A Tisket, A Tasket . . . .

Utilizing vertical space can be your best option in a small room. This idea is very simple to incorporate. It goes up quickly, comes down quickly, and does not require expensive materials.

The 4 baskets to the right were purchased at Three Crowns Antiques in Newnan, Georgia many years ago. They are English market baskets, made of willow, and very sturdy. (I've no idea if the store is still there and if so, whether they would carry the baskets.) The 2 on the left I've had for quite awhile, aren't nearly as sturdy, and therefore hold lighter items. As you can see, they are filled with my "baggie projects" still in progress.

The "S" hooks were custom made for me by a friend who is a blacksmith, but you can also find them in some specialty kitchen stores that carry pot hooks.

The "pole" is actually the handle of a heavy duty garden rake. You can also use a thick wooden broom handle or a 1-inch closet dowel.

In order to hang it, I purchased a length of chain, 2 U-bolts with bar, and 4 nuts. The U-bolts slid over each end; U section on top, bar on bottom enclosing the pole. Then nuts were tightened with a wrench on each threaded end, first making sure the chain was threaded through the top of the bolt. The chain was then hung on hooks screwed in to the rafters.

When living in an apartment with a drywall ceiling, it's possible to insert heavy-duty plant hangers in to the ceiling without losing your security deposit. First measure the distance between the hanging chain on the pole and set your plant hangers that distance apart. However, when working with plant hangers, it's best to put a much lighter load in the baskets. Sheetrock is only so strong after all. :0)

If you utilize this idea, let me know how it works out for you. I'd love to see a picture.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . .

"Deputy, cordon off the perimeter."

I could not refrain from using a quote from J.D. Rob's character, Eve Dallas.

As promised a quick review on creating a studio. (Well as brief as I can manage.)

In order to separate my work space from the rest of the basement I bought 5 rolls of plastic sheeting and proceeded to tack them to the rafters. (Remember everything has to come back down.) The plastic allows me to heat the space more efficiently and it keeps the dust down. The carpet had been moved in first thing.

High grade extension cords had to be threaded along the ceiling using tea-cup hooks from the electrical outlets on the other side of the basement. I have a healthy respect for electricity. At one time I worked for a major electric company typing safety manuals they used to train their employees. One could say I'm overly cautious about safety; however, I don't believe you can ever be too careful about such things.

Two trips to the thrift store during their "fill a bag for $3.00" sale garnered enough flat white sheets and tableclothes to line 2 gray cinderblock walls. I'm sure you know that white reflects light best.

I purchased my shop lights at Wal-Mart along with daylight bulbs. The bulbs were the most expensive item in this venture. One light hangs above the sewing table and another above the cutting table. They plug in to a ceiling fixture that was in place.

Notice that my sewing table, ironing board, and cutting table form a work triangle (It took me years to figure this out). This is how they design kitchens (fridge, stove, sink). The closer they are together, the less time I spend moving from place to place.

Further down you'll notice the Amish quilt and log cabin quilt are pinned to my portable design wall. (Everything I build is portable.) These were made using paneling that was painted on the back to prevent splinters. To the front, using caulking glue, I attached a full size sheet of blue core board insulation, off-set by 2" on the top and 1 side to allow room for screwing in to a wall. They were then covered in thin cotton batting (which I had on hand) and another layer of thin polyester batting, the cheap stuff. Some folks use flannel as a covering after gluing their insulation board directly to a wall.

Since I couldn't screw these in to cement, I attached a small piece of 2 x 4 to the top back, screwed in eye bolts on to the top of the 2 x 4's and hung them with chain attached to rafter hooks. Yes they swing back and forth if nudged, but hey, they work for me. And no, I did not do all of this alone. A dear friend assisted some of the initial set up. It took me about 4 months from start to finish, but I also painted all of my shelves and cutting table. Paint gives everything a fresh start.

It's been a very, very long day so I'll say goodnight for now.

Until then, keep stitchin'

Space, The Final Frontier

Anyone can build rectangle shelving units. Even if you don't own or operate a tablesaw or know anyone who owns and operates a tablesaw. I built mine back in 1993 when I lived in an awful efficiency apartment in Riverdale, Georgia for 11 months. Thank goodness, both the shelves and I survived.

All you need is a nearby Home Depot type of store and a screw driver or portable drill. Well, and the gas to get there, but we won't talk about that. You'll want to go to their pre-cut lumber section. You're looking for Grade D (yes lumber comes in grades) white pine that is 48" long and 12" wide. Buy 3 of them for each shelf unit. You shop for lumber the same way you shop for fabric. Look for clear boards with few knotholes and no warping. If you just won the lottery and feel like going for Grade A, that's up to you. Personally, I like to paint mine so grade D is just fine.

Ask the kindly tablesaw operator at Home Depot to cut 1 of the 4-foot boards in to 3 - 15" long pieces. The first 2 cuts should be free. The third one is probably still 50 cents.

You'll need wood screws to assemble. Nails just won't do it. I've no idea what size, but someone at the store will know. Too big a screw will split the wood and too small a screw will not hold it together, so yes, size is important.

Using #1 - 4 ft board, draw a center line with pencil across the width (not length) of the board. Repeat for 4 ft board #2. Using a portable drill with a drill bit (bit must be smaller than the screw size - trust me on this), drill 3 small holes equidistant along the pencil line. Repeat for board #2.

Align the 12" x 15" spacer board directly under the predrilled holes of board #1 and drill in wood screws about 1/2 way down. Lay that board flat on the ground and place second long board on top of spacer piece. Repeat step. You now have a big H. Place the remaining 12" x 15" boards on each end of the H and screw half way down on each end and each side. Once all spacer boards are in place and evenly aligned, finish setting screws flush with the top. Take your time. Paint if desired.

CAUTION: If you make more than 1 stack and there are kitties or toddlers in the house (prone to jumping and bumping), they need to be screwed together and then to the wall. Mine have never toppled, as they are weighted down and very sturdy; however, there are no kitties or toddlers here.

Setting Up

Through the years, many folks have asked me how I arrange my work space.

When I lived in Georgia, I moved 8 times in 12 years and got very good at setting up my work space quickly. This was often due to the fact that I was moving on a Saturday and teaching on a Monday. I taught in a minimum of 3 quilt shops back then and had to be able to locate all of my needed supplies.

My current residence required a bit more thought. I knew when I rented this small house it would not be for a long duration; therefore, everything that went up, had to come down very quickly. Electrical outlets were at a minimum, as well as sufficient lighting. For an even greater challange, I decided to keep set up under $100.00.

Throughout the next few days, I'll explain the process step by step.

until then, keep stitchin'!

Welcome To My World

I am so very excited to be joining the World Wide Quilt Guild. Yes, I've been promising that as soon as my studio was cleaned up, I would begin my blog. The nice thing about working in a basement is being able to move the unwanted items to the other side of the room, out of site.

I've so enjoyed the wonderful pictures and stories my fellow quilters are generous enough to share. I'm looking forward to meeting many new stitchin' pals in the days ahead.

Thank you Finn and Bonnie for your kindly assistance. Eventually I'll get the hang of how to set up and edit.

(You'll notice my pal Bonnie, the Princess Puppy guarding the stash. It's nice to finally have a quilting space big enough to fit my dog too. )

Until next time. Keep stitchin'!