A View of the Workroom
A View of the Workroom--or how to use your antiques in your studio!
It has been a while since I updated the blog! I will share all the quilts I have been making this year in a later post. First I want to share some photos of how I changed up my workroom. We basically removed the full sofa sleeper and a few smaller furniture pieces in the studio and moved several vintage sewing machines into it. I did streamline (ie get rid of) two big bags of rubber stamps and a bunch of knitting items to the thrift shop. I also donated a bag of non quilt fabrics--again! I tend to have to do that every few months as they creep in with the garage sale finds. Rearranging the suitcases trunks, tins and bins to accommodate fabrics and quilting supplies as well as all my existing paper crafting supplies was a juggling act worthy of this blog post.
To the photos! Explanations of how I used my existing vintage items for storage are given below each photo. Enjoy!
One of my own Mary Engelbreit inspired disappearing 9 patch quilts hangs on a curtain rod between two inexpensive shelving units. Inside the shelving I used to store all my rubber stamps but now it is fabric storage. The stamps have been moved to my laundry room shelves.
We use the extra thick quilt as a design board too. The best part is my stash is handy but not on view all the time. Since I share my stash with my students freely, they can "shop" easily.
Left of the fabric storage is a wire bakers rack with my top four or five projects in progress. These get top priority and keep me focused.
This view shows where the sofa sleeper USED to be. Now there are suitcases with varied large fabric yardage for backings. The table that my husband picked up free on the curb allows for a cute vintage viniette of thread spools, an old iron, my Standard shuttle sewing machine head, and other antiques. Nearby are my great grandmother's knitting box and sewing box. To the left are two more vintage machines and some of my paper crafting supplies. Above are the eleven baskets I made in the 1990s. And what would we do without music to create by?
Another vintage machine in its cabinet topped by a vintage hip basket holding my flannels collection.
Next comes my modern machine and workspace. I use a vintage swing arm desk lamp, tins for my threads, and more baskets!
I decorated my own lampshade with rubber stamped wording (similar to this one at right) and it sits next to a short tower with some of my paper crafting supplies.
The white cabinet and adjacent shelving have all my Copics and Tim Holtz colorants and scrapbooking accents. I use vintage tins to hold lots of these items.
Threads in a wooden holder in rainbow order above an antique tool box. Our class sewing tools are in this toolbox. One of my favorite pieces, it was found at a garage sale.
It holds a lot of scissors, cutters, notions and tools.
My Cricut cutter and more paper crafting supplies are in the genuine Hoosier cabinet in the corner. Glitter, beads, brads, paper and more!
Love watching DIY shows while I craft. The middle of this unit folds down to a desk space and the drawers hold card making supplies.
A darling green vintage Viking in its original table and a vintage green wooden ironing board were meant to be partners. I use a printer box for my thimble collection and other small antiques bits.
I have two vintage gumball machines in the studio for a bit of whimsy. One is for buttons and this one is for small wooden spools. Now that is my kind of treat! The Scandinavian shallow hutch holds more small pieces of fabric, some fabric bolts in the bottom and more vintage sewing knick knacks in old blue Ball jars and enameled bowls.
This 1940s steel desk is so sturdy it can hold 200 pounds of paper punches in the drawers! On top, I have my Big Kick cutter and dies which double for use cutting both paper and fabric shapes. A spare sewing machine can be pulled out when needed for class. Don't forget to use your thicker crocheted pieces as drink coasters!
Lastly I have large tables in the middle of the room to seat 8. At center I have two vintage Coca Cola bottle boxes and I use the dividers for all kinds of paper tools.
Vintage pieces can add a charm that nothing else will. As you saw, old crocks, baskets, boxes, tins and bottles all play a role in keeping things corralled at my house. And I consider old suitcases to be treasures! Look around your house and garage for cool items you can re-purpose in the studio too!
It has been a while since I updated the blog! I will share all the quilts I have been making this year in a later post. First I want to share some photos of how I changed up my workroom. We basically removed the full sofa sleeper and a few smaller furniture pieces in the studio and moved several vintage sewing machines into it. I did streamline (ie get rid of) two big bags of rubber stamps and a bunch of knitting items to the thrift shop. I also donated a bag of non quilt fabrics--again! I tend to have to do that every few months as they creep in with the garage sale finds. Rearranging the suitcases trunks, tins and bins to accommodate fabrics and quilting supplies as well as all my existing paper crafting supplies was a juggling act worthy of this blog post.
To the photos! Explanations of how I used my existing vintage items for storage are given below each photo. Enjoy!
The white cabinet and adjacent shelving have all my Copics and Tim Holtz colorants and scrapbooking accents. I use vintage tins to hold lots of these items.
Vintage pieces can add a charm that nothing else will. As you saw, old crocks, baskets, boxes, tins and bottles all play a role in keeping things corralled at my house. And I consider old suitcases to be treasures! Look around your house and garage for cool items you can re-purpose in the studio too!
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