Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Peek Into My Studio

Strangely enough, I caught a very rare bug recently, and spent two whole days tidying a small corner of my studio. Now it looks presentable enough to share with the world, so I snapped a few pictures.  

I had started work a bit before I remembered to document my process, so this picture has a few empty spots on the fabric shelf that I had already cleared off.

I weeded out a LOT of fabrics - some were poor quality - and some were terribly sun faded because I'd had them for years and years. This is the pile of discards that I sent to the thrift store. I know I could have found a better place to donate them to, but I was on a roll and just wanted them out of the house.

Here is the shelf unit AFTER I had sorted and refolded every single piece there. Now I have room to buy lots more new fabric - smart, huh? LOL Actually - on the back side of these shelves there is another unit exactly the same that is already pretty full too - I need to do the same thing there and refold & organize all of those.

Some of the pieces I kept were quite small, so I cut them into strips and now they are sorted into labeled baskets  - will be very handy for finding just what I need. And since scrap quilts are my favorite kind, I can just reach in and grab a piece.



Above the bookshelf with the baskets I have a quilt hanging on the wall that I made years and years ago - it's even hand quilted and it's been a long, long time since I've done that to any of my quilts!


And just to the left of these baskets I arranged a fun little vignette with a small quilt and some other goodies I like to display.

It sure feels good to have this done - don't know when I'll ever get to the rest of the room. There are stacks of wool for my rug hooking that could use the same treatment - but I'll just take baby steps and call it good! Hope you enjoyed the tour.

35 comments:

  1. Gayle,
    Oh to be so organized! Your studio looks like a nice fabric store! I like those bins you have the scraps in. It sounds like you had fun! Looks like a comfortable cozy place to sew surrounded by all that fabric!
    Cathy G

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  2. Wow, Gayle, you're serious about quilting and your studio looks so organized and well stocked.

    JB

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  3. Looks like a room in which I would love to play! : )
    Both of the little quilts you show here are so sweet, Gayle. Everything you make talks to me!

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  4. Your fabrics look fabulous all neatly folded and ready for whatever comes along next. It's a refreshing feeling to move unmotivating fabric on to others who might have just the right plan. Well done!

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  5. How nice to get some organizing/cleaning done!!!! Everything looks wonderful and I LOVE your little quilts!!! So precious!!

    Blessings

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  6. Now that's a fabric stash! And there's more on the other side??? Your organization is impressive... what a fun studio to be creative in!

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  7. Looks like that bug did you some good...it's always more fun to play in the sewing room when it's neat...little quilts are wonderful...

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  8. One step at the time Gayle. It looks great all those fabrics assorted by color. Love your little display. Your room looks great!

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  9. Oh my gosh, Gayle...so nice to be so organized!!!

    Love your little quilts, too.

    :) Carolyn

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  10. A candy store of fabric !! Those nice organized shelves of fabric get the creativity going. ;)
    I really like your bins of small fabrics. Very clever idea.
    I need to come up with a plan for my small pieces of wool.
    Rose

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  11. It does make you feel good when you tidy up your craft room. If you're like me though, it won't be long until it's in disarray again darn it!

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  12. I want to catch that bug! It looks so organized...a pleasant place to create.

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  13. That is an impressive stash. And you made it all look so pretty.

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  14. I think you better go shopping! There's space to fill! Love your stash - isn't it fun to just look at it, sitting there all pretty!?

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  15. Lovely! I think the baskets look great and are so practical!! And easy access to get to when you need strips.
    I recognize some of those "dogs". Mine are still in my stash! lol

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  16. Wished I had been at your thrift store for the fabrics! I could have cut them up and woven into one of my rugs!
    Great to see all the fabrics so neat and organized.

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  17. You put a BIG smile on my face. It looks wonderful!! Way to go girl, it looks amazing. Jeanette

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  18. You put a BIG smile on my face. It looks wonderful. Jeanete

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  19. This wonderful vignette would fit right into our living room. Unfortunately, I don´t have a sewing room at present where I could get organized so I´m surrounded by a single mess all day ;)

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  20. Your shelves look great, and good for you getting things that you've sorted out of the house. That is one of my problems...when I sort and leave things sit here I end up slowly bringing them back into the sewing room. I love the quilts, too.

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  21. It always feels so good to get everything organized and prettied up. Now it's time to play!

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  22. Gayle your studio looks great!Any time you are ready you can come help me.LOL! Love the little quilts.Hugs,Jen

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  23. Love your shelf of fabric and organizing bins. I did some straightening and cleaning up in my sewing room a couple of weeks ago. Feels freeing!

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  24. Your fabric looks great lined up on the shelves and I am sure a quilter will leap on your discards with glee down at the charity shop! I love your little quilts, both of them look great in your newly organised space. Can you recommend a good book for learning to piece minatures? I want to start making some, but the fiddly piece mean less accuracy and I hoped some smart teacher had documented her secrets!

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  25. PS I realy like your organisation for scrap strips, wish I had that much space....and a cutting fairy! What are you going to make next?

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  26. Gayle ~
    Looks great! I so need to organize my wool.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  27. Oh yes organization does feel so good doesn't it! I have to be in just the right mood to get started, but then I seem to really enjoy the process. The only downside is the inability to find things after they get all "organized"! Thanks for showing us a peek into your studio - fun!!

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  28. Gayle, Your studio looks so neat and organized...I'm jealous! Mine is in need of attention...a LOT of attention!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  29. it all looks wonderful!, love those shelves.

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  30. Doesn't it feel good to get things organized? Love that post on Kay's rug. Mimi

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  31. You are so organized now, the shelf looks great and room for new stuff..woohoo. Have you gone shopping yet? I love your little quilt.

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  32. Love the fabric bins. I have a few in my craft room, but could probably use 100 more. :)

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  33. Gayle, i am most impressed.. thanks for the inspiration to do the same in my studio!! i do love the quilt on the wall and i'm smitten with your tiny quilt & adorable vignette.. right up my alley :)))
    cheers...Marian

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  34. Oh my , I will never show my studio...yours was organized BEFORE you started compared to mine...I need to get organized...Hope you are feeling better !

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  35. WOW! You have been busy ready to start on mine?

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts!