month at Gulf Shores! Took my machine and materials for quilt I have been working on forever, forgot my 24" ruler and tried ripping (not too good for what I wanted). In the end I sewed 1 day, thought it was too hard and aggrivating, so put it all away. Now we are home and after getting everything put away will go back to my "fun". Of course it was a little too windy to sew outside but I would love to do that, looking at the Gulf. Sounds like perfection to me!!!

We're going to try full-timing it starting this summer...at least for a little while. Lease will be up on the house, DH's company just got bought, things are up in the air. We'll see how it goes. So bringing the sewing stuff just isn't an option-it's essential! It'll be 2 cats, one big, elderly dog, DH and me. Say prayers everyone. Say lots of prayers!

I quilt in our 5th wheel all the time! I always have a quilting project that I work on in the camper that is getting done totally by hand. I love doing hand piecing and quilting! I just keep that quilt in the camper and I can work on it inside the camper, outside the camper or while traveling down the road. You would be very surprised how quickly hand piecing and quilting can go.

Sometimes while we are off in the 5th wheel, and I have a special project that I am working on that I am using a machine for, I will bring my mom's old 301a along in the camper to use in the camper. It is really not much larger than a Featherweight and runs so beautifully quiet that I can use it at night after DH goes to bed and it does't bother him at all.

I always have a plastic Tupperware-type container with basic supplies in the camper - various threads, a mat, a couple rulers, a rotary cutter, pins, needles, etc. That just stays in the camper all the time. I don't keep any extra fabric in the camper, just what I need for my current projects that I am working on. If we were going to be gone for a longer period of time, I would plan ahead for a quilt and take a stack of fabric with matching thread, etc. for a longer term quilt. Of course, I would probably forget something that I needed which would necessitate finding a quilt shop along the way. ;-))

I would highly advise trying a hand quilting project to take along! I find working with a needle and thread by hand very soothing!

I also do quilting in RV and van. I take blocks in baggies and do alot by hand. I'm beginning a dear jane hand stitched on our trips this year. I do have a Janome Jem and some precuts that I carry along for those days in a motel while others do hikes and water events. Both things I don't do well. LOL. My hubby is a great enabler. :)

Yes ! Got a Babylock Molly for our 29' travel trailer. One week in January we went to Florida. Completed a 12 shop Tampa area shop hop and pieced blocks also. It is awesome to sew outside and meet other quilters, neighbors more easily. This week in Florida I sewed mostly crumbs. Taking RV to Pigeon Forge this month for quilt show.

We R.V.'ed for 10 years and I had all my sewing things with us, used underneath for storage and in closet where there should have been washer and dryer we added many shelves. We also had storage under our dinning chairs, husband made. There will be plenty of places to put things as it was our home for those 10 years.

Oop's forgot the mats stood up behind couch. and I had my Vikning #1+ full size machine. I used dinning table and it worked just fine. Enjoy as you can always set up outside. Some parks have open rooms to use also, we also had crafts on one day of each week sometimes we all did the same thing other times we did our own thing. Who knows you may find quilting ladies along the way.

Welcome to the world of RV sewing!
My husband is a semi-pro racer, so we are on the road most of the summer. I have a brother 500-d that fits perfectly in a closet compartment. I have a quilters tote that holds rulers, cutting implements, etc. I have a few small totes that have "kits" I make up to take with me. I usually take 7 to 8 as I get bored with one I can work on another.
i used the ironing board from MSQC ( 24x24 board wrapped in toweling and wraped in a custom fabric "pillowcase") on the counter.
Of course, I always keep a place available because you have to get fabric while on the road.

So glad I found this thread!!! DH and I just bought a 30ft travel trailer. We plan to spend a lot of time in it this summer but mainly at a local state park. How do you ladies (and gents) sew outside? We will be taking our E-Z Up screen room with us. Do you use a portable table or the provided picnic table? What about a chair to sit in?

