Saturday, November 10, 2007

Caprice (50x50)

I finished my little quilt from the rummage sale box, and I found its title, Caprice, by scanning the titles of Doris Day movies. This wasn't one of her better known flicks, but the era, the late 60s, was what I was looking for, and the name fits. I like the whimsical quality of this quilt. Just what I need for a grey fall day.
Allie Aller was brave and posted pics of her studio space mid-project. It's interesting the controlled chaos that is required to produce art. I'm only showing my space because I just gave it a thorough cleaning, so it's presentable for company.

This is a spare bedroom in my house. The wall where the sewing machine is separates the sewing room from my daughter's bedroom, so I usually don't run the machine if she's asleep. Otherwise, this is the perfect space. I've got my sewing machine on an old desk+dresser combo that I bought used (of course). The drawers are not very sturdy, but it's fine for holding fabric. The work table is in a new position after the room overhaul. I like this spot by the window, and if I'm not too rushed in the morning, I'll sit here and drink my coffee and look at what's on the design wall in front of me. The big dresser is a recent addition. I needed more storage and this allowed me to organize my supplies better.
When I finish this quilt I'm going to re-position my design wall by moving it out from behind the dresser. My design wall is a flannel sheet that's been upholstery tacked to the top of the wall for years now. It's worked great. This quilt is one of a group of projects I made awhile back, but haven't finished. Many of these need final borders and I'm trying to finish as many of these as possible. This one's being given extra blocks and a more definitive border.
Behind the ironing board is the closet which was my original sewing room. When I first moved into this house, this was the kids' t.v. room, and I had a table in this closet with my one sewing machine and all my supplies for quilting. Needless to say, this whole operation has expanded quite a bit.
I finally pulled the table out of there and installed shelves for various WIPs and supplies. That sack of rice is not a spillover from the kitchen, but I use it to make neck warmers.
On the other side of the closet I hang my UQOs (unquilted objects) many of which are waiting for final border decisions. I've got at least 3 bed-sized quilts that have their backings sewn and are ready to be pin basted. I keep larger pieces of yardage up top, and some of my remaining magazine stash. When I cleaned out this room, I got rid of several boxes of old magazines that I just don't have room for anymore.

Finally graduated from the almost-done closet is my Japanese Ladies quilt.
After Debra and I worked out a swap, it has gone to live at her house after a long limbo hanging with the almost-finished quilts. Life is more adventurous for all of us when we expand ourselves and leave the closet.

4 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

I believe this is the first glimpse into your workspace for me. How very cool to see where you work-makes the pieces you do seem more real to me. Well, that and actually owning one!

I love the "new" piece on your design board. You may very well be a good candidate for a Grace system too.

Susan said...

You've been accomplishing a lot. I like Caprice out of the Rummage Sale box. (Sounds like a horse, doesn't it?) Your sewing space isn't too horribly messy, and it seems efficiently arranged.

allie aller said...

Barbara, your posts are always so worth waiting for!
Your sewing space just has a serene feel to it, and not because you've just cleaned it up (as shown in these pictures) either. It comes from you yourself.
The Doris Day movie title just fits that quilt so well!
I happen to be a huge fan of Doris Day...especially because I know what her life was like while she was crafting that personna for all of America to enjoy.
There was no more self-disciplined and unselfish woman, whose talent she always put to the service of her family, than Doris Day. Those sunny smiles--that covered her inner episodes of heartbreak--make me love her all the more.

Anonymous said...

I've been away for a while, working on my own projects, so I'm a bit behind. Just had to say that you've turned on a lightbulb in my head in terms of storing my quilt tops waiting to be quilted. I hang my small finished quilts (using skirt hangers) but it never occurred to me to hang the large tops! duh!

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