Can this space be prettified?

Ever read the recurring magazine article in I think Good Housekeeping called " Can this marriage be saved?" It was pretty fascinating stuff. It came to mind as I thought about my sewing space "being saved" . By this time you all know my new space is clean, big, heated, dry and all I could want minus a window. It is a bit rough around the edges but the bones are great, much of what we said when we looked at the home we bought recently and are currently in. What you see above is my best attempt one week post moving to get an organized situation to work in. In the home we did a Chip and Joanna style total redo and those bones are looking great now. Down in my cave, not so much. I don't expect to put any money into this for now, if ever, and those bones really make it work but, hey, it's got to get better than this. After making a couple of garments I was so frustrated  with not having what I needed at my fingertips and worse, not knowing where a lot was. I took a break from stitching and totally reorganized  what you see above and more.

I touched every single piece of fabric that I own and refolded them all, putting them in better categories that work for me, much like my last sewing space. I went through every single pattern I own and did the same. Last, and most important, I organized every notion into being right where I would remember it and in a logical fashion. No it didn't get prettier, but it is far more functional now and I am not walking in circles looking for a Frixion Pen.

What you see above is a built in eight foot Electrician/Former Owner Guy's work table and pegboard back drop. The pegboard and the table are all now painted white, clean  and very neatly organized underneath with paints, dyes, laces, etc. I still did not like the distraction of all those carts and containers under the table. As I went through my fabrics I found 6 yards of batik that I planned on making into curtains for the little apartment we lived in last winter. Never bothered, but, geez, it was enough to.............

I love my clean white  work table. Ergonomically it is at the right height for me. I know the Former Owner guy is taller than me and has major back problems. Maybe this table was too low for him. It is just right for me and I love it. The back side is open and all sorts of goodies underneath are awaiting my efforts. My husband loves this and I thank him for recycling Former Owner Guy's foofy drapery rods so we could use them on the table.  It took a jigsaw!

Maybe this winter, in a fit of cabin fever, we will get the sheet rock taped. Hubs would like to seal the floors first which is a really good idea. All I know is I am getting happier in our new home with each passing day.

One more new item in my creative space, one I love and use more than you would think:

My new little vice!  A real vise! Yesterday I used it to hold a hook of a hook and eye duo so I could bend back the "tongue." This enabled me to put the hook under my presser foot and machine stitch it. Then back in the vise and I bent it back into shape. One favorite bra back to wearability! These are great for smashing those heavy seams on jeans and acting as a third hand when needed. I know there will be lots of uses for this new tool and 19.00 at the Big Orange Box store!

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Sewing is happening. My table curtain was a one day wonder. I have finished my knit panel skirt and can't wait to show you. Not sure what will be next in the queue............maybe some heirloom sewing. Lata'..........Bunny

Let's tour the M'amm cave!

All  sorts of things happening in the cave today! It's a rainy Saturday and what better excuse to hunker down in the m'amm cave and have some fun. I have, for me, lots going on. First, what you see above are little bits and pieces that I am playing with to make into jewelry. I have really focused on this a lot lately and when I get something decent I will show you. I've been dyeing, smocking, beading, etc. on these. If nothing else, they have been great play and a wonderful respite at the end of the day. I always like to have a hand project and this little tote has all sorts of things to keep me busy while I watch a bit of TV at night.

I've been working on my friends dress and have decided on a separate lining but I have changed lining fabrics. I am now using a nude color instead of white and I think that will work better with the free hanging lining in case there  is a bit of peekaboo. I tell you, these fine knits, fine as in thin, are a bugger to get smooth and cut out. That was a major to do, but I got the dress all cut and will do the lining tomorrow. I have to give some thought to how I will connect the lining. With the cowl neck the facing of the cowl is caught in the shoulder seams. I just have to give it some thought.

It's my habit to work in a clean sewing space, but I really do sew so it can get  not so perfect and that's OK. FWIW,  I have no problem with those who have very messy sewing rooms. I understand that for many creatives, this is how they comfortably work. Myself, not so. I really have to have things in order before I can think creatively. Maybe it's an OCD thing, but whatever, it works for me. Every day that  I sew, I put everything away, fold things up. sweep the floor and then shut out the light. Next day I walk into my studio and I am ready to roar. Today I thought it might be fun to give a tour of my space, or the sewing part of it anyway, while I am actually on projects.

