Readers have been asking to see my sewing space, so today, I’ll give you a good look. The Kenmore was packed up, and placed in another room for now. My new table has arrived and I have begun the process of moving things around. I moved both embroidery machines to the new table, and they actually fit as I thought they would. That doesn’t happen often, LOL!!
I have two rolling drawer units for sewing supplies, and they used to be side by side. Now one is under each table, so I needed to rearrange what was in each one. Embroidery threads and software cards are now in one, with basic sewing supplies like cotton thread, scissors and rulers in the other one.
The serger is turned to the other side of the main table instead of the end, giving me more space to use it.
The main sewing table is now mostly empty, giving me a lot more space to spread out quilts and projects in progress. Now I can sew on my primary machine while the embroidery machines work behind me. All I need to do is turn around to change thread colors as the sections finish. I think I am going to be doing a lot more embroidery now.
While I worked on organizing, I started an embroidery project on the older machine.
Then I got to work on Quadrille. I finished the quilting and began the process of removing all the marks. I’m using a new water erasable marker, and these things have always made me nervous. I tested it on a scrap of the same white fabric I used in the quilt, and the marks came out nicely. I was told to ‘soak the marks’ with water. I have a little water bottle with a hollow metal tip just for this purpose, and I put a bubble of water on each dot. I do not want to wash the whole quilt before showing it in upcoming competitions at the fair.
As promised, the mark disappeared in just a few seconds.
Moving on to the next one…
it also disappeared in just a few seconds. So I kept working on it, doing one block at a time.
While I worked on that, the next Santa embroidery happily stitched away.
Imagine my dismay the next morning when some, not all, but some of the marks reappeared. I thought that if the marks went away, that I had soaked them enough, but apparently not. I had left the quilt on the frame just in case I needed to do more. I soaked all the ones that came back with water again, and left it to dry another night. Update – See Mary’s comment below, I’m throwing away these blue markers.
With that done, I turned my attention to my new machine, and set it up to do a label for testing. It was exciting to have the ability to set up all the lines of text at once, instead of having to manually do them one at a time, guessing on placement and spacing. It didn’t come out the way I wanted, and I messed up by stopping the program, then I couldn’t find a way to get back to where I was. I hope to figure it out this week. This part was fun, though, both machines sewing at once!
This was the last of the four Santa motifs I wanted to embroider.
They will be put together into a Christmas wall hanging. Our local guild area group is having a Christmas in July themed meeting next week, and the program is so clever! It is called Christmas Past, Present and Future. We are to bring past Christmas projects, something we are working on now for this year and something we plan for the future. This is my Christmas Present project.
More sewing time this week will see Quadrille get its binding, and maybe some progress on the miniature nosegays. Are you sewing this week?
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From My Carolina Home 
You and your readers probably know this but the reason SOAKING & RINSING the erasable pen markings out is because by using just droplets of water….the solution may disappear but often it leaches into the batting beneath….only to migrate back up into the fabric. Additionally, NEVER touch a hot iron to those marks…..they can turn brown and you’ll never get rid of them. These tools are handy but I never use them anymore since my art quilts aren’t washed.
Great sewing setup! I noticed all the ribbons you have received, awesome!
I use those tables in my sewing room too, they are so handy. I have the smaller embroidery machine with the 4″ hoop but it’s still so much easier to make labels compared to lining up lines on the domestic. All those ribbons, Carole! You’re truly an inspiration to your followers.
Great job reorganizing. I don’t think I could manage with more than one machine going at a time! When you are stitching on the embroidery machine, it should be running a “stitch count” on your display. If you have a thread break it is helpful to observe that count. On your new Brother machine you have two ways to move around, either use the SPOOL to back up a color or the needle to backup a number of stitches. I find it helpful to go back a few stitches from where my thread break occurred. I’m not sure what your situation was, but throwing those ideas out for you to consider. Anytime you need help, we can video chat to work through a problem.
I always use the wash out blue markers but have repeatedly told people you have to really soak the blue because yes it soaks into the batting – you have to get the quilt really wet to remove – it is not meant to come out with dots of water. I have used them for over 20 years but I always wash my quilts with a full wash load of water and then I put my quilt in the dryer – never have I had blue lines come back with a brown hint to them – you do not see any markings at all – but you have to get the quilt soppy wet. They do work. If a person doesn’t want to get the quilt that wet or doesn’t wash them then the blue marker is not right for you.
I enjoyed seeing your sewing studio reorganization! Sounds like you’re liking the changes. The Santas are adorable, and will make a great wall-hanging. Looking forward to seeing your Quadrille finish, too!
I enjoyed your post today. I’m always trying to rearrange my machines and tables and notions and fabric. At the moment I have my Nana’s featherweight and a Janome 6500 in a small child’s bedroom on the second floor. I use both the whole time
Down in the basement playroom I have a sears small machine I got at the give and take at the dump. Had it serviced and confirmed that Janome made it. The basement isn’t a bad place to work but having everything I need on the floor where I’m working is TRICKY! Stairs are not my friend.🧑🦳
We have three young granddaughters who love to sew and I always try to get sewing time with them. None of this is a complaint. Just the facts. 🥰
Hi Carole-Love your sewing setup and I had a quick question if you don’t mind. Is your new table four feet long and where did you order from? I need a four feet long table and the only ones I can locate fold in the middle and I don’t want that.Thanks in advance for your help!Debbie
I’m sorry that you are having trouble getting the marks to disappear. I’ve also struggled for the same reasons Mary mentioned; and the larger the water spot, the bigger the mark reappears next time. It’s why I’m particularly fond of the Hera marker now, although that’s not always the right choice, either.
The blue reference lines can reappear again and again. Ask me how I know. We now use a product called blue line eraser and it works great with no blue reappearing. We do recommend that the quilts first wash be with no detergent, cold water and a soak. bluelineeraser.com or Jason Whelan’s Quilters Apothecary has them.
*Jamie not Jason
I have a question regarding the puckering of your design and why it is there?
I agree with Karen about the blue markers. I have used them for years but the chemical that makes the blue mark needs to be washed out of the quilt or else it will reappear or cause a shadow.
I love seeing peoples’ work spaces and yours in no exception. And your Santa embroidery is just wonderful!
Your room looks like a classroom – so spacious and well organized! I need new lighting in my space. Any suggestions? And all the ribbons! Congrats! Tried making a simple 4 inch block “steps”, it’s cute and simple but one color “step” is off and has to go. So, that’s 8 blocks. Better now than after I quilt it.
Your new set up looks very efficient!
It’s nice to see your sewing space and machines working as you organize. The first week in June is when I set myself two goals. One is to sew every day even if only 15 minutes and the second is 3 projects to sew, quilt or bind to completion. My habit is producing rewards and a sense of accomplishment. Enjoy your week.
Alexandria
I don’t enter competitions, so I’m not as careful about marking pens. I’ve used air erase, but only if I know I’m going to get it done soon, ’cause it really does disappear. I usually use the Frixion, and I know it can come back if it cools off enough, but never have a problem anyway. Sometimes I even use #2 mechanical pencils, which don’t wash out at all, or I use some other art pencil, some of which wash out and some don’t. As I said, I don’t enter competitions, so it isn’t as critical for me.
You have a great set up for machines, and love your ribbons hanging about.
It does take a while to find the right set up for your own sewing room. And having the machines always set up makes it so much easier to sew.
Lovely work with the embroideries.
Your machines look well set up now…….