October 7, 2011

tooling around: let’s table it for now

“How many tables am I going to have to buy you?” asked my husband as he lugged my birthday gift into my upstairs studio.

In the week leading up to my birthday I had made the topic of after-dinner conversation the cutting tables on sale at a local sewing store.  I may or may not have also cut out the exact advertisement and left it in my husband’s car along with a coupon. It should, therefore, come as no surprise when I admit my husband’s query is totally justified.  We’ve purchased four tables in the year we’ve lived in Florida – three of them specifically for my studio. And believe me, I use all three.

The first is the Vika Fintorp from Ikea (sorry kids, looks like they aren’t selling it anymore).  I wanted this stainless steel beauty because of its size: 29.5 inches by 59 inches on which I could spread out patterns and projects with room left over for my sewing machine. WRONG. The size is fabulous and I do spread things out on it. But those things are not so much patterns and projects as accounting paperwork and various types of correspondence.  Oh, and my computer lives there too.

This past spring I discovered the joys of garage sale-ing. During one treasure hunt I scored a vintage sewing table for $10! I got it home and prepared to mount my sewing machine into the smart little flip-top design. FAIL. My machine is portable. It doesn’t mount. Oh well.  Even with the flap folded over the table is the perfect height for sewing so I love it despite my idiocy.

Until my birthday I had been doing all of my crafting, cutting, ironing, and gluing on top of my ironing board. It was a pretty precarious system that resulted in many spilled beads, a number of burns, and one ruined dress shirt (sorry, honey).

But now, I have a cutting table.  A glorious, 35-inch high fold-out number perfect for cutting, crafting, and gluing. But not ironing. That kind of foolishness leads to a warped cutting mat.

Am I happy with my three tables? Yes! Am I done buying work tables? No.

Truth be told, my studio started with a small three-drawer desk, an end table from our living room, and a wood lateral file that had been converted to a desk. Before that I used a 37-inch high craft table that I’ve had for some years.  I received that table as a gift after admiring it in the Pottery Barn Catalog for a year or so. (I believed it would be the perfect sewing table because it had a sewing machine perched atop it in one of the photographs. Sadly, the deep drawers and a trestle make it impossible to comfortably sew in a sitting position.) Over the years I have also used various dining room tables, coffee tables, kitchen counters, and, of course, the floor.

What are you to make of this haphazard timeline of work surfaces? To start, history tells me it would be foolish to think my table needs won’t change.

Also, work tables are a deeply personal thing.

I like to spread out. Way out.  Papers and supplies are scattered across various surfaces so I can see what I have to work with.  I need three tables so my stuff can be out but still contained. Right now, my Ikea table contains paper notes, pens, and various utensils for measuring and marking.  The cutting table features my cutting mat and all sorts of blades surrounded by a mixture of fabric scraps and uncut yardage related to my current craft project. My sewing table is currently missing the actual sewing machine. Instead it is displaying my box of thread, a few jars of buttons, and a bag of Terra Chips.

Cut to my friend Alison’s sewing room and you’d see four tables being put to use, only one of which is less than 36 inches tall.

Martha Stewart Living at Home Decorators, click photo for more info

You’ll also note that her tables have drawers. Lots and lots of drawers because Alison keeps everything in its own discrete home. Her tools are mostly out of sight and out of her way. (Trust me, you do not want to get in this woman’s way).  I’d love to think I want all my stuff as organized as Alison’s, but I don’t think I could actually work that way. At least, not for long. As for the height of her work surfaces, Alison is a head taller than me. And four tables?  Well, her work room is close to mine in size but the placement of doorways and windows is totally different so she can fit four tables. She also has a decade or two of experience arranging an efficient studio so that a multitude of tables is advantageous instead of cumbersome.

My point is: even people working within the same craft can have very different preferences.

I can only imagine the sort of table(s) web designers, scrap bookers, and metal smiths can work at comfortably.

What do you do and what sort of work surface do you require?

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September 29, 2011

Acute How-To: Simple Baby Mobile

I recently made this super easy and inexpensive {this whole project cost me about $6} mobile for my baby nephew. I have had it hanging from the ceiling in my studio all weekend and love it.

I love it so much that I am going to make something similar to spruce up my house for the holidays.

For my nephew’s mobile, I used a few colors that will compliment his bedding along with cream to balance the whole thing out.  It turned out so cute and I think it looks like a little circus hanging from the ceiling.  I hope it brings him hours of staring pleasure.

What you will need:

  • 6 pieces of colored cardstock {more if you want a fuller look}
  • an embroidery hoop {I found a 10” plastic baby blue one for $2 but a wood one would work just as well}
  • a large circle hole-punch {can be found near the cardstock at the craft store}
  • ribbon or string for hanging
  • a sewing machine

Step One:

Punch out circles using your large hole-punch.  I lined mine up in the order I planned to sew them together.

Step Two:

Start sewing – leave a large amount of thread at the top of each strand of circles.  You will use this extra bit of thread to tie each strand to the embroidery hoop.