I can sit at at the dinette table in the trailer to sew if it is rainy or bad outside. And I am working on a hexagon quilt by hand. I am so excited for warmer weather to get here!!!

We have a 30 foot trailer. I take my FW or my Janome gem. I found some interlocking cutting board pieces,and I take a couple of rulers,and stuff I need for a project. I do the piecing " on the road" and the quilting by hand or when I get home. We have a canopy that fits over the picnic table to hold off the sun, and a longggg extension cord. I've met a lot of wonderful quilters in campgrounds. If I buy much fabric...I mail it home to my good friends who is home all the time. The mail lady doesn't like boxes cluttering up her small space" she hates Christmas! LOL! )

Great thread!

We're long-time RVers (40' DP with 2 slides) and I just got into quilting this year. I've been debating what to do for the RV season - whether to take a machine and exactly what to take. It won't be the Janome Horizon (aka The Beast) I bought just before New Years, that's for sure. My other option is the Elna Diva I have (and have rarely used) or trade either it or my old Bernina 180 (which doesn't want to power up all the way) towards something newer than the Diva - maybe a smaller Janome or Babylock.

Michelle

I have done sewing while camping in our RV. I found I could put cutting mat & rulers behind the sofa. Sewing machine under the table (so easy to pull out when ready). There is more space for things like a small ironing board in the 'lift up' under the bed.
Seems though I read on some forum of caution of electric surges for computerized machines was something to be aware of. I like the idea mentioned here cutting out before you travel.

I always took my sewing with me & hit all the Quilt Shops in our travels. We put a three drawer plastic cabinet under the dining table & it stored all my bagged projects & the sewing machine fit under the bed. I also sewed outside in nice weather.

me too! we have a pop up...i've never taken my fw (or other machine) with us...with us, the two kids and often two big dogs, not enough room, even though our pop up is huge! i do bring cross stitch or knitting with me though!!

We went RVing for 5 months last year in our 35 ft motor home. Under the bed was all of my supers and material. It was loaded. After stopping at most qut stores in each state I started looking for more storage space. Lol. I brought a portable table that GED and fit behind the sofa. This year I ordered a Gidget II and will be taking that with me. My machine a Quattro 6000D Brothers fits in the closet. I had a great time and ready to do it all over. Ed are headed for Peducah in April. I have signed up got two classes with Eleanor Burns. Can't wait. My DH finds all the quilt stores for me.

Ioftenneedle prompted me to reply. We have a 30 foot 5th wheel and travel quite often. I always take a surge protector because campgrounds of state parks can be prone to power problems. I have a FW. I box up three projects prior to leaving home so I have a variety of things. One is always a "hand" quilting project. Another is in the just cut and "kitted" stage. When inside I set my machine up on the dining table- I set it down onto a chair at the table when we eat-then it is ready to slide over and continue sewing when the meal is over-no set up again and again. I quilt what I have pieced when I get home. I also love to quilt outside-I meed the most interesting people and even had the opportunity to encourage others to start quilting on the road. I have met several ladies who felt camping kept them from being productive. By prioritizing and doing the smaller things-piecing and and hand work while traveling allows for feelings of accomplishment. I love sewing and camping!There is a plastic box for every need and one for every space. Plastic boxes allow you to move in and out easily.

Thimblebug, I love your picture you look so happy to be there doing that! I love traveling and quilting. We have a 35ft FW(fifthwheel) and I take way too much every time. Last year we were going to be gone for the winter and I took my Bernina,and my FW (featherweight). I always overpack! Never know when you'll need it. I store most stuff in the storage under the bed, my mini ironing board goes alongside the couch, the cutting mat under the couch (lay flat) Everything else including new purchases goes in the closet. I so love to sew outside, also. When inside I use the kitchen table and also have a small table that we often use outside for a serving table that I can use to increase my work space inside. My machines travel under the table. I have to have at least one machine with me cause DH likes to go cruising around the areas on his scooter and my sewing gives me my fun. And if he's gone all day-I have fun all day, too. win win

