Working as an independent artist definitely has its drawbacks. The paychecks aren’t steady; there are no sick days or holiday back-up and every failure is your very own. Yes, security is scarce, but what my job does offer in spades is beauty that feeds my soul.
My sewing room is finished! And it feels like home more than any other place in my house. It welcomes me in with warm, vibrant femininity.
If I turn to the left, my sewing space, bathed in light more precious than any furnishing.
To the right, and through the sliding doors, my longarm room. That big, computer-automated Gammill takes up soooo much space, but she’s become integral to my business and my creative flow.
In fact, today she’s quilting Under the Maple Tree, so that I can share the finished quilt with you soon!
I have all my longarm supplies and less-attractive office gear nestled in this corner. The quilt rack to the left can also hold customer quilts, awaiting their turn on the longarm.
I found the perfect spot to hang this shelf and display my pearl cotton thread collection and other trinkets. That mini hexagon flower garland was a gift from some dear readers, in honor of my daughter Eleni. Such a treasure.
I hung the shelf and this entire art wall all by myself. Yay, for can-do! I especially appreciate having that special picture of Aria, Liam and Eleni close by, where I can see it often and think on my children who no longer live with me.
Usually when the machine is running, I shut the sliding doors which help against the noise…
TODAY’S STITCHED IN COLOR IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY~
Little Fabric Shop
Have you seen Anna Maria’s Jumpstart collection? These happy, bright textiles are just the kind of inspiration that I like to build a whole quilt around. Recently arrived at Little Fabric Shop!
Happily I spend most of my time in the sewing room, whether at this little bamboo desk or cutting/sewing/pressing in the sewing space itself.
My big pegboard didn’t fit in this space, so I have divided my supplies into two smaller pegboards. This one above my sewing table holds my most-used notions, and that little perfume-bottle mouse, which sat on my mother’s vanity when I was a young girl. I asked for it at some point, and it has traveled along with me in life, reminding me always of her.
Behind my sewing machine is my design wall. This one is big enough, but a little tricky to use since the wall has a jut-out for the chimney space. Still, I’ve been satisfied with how it’s working for me. I love that it gets lots of light from the big windows!
On the other side of my work table are my fabrics, scrap drawers and pressing station. It’s a delightful, colorful view. I highly recommend a good view from the sewing table, so that you feel happy to sit there for quite some time ;)
Isn’t this a cute little pegboard? Handy too.
And my favorite thing in the space? This quilt: Kaleidoscope Groove. I totally rediscovered it when I was considering options for this wall.
Sometimes when you come back to an old project, you see its struggles, successes and plain cleverness in fresh ways. This quilt was quite a difficult creative process for me, but the result feels like perfection. It tells me that sometimes beauty is fragmented, and doesn’t come easy, but it is beauty all the same.
Thanks for visiting!
Such an inspiring room for you, Rachel! I think I would want to spend all my time in my studio if it looked and felt the way yours does! The bright beautiful colors and quilts make it such a happy place to be. The picture of Aria, Liam and Eleni is such a sentimental picture of your children at a younger time! I love your kaleidoscope quilt it’s one of my favorites that you have made!
So lovely, fresh, airy, bright, organized, colorful, spacious...and all yours! All yours.