Nellie"s Needles

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Quilting Set-up

As I've written before, my Studio North at the cottage is hardly more than a big hallway. I'm grateful to have a designated space to work, but it takes creative thinking to get it to work. Here's my "Rube Goldberg- like"set-up for machine quilting a large project ...
I just keep stacking stuff ... storage containers, boxes, even mounted canvas frames ... to fill in the space making it fairly level with no sharp edges for a quilt to get hung up. I need a cushion on my chair to raise my elbows to that working level height.

The quilt for which all this was set up is one of my scrap block ones.

 All the elements had been cut and the quilt designed back in my Tennessee studio earlier in the year ... just waiting for an opportunity and the inclination to get it all together.

The best thing about this studio is the view of Lake Michigan out that wall of windows. However, there's no working in the late afternoon when the sun gets low over the lake. Not even a hat, nor sunglasses, makes the glare possible to work there.

12 comments:

Julie said...

Looks a very inspiring workplace and I do like your scrappy block quilt, especially with the spotty black background.

Heather said...

I'd get no work done at all with that gorgeous view in front of me! Love the colours of this quilt - colourful and uplifting, and nicely balanced by the dark border.

Vicki W said...

Looks like a great set up to me. My friend does something similar. She once found a stack of old printer paper cartridges. They were the perfect depth. It's good that the sun comes in to remind you to stop for happy hour!

Trudi said...

Great way to set up perfectly, glad nature has a way of telling you to rest a while :)

Gail Baar said...

Looks beautiful! I would love to hear how you like your Juki?

Nellie's Needles said...

I like Vicki's and Trudi's responses to that late afternoon glare of sun ;-)

Gail, I looooove the Juki. That machine stays here because it's so very heavy. Also, because I also have a Brother that's a comparable machine in my Tennessee studio. I got the Juki when the Brother was acting up during a time crunch to meet a deadline. I could find no repair dealer, so ordered the Juki. They're both good, but I prefer the Juki over the Brother.

Michele Bilyeu said...

Gorgeous view! Love making do with whatever space we've got and then filling up the rest with things we love. I know you are phenomenal at all of that, so I can only imagine how lovely it really is to sit and sew here. And when that sun hit..time for a walk into the nature that must so surround this spot! Lovely, lovely. Sending many good wishes and blessings to you, Nellie!

acasarella said...

Love that view :)

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Love the view, the quilt, the Juki, and that you are back at it and enjoying it all. ;)

Beverly said...

Like Barbara, I am glad to see you back at work and having fun with it. After camping close to the lake at Ludington last week, I got a taste of the inspiration it gives you. I was very glad my son chose that park to take me camping!

ECKDesign said...

LOVE the view... also loving the quilt. I like how the different colors of the scraps pop out on the black base.

Glad to see you're feeling better too! =o)

Quiltdivajulie said...

I'm a morning/early day person, so your view would be excellent for me. Love the quilt you're working on!