Welcome to the “Quilting Modern” weekend book celebration blog BLAST! Eighteen amazing bloggers, sewers, quilters, business owners and all around good eggs will be coming to the party. They have volunteered to co-host this party and help Jacquie and I celebrate the book. There will be things to see at every site and chances to see projects, read their thoughts and maybe even get your hands on a free book. Posts will be appearing throughout the weekend, so make yourself a list and be sure not to miss anyone.
To kick off this Blog Blast Weekend for Quilting Modern, Jacquie and I thought we would share where we create.
Please enter my Livudio. ‘Livudio’ is my family’s portmanteau for living room/studio. It’s living proof that good things can happen in small spaces.
I create in this ‘U’ shape. I can easily move from cut, sew, press with the swivel of my chair. Most of the time I keep my ironing board at the same level as the tables so there is no need to get up, unless you need to go to the design wall.
The project’s fabrics get stored in these two baskets as I’m working on them. One is for yardage and the for other scraps.
I’m lucky enough that my family puts up with the rotating artwork on my design walls. The walls are a good distance from where I sew and far enough to see if fabrics are playing well together.
I have two design walls. I roll the flannel/laminate one up to reveal the one underneath. Due to the laminate side, everything stays in place. When I get bored or stumped with one project, I have the space for another.
Out with the table and the kitchen becomes the perfect basting spot. My poor floor only gets a mop down every quilt.
Once I move onto quilting and binding the ironing board gets put away.
Removing the ironing board keeps me on track to finishing the task at hand. I move my machine over to my collapsible 6′ table. This offers a bit more support for the quilt and I can watch some TV while I stitch.
Binding, check! Down goes the table and I do a clean up. I enjoy moving through the stages of the quilt and cleaning up as I go. I have a little needle book and portable set of tools I use when I sit down to bind.
The only drawback to this little set-up? My fabric stash is off-site, though certainly not far away. A trip through the bedroom reveals my stash.
(photo by Chara Michele Photography)
There’s more in another dark closet.
It’s floor to ceiling mess, but the good kinda mess. I keep getting rid of clothing to make room for more fabric.
But on the positive note I think hiding it all away helps me stay focused. If I could look at fabric all day my home would be consumed with more coordinated piles of fabrics and less finished quilts.
My final finish to any quilt includes a big clean up and sorting of scraps into these bins which I generally take to my classes for students to play with.
So, there’s my kickoff for you. Hope you enjoy the weekend and can join us for the Quilting Modern blog celebration weekend with:
A Stitch in Dye – Malka Dubrawsky
http://stitchindye.blogspot.com
Film in the Fridge – Ashley Newcomb
http://www.filminthefridge.com
Generation Q – Jake Finch
http://generationqmagazine.com
Handmade by Alissa – Alissa Haight Carlton
http://www.handmadebyalissa.com
Happy Zombie – Monica Solorio-Snow
http://thehappyzombie.com/blog
iheartlinen – Rashida Coleman-Hale
http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com
Oh Fransson – Elizabeth Hartman
http://www.ohfransson.com
One Shabby Chick – Amber Carrillo
http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com
Pink Chalk Studio – Kathy Mack
http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog
Quilting is my Therapy – Angela Waters
http://quiltingismytherapy.com
Red Pepper Quilts – Rita Hodge
http://www.redpepperquilts.com
Sew Mama Sew
http://www.sewmamasew.com
Sew Take a Hike – Penny Layman
http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com
West Coast Crafty – Susan Beal
http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com
Wise Craft – Blair Stocker
http://blairpeter.typepad.com
For more information about Quilting Modern, visit the book’s page at InterweaveStore.com.
We will wrap up the party with an appearance on Pat Sloan’s American Patchwork and Quilting radio broadcast on Monday. The show airs at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Finally, don’t miss Quilting Modern’s Flickr Group for photos by quilters inspired by Quilting Modern to share images of their creations! There are already a few ambitious (never-get-any-sleep?) quilters who have finished quilts using the book’s projects. We love their dedication!
Be sure to check back often this weekend…there may be a surprise or two. It’s always good to leave comments. (Hint, Hint!)
Love your two design walls. And the book looks so fun and amazing.
Love your space, and the triangle quilt is wonderful! And I admire your “finish and clean up” policy… something I need to work on!
i do declare…i spy quite an Alexander Henry fan here! takes one to know one!! i love your book!
Thanks for sharing your quilting/creating space – I, too, have a very small space and am in the process of reorganizing. I may just steal a couple of your ideas….
I think your space is awesome, btw 🙂
I love your design wall idea – I wish I had a wall to put one on!!
That was so fun to see your space. I love that quilt with the oranges and on my screen looked like shades of purples.
I’m totally impressed with your integration into the family space! Way to go. Is it always so neat? When I do a project the mess is huge.
ha ha…the joke is if you take off your underwear and leave it on the floor, the place is instantly a mess. that’s what happens in 640 square feet. I try to keep it tidy though for my own sanity.
