Quiltingboard Forums - initial set up

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I've been sewing since I was 11... never needed a design wall. I use my bed and number my blocks, then sew them up or put them away for another day. First row is A-1 thru A-5, second row is B-1 thru B-5 and so on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peachs (Post 6433210)

my husband and i live in a one bedroom apt, so there's no extra rooms for making a sewing room. he's graciously agreed to allow me to 'take over' the dining room, but since it's such a central area of the apt, i need a set up i can tuck away when we have company. oh yes, and budget is a big limitation.

i'm currently using the dining table (which is very small, round) for my sewing table. we have plans to build me a cabinet for my machine, just waiting for funds for that; i have plans for a design/basting wall (it was actually his idea to let me have a complete wall in the dining room!), but again, still collecting funds.

i have a couple organizer drawers for things such as fabric, rulers, rotary cutters, patterns, etc, and i have a very small 'stash' still, but i'd like ideas for organizing the space, and hiding things away when they're not in use. i guess basically i'm asking for brainstorming ideas.

thanks so much! have a great day!

Oh bless you,it is good that your husband is backing you.I found that putting things like cutting boards behind bookcases and fabrics in boxes under furniture helped.My friends --who came every week to my home for a two hour get together used to be taken aback at where I stored my stuff. They all had much bigger houses but admitted they were happier coming to me for the 'ambience', not sure that is the correct spelling- but you get the idea. Good luck to you and enjoy my love. Letty. x

My design wall is a flannel backed plastic tablecloth that I have tacked to a wall. My blocks easily stick on the flannel and you can quickly take it down when company is coming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatchet (Post 6434585)

I too have never needed a design wall.... I use Hatchet's bed and number method and it works great for me!

When I first began quilting, I was living in a one room 'studio' apartment. I found in a thrift store, a piece of furniture called a 'secretary'. It had drawers on the bottom, a fold-down desk space (for my small sewing machine and the top was a glass door perfect to stash my fabrics....all in the floor space of 16" deep by 36" wide. It was a tall cabinets so it held quite a bit. It was a bit rough, so I sanded it down and painted it a pretty light blue. Now my daughter is using it for her laptop space in her 'studio' apartment. It's still that lovely shade of blue!

I use a pampered chef tool holder for all my notions and I just love how handy it is. Maybe store it in the kitchen when company comes.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...-RW-Hj79N0M&sa

I have intense admiration for the sewing area this woman uses in NYC. I'm sure you can get some ideas from her.http://madebychrissied.blogspot.com/...ing-space.html

When you are buying remnants beware. They are usually be 50% off the regular fabric price. Yet the yardage may be up to 70% off the regular price. So they are not always a good deal.

Wow, I have things pretty much how I want them but these ideas are so great that I need to incorporate them somehow, somewhere. Peachs I think you'll be fine taking this advice. Good luck and by the way, welcome to the board!

I have always stored my cutting mat and rulers either under the bed or under a dresser. Keeps them nice and flat