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Let's Get Organised!It may seem, to the untrained eye, that my workspace is excessively untidy! Which, in fact, it is... when I am working. It is only tidy on the rare occasions when I don't have a project (or several) on the go. At that point I might put things away - where's the fun in that? It's much more fun to start on the next design than it is to tidy up and I have always hated filing. Of course, it's not just paperwork, it also entails filing all the fabrics, threads and notions I have had out for recent projects. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get on with it.I expect there are some people who can make beautiful things in an immaculate workspace. I am not one of them. However, there is a big difference between being untidy and being disorganised. Don't let the chaos that surrounds me fool you into thinking that I don't know exactly where everything is. It may be organised chaos, but I rarely lose things. Despite my dislike of "filing" I do like order. Fabric, even my scraps, are boxed by colour, as are threads. On the shelf over my desk are a phalanx of boxes, one for each of the workshops I teach, holding templates, patterns and part-made samples. Each project on the go has an open tray with fabrics, patterns and notes in. These are the ones that appear to be taking over the studio. They migrate on to any available flat surface, the shelves and my work area. Too many ideas and not enough time in the day! | |||||||
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With the type of designs I make and patterns I write (often multi-part and Block of the Month programmes in Foundation Paper Piecing) you have to be methodical and organised. We will be talking a little about working methods in future issues of the MAQ NEWS At this point in the year when I am not teaching (everyone is too busy thinking of other things) it gives me a chance to really clear the decks. That doesn't stop me from thinking and scribbling ideas in idle moments, but it does mean that fabric is put away which gives me the opportunity to revisit my stash and, perhaps, rediscover fabrics I had forgotten buying (I am sure no-one else does that, do they?) Sadly, these new ideas give rise to yet more trays of fabrics picked for future projects which then have to be put somewhere. And, so, the chaos perpetuates...
AitchBee and Helen Howes Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: he start of something new! We are staging an exhibition in the Autumn - details to follow |
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 This colourful bit of fun is FROND by HB and is a great way of using up scraps. Pattern available on her website |
 This is HH's every popular COUNTER-CHANGE CATS pattern. Purrrfect for cat lovers everywhere! |
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Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!  |
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Getting organised generally starts with boxes! For preference boxes with lids to protect your precious fabric and threads from dust and direct sunlight. Remember that fabric is heavy and several smaller boxes is better than one big one, especially if you are storing boxes on shelves. Large, flat boxes are great for underbed storage since they can slide on the floor and don't need to be lifted. My collection of fabric boxes has been built up over several years, and are mostly the same size. In an ideal world (one with no budget constraints) all my boxes would be those made by The Really Useful Box people: the Rolls Royce of boxes. Their boxes have lids that clip shut, they are strong, reinforced and stack beautifully. Ahhh, storage heaven. | ||||||
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Of course there is nothing to stop you from making your own boxes for fabric and notions! These amazing storage cubes by Suzy of SUZYQUILTS are cunningly sized to fit the ever popular KALLAX range of shelving units from IKEA. Suzy has kindly provided a full tutorial on her website. | ||||||
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One way of organising fabric pieces for a series of blocks is to put them in a block book. I was fascinated the first time I saw one of these which was brought to our regular sewing group by one of the members. The pages of this clever carry case/book, which appears on THE CRAFTY NOMAD website, are made of quilt batting which hold the pieces of fabric in place brilliantly, enabling you to carry them to class, or just put them away safely without mixing them up. | ||||||
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Sonia of FABRIC & FLOWERS has given a very detailed tutorial showing how she organises fabric and stitched pieces in preparation for her Christmas block. This is certainly a method I have used to great success. It is doubly useful if you are likely to have to move or pack away the pieces of a block half-way through the construction process. | ||||||
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On her website, MAMA LOVE QUILTS, Nicole has listed seven different ways of organising and keeping track of your fabric pieces when you are preparing to sew multiple blocks. One of these is bound to suit you, although I would personally shy away from any of the methods which entails sticking anything to fabric (masking tape, post-it notes). Sticking anything to fabric, however low-tack, will leave a residue and, in the worst case (if left for any length of time) may mark fabric permanently. | ||||||
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This is also the time of year we like to make an assessment of quilts here at MAQ HQ. As you can imagine we generate quite a lot of quilts and quilt tops during a year and we both only have a limited amount of storage space. Something's got to give. There are various charities we like to support with a donation of quilts, the first being PROJECT LINUS. Have a look at their website to see what sort of things they have a use for.
"It is the mission of Project Linus UK to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children, who are sick, disabled, disadvantaged or distressed by donating gifts of NEW, HOMEMADE, WASHABLE quilts and blankets, lovingly made by UK volunteer knitters and quilters." |
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Another good way of purging and clearing out is to collect up any orphan blocks you have lying around. You know the ones; you made it and decided you didn't like it, or the colours were all wrong! These can be put together, perhaps with orphan blocks from your friends, to make great charity quilts.
This leads on to the other charity that is dear to our hearts is QUILTS-4-CARE-LEAVERS who work with young people who have left the care system but still need social and emotional support particularly at this challenging time of the year. When we are all gathering in our cosy family groups, what must it be like if you have never had a family? |
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ALL PEOPLE QUILT is the blog of the American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, and this article - ostensibly about making gifts for other people - includes lots of FREE PATTERNS for super little projects to help you organise your sewing. Some of these are great, I think I would be making these for myself too! | ||||||
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Sketchbooks are a great way of organising and developing ideas and keeping them for future use. Textile Artist LYRIC KINARD shares images of some of hers on her blog.
We will be exploring the concept of the sketchbook in an issue about working methods which we are planning for later this year. |
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If you are at a loss to know where to start this New Year, don't forget that all the parts for last year's Block of the Month are on the MAQ website and will be staying there indefinitely. | ||||||
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Occasionally we will stand in front of a quilt at a show, or see an image on a website, and say "I wish I'd made that". It can be anything from the very simplest block to the most complicated design. These are the sort of quilts we would include in an inspirations sketchbook.
ROBIN PICKENS is a name you may be familiar with since she designs fabrics for MODA and is the mastermind behind one of my go-to range of blenders, THATCHED. Robin has also had several quilts featured in two of our favourite publications: Simply Moderne and Curated Quilts This quilt, DEFINITE PLUS, really appealed to both of us. Do look at other quilts on her website; bold and simple - absolutely super modern quilts |
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This month we are revisiting our Pinterest board A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING which we have refreshed with additional ideas about organising your workspace and working methods.
Mmmm, looking at the chaos around me, perhaps I should practice what I preach! |
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| Our mailing address is:- 4, The Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road, Raveningham, Norfolk, NR14 6NU. United Kingdom | |||||||