What an amazing arrangement you have Katie, even with somewhat limited space. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hey, it looks like an awesome way to use your space. Congrats on the book. How exciting!
btw I *LOVE* those color baskets… so pretty!
Wow, you are so organized. I work in a very small space also, but the piles tend to get overwhelming around my chair.
oh I love this post Katie!!!! so fun to see where and how you work 🙂
Amazing! You’ve made your small situation really work for you, rather than having it get in your way! If I had to mop the floor to get a quilt basted, well, hmmm, that wouldn’t happen much! LOL!
Thanks for sharing..Love to see how others group materials.. now to re-organize my space.
Great post, Katie – I love seeing how others have organized their wrok/living/storage spaces. I recently created my own U-shaped workspace and wonder how I possibly fucntioned at all before! Good job with the Livudio.
I especially like Yoda – it’s imperative to have a Jedi Master eye over any design wall.
I am set up in my living room so I loved seeing how you use your space. I have to laugh about basting because that is the only time my floor gets a good cleaning too 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing the book!
Thanks for this Katie – I love seeing how people set-up! Is there any chance you’d have time to share some more details about how you made your design walls? I also have limited space and a roll-up wall is the PERFECT solution – I’d love to know how you made yours work!
a little more about it here:
http://sewkatiedid.wordpress.com/2010/08/11/whats-an-artist-to-do/
Thanks for the wonderful livudio tour! I used to mop my floor before basting too 🙂 Lately I’ve been making slightly smaller quilts so I can baste them on my kitchen island – less crawling on the hands and knees!
Just shows how neither you nor Jacquie needs a big space to make wonders appear. Your talent comes shinging thru no matter.
You have utilized your space well. I too have a small living space and have to share my bedroom with my sewing. It works just fine, though I dream of the day I can have a dedicated sewing room!
That closet looks like heaven on earth! Thanks for sharing your space with us– it’s a real inspiration, as someone else with very little space to dedicate to sewing.
I love seeing your space. Two and a half years ago I became a empty-nester and moved my quilting space from the dinning room to the now “extra” bedroom.
Love the book and your 2 design walls!
Thank you so much for sharing your “livudio.” It’s inspiring to see what you create in a space a lot more like my own than some of the studios I see in blogs. akmajor (at) gmail (dot) com
I am just amazed with what amazing quilting you can get done in such a compact space. Truly inspirational!! And your stash looks so pretty in the closet!
The book looks great Katie, and it’s in my cart waiting to see if I win one first. ;D It was fun to see your livudio…you’ve got a great set-up. 🙂
I love the layout of your work area. I dont think I would like my stash hiding away though. Im a visual person.
Wow-you have effectively used every square inch! Great lay out, and I love your fabric storage…I would dream of having a fabric closet-and I would totally pick fabric over clothes too!
I love sewing room/space tours! Love that you’ve filled a closet with more fabric than I have in my entire wardrobe, linen cupboard and stash combined!
The “U” shaped work space is a really good idea – I have an “L”, and my mini ironing board sits on the floor. I need to find a way to raise it up to working level! And my oh my, I am jealous of all that luscious fabric!!
How exciting for you & Jacquie! Looking forward to the weekend party!
Love your book, now to make something. Great space too.
I sew in the living area too! Love your set up, very practical. Thanks for the party!
Loved seeing your creative space – thank you for sharing it!
Thought about you giving away clothes to make more space for fabric today after reading the blog. That’s fabric love! The book is making a splash. Congrats. Thanks for the intro to your space.
Thanks for sharing your sewing space – it’s nice to see another small space. Sometimes I feel a little down with my limitations, but you’ve give me some great ideas on how to make due 🙂
So much fun to see where you create those incredible quilts. I saw some recently at Island Quilter and, wherever they began, they seem born for a gallery setting. More beautiful art I’ve never seen.
I love seeing how you make it work!
I just got my copy of the book. You guys are so inspirational. I think my first project will be swirling medallion but I love them all. Thanks for sharing your sewing space.
Wow! Excellent workspace. I love how organised you are and how you have managed to fit everything in to your small space. Lots of inspiration there for others with small spaces. And I covet your fabric stash 😉
I love this weekend party and I love your book! I am looking forward to visiting all the blogs for inspiration. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your space. Now I know what to call my sewing space too 🙂 I admire how well organized you are.
And your roll-up design wall has just given me an idea 😉
i also quilt in a small space.. but not nearly as small as yours! you have it so organised!
Love the space, right now I’m basting my quilts outside in a parking lot so this is very nice.
that’s awesome!
thanks for sharing. it’s aways interesting to me to read about someone’s creative process. Goes to show, you don’t need a big space, just a great mind!
I am impressed too with the organization, efficiency and integration of your livudio and quilting spaces! I admire that you start one project, work it through the phases and clean along with it. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the tour, that was fun. I also like “moving through the process” of each step of quilting. Thanks for sharing.