As you can see by my name I am a RV quilter. Our 38 foot motorhome is our home. I keep my Janome 6600 in a wheeled case behind the drivers seat. Big cutting board and ruler are kept under the mattress. Miscellaneous supplies (ripper, scissors, pins, etc) are kept in plastic basket under my chair at table. Fabric is under the bed, in cupboards,in our basement and wherever else I can stash it. I do my cutting, piecing and sewing and sometimes ripping at our table 30x36. Once you get your system down it works well. Yes, I move my machine alot as we eat at our table. Bigger quilt pieces being constructed hang on the back of the drivers seat. I layout smaller quilts on the bed. Larger ones I sandwich in the clubhouse by pushing tables together. The queen and king ones go to my longarm gal so not a problem. I never quilted until we went fulltime, retirement gives you times to find something you really like to do. We love the RV life traveling seeing our beautiful country, meeting new people and finding lots and lots of quilt shops. Yes, my husband is an enabler. Try it, you'll like it!!!!

We have a 30 ft. Class A. I love to take my applique or cross stitch with me. The natural daylight is great. I always have something with me. I leave all of the machine work at home. I have met some great quilters and stitchers in general while working on a project. Always something to share with each other. The weight of the machine and all of the tools was a concern, so I have my hand work, and I really don't like the idea of my machine near the salt and sand, especially when it's blowing! Everyone has a different idea, and a different solution, and I love to hear them all! Happy quilting, and happy camping!!

We have a 37ft fifth wheel toy hauler with 2 slides. The "garage" is where the Harley travels until we get to our destination. Then it becomes my sewing room! I usually bring a very small brother embroidery machine, ( Disney) I always have to try to remember just what I might need while we are gone. We leave the cold weather for 5 months. I have been thinking of making a box with everything I will use and just leave it in he RV. That might simplify packing. I always bring lots more "things" then I need! I don't have a lot of time to work on my quilts but I enjoy it when I can. I agree with Anita....do not like the sand and sea near the machines. It is really nice to open the big back door to the ocean and sew but I found that my fabric and machine got salt residue all over so now I keep the door closed...when I want to see th ocean I go outside. I am going to check out some of the links mentioned. Who knew there was so much information. Just love all the stuff I learn on this board!

my janome 6600 traveled for 3 months one winter with us. and i didn't get to use it as much as i anticipated. but am going to re-read this for ideas. i sewed on the table, a couple times, and it was a lot of moving, but that is my relaxing time. hand work seemed to work fine.

I work as a travel nurse and my husband and I take our 28 ft. travel trailer with two slides from site to site, usually every 3-4 months. My husband is OCD with an aversion to "clutter and messes" and with limited inside surface space, it is sometimes hard to work on the "big" part of quilting projects. I usually wait until he is gone if I wish to work inside, or I will go outside and use the picnic table covered with one of those cardboard cutting boards. The outdoor electrical outlets allow me to plug in my iron, a TV or radio, and my machine, and I have no need for additional lighting due to the beautiful Florida sun. We also have an outdoor glass top table with 4 chairs (I pull 3 of these away from the table for my visitors) where I set my machine. A fluffy towel can serve as a cushion for ironing on either my glass top table or the picnic table.

I have had quite a crowd of "neighbors"! One woman from Ohio commented on me using an iron; she seems to find an iron an odd object used by past generations. An elderly man likes to visit and brings his cat in a stroller. Regardless, they all are curious and like to stop and chat and examine my latest project. What a great way to meet new friends!

As to storage, I find there is more than adequate storage under our bed for my sewing supplies, fabrics, books, etc. under our bed, and I store my mat flat between the mattress and the top of the storage area the mattress sits on. I prepared several projects before leaving home, and put materials, pattern, thread, etc. for each one in a 2.5gallon zip bag. My "tools" are contained in a tub that easily fits in this space under the bed.

