This Property is Condemned

Well, not actually, but it came really close.  I had planned to use my four-day New Year's weekend to finish up two of my languishing sewing projects, but I'd forgotten that we'd used my sewing room/the guest room as a dumping ground for pretty much everything when we were getting the house cleaned up for our Christmas Eve dinner party.  I went upstairs with great purpose (and the beginning of a sore throat) and was greeted by this:

I know.  Who could sew in that?

To tell the truth, this was about halfway through the cleaning process, but I didn't think to take a picture until I was in the middle of it.  But once I'd started, it became clear that I was in trouble.  It had gotten to the point where I had so many random zippers and buttons and seam tape that I just kept buying more because I couldn't remember what I already had.  So, I ripped everything out of the closet and the cabinet and sorted it all into piles and then made the journey to Ikea for organizational supplies. 

My own little corner, and my own little chair.

The furniture was an Ikea purchase from last year, so that's not new, but at least you can get to it now without breaking your neck.  My little bulletin/magnet board is right next to the sewing machine for inspiration and makes a nifty holder for the pattern instructions.  The closet door on the right is where I keep most of my sewing supplies.  And hanging on the door?  The half-finished Lady Grey which I will be resuming soon.

I used to just keep my fabric stash in the closet in a bunch of plastic tubs, but I thought the space could be better used.  We had this little shelf unit in the basement, and it was a perfect fit.  I got labeled boxes and clear jars for all of my notions and trim, and now, in theory, I'll actually be able to find things rather than just getting frustrated.  I also went through my fabric and pulled out the pieces that I want to work with next and have them ready and waiting on the bottom shelf.

And there's still room for my extra sewing machine, my steamer and my two large thread caddies.  There's also access to the hanging bar for works-in-progress.

Why, hello Rachel Berry and Jesse St. James.

I also cleaned up my pattern collection.  It was all over the floor in an attempt to match patterns with fabric.  That's the small version of the Ikea Aneboda chest that so many other bloggers before me have discovered.  I can't remember who I saw using it first, so I don't know who to thank for the great find.  I don't really have that many patterns, so the smaller chest works just fine.  I'm not even using the third drawer yet.

Yay!  You can get to the ironing board again.  And it's not covered in piles of stuff!

I have to share space with the guest room, but we only have live-in visitors three or four times a year.  Unfortunately, the room is only big enough for either the bed or the sewing paraphernalia, and there's no other place to put the bed when it's not in use, so it gets stacked up against one wall.  It doesn't go to waste as it makes a dandy cat bed.  And I also drape wools on it for pretreating with the steamer.

Oh my!  Mr. Darcy is standing on his head!

Which brings us to the library.  Because of the bed, there are really only two accessible shelves on our bookcase, and I've taken them over to house my collection of sewing/knitting/jewelry books and my personal video collection (i.e. the things Mr. flyskim would rather die than watch).

 

Which brings us back around to where we started, with the Brother and the Juki.  So, now that I'm put back together and once I can manage to shake this unending cold, I'll be hitting it hard.  I just ordered this fun flannel from Fabric.com and see a pair of pyjama pants in my near future.