Monday, 20 March 2017

Quasy Qwilt Queens

Quilt Qwazy Queens 2017

Welcome to the Quilt Qwasy Queens blog hop organised by Marian from Seams to be Sew to celebrate Worldwide Quilting Day.  For this hop we were asked to show you our sewing room or how we organise, a favourite tutorial or something we make again and again.  So no pressure to get a project made for the event and panicking if I'll get it finished in time.

We live in London UK and have a mid terrace house. For the last 2 years we have been renovating it, starting with a complete rewire and redo of the plumbing and heating system followed by a new kitchen, completely redecorating and in April having all the windows replaced. We have 3 grown up children and only 2 still live at home so finally there will be a bedroom that will become the guest room / sewing room. This room is still in a state of great turmoil being the last room that will be done so for the moment I am continuing to use my normal sewing space.....the dining room table.


The dining table gets used for all aspects of sewing. From cutting out my dressmaking patterns,

laying out and organising fabrics for my latest quilt,

and where I use my sewing machine. Currently in one corner of the dining room I have a box which contains my fabric stash and scraps. The box used to hold everything but now it's bursting at the seams with my projects. Maybe I ought to finish a few of them.


Soon all of this will move upstairs and will be stored in a cupboard (which has yet to be built). I store my projects in zip lock bags or plastic boxes and within them I keep the pieces for the individual blocks together by using plastic bags.

My two favourite tools for making sewing easier are my magnifier light.


This light makes it possible for me to see well enough in the evening to do some hand stitching such as cross stitch, applique, sewing on bindings or English paper piecing. This picture was taken when we were still decorating but now the bamboo flooring has been laid and all the furniture is back in its rightful place.

For embroidery where I need to copy the pattern I usually use Fabric solvy.


You need to follow the instructions carefully but I find it works very well and allows me to stitch without needing to have a light box to draw out the pattern. Once stitching is complete it washes out easily in lots of warm water.

An important element of my quilting is my piggy bank. This little fella likes to take care of my change. When I'm visiting quilt shops this means I have money to buy some of the delicious fabric on offer.  Without my piggy bank I wouldn't be able to buy those items that I don't really need for the projects I'm working on but which I just can't leave the shop without.


As always with a blog hop there are giveaways. Unfortunately I can't get the files to open properly so I'm emailing Marian and hopefully will have it all up and running correctly very soon. Meanwhile why not go and visit the other people hopping today and come back later to enter the giveaway.

March 21

It's been great to have you visiting and I hope to see you again soon. Once all our refurbishments are complete I post lots of pictures and show you round my sewing room.
Lyndsey



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52 comments:

  1. Missy Shay21 March 2017 at 01:49

    I know you are super excited about getting your own sewing room! I love your piggy bank!

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  2. Carol- Beads and Birds21 March 2017 at 10:17

    We have done several renovations over the years. Kids move in and out. My sewing room has gone from 12 x 20 to 10 x 10 and is shared with my home office. There it stays because I'm not moving it all over again. Glad you have not let the reno keep you from stitching. Thanks for being a stop on the hop!

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  3. Angie21 March 2017 at 10:50

    Thank you for sharing. It's nice to know that you use your kitchen table for cutting and everything (I do as well). Happy Sewing!!

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  4. Joyce Carter21 March 2017 at 12:23

    Thank you Lyndsey for sharing your sewing space today. I,too, use my kitchen table for lots of my cutting and sewing projects. I love all the light I have in my kitchen. It really helps for all my hand sewing projects.

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  5. Scrapatches21 March 2017 at 12:27

    The piggy bank is adorable! You make very good use of your current space. The fabrics for the compass quilt look wonderful. That light looks sew useful. I think I need to find one of those for my hand work. Thank you for inviting me in to enjoy my morning coffee with you today ... :) Pat

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  6. Monica21 March 2017 at 12:30

    My mom (a seamstress) always use the dinning room table to sew. Even after she had a sewing room.