If you wish to make it work, you will find a way to take with you what you actually need without excess. Measuring your spaces and thinking through your sewing arrangement will make it much easier for you. I actually became interested in making quilts on one of my 3 month (it actually became 9 months) work contracts and became fast friends with the lady who was my mentor. In the daytime we worked together, and in the evenings, we would trade her place and mine to work on our mutual projects.

Have a great time!

I have been bringing my computerized embroidery machine and a fetherweight with me for years in our rv. We spend 6 months in Maine in the summer and I sew for several businesses there "for lobster". I also make a few quilts. Fabric is readily available up there but other sewing supplies are more challanging and I do a lot of computer ordering. Storage is a challange, but my husband will tell you i have supplies all over and use too much space. I found a folding plastic table at BJ's warehouse for the machine and a multi drawer plastic stand about the same height for the embroidery unie ( Viking Diamond) I also have plastic tubs that slide under the RV when we are parked . The picnic table is sturdy enough for the cutting boards outside and if the weather is nice the fw and I sew out side. Campground rec centers are also a very useable space if you are there for a while.
Sheila

I have a friend who run a complete doll business out of their motor home. She makes custom clothes for the dolls, and when time permits works on new collections. Basically every nook and cranny is storage for her business. She has become extremely successful, and is one busy gal. Hubby is super supportive , so that makes things better. If you are so inclined check out her web site at Jo 's Doll Shoppe.com. You will be amazed at how tiny her dresses are, and the workmanship is beyond belief.

Store my rulers, regular cutting mat and rotating cutting matt, under the mattress, purchased SEWEZE sewing table for RV, and take along small flat tote with threads, pincushion, best press, portable ironing board etc, all stored under the bed, my bernina 550 I keep in the closet when not in use. Lots of storage in our unit, therefore can put new shopping purchases along the way into lots of nooks and crannies. Keep a clothing bag for anything that I'm working on and hang it in the closet, have a couple of stack and vac compression bags a Xlarge one for uncut fabric and a large one, that I have cut out fabric in (Whatever I'm working on) and keep it under the bed as well.

Wow! These descriptions of quilting in a RV makes me want to get one and start quilting on the road! LOL

I am sooooooo jelous. This is my dream for retirement days but now that I am single I dont want the work of setting up at the camp spot. I need a man. Any one know of any??? lol

D.rickman, I think I need that sewezi table! I have room in the slide out to leave a table set up and keep the dining room table mostly clear most of the time.
Jude1040, your friends doll clothes are exquisite! Such skill!
I'm getting less fearful of this adventure. Bring on more stories of the road! I want some horror stories too! I'd like to learn the "what not to do's" as well!

We have a 40 ft motorhome, with no slide outs. Right now, my generator isn't working, so I don't take my sewing machine with me. Once I get a new generator (bottom of the list, right now though as other things are taking priority) I may take my sewing machine. We usually go out in the boonies to go camping, (my hubby is not a crowd lover), and so I would have to take my own tables and stuff, but I think we would have room. Right now, I take things I am piecing by hand, crocheting, and embroidery that I can work on at any time. The first time my mother in law went with us, she was surprised at what I had to work on, but she also knows that I like to stay busy. If I am hand quilting a quilt, and I put it in a hoop, I will usually take that with us as well.

Forget the man... get a van.... ;) No seriously our little 20 foot is so easy, you just drive in & find a fairly level spot, switch over to gas or plug in to electric & connect the hoses and you're set. Of course we don't have pull outs & all the things that give you extra room but it works great for us. We've always tent camped prior to last year, so we're in the lap of luxury now with this. There are lots of used ones available. Ours is a 2003 Roadtrek. [ATTACH=CONFIG]399731[/ATTACH]
It's got a bathroom & shower/queen size bed/microwave/stovetop/TV - which we don't use/ lots of underneath storage