Monday, September 25, 2006

Retreat Wrap-Up and Sewing Tools At Home

Day #2 of my retreat went as good as day #1. I finished the binding on my mom’s quilt. I am so psyched. I spent nearly the whole day sewing on the binding while watching the Vikings and then the Patriots lose their football games. I truly enjoyed doing the binding and can’t wait until I get another quilt ready to bind! I couldn’t hang my mom’s quilt to get a picture of it tonight. DH comes home late tonight after a long road trip and I will get him to hold it up for me.

Some people have asked me about the Perfect Binding Miter tool and how it works. Glenna has a great slideshow on her website that shows how the tool works. For $5 I highly recommend it.

Linda shared pictures of her home and away sewing tools. What a timely entry. This past weekend was the first time I had gone away to sew and quilt. I thought I had everything I needed . . . yeah, right . . . I forgot to bring to bring pins, a ruler for trimming and squaring, filled bobbins and the only sewing machine foot I had with me was my quarter inch foot. Lucky for me Victoria had everything with her except the sewing machine foot. So I have learned my lesson for the next time I go retreating.

I stopped at Ikea the other night and purchased a glass vase for keeping my scraps in. I got the idea from Mary who displayed her trash one day. We talked about showing off our trash. Here is the vase with the scraps from the start of my red and white quilt. I also found these cute spice jars at Ikea, all of them for only $3. I thought they’d work well for holding buttons. They are now sitting on my windowsill.



The tray holds my sewing stuff. The bear was a gift for coordinating a quilt get together last fall. The blue basket came from Keepsake Quilting and holds all kinds of odds and ends. The basket peeking out holds four patches made from leaders and enders. My magnetic pin dish, iron and DVD player are also hanging out on the table for now.



In the living room I have this wonderful handmade sewing basket my DS bought me for Mother’s Day last year. Isn’t it adorable? He bought it from The Quilted Crow in Boxborough, MA. Right now it holds my hand quilting tools and some miscellaneous items. And yes, in case you’re wondering, that is Wally the Green Monster and a Tom Brady teddy bear sitting on the coffee table as well.



So there you have a tour of my quilting notions. Is anyone else going to share how the store their notions?

7 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

You beat me to the vase idea. I was actually in Michaels the other day and almost bought one - then I decided I didn't need to add anything else to this house before we move. It's definitely on my list for the new place.

Hedgehog said...

Love those little button jars. I have a big one (stored at my mom's for now - no picture). I love doing the binding, too!

Cynthia said...

glad you enjoyed your retreat.
I'm also sewing the binding on a quilt at the moment. That will be two quilts finished in the past two weeks.

Libby said...

I have the same basket -- I just love it. You are setting up some fun storage for your scrap display and buttons.

Linda C said...

Somewhere I read a list of what to pack for a retreat or sewing event way from home. I think I have that all covered but it sure would be a nice checklist to have for an event like you just attended!

Quilt list or website somewhere--bet we could find it on a google search.

sewnut said...

My stuff is all organized but I am too chep to spend the $ on much else than fabric, books and threads so I use boxes I have collected from office supplies. The GBC binding comb boxes are so sturdy I have used them for 8 years, they are like envelope boxes which I also use. These stack well and stay closed if they fall. Projects, colour coded scraps, patterns, trims etc. are all labelled with my trusty sharpie
Everything is on shelves, in drawers or my cubby unit. I think I have photos posted on one of my first blog entries.

Your space looks beautiful though - mine is just practical.

I am glad you are enjoying your space - that is one of the best keys to inspiration and completion.

sewnut said...

My stuff is all organized but I am too chep to spend the $ on much else than fabric, books and threads so I use boxes I have collected from office supplies. The GBC binding comb boxes are so sturdy I have used them for 8 years, they are like envelope boxes which I also use. These stack well and stay closed if they fall. Projects, colour coded scraps, patterns, trims etc. are all labelled with my trusty sharpie
Everything is on shelves, in drawers or my cubby unit. I think I have photos posted on one of my first blog entries.

Your space looks beautiful though - mine is just practical.

I am glad you are enjoying your space - that is one of the best keys to inspiration and completion.