New Fabric Cutting Island

Over the years my sewing room has expanded and evolved without much of an overall plan.  Recently I emptied the entire space(Ugh!) to have the old carpeting replaced with laminate flooring.   I took that opportunity to rearrange just a bit and make some much needed improvements . 

I got rid of my old folding table with pieces of plastic pipe on the legs and “stuff” piled underneath and replaced it with a cabinet .

I purchased a finished kitchen cabinet from Home Depot.  It has one drawer and is finished on both sides.

My cousin, Dave, made me a top that fits over it and stays in place with braces shown.  It is slightly larger than  my Olfa cutting mat and has enough overhang so I don’t bump my toes on the sides or back of the cabinet. 

Dave also added a back to the cabinet made from the same material as the top.  (I painted it white to match the rest of the cabinet surface using left over paint from  my kitchen cupboards.)  The rail, hooks and container are from Ikea.  I used Command Hooks on one side for hanging my large square ruler.

My hubby installed shelves in the lower section and I used plastic containers as drawer dividers.  If you’re like me I've accumulated lots of marking, pinning, and other odd small tools over the years.  This gave me opportunity to “round them all up”, sort though them and finally put them someplace where I can find them easily.

We put felt glides on the bottom.  Since my  sewing room is small I can move it easily to gain full use of my design wall, or get into closets, book cases and fabric storage. 

Merry Christmas 2013

Each year students custom Christmas cards.  I turn their artwork into cards by scanning it into my computer and using Microsoft Publisher to create the invitation sized cards.  Students range in age from 7 to 14.  Their work is always amazing!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Audery



 Avery

 Avery2

  

 Caletta

 Emma

 Jocelyn

 Liam

 Sophia

Gianna

Suzette



Dyeing pearl cotton with Tsukineko Ink

Brooke's Mural

My good friend and past art student, Brooke Murray just finished painting this beautiful mural at Poulsbo Elementary School.  She did an amazing job and I am so proud of her!!

 

It all fit!  Bless you, Susan.

Order Form Holder

 

Order Form Holders

These turned out so cool!  I made them to hold the order forms in the booth during quilt market.  By the time I was finished I could think of lots of other uses.  You could use card themed novelty prints for game tally holders, or prints to coordinate with a party, or... or... You get the idea.  Thought you might like the directions.

Chuck cut me thin Masonite to use for the insides but I think you could also use foam core board or mat board.

Put glue stick all over rough side of board and stick it to quilt batting.  Using rotary cutter trim away excess batting from around board.

After you've cut out everything, place fusible centered on 5" x 2 1/4" piece.  Fold the ends to the center and fuse.  Center fused piece right side on one of the 6" x 2" pieces.  Cover with the other 6" x 2" piece right sides together.

With right sides together stitch 1/4" seam along the even edge.  (The side where the fused square doesn't stick out).  Turn the piece right side out and press.  Top stitch 1/4" from the finished edge. Pull the fused square even with the remaining raw edges and stitch 3/4" from the raw edge.  This creates the pencil holder.

Place 6" x 12 1/4" piece right side up.  Position the pencil holder at the top, pinning in place, edge matching raw edges.  Place 6" x 14 1/2" right side up and place just pinned section right side down over it.  Turn up bottom to match raw edge of top piece.  Press.  Stitch around three raw edge sides with 1/4" seam.






Turn stitched unit right side out and press.  Slip board (batting side down) into piece through bottom opening.  Pull up into corners.  Use a bit more glue and stick top fabric to board at the bottom pulling it tight.

Press bottom piece up over board.  Hand stitch the bottom sides to the back creating the bottom portion of the holder.  Use Word or Publisher to create game tallies, shopping lists, puzzles, etc...  Cut printed copy paper in half lengthwise. 






Fill your holder, put a pencil or pen in the slot and start using  it.

4H Sewing

This is my good friend, Persephone, she finished her pajamas today.  She's "napping"  on the floor by her sewing machine because that's where we sewed... yes, REALLY!!!