On the counter you can see my jacket project all cut and ready to go. It needs the lining cut. In the tote is everything for my friends dress, cut and folded and ready to sew.  My tablet and tiny speaker is cranking out the tunes. Today it was Mary Wells on Pandora. Love Mary Wells, really really love her. It's a great station. The tablet and tiny speaker are sitting on my new bead loom. Can't wait to get that all wired up!

The shelf is full of my favorite inspirations. The top shelf has jars of roving, laces, fabric paints, and cords. I will go row by row till we hit the counter. Under the top shelf are a few antique laces and eyelets. I have lots more in the cabinets below but I just love to look at these. Occasionally I will change the selection. Under the laces are antique canning jars filled with specialty threads like variegated flosses, metallic threads, pearl cottons, etc. On the shelf below are hand dyed woolens and odds and ends. Under that I have two rods, one holding foil (the type that goes on fabric), rolls of wigan, my favorite piping cord and fusible knit tapes. Below them are ribbons of all sorts. Under the ribbons are more jars filled with fabric markers, oil paints, shiva paint sticks, all sorts of embellishment goodies. To the left are my various rulers although I have a couple I keep always on the cutting table, my go-tos. There are rolls of tracing paper and that cup of water is for the iron.

To the right of all that is my sewing area. I have additional machines below in the cabinets. My window has a lovely view of the garden and is often visited by the local wildlife. The egg cups hold various types of pins. You do need more than one type of pin! There are brushes, markers, little tools. My inspiration board is on the right. I bring a bottle of seltzer down with me to drink while I sew but at the end of the day a glass of wine is in order. Today's choice is Pinot.  That little pill box by the serger holds all my machine needles in a lovely order with a different needle going in a different spot on the pill organizer. On another day I'll tour drawers and cabinets for you.

This shows my cutting area. Yup, it's the good old Joanns  cutting table which I really like. I've put a couple of organizers underneath. The one on the left holds ironing and marking tools. The one on the right is full of beading goodies. The shelf above is where I put patterns that just inspire me. I may or may not make them but I love to look at them. My cutters, rulers and glass weights are all on the table. That little white bowl holds pins. I love my lamp and keep my Mag Eyes and my tapes on it. It is perfectly handy to have those tapes right there while I am cutting and laying out or fitting on the dress form.

In an opposite corner are my magazines in boxes and all sorts of incidentals in the photo boxes. They hold zippers, findings, felted pieces, etc. There are a couple of patterns on top that I want to try. Lately I have been living barefoot every chance I can  so that explains the shoes. The broom is ready for the day's final sweep. My lining for the ikat jacket is hanging on the closet door.  And last but not least, my throne:

 My dear sewing friend Jerry did the monogram and I used a white matelasse bedspread for the fabric. I love how this chair came out and it is the pride and joy of my cave. The counters are normal counter height. So I don't get ergonomic nightmares,  the wicker box on the lower left holds my foot pedal about 9 inches off the ground.  So with the foot pedal raised and the chair adjusted I can sew for hours at a normal counter height with no problems.

I am lucky to have more space than I have shown. There is a large walk through closet and a good size room beyond. That holds fabrics and more. I'll save that for another day. Today I will stick with the pretties. Hope you enjoyed the tour of the end of a real sewing day ....Bunny

Bulletin Boards, anyone???

I'd be willing to bet that a good 85% of all  our sewing spaces contain a bulletin board. I'd also bet we each use them differently. Some are strictly inspiration,  others tracking centers and even other family albums. Mine seems to be a little bit of all of those things. What is on yours? I would love to know. Here's my breakdown.

 

• The home I grew up in and loved in Lafayette, Louisiana. They tell me now its on the National Historic Register. Those are huge pecan trees that we used to pick by the sackfull.
• A holy card remembrance from my Mom's passing. 
• A bias tape maker
• Buttons that I love and think are so pretty but can never find a use for
• A pic of my smocked bag that came in honorable mention in the Kaufmann fabric challenge.It toured the country too!
• A piece of wool boucle with an attempt at foiling on it. I like it but who wants to foil expensive wool boucle. There is a lot more of that boucle in the stash. 

