The Mess #4 Where's My Cutting Table?

The nice thing about having a good-size studio is the cutting table!

The Mess of Designing

Right now I'm in the midst of designing a new purse pattern - photos are done!

I've had some questions about my design process and although the steps are pretty structured for me, the actual process is messy!

My inspiration for new designs come from seeing an interesting pocket or closure or ideas from customers on styles they want.  Sometimes in the middle of designing one purse, I'll think of another! A new purse is sometimes born out of a complaint or question - this is a tad too small or why doesn't this one have a zipper?

The Mess #3

But, really, how do you keep a bulletin board from looking like this?

It's not quite an inspiration board, more like a Memento Board.  I can't tell you how many years it's been there but it's probably about 5 years.  With older stuff added in.  There are hardly any more spaces to add new things, but what can you remove?

Some items you may spy, with your little eye:

Oh No! Iron Mishaps

Help!  The fabric is scrunching!!  Eek, my iron changed the color!  Aargh - I've ironed interfacing to the board!!

We've all had those "oh no" experiences when sewing and ironing.  Here's a few tips for correcting them:

The Mess #2

These are some of the things I use when I sew

....plus some other things.

I know it looks like everything is delicately balanced (ok, it is).  I have this handy grid with shelves and hooks that holds it all above my sewing machine.

Sewing Machine Problems?

 Here’s an easy problem-solving list for you the next time your sewing machine doesn’t want to cooperate:

The Mess #1

My almost-tumped-over shelf.

Now that's what I call a messy pile.  It's actually some shelves - those cube types that are metal screens held together with the black plastic round devices you can see on the front.


Can you see?

• box of embroidery thread
• can of spray air
• magnetic wand (to pick up pins)
• bag crocheted out of plastic shopping bag strips
• almost finished quilt (just need to bind it)
• small fan
• 2 quilt tops
• various loose spools which didn't get put up 
• several shoeboxes of scraps
• a kit for a purse (UFO*) *Un Finished Object

You can also see they're about to fall down - or "tump" over as we say down South!  Every once in a while I take all the stuff off, put the cubes back together, then put everything back on!  I agree, I'm hopeless... 

And you can't even see the bottom cube!  Have you got a pile like this?