It's been a busy 'stay-at-home' period for us. When last I posted on my blog we were moving all the sewing stuff to the basement, where the longarm quilting machine live(d). This did NOT work out. There was plenty of room for quilting and sewing and storing supplies. That part was fantastic.
The problem was light. We had some lovely lighting over the longarm. But we had some trouble with the lights flickering. I don't think we'd ever spent the amount of time with those lights on that having the longarm there requires. The other issue is a total lack of natural light.
There was a great deal of discussion around the issues we (I) was having working in the basement. Then the AC came on. Did you know that it's very difficult to quilt while wearing a parka? The more you know. We knew that the house was not well zoned. But we are a doors open kind of house. With the doors open it's not quite so drastic, but the kitten thinks a quilt on the longarm is a great place to sleep. Bent frame bars aside, most people don't want extra cat fur on their quilts. I know, I don't. So we had the door to the basement closed, which exacerbated the temp issues.
Then the daughter decided to move in with her boyfriend. And we decided that was the best solution. We cleaned out her room, the decided the carpet should go (pins, carpet - please no!). We pulled up the carpet and replaced the floor. It has now become the new sewing room and it is lovely.
The room has some interesting decor. Faux brick and a lovely mural of NYC. (These are blocks from the Tara BOM my mother and I have been doing).
I've left the brick and the mural wall will become a great design wall. I just need to get some flannel (I think) to put up. There is a great window, lots of natural light. It faces west, though, so the sewing table can't be in the window, I'd be blinded half the day. It is a nice place for the daybed though. I need some more pillows and it will double as a nice couch for sitting and doing handwork.
Today is the first day since we moved all the stuff that I could actually able to use the longarm. I was going to use it Sunday, but the stitch regulator wasn't working properly. I was terrified that it had gotten damaged in the move (we hired movers, because it is so heavy I didn't think we could manage it ourselves). The service line isn't open on the weekend so we just closed the door and ignored it until this morning (much harder than it sounds). Prior to calling immediately when they opened I pulled up the manual, unplugged EVERYTHING (it's the most common first step on all the FAQs) and plugged everything back in following the diagrams. VOILA - works perfectly. Thank goodness.
Here is a picture of the frame in place. The clutter and the cabinet have been moved out. The daybed stayed. Mother says she will sleep there when she comes to visit.
I finished up a nice charity quilt and put another on the frame. This was all done free hand and I'm pleased with how it came out. I really love edge to edge/all over quilting designs both doing them and the way they look.
≈ 
The color on the second photo is not 'true'. The backing is a great green. I'm still working on getting pictures to turn out well. Any tips? I'd love to have them.
A second is on the frame but I'm still deciding on the quilting design, and whether I'll use white thread or a lovely blue thread.
It's been a good July. I'm looking forward to more quilts (several arrived in the mail this week - look for pictures coming soon) and cooler weather.
The room has some interesting decor. Faux brick and a lovely mural of NYC. (These are blocks from the Tara BOM my mother and I have been doing).
I've left the brick and the mural wall will become a great design wall. I just need to get some flannel (I think) to put up. There is a great window, lots of natural light. It faces west, though, so the sewing table can't be in the window, I'd be blinded half the day. It is a nice place for the daybed though. I need some more pillows and it will double as a nice couch for sitting and doing handwork.
Today is the first day since we moved all the stuff that I could actually able to use the longarm. I was going to use it Sunday, but the stitch regulator wasn't working properly. I was terrified that it had gotten damaged in the move (we hired movers, because it is so heavy I didn't think we could manage it ourselves). The service line isn't open on the weekend so we just closed the door and ignored it until this morning (much harder than it sounds). Prior to calling immediately when they opened I pulled up the manual, unplugged EVERYTHING (it's the most common first step on all the FAQs) and plugged everything back in following the diagrams. VOILA - works perfectly. Thank goodness.
Here is a picture of the frame in place. The clutter and the cabinet have been moved out. The daybed stayed. Mother says she will sleep there when she comes to visit.
I finished up a nice charity quilt and put another on the frame. This was all done free hand and I'm pleased with how it came out. I really love edge to edge/all over quilting designs both doing them and the way they look.
≈
The color on the second photo is not 'true'. The backing is a great green. I'm still working on getting pictures to turn out well. Any tips? I'd love to have them.
A second is on the frame but I'm still deciding on the quilting design, and whether I'll use white thread or a lovely blue thread.
It's been a good July. I'm looking forward to more quilts (several arrived in the mail this week - look for pictures coming soon) and cooler weather.