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  7. Sherry21 March 2017 at 12:52

    Lovely blog post, I am always interested in where people create. Excited for you that you will get a new space soon. Your piggy bank is the cutest ever.

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  8. Carol21 March 2017 at 13:28

    A full house renovation sounds like fun...and a ton of work. Keep the little piggy bank safe:)

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  9. cindy m21 March 2017 at 13:38

    I'm a kitchen island "creator!" I have one spare room that I'm currently trying to convert to my craft space, can't wait til it's done. Neither can my husband, he'd love to be able to sit in the mornings and have his coffee without all my "stuff" cramming his space! lol!
    lstangl482 at aol dot com

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  10. Kathleen Trail21 March 2017 at 14:25

    I too turned a spare bedroom into bedroom/craft room...but last week I took the bed OUT, so it is all my studio now and I am having fun organizing it for my projects!

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  11. Anna brown21 March 2017 at 14:35

    Lol nice piggy bank.... wow so happy for you... ty for sharing.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  12. DebBee21 March 2017 at 15:19

    You're a hard worker and doing quasy well with all your projects!

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  13. DebBee21 March 2017 at 15:19

    You're a hard worker and doing quasy well with all your projects!

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  14. ShirleyC21 March 2017 at 16:47

    I save my change too! And sometimes my hubbies if I can snatch it. LOL It sure comes in handy.

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  15. GranChris21 March 2017 at 18:14

    I love that magnifier. You have a lot going on. Great projects.

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  16. cjmont21 March 2017 at 18:59

    i know you'll be happy to get back in a permanent sewing space.

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  17. Stitchin At Home21 March 2017 at 19:24

    Being in a permanent sewing room will be great.

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  18. Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana21 March 2017 at 19:43

    I used the dining room as a sewing room for 5 years till we moved and I now have a little room that is just for my mess. You so deserve a room of your own. Hope it happens soon for you and I hope you are taking good care.

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  19. teachpany21 March 2017 at 19:44

    Nice to meet you. I hope your new studio gives you lots of wonderful fun.

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  20. rosemaryschild21 March 2017 at 19:58

    My sewing area is my dining table too-cutting, sewing, quilting, gluing....I'm slowly working on a quest/sewing room, but still lots to do! Thank you for sharing, Susan

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  21. Calicojoan21 March 2017 at 20:02

    How exciting that you are going to have a sewing room soon. I do not envy your renovation though. That is a ton of hard work. Love your piggy bank. I think I'm going to have to start one myself. That way I won't feel as guilty when purchasing quilty things.
    ;-)

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  22. Connie Kresin Campbell21 March 2017 at 20:04

    Hi Lyndsey! I haven't talked to you in a while! It doesn't matter where you sew as long as you are enjoying it, but it sounds like it won't be long before you have a dedicated room. Take care of yourself!

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  23. JANET21 March 2017 at 20:05

    We redid floors last year and I am still putting things away! Wonder what happened to the piggy bank of mine from years ago? I put it away somewhere!

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  24. Lisa England21 March 2017 at 20:14

    Living through a remodel is always challenging, glad you still manage to sew!

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  25. Michele T21 March 2017 at 20:23

    As long as you can sew... that's all that really matters😉

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  26. PuppyPaws21 March 2017 at 20:51

    Cute piggy!

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  27. Susan 21 March 2017 at 21:01

    It sounds like you are going to have an entirely new house before you're finished! You've made do nicely, but I know how lovely it will be to have that bedroom!

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  28. Seacoast Quilter21 March 2017 at 21:27

    Sounds like you've made great progress with the renovation. Hope you move into your sewing room soon.

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  29. Pamela Arbour21 March 2017 at 22:33

    I think most of us have used our dining room table and still do. I just recently got my very own sewing area. From looking at what you are doing now, I can see that you will be able to fix up your new guest room/sewing room to meet all of your needs. Thanks for sharing,

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  30. Lori21 March 2017 at 23:26

    nice. I love the piggy bank idea. have fun in your renovations

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  31. Bonnie5821 March 2017 at 23:33

    Thanks for sharing. I have used my dining room for many years and only recently have taken over one of the kids rooms!