Step Three:

Using one strand of circles at a time, twist the extra thread around the embroidery hoop and tie at the end.  Once I had all mine strands tied onto the hoop, I secured each knot with a little dab of super glue.

Step Four:

Tie a few ribbons or twine onto the hoop for hanging.  I used two cream ribbons and two rust-orange ribbons in order to play off the colors throughout the mobile.

Hang and enjoy!  It might be a little uneven {well, mine was a little uneven} but that’s ok. I am sure the baby in your life will love it despite its unevenness.

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August 18, 2011

Acute How-To: Simple Sew – Pillow Case Dress

I made this little dress for my niece and it was so easy….just like all my other sewing projects.


In addition to being a simple sewing project, it was also very inexpensive because I was able to find all my supplies at the thrift store.  The total cost of this dress was $3 + about 45 minutes of my time – totally my kind of how-to project!

What you will need:

  • one standard pillowcase
  • about 28” of double fold bias tape in any color you prefer
  • 2 pieces of ribbon, each at 45”
  • thread
  • sewing machine

Step One:

Wash and dry your pillowcase and lay it out flat on your work table.  Cut off the closed end of the pillow case so that you have a 24” long case.  Depending on the size of the child you are making this dress for, you might need to narrow the pillow case by cutting an inch or two off each long side and re-sewing the seams.

Step Two:

Fold the case over and cut out arm holes {they will be about 8” long and 4” wide}.  I marked mine with a sharpie before cutting.  The marker lines will be covered with the bias tape, so don’t worry about them.

Step Three:

Place your double fold bias tape over the edges of the cut arm holes and pin into place.  Sew the bias tape and repeat this process on the other arm hole.

Step Four:

Fold down about ½” of the top part of the front of the dress {the neck hole} and iron.  Sew into place.  Repeat this step on the back of the dress.

Step Five:

Attach a safety pin to the end of one of your pieces of ribbon and thread it through the front neck hole seam.  Repeat on the back neck hole seam.  Tie the two ribbon ends into a bow.

{Note, I made my dress for a 3-4 year old sized child and ended up having to narrow the dress – the original 18” wide pillow case was too big.  I ended up take about an inch off each side for a better fit.  Depending on the size of the girl you are making this for you might be able to leave the pillow case as is or you might have to take off a few more inches.}

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July 14, 2011

Acute How-To: Simple Sew Puppy Purse

This week, I have another simple sewing project for you.

This tutorial will show you how to make a cute and handy little bag that you can attach to your dog’s leash to hold plastic bags, your keys, treats, etc.

What you will need:

  • 10”x 6” piece of fabric {I used a plain white canvas, but feel free to use a fun printed piece}
  • 6” x 4” piece of fabric
  • A piece of cord or elastic that is about 5 inches long
  • One hook or link – I used one of these links that I found in the camping section at Target
  • One cord stop {can be found at any fabric store – most likely near the buttons and Velcro}
  • Fray Check {also can be found at any fabric store}

Step One:

Take the 6”x4” piece of fabric and fold in the sides, then fold in those two sides again.  Sew straight down the piece to secure these sides in place. Set this piece aside for a minute.

Step Two:

Take your 10”x6” piece of fabric and sew a hem along one the one 10” sides.  Make sure it is will have enough space to later slip your cord or elastic through.

Step Three:

Fold the large piece of fabric in half {if you are using a printed fabric, you will want the “wrong” side to be showing}.  Take the small strip of fabric that you sewed in step one and fold it in half.  Tuck it inside the bottom of the larger piece.  Sew the bottom and side of the larger piece of fabric so that the small strip is secured in a loop shape.  Flip the bag inside out so that the “right” side of the fabric is now showing.

 

Step Four:

Pin a safety pin to the end of the cord or elastic and string it through the hem at the top of the pouch.  Slip the cord stop on the ends of the elastic and tie a knot so that all is held into place.  Treat the ends of the cord with a little fray check so that they won’t fray.

Step Five:

Link you hook through the loop at the bottom and hook onto your dog’s leash.  I also sewed a heart on the bag for a little decoration, but this step can definitely be skipped…add whatever you like to make it in your own style!

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June 23, 2011

Acute How-To: Simple Sew Cloth Napkins

I love cloth napkins.  Not only are they a greener option than paper ones, I just prefer the way they feel.

Making cloth napkins is one of my favorite projects for beginner sewers.  Even though I learned to sew when I was 10 years old, I rarely advance beyond the “beginner stage” and prefer to tackle really simple sewing projects.

If you can sew a straight line, then you can do this project!

What you will need:

  • 1 piece of cotton fabric {at least 24”x24”}
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine

Step One:

Wash and dry the piece of fabric and cut it into four equal parts.  Napkins are typically 14”x14”, but anything between 12”x12” to 18”x18” is fine.

Step Two:

Use the iron and create a small hem around the edge of each fabric square.

Step Three:

Sew a straight line through the hems on each side of your fabric square.  After I had them completely sewn, I ironed them again in order to make them look nice and crisp.

That’s it – so simple!  If you feel ambitious, you can monogram each one with a stencil and fabric paint in order to make a lovely and personal hostess gift.

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