Studio Sunday #5–Vickie’s Quilt Studio

Last week we visited Vickie’s sewing studio where she creates her quilts, clothing and Home Dec items. Today we’ll go upstairs to where her long arm lives.



She stitches on a Gammill equipped with the Statler Stitcher.









When  finished stitching a row the quilt top is rolled, then Vickie lifts the top to clean up some loose threads.



The quilt is held taunt with magnetic bars rather than clamps. We are talking really strong magnets, keep your fingers on the top.



There are large cones of thread on three different holders around the room. I’m sure there is a color that will match your quilt.






The office area of the studio is at one end of the room.



There are closets on both sides of the door into the room. The closet on one side holds fabric and Vickie’s kits. She has two of some kits as her daughter also wanted the quilt. We her friends refer to her as the kit queen.





The other closet has quilts that are to be quilted. One of mine is hanging in there somewhere.



Vickie quilted my Nine Seam quilt. It would never have been as wonderful without her quilting. You can see the post HERE. If you are interested in having Vickie quilt for you email me & I will forward her information. 

Stitch at you soon, 
Dawna

Mood – As in Fabrics not Attitude

My friend Nancy Bednar is visiting and will be teaching three classes at Bolts in the Bathtub this weekend. every time she visits we make a pilgrimage to Mood Fabrics.

If you watch Project Runway you will recognize the name from the show. For those of us who love clothing sewing (my first love) it is a little piece of nirvana.



Looking towards the back of the store.



From the middle of the store towards the front. The yardage is on rolled on tubes rather than folded on the bolt. It is pretty much floor to ceiling.



A small selection of  silks including china and dupioni. Did you know that silk dupioni is created with the threads from two different silk worms. The thread is rougher than regular silk, and contains bumps and irregularities where the fibers from the two cocoons are combined. This is my friend Peggy’s favorite part of the store.



Both Nancy & I purchased a cut of this pink and brown knit snakeskin print. 



It should be a fun dress to wear.



A selection of ribbon.



And elastic.



As Tim Gunn says on Project Runway, “Make it Work”. How would you make it work with one of these beautiful lengths of silk?



If you haven’t been to Mood and live close enough to do so you should go. They are a fabulous independent fabric store. There are two  locations – one in New York and one Los Angeles. If not visit their online store at mood designer fabrics.

Stitch at you Soon,
Dawna

Studio Sunday #4 -

Welcome to the 4th Studio Sunday. Tonight we will visit with someone who is in the process of moving her studio space around in her home.  Her sewing studio is on one floor and her long arm studio another. Her area is so tidy it is hard to believe that it is ever used. But she spends some time in one studio or the other daily.



Of course as she knew I was coming there was a whole lot of cleaning going on. Note, I haven’t shared my studio as it is not fit for outside eyes. I venture to say that yours looks similar to mine.

This week we will look at her sewing studio, next week her long arm area. One  look and you can tell this is an organized woman.  Her machines are set up in solid wood furniture from Unique Sewing Furniture. The upper cabinets are from Home Depot and were hung by her husband.

Her two embroidery machines are side by side which make stitching on two projects at the same time easier. Her serger is visible at the left side of the photo. 



Embroidery threads are in the cupboards above the BERNINA 200E.



She has been finishing up the stitch outs for her Aquamarine Ambience quilt on her BERNINA 830E.



Piecing is done on her 440QE. She is currently making blocks for her Anvil quilt using Sharon Craig’s pattern and the Corner Cutter Ruler.





Rulers hang on the wall. Her cutting table has recently moved to the garage, which is just across the hallway.



She has been working on clearing out excess books, so it is easy to find a title on the shelf. The Michael Crichton on the bottom shelf must be to read while waiting for a design to finish stitching.



Kits for quilts are stored upstairs so we will see them next week, but the small walk in closet stores some yardage for future projects one one upper shelf,



and cotton yard for the dish cloths that she makes. I have been lucky enough to receive some and they are my favorite.



Bolt storage is on the floor in front of a unit holding stabilizer. I have just realized that Accucut dies used to be stored in here. I wonder where she moved them.



A finished quilt for her son is awaiting trimming before binding on the ironing board. 



And a basket of tailoring hams and other pressing accessories have a home in a Longaberger basket on the floor. 



This is a multi talented seamstress. She produces clothing, impeccable valances, embroideries and quilts. Her work is beautifully crafted due to her attention to detail

Now that everything is in place, the next step is to decorate the walls with accessories. We will visit the room again in the future and see what cute things have been added.

Stitch at you Soon,
Dawna

Eye Want Candy

Earlier this year my sister Fay and her daughter Briana drove to New York  for Briana’s friend Amy's wedding. On the trip they made a stop at Cracker Barrel and I got presents! I have to admit this tablescape was a challenge.

Have you ever had the feeling that someone is watching you while you eat? At this table there are lots of eyes checking on you. The feeling is reality.

And they want candy!



Everything has eyeballs on it. The table setting for four also resembles two sets of eyes.



There are branches of eyes.



They have a neon shine when the lights are off.



As a woman trying to do it all, do you sometimes look in the mirror and see this?



Or as this snow globe, are your eyes ready to roll back in your head? 
One big one looks one way. 



While  the two on the other side are cross eyed.

 





What should we put on the tray? Raised on the aqua inverted dish it could be a serving of alien eyes.







The flatware was also used for the Under the Sea tablescape.





I’m keeping my eye on you.



Stitch at you Soon,
Dawna

Cast:
Black Tablecloth – Williams Sonoma Outlet
Placemats – Mary Engelbreit, years ago
Eyeball plates & Accessories – Cracker Barrel
Stemware – Pier 1
Shot Glasses – Royal Caribbean
Soup Bowl – Christopher Stuart, Batalha White
Dinner Plate – Longaberger
Charger – Ceriart, S.A. – Made in Portugal
Flatware - Style Happy, Home Goods

I’m Linking to
Cuisine Kathleen - Let's Dish
Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday