value quilt

I love touring studios, so when Jennifer of Ellison Lane and Heather of the Sewing Loft asked me to join their studio spotlight tour I jumped in.  You can follow along too for prizes and other studio spotlights.

I think my fascination with others spaces started when I was little.  Driving around town I would daydream that I could go into people’s houses, nose around AND then leave with just one item.  Now it would probably be your finest fabric, but then it was some cool lamp, plate or piece of furniture.  I liked decorating I guess.

‘Livudio’ is my family’s portmanteau for our living room/studio shared space.  Ever watch, Cribs?  Where that NBA player that might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, nor decorating genius says, “This is where the magic happens.”   The Livudio is that creative place (not in that NBA magic way) and though small I’d take it over that NBA player’s tacky house.  Inspiration happens here and on ocassion a game of softie soccer.

Good things can happen in small spaces.

I work in an efficient U-shape.  Sewing machine in the middle, a swivel to the left is cutting and to the right ironing.

My design wall is my most important tool and has gone through several reincarnations.  You can read about building your own like it in this post.

Since I have a deep appreciation for traditional design and a crush on modern there are generally a few designs happening.

Honestly, though this wall is permanent, it is not an eyesore, but more like a revolving art piece.

But before I had something permanent I needed walls I could roll up and take down.  You can read about that system here if it is more fitting for your space, especially if you like to have multiple projects brewing…never right?

I store what’s rotating on the design wall here along with my sit and sew kit.

Our small home keeps us from buying unneeded things, though I can’t say that about fabric.

My stash has to live in closets in other rooms, but this is good because it keeps me from just staring at it and getting nothing done.  I’m good at wasting my time without adding that in.  I guess I could say that I can stare at it from bed if I want and my overactive brain helps me get up.

(photo by Chara Michele Photography)

Smaller cuts on one side and yardage on this side.

I like to stack fabric under the window until I remember I shouldn’t start another project, so I put it away and then immediately start another pile.  It hides the crack in the wall too, maybe I should just patchwork that wall.

I use my stash for sure.  I love finding places for the fabric people are afraid to cut into.  It’s so much more fun to see it around the house.  I make pillows constantly.

I use my invisible zipper pillow tutorial.   It’s simple, quick and uses fabric, all good things.  These with the red make the red wine stain on the couch look more like a reflection of their color.

My other tutorial is a Value Quilt tutorial.  This is a great quilt for using ANYTHING in your stash.

In this wee space I cowrote Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts with Jacquie Gering and I plan and create for teaching quilting workshops so if you think it’s space that’s stopping you, then I think I hear your momma calling.

Here are my Flickr, Pinterest and Instagram, or you can have posts delivered to your email by following that little link in the sidebar up there if you want to follow along.

  Thanks for stopping by!  Studio continues with links on  Jennifer and Heather blogs.

Thanks Heather and Jennifer!