bloghop_favoritesI hope you’ve been enjoying the Island Batik Ambassador Blog Hop! There have been some amazing spaces and great tips shared over that last two weeks.   We’re winding down the Island Tour this week and its my turn to share my quilt space with you.

To begin – My sewing space is in a transitional phase. I moved from NJ to NC a few months ago and I’ve been in a small apartment during this transition. To say the least, I’ve been improvising a lot!

I’ve had my machine setup on the kitchen table and on the coffee table. My cutting mat is on the floor and so is my ironing pad. It’s been a challenge in flexibility and agility to say the least. But all of that is about to change because we closed on a house a few weeks ago and I’ve got a new amazing space to share with you.

20150726_144228Keep in mind that I’ve only just begun to get the boxes unpacked and there is no furniture yet. But I’m sure you’ll see my vision so come on in!

The room has nice built in shelving and some cabinets on both sides. The floor is a very durable blue stained hardwood. I’m excited that I won’t have to worry about jabbing my toes on pins that are buried in carpet. Plus, it reflects that natural light. The window looks out over the backyard, eventually I’ll plant some daisies out there so I can also see my favorite flowers while I work and sew.

 

 

20150726_143606

Of course, you know that one of the things I love most about quilting is the books! I love books and so that was the first thing I unpacked. After the books were unpacked I started to untangle the threads that I had packed in a box.

2015-07-24 11.44.17

The spool racks are placed on the shelves just out of the direct sunlight.  Got the spool rack setup next~

20150726_143740

I don’t have a very big stash. Part of the reason for this is because I purged it when I moved. I donated a few large boxes to a children’s quilting program in the area where I was promised these would go to teach the younger generation the art and love of quilt making. I’ve also signed up to volunteer to teach when I’ve settled in to a new community.

20150726_143717

The next thing I unpacked is my Quilt Collection. There are some wonderful shelves on the wall where I can put these. I can reach most of them with a short stepladder. The highest one may just be out of my reach unless I get a taller stepladder.

2015-07-24 11.36.53

I spent some time folding the quilts and placing them on the shelves, with the ones that still need finishing closest to the bottom.

20150726_143530

If you turn around there are a few steps that lead up to a door. That door is the attic – its HOT in there so I won’t be using it for storage. However, under the steps is a cool little alcove that can be used to store batting and larger bins of things that I don’t need very often.   There is a railing on the wall that will be coming down so that I can put my design wall there.  Its a pretty good size and should be good for stepping back to evaluate work in progress.

20150726_143839

I also have the best job ever!  I’m  a technical writer and software trainer who gets to work from home (for the most part). This means that part of this wonderful space has got to have a desk and a computer for my job. I like that I can finally put quilts in my home office and make it a happy place.

I took the time to draw out a floor plan in the hopes that it will help me stay focused as I get my act together in the new Lemon Tree Snippet studio!

 

You can see from the floor plan that I’ve drawn up there there 20150726_105338will be plenty of space for a cutting table and ironing pad at the craft table that will go between the book cases on the right side of the room.  The table in this layout is 36 x 48 with a counter height seat. The dimensions could change – we’ll see!  The sewing table (which I do not have yet) will go near the window.  It will have wheels so I can bring it out when I am using it.  (Or take short sewing breaks while I’m working!)

 

The desk is just enough space to give me room for presenting live webinars and remote training sessions. I may hang a lightweight sheer curtain to cut down on glare, but the room does not get direct sunlight so that might be okay.  Last – in my dream plan I would love to add a comfy chair for finishing those hand bindings or reading the wonderful books.  Somewhere down the road I think this is what Lemon Tree Snippets studio will look like ~

SnipImage

Thanks for stopping by today and don’t forget to check out the rest of the ambassadors on the Island Batik Blog Hop! They are listed below~
July 13 OneQuiltingCircle.com
July 14 BejeweledQuilts.blogspot.com
July 15 TeachPany.blogspot.com
July 16 MadeInScraps.blogspot.com
July 17 MariaMichaelsDesigns.com/blog
July 18 Tamarinis.typepad.com
July 19 MooseStashQuilting.blogspot.com
July 20 KissedQuilts.blogspot.com
July 21 PurrfectSpots.blogspot.com
July 22 AdeleMogavero.com
July 23 ForQuiltsSake.blogspot.com
July 24 BeaQuilter.com
July 25 ConnieKresin.com
July 26 PamelaQuilts.blogspot.com
July 27 KauffmanDesigns.blogspot.com
July 28 LemonTreeSnippets.wordpress.com
July 29 FunThreads.blogspot.com
July 30 Happy Cottage Quilter

And look for more announcements in August for a Summer in the Country Blog Hop~

Happy sewing!

Patti