I am inspired. Your space has me re-thinking my space…nice clear space=nice clear focus=nice clean finish! Love the quilting closeups, too, beautiful!
Katie, I think you livudio reflects quilt designs. Everything with a purpose. Inspired, Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your space with us! I love what I see in the book!
I need to get this book! Love your design wall.
Congratulations on your book. I love your work. How fortunate that you family gets to look at your rotating artwork on a daily basis.
This is so inspiring! His was a really great tour.i also create in a very small space, but could use your tips on organizing!
wow I wish I were as good at cleaning up. You do a good job of keeping the area tidy!
Thank you for letting us take a peek into your creative world at home. Loved your green, blue, grey and white triangle quilt on your design wall. Is that in the book? I am just now seeing how fun and creative one can get with solid fabrics….thank you for the inspiration!
no, not in the book, but there are plenty of triangle tutorials out there on the web.
wow great to see how much creativity can come from a small space! Where there’s a will there’s a way. thank you for sharing your creative space.
Wow! you sure cram alot in to a small space! I AM inspired! Looking at your stash…. how do you choose the fabrics you aquire? I seem to buy something I love and it sits on the shelf forever. Some how it doesn’t seem to ‘go’ with anything else I have.
buy small scale prints in and a mix of light, medium and dark value.
Thanks for the peek inside your creative space. We have to improvise for places to sew, cut, press, etc. too. The blog weekend party is fun – thanks for hosting. The quilts from the book are gorgeous, both piecing and quilting.
i love the grey pillow in the third picture! i have to figure out how to make that!
Love the double design wall – genius!! Nice to hear how you use your space to move you through the quilting process. Congratulations on the book – it looks amazing!
I love the idea of being able to sew, press and cut with just a swivel of the chair. So efficient.
I am amazed and so inspired by all I’ve seen about your book! I can’t wait to see it in person. You ladies are about to revolutionize us all!
Your space reminds me a lot of mine; my fabrics are in a closet in another room and when I sew, it’s all at the kitchen table. Lots of pulling out and putting up but I guess it works since I produce the occasional quilt ;>) Enjoyed your tour.
Congratulations on the book. It is an inspiration for me to try to tidy up my own workspace.
Congrats on the book! Love the double design wall too!
i’m with you– i’d take more fabric over clothes any day!
I’m so excited to actually see a copy of this book. And thank you for the glimpse into your work space! it’s always so inspiring to see how other people handle space constraints. 🙂
Love your blog! Congrats on the book being published. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Thanks for the tour! I love your interpretation of spacial needs/ reward/need for cleaning…..QUILTING! Your creativity style is great and I understand it perfectly! Thank you for sharing all your good ideas and good luck with your Fascinating book.
Your shelves of colorful fabric make me wanna go pet mine right now! So pretty and nicely organized too.
I love seeing and hearing about your system. I work in a small space, but I have not as good as I should be cleaning up inbetween my different projects, and it gets out of control. After seeing and reading how you work I am going to change that! thank you for that peek.
What a great space! Lots of great light as well. Your stash is amazing! Looking forward to the hop and finding out more about your book.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow! It’s amazing what comes out of that small space.
Just finished the blog tour, enjoyed it and loved to see all the projects in your book. Thanks for putting this wonderful book together. I don’t have a livudio, but a dinudio as I will now call it.
Cheers, Margit
I feel inspired to go through my fabric and sort it and then neatly stack it. I also don’t have a system for scraps. I think that is a good project once I’m done with my current quilt. Thanks for the ideas and congrats on your book!
had fun at your party this weekend….can’t wait to get a copy of your new book…looks fabulous
i love seeing where people create! this book looks amazing – so many great projects!
Thank you for hosting the sneak peaks this weekend. I can’t wait to see this book in person 🙂
I love the double design wall idea – very clever! Thanks for the peek into your home. And the book is on my wish list 🙂
Fabulous! Love seeing where you create your masterpieces, Katie. You are so well organized. Very inspiring.
I had to laugh when I read that you keep getting rid of clothes so that you will have more room for fabric. ;o)
Congratulations on a creating a wonderful book. You and Jacquie are so talented!
I love, love, love your stash! I wish I could go fabric shop in there. Congratulations on the new book I can’t wait to get my hand on it.
I love seeing your studio space. I also hung an extra rolled up design wall a while back thanks to your idea!!! Congratulations on the book. I just love it!
I love your livudio! It’s so bright and efficiently laid out! And all that cutting space — ooh! 🙂
What a great post on your space. I read only the first few lines where you named your livudio but before I got to the explanation of it as a portmanteau. Later I was doing something else when I had that hand to forehead moment and the light bulb went on. Such a clever use of words!
Wonderful to see just how a livudio works! The storage and organization is such a challenge. You give me hope.