Cutting~

Spending sometime doing cutting and prep work today. Have an on-line retreat coming up later this month and another "live" retreat in February. If I don't do some prep work now, I'll be rushing again at the last minute.

On the cutting table are batiks:

Am planning on these becoming quilt using a pattern by Debby Maddy, called"Star Gazing." http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=2253191245102253&Store_id=529&page_id=23&Item_ID=1212

More batiks coming out of the bins:

The plans for this group of fabrics is to make a "Quick Trip" quilt using one of Eleanor Burns' patterns. http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponline/books_display.asp?i=5137

Not sure what else I'll get into but am sure there is NO shortage of fabrics to use!!

Irene

Stash Enhancement

was on the agenda yesterday and today!!! It felt soooooo good to be able to add to the collection!

Quilt shops visited were: Mrs. Miller's in Charm, Pine Tree in Kidron, Somewheresewing west of Millersburg, and Lone Star in Mt. Hope. Also made a stop at Pat Catan's! Had so much fun with Pat and Becky!!

New Sewing Studio!!

So I got motivated and have moved my sewing studio into what was the family room! I still need to move one cupboard and some shelves, but need help to accomplish that. Am hoping when Shell comes home this weekend she will help me! I really can't wait to get to sewing again! I think I'm really going to like it much better in this room! Come join me, there's room now!

{room shot}

{cutting table}

{design wall and pressing area}

{sewing table}

I am still working on my idea for the "old" studio! Those pix will come when I'm done in there...

Before the move-

So I was getting to the place where it seemed like I just didn't care about the house anymore. I let "things" lay where they landed and/or others put it.....ACK! Had to get out of that mode pretty quick like 'cause it was driving me crazy, but I just couldn't clean it up! I'm not sure who/what kicked my butt, but I tackled the "job" and won!

These are the before pictures: (hanging my head in shame!)

family room:

Sewing studio:

Pressing/ironing while piecing quilts

How have are you set up to do your pressing as you piece your quilts? Do you have a pressing table by your machine? Do you have to get up and walk to an ironing board? Do you have a table top pressing mat?

As I am planing on what to take to Mini-retreat at the end of the month, I hae been ponding the best pressing set up to include. There will be one ironing board and iron there, but one of the projects I am planning on taking to work on, takes a lot of pressing, in fact, after each sewn seam! So do I get up and walk each time, or do I try something else? Will a tabletop pressing mat crowd us? How much table space will I actually have? If I have to share a table,will this crowd us????

I think we have found a solution! I went out and bought an inexpensive wooden TV tray and a pressing mat. I was at Stacy's and told her what I had in mind but also told her I wasn't sure what/how I wanted it would work. Basically, how am I going to keep the mat from moving, etc. So once again she and Kevin came up with an idea and it works wonderfully! It's the right height, the pressing area is secure and it's easy to transport! I may add a fabic top yet but not sure.