 

• A picture of Sophie with Bunbun in her flower girl dress made by same. She is eight now and growing to be such a beauty. 
• Me bathing my first born grandchild. This was the thrill of my life. His parents left him with me for a weekend. You grandmothers all understand. He is eleven now and so tall.
• A brooch I made out of rhinestone buttons I picked up at a Hadassah Thrift sale. The suit was awful but the buttons were great. Once in a while I actually wear it and it looks great on a black coat. 
• Sample of a topstitching technique. 
• Practice piece of embroidery with bullions on some red cashmere. This became one of many embroidered hearts on a little cashmere coat for Carly. 
• Notes on a fabric swatch regarding stitch length, tensions, etc.
• A lonely black button???

 

• Another bias tape maker
• Label provided with some Irish wool that a family member gifted me. 
• Clip for pants of swayback women. You clip it from belt loop to belt loop to pull in the back. Haven't tried it yet.
• My bracelet from the hospital where I was born. My Mom always kept it and I found in her box of special things when she passed. At one time you did not get a plastic bar coded bracelet as a hospital ID. You got a bracelet made of ceramic beads with  your name spelled out. It has my name right but clearly gender difference were not being made with the color of the beads. 
• Morning prayer to start my day on the yellow card. 
• Thank you from a treasured sewing friend I helped. 
• Directions from Threads for a tiny hem technique, not the Kenneth King one.

•  Chart I made giving tensions, widths, lengths of stitches I use frequently. This has been invaluable. 
•  Photocopy of a page from somewhere telling how to get the straight of grain/crease on a pant leg. I always seem to forget this. 

This little bulletin board, covered in white metalasse, thank you, really says a lot about me, about what I value. What does your sewing room bulletin board say about you? Are you strictly fabric swatches and patterns? tons of family pictures? pics of garment completed? I would love to hear what's on your board. Curious minds are asking...........Bunny

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We live pretty close to that area that got the 36 inches of snow in upstate NY two nights ago. It is now melting and coming downstream. Our river is now roaring but as always safely away from the back door. But the roar!!!! You can't imagine...................Bunny

Twas the day before New Year's and......

Twas the day before New Year's, when all through the house
Machines were not humming or making a blouse.
The velvets were hung by the leathers with care
In hope that free time soon would be there.

Hubbie was nestled all snug in our bed
while visions of garments danced in my head.
I in my Jammies and Dad in his sweats decided
No party on New Years was as good as it gets.

When down in the basement their came such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to my bunker I flew like a flash
Tore open the closet and eyed my great stash.

The glow of my Ott lite on cleaned closet shelves
showed amazing order put forth by the elves.
And what to my wandering eyes would appear?
Visions of fabric so vast and so dear.

There were fleeces all rolled and labeled with care
in hopes that my fingers would make things I'd share.
There were boucles all begging for Chanel's nimble skills
and 100% linen was giving me thrills. 

When up on my shelves my eyes did alight
to find glass jars of fibers reflecting the light.
There were laces and ribbons and sequins galore
and sewing such beauties was surely in store. 

I found angelina and rovings
 all bundled with care,
 and splendiferous threads with no room to spare. 

Drawers were all perfect with scissors at rest
and tools made for marking ones marks at their best.
Buttonhole chisels, silk ribbons too, glass headed pins
asking "what do we do?"

 Polies and silk take up space by the knits. 
Their sparkly gleam giving shivering fits.

Then there were doilies and gingham so square.
With so much to sew there is no  time to spare.

Bottomweights share a really tight space, 
A perfect pants pattern will they ever grace?


 Why, here are my fingers on hands that are eager
to stitch and create, even projects quite meager. 
They'l move on the fabric with speed so unknown
Productivity will blossom with items I've sewn. 

It's time to get dreaming of what I will do 
with all I've been blessed with. How about you? 
Here's hoping your New Year will be one that's bright
 and loaded with sewing far into the night.
Happy New Year to all with more sewing in sight.....Bunny Pepin
    

      

  

Back to Sewing!

After doing too much lifting and shoving and pushing of large objects I am down to reorganizing my back room where the connection was. My back is feeling the brunt of it so no more until this weekend. I spent all day yesterday fiddling with buttons, the perfect thing to not bother my back.Today I have made the decision to get back to sewing now. No more grunt work till the weekend. I am no sure what I will start with but will spend the afternoon looking for opportunities. Here is the result of my button reorg. I must have a couple of thousand, seriously. I inherited a huge amount of wonderful buttons from my friend IMA and last winter made a head start on getting them in like groups. That is done now and you can see the result.