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  32. Liz Horgan22 March 2017 at 00:10

    It will be wonderful for you when you get a room---enjoy! Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Vicki H22 March 2017 at 00:27

    I spent many many years sewing at my kitchen table. You will enjoy your new sewing room when your remodel is done.

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  34. @lutzcats22 March 2017 at 01:10

    Great studio coming together.

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  35. apple blossom22 March 2017 at 01:16

    I hear ya. my sewing machine is setting in my living room. No special sewing place for me to call home.

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  36. wendy22 March 2017 at 03:12

    Although I have a cutting table in my very small sewing(bedroom)room, I tend to use my kitchen table for cutting. The space on my actual cutting table is usually occupied. We make use of what we have! Thanks for sharing!

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  37. Bobbie22 March 2017 at 03:50

    That fabric eye candy on your table looks delicious. I sewed on my kitchen table for 7 years and got more done then, than I do now in my sewing room. Have fun decorating your new room and thanks for sharing.

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  38. Tu-Na Quilts22 March 2017 at 04:40

    Thanks for the tour. I often bring my machine onto my dining room table to sew when I work with my mom or when quilting free-motion on it. Also I like being on the main level and having people around, then. I will have to tell my mom about the Sticky Fabric Solvy as she embroiders a lot and struggles with marking the pattern on the fabric. Maybe this will work for her. Thanks for sharing.

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  39. Marian22 March 2017 at 11:31

    Love the piggybank idea, I need to get me one of those also... Although I've been pretty good so far this year with my spending habits.. Love the tip about the fabri solvy, and enjoyed seeing how using your dining room table can be done with more than just putting the sewing machine on it and stitching. It can't be easy to do, but imagine getting that sewing room done and then having all that room... you'll be beside yourself with all that space. :)

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  40. Patty 22 March 2017 at 12:13

    How fun to see your space!

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  41. Nancy L22 March 2017 at 12:18

    Thanks for sharing!! I, too, used to use my dining room table a lot. In fact, I still use it if I run out of space in my sewing area.

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  42. Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity22 March 2017 at 12:21

    Great that you are getting a wonderful space together. I still sew at the dinette table~ Some day the room will come together!

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  43. Cecilia22 March 2017 at 12:48

    It must be hard to get anything done while all of that work is being done! I'm sure you will enjoy your new room when it is finished. Thanks for sharing your space.

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  44. Quilting Tangent22 March 2017 at 14:08

    Nice sewing space.

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  45. mumbird322 March 2017 at 15:04

    I have a piggy bank too by the washing machine (all the washed bills go in there for fabric purchases!!!)

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  46. OhioLori22 March 2017 at 16:27

    You are a busy gal!! thanks for sharing your space...good job setting up small space... You will love having more room when redoing's are finished!! :) Hope you will share new space with us all!! :D

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  47. Anonymous22 March 2017 at 18:33

    I use my kitchen table to sew at also. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  48. MoeWest22 March 2017 at 20:15

    How exciting that soon you will have a new sewing room to set up and decorate! I'm lucky to have a separate room for sewing. I can't imagine having all of this stuff in my dining room. I suppose there would have to be less stuff. Nah!

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  49. BarefootThunder 22 March 2017 at 21:11

    I spent many years on the kitchen table, took us moving, and two kids moving out for me to get my own room. Have fun with the setting up. :)

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  50. Laura23 March 2017 at 00:07

    Thanks for sharing your room. It's great to have one of those magnifying lights to use.

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  51. scottylover23 March 2017 at 01:23

    Hope you get your sewing room together soon! I have a sewing room but still have to use the kitchen table to do all my cutting.

    Sandy A

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  52. Pamela23 March 2017 at 03:25

    I love the idea of a piggy bank! And that fabric line up for your next quilt looks gorgeous! Thanks for the eye candy!

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