Saturday, January 19, 2008

My Splurge For My Sewing Room

Our moving date is getting closer. I'm getting very excited for the long weekend after the move so I can rebuild my sewing room. You may remember this post where I drooled over the baby changing table. I've spent the last couple Saturdays trying to find something similar and didn't have any luck. In last Sunday's paper there was an ad from a chain unfinished furniture store and they had this kitchen island on sale. I fell in love with it. Since I prefer to support local businesses I went to my local unfinished furniture store this morning. I know they carry this line of furniture so I knew I could get the island. They were having a sale today and I was able to get the island and with the money I saved I was able to buy a stool. The sale also included free delivery so when we move in I won't have to worry about going to get it.

The work surface is a generous 60 x 34 inches. Big enough for a large cutting mat and a pressing mat. No more ironing board in the room. I will also be able to get rid of the two small bookcases I currently use as I can use the shelves for books. The drawers will be handy for rulers and small items. The base cupboards will be used to storing batting.

Because this island is going to be my cutting and pressing table I'm going to paint it white so it can take a beating. I think that if I stained it a dark color it would make the room feel too heavy.

I've also learned the Internet router and wireless base station won't have to be in my sewing room as they are now. They will go down in the media room with a booster on the first floor. Yea!

On my way home from the unfinished furniture store I saw that a quilting shop had moved closer to me. Of course, I had to stop. What a great shop. Nana Sue, the owner, welcomed me to the store and gave me a quick tour of the shop. Besides all of the normal quilt store goodies she has baskets and baskets of packaged scraps. I bought a package of batik scraps (see my new header) for my Butterfly Garden quilt. The pieces range in size from 10.5 inches by 9 inches to 10.5 inches by 19 inches. Are they scrumptious?

One of her employees, Steven, gives lessons on a Mega Quilter for $125 and then one can use the machine for quilting your own quilts for an hourly fee. I think I'll be taking the class, but I'm wondering what others think of the Mega Quilter for quilting.

Thanks for all the comments on my Confessions of an Applique Rookie post. I enjoyed doing the applique and will be doing lots more. I'm off to finishing two more Butterfly Garden blocks. These are stitchery blocks. Tomorrow there are two football games and I can't wait to watch the Pats beat the Chargers and the Packers to be beat the Giants.

16 comments:

Nancy said...

OH, the cabinet is beautiful...I love it..I think white is a good choice. I have a cabinet with a shelf under it that DH made. He glued white laminate on top.

Beth said...

I can believe that you bought scraps..cause I DID TOO! What are we THINKING??? Like we never MAKE scraps? (just dont' tell my husband, ok? lolol) I love the island. Is it the right height for you to cut on?

jodie said...

I love the cabinet you have purchased, great idea. The bag of scraps sounds like a good deal.
Jodie

Wendy said...

Good choice for a sewing room cabinet. Lots of room for everything, you are so lucky.

Patti said...

That is absolutely perfect for your cutting-pressing table. I know I love the kitchen island I got for my room. Perfect height also!

Greenmare said...

Fabulous! What a great cabinet! and no ironing board, what a joy that would be. this will be much sturdier for you. And for the record those "scraps" are a pretty darn good size!

Susan said...

Love the cabinet. I think I'd probably just put clear finish on the top. I love the look of natural wood. As for the Mega Quilter, I don't think it matters which of the long or mid-arms you use. They all make the job easier! You might just wind up wanting to own one. =) When's moving day?

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited to see the planning for your new place, and can't wait to see it all come together. Love the island idea; although I'm a "hate to paint wood" person, I can understand your reasoning for doing so.

Kim said...

OMG you bought scraps??? I paid Quilting Pirate shipping on one of the manic Monday things she used to do and when I tell you the bag EXPLODED when finally opened. I have almost enough 16 patches for the 16 patch and pinwheels on quiltville. Makes a great leader/ender project.
The one magazine I had on my blog, the showcase one has the cutest Friends Stitchery in it.
Cabinet looks great- I would need to kick one of the kids out for something that big though....hmmmm might be a plan after all. Nah if I did that the frame would be in the room :) Enjoy your games. I'm sure hubby will be screaming at the tv all afternoon /evening. Not a football fan myself but I would love to see the Pats have a perfect season as it's never been done

Gail said...

That cabinet looks just perfect for a sewing room, good choice. Go Giants! lol

Tracey in CT said...

kI quilt on the Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter, which is essentially the same machine as the MegaQuilter. I think you'll find it definitely worth taking the class and using that setup to quilt your quilts. The ONLY downside of it is that with te 9" harp, you have a fairly small space in which to quilt...by the end of the quilt, you've only got about 3 1/2 or 4" to move for quilting, so doing large designs or wide panotgraphs isn't going to happen...Just something to keep in mind :-)

Libby said...

Buying scraps is a great way to build up a little applique stash . . . smart shopper *s*

Pam said...

LOVE this cabinet!! Just perfect for the plans you have for it....way to score a great buy!

Pam@
www.pamgwillim.com

Carole said...

I like that concept for a cutting table. Mine is just that a table and there's lots of wasted space underneath. I bought it many moons ago at Joann's. What fun you must be having planning your sewing studio! Enjoy!

Solstitches said...

What a novel use for a kitchen cabinet! I love it and think it would look beautiful with just a natural stain.

Margaet

Kim said...

This is a great idea! Hope the move is on target.