When you open the closet in the studio this is what you face. The two DMC boxes are on top of some shelves holding pattern boxes. Everything here, except for the yellow handled floss boxes is filled with buttons,lots of buttons, all sorted out by size, color, and style. The drawers in the green cabinets barely close. Each drawer in the green drawers has dividers as well. I used my PTouch to do some labeling. That is surely one of my favorite toys.

I also like to save like jars. If I have learned anything looking at craft and sewing studios on Pinterest it is that having like containers adds greatly to the sense of organization. I tried my best here, dealing with what I had on hand. In a perfect world these would be on tall white shelves but for now they are quite functional and look fairly awesome. Need a turquoise and white vintage button? Second cabinet, third drawer down on far left and so on. Order makes me feel good. How about you?

Sham's Tablecloth Skirt

Since the first moment I laid eyes on Sham's fabulous design she named the "Tablecloth Skirt" I have been smitten. I am going through some skirt love lately. I think its my new boots but no matter. I want to make this skirt,  BADLY.  It is very effective in plaids. I love stripes and thought the graphic quality of the stripes could be really interesting with design.

Bloggers, check out Sham's gallery. There is a link there to a tutorial on making the skirt. It is fast, simple, and her analytical mind has reduced this pattern to it's utter substance, a design gem. I cut out my circle for the hips tonight and hope to move along with this tomorrow. This is so quick to make it is brilliant. I would love one or two out of linen for the summer.

Here is a quick pic of my new wall unit. I love it. It brings out a lot of the goodies I have hidden away. I really like to see my "palette" for inspiration. I have gone from a tidy sewing studio, rather minimalist, to one with lots of inspiration hanging around. More to come............Bunny

Office Chair Slip Cover Part One

 

Last night I could barely sleep trying to work out the construction of this slipcover and the problematic arms. Long about 4:00AM my Eureka moment occurred. Make a muslin, duh!!! I got right on it as soon as I found a few moments this afternoon. Above you can see Muslin #1. Its clumsy, has been manipulated a lot, but is a good basis for Muslin #2.

I took the pieces apart, pressed them, added SAs where needed and then cut out Muslin #2.

You can see the improvement here. There will be a placket below the arm which despite it's washing issues will have a velcro closure. The front edge will connect to the seat side, I think. My Sunset book definitely needs some face time.

A dear sewing friend will be doing some embroidery on the top front so I am really excited about that. I'm also going to make a little butt pillow to sit behind my lower back. I think I will ruffle that and it will be sweet. Did anyone notice anything different about the floor?  No show until the big reveal but the floor got dealt with in this redo as well and wow, did that make a difference and I love it. Also peaking out is a neat sculpture my BFF gave me for Christmas and it works well in the room. So my goal of function and pretty is coming along. Tomorrow morning DH and I are hitting the heavy Martha shelf. Could be interesting.....

Nonie, from Everything Sewing asked, "Will you be using the scallop edge in your design? I love the soft scallops."  Yes, I will. I hope to use the scallops on the bottom of the skirt. I am going to also try to squeeze as much fabric as I can out of this as I want to make the butt pillow, and hopefully three machine covers. It will be a tight squeeze but with the machine covers I can maybe use some white duck or such for the backs....Bunny

Sewing Room Window Finished!

These took me most of today and a bit of yesterday to stitch up.  They are lined and banded. I put the sheer underneath to soften the view. I love looking out at the garden and the wildlife but don't like the framework of the porch encroaching on the view. I thought the softness of the sheer could hide that a bit.  I used eyelet to make the tiebacks but I am not sure I will stick with these the way they are. I may shape them or use a different fabric. DH has suggested new lights. I have not been happy with these lights as it is very  difficult to find the correct bulb for them. So we may trade them for something with bulbs easier to replace.

This is just the first step of the journey. Coming up will be covers for other pressing tools, painting some accessories white, looking for more milk glass. I use to have loads. I will hang some artwork, cover some boxes for magazine holders, slipcover my desk chair and more. I am going to pick at all of this as I have a deadline to meet for DD's projects. Tomorrow I will start on her powder room window which should be quick and fun. This will be mounted on a board and beaded so a fun little project. Then I will move on to the upholstery. In the meantime I also hope to get moving on the smocking for Sophie's Christmas dress. I think I am going to smock "sideways" being inspired by a couple of items made by my smocking friend Kathy Dykstra. She is currently published in Sew Beautiful and has many accolades and articles in SB and AS&E to her credit. She does amazing work. ...Bunny