Organizing Fabric

How do you organize your quilting fabrics?

Every task is easier when the items we require for a project are readily available as we need them.

Sometimes that isn’t always possible, but when it is we should really plan out our work space to make the best use of our time where we can sit down and stitch for a few minutes to all day.

I was able to purchase a buffet and hutch, last year, that I loved using for my fabrics and supplies. It being the first time I had ever owned such a fine piece of furniture, it really looked good filled with fabrics.

That was then…

Of course, most people have it in their dining room filled with fine china and an assortment of dishes that may not get used very often, but it is a great place to display them.

Sadly, mine is now used in the kitchen for dishes, cups, and other stuff that doesn’t fit into the cabinets. Because there are so few upper cabinets it really was necessary.

However... when I think about it, it is much better then storing kitchen stuff in boxes. That is probably much worse then storing fabrics in boxes.  Or is it?

This is now…

 

Sometimes… we get a whole room for our quilting and then at other times that space needs to be shared within another room.

So, here I have replaced the hutch and buffet with a cabinet that still can hold my fabrics. I do miss the drawers but it is right next to my cutting table and that works good, too!

I don’t have as much time to sew at the present time, but when the workspace is tidy… a few minutes here and there still adds up to some fine quilting time!!

So what am I waiting for!!  Enjoy those moments of creative bliss…

Next week…

SEVENTEENTH PROJECT - OCTOBER 2010:

My seventeenth project will be shared next week...
Bonnet Girls/ Helen R. Scott











More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

That Wonderful Stuff

When I planned this 2010 Quilt Challenge... I knew I wouldn’t be able to buy more fabric for quite sometime. I needed to utilize the supplies that already filled my sewing cabinet. This challenged me to select colors from what I had and made me realize that I did have great colors.

Browns, Yellows, Oranges

Those organized shelves of fabrics really did inspire me to try to stay true to my quilting goals for this challenge. The one thing I did need to buy was batting for finishing the quilts.
 
I do believe that most quilters already have an abundance of fabric and sewing supplies. So then what should we do with it all?

We could start by…

donating books to libraries or charitable causes

when no longer needed,

playing with our fabrics.. to try out more new techniques,

sharing our resources with new quilters or participating in a local quilt guild,

simply loving the inspiration those beautiful fabrics provide,

and stop feeling guilty!

It is my personal intent… to use those books that have previously just decorated my bookshelves and that fabric that looks so pretty in my cabinet; to use more of it and allow it to become…

Beautiful Quilts

What About This…

Have you ever read about or heard someone saying that you should “save for a rainy day”? Or, grown up with the idea that we need to save and store up supplies for that day when we may not have the resources or ability to buy more?

This may be fine for you, but it seems to me… that for the most part, it ends up being “stuff” we are constantly trying to keep organized, with little success.

And then, recently, I was at a huge personal fabric sale from a long time quilter that had recently passed on. No, I had never meet her or even knew her quilting style, but my guess was... that she had loved fabric!

Yes, it was indeed a great place to check out quality fabrics at low prices!  And this time, I was able to buy some pieces… and will look forward to adding them into upcoming projects! I chose mostly lights and darks so I have fabrics for those background colors I didn't have in my cabinet.

My new fabrics from that sale!

As I know that each of our life’s journeys is unique, it still makes me curious about…   I still wondered what she would think now of all that fabric that she wasn’t able to utilize? Would she have done things differently, if she had known the outcome?

It really does become apparent to me that there will be many times when our attempts to follow through on chosen projects will be challenged. So... my recommendation would be to seriously consider what you'll do with those great fabrics you have, this year!

Some Things to Ponder…

When we understand and have the belief that we create our own reality by our thoughts, we really can reshape our own existence to live a more joyful and happy life.

Those beautiful fabrics and books we own, hopefully, will inspire and teach us how to become more creative and expressive. Instead of excuses of “I can’t”, or “I don’t have time”, or “I don’t have enough” or “I don’t have money to create from what I have”, etc. you can turn those around, by affirming:

“I do have enough and whatever I require will always

show up in my life, right on time.”

In my own challenge so far, this year; I have learned to stretch my abilities to... use colors together that actually work from my supply, tried new techniques, and continue to focus on creating projects that I can share on this blog.

So why not find your own purpose and discover that you do have the ability within… to move ahead.

Cross that Bridge Today!

TWELVTH PROJECT - JULY 2010:

My twelvth project will be shared next week...

Advancing On II with the
Square in a Square Technique/
Jodi Barrows





More Book Titles...

If you wish to see more quilting books you can also check out my website for more details. Also, to check out the books that will be featured this summer.

Enjoy your summer… and continue being creative in making time to create beautiful stitches !!

Stained Glass Quilts

Book:

Simple Stained Glass Quilts by Daphne Greig & Susan Purney Mark

Time to reveal my project from the book - I choose to make the quilt - "In The Back Country"  (page 47)

Book, Focus Fabrics, Pattern

As I flipped through the book... this was the one that caught my eye first and a quick look through my fabrics made it my chosen project. There are so many great choices, and I will definitely be back to make another...

I want to stay true to my resolution to use my own fabrics, and to show you that it is possible to make beautiful quilts with the fabrics you already have in your possession. I also wanted to challenge myself and try fabrics that at first I may not have chosen, and still be able to create a beautiful quilt.

The Six Focus Fabrics

My favorite part was the drawing and cutting out of the leading. I love using paper-backed fusible and drawing out the patterns with pencil and cutting blade. I also marked on my drawing where to cut and where to watch out, so I would cut on the correct lines.

Cutting Out The Pattern From The Leading Fabric

It did not matter in the end, that I had made a few wrong cuts as everything was stitched down with a small zig-zag stitch (I used 2.0 / 0.8).  I stitched my leading down (fabric and batting only) and then attached the backing fabric. I prefer to hide my stitching and so do this in two separate stages.

First Two Sections Stitched Down (wrong-side)

It is the quilting of all three layers that is my least favorite. I haven't ventured into free-motion quilting yet, and so still stick with straight lines. Perhaps...one day I will be brave enough and learn to enjoy that part as well. But, for this year I am already challenging myself with new techniques that go beyond my favorite (fused applique) technique to broaden my quilting skills.

A teflon pressing sheet is definitely a good idea as you will see in the instructions. It really does protect your iron and your leading is held in place so it can be pressed in position correctly. I would recommend using a pressing sheet under your design as well as on top as the fusible webbing extends beyond the centre part of the cut leading. I ended up fusing my design down to the flannelette pad I had placed on my table, so I wouldn't have to move it on the ironing board. No worries... I just carefully pulled it off and it was fine.

I also make it a habit to cut a swatch from every fabric that I use in my projects (as I cut them) so I can later go back and see my fabric choices and have them available for creating scrapbook/journal pages of each quilt. I do not rely on memory because there is just too much information that will be lost. I plan to create a quilt journal page for each of these projects that are made in this 2010 journey.

In The Back Country

 Finished size: 20" x 22 1/2"

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!