Something different.............

This post is still relating to quilting but a different angle. 

I just have to share with you something I was so excited about when I was designing my sewing room.  I took one section of the cabinets and designed a Murphy’s table not a bed but a large cutting table.  Purchased a large cutting mat to go on top so I could cut anywhere on the table I wanted.  Don’t let me fool you because you go where there’s space open to cut!!!  I just loved it.

Now I’m not a carpenter so if my wording for certain parts are incorrect I hope you still can figure it out.  The table would disappear in the cabinet and held up with latches.  When I wanted to use it I’d pull the latches and slowly lower the table top and secure the legs with hinges I had mounted.  For the top of the table I had taken some Formica that I had left over from a kitchen project.  My kids also enjoyed this table top because they could use it for homework, putting puzzles together, craft or school projects, really anything.  One problem? It was always full of my projects when they needed it but I would just move my projects over.  There is always room for another project or two, ha ha.  It just seemed that this table didn’t get put in the closet too often.

Now did I make you jealous? 

Well I better confess up!  I did have this table in my sewing room but then I moved.  I got to use it for about two years.  My son is now using the table for multiple projects so it is still being used.  I moved to the country where I grew up, the home place.  I really like country life but do miss my sewing room and the Murphy’s sewing table.

So if you’re designing your sewing or craft room and have a large space think about a table like this for you!  I bet you’ll love it as much as I did.

What sewing room or storage ideas do you have? Maybe you have an idea I could use in my sewing room that I'm designing in my country home!

 Until next time,
 Connie

So soft...............

Have you ever gone into a quilt shop and find this shelf that has really, really soft material that you want to just stand there and rub your hand across it.  It’s so soft you just want to take it home, make a quilt and sleep under it.  This material is called “Cuddle and/or Dimple” material. 

I finally decided I was going to try making a quilt with this material and not be scared of it.  Guess what?   I’ve made quite a few cuddle quilts and yes it is different using this material but anyone can do it.  Just take the first step by buying the material!  Then you get it home and it lays on your table just staring at you – saying when are you going to use me up, I don’t want to just lay here!  No really it’s not bad at all.  After the first one I said “no more!” Guess what?  I’ve made 6 more since then.  So never say never. 

One of the quilts was for a special couple’s wedding.  They both graduated from the same college so I used the college mascot on a white back ground in the middle and had their wedding date machine embroidered underneath.  I also used the college colors for the borders to accent.  They just loved it.  In fact, they used it for the backdrop with the wedding cake.  Awesome!  I was pretty proud.

This quilt is for my gran daughter, Brooklynn, age 2.  This was the first time I tried appliqueing.  I found a website using this material www.cuddlesoftkits.com.  There are several videos that you can watch.  Watch it and see which of these techniques you would like to try.  To be honest I tried the spray adhesive and couldn’t tell that it worked for me.  So I just pinned and basted really good and seemed to work for me.  So try it and see what technique you like the best.

(TIP:  If you work with dimple material don’t iron it on either side because you’re dimples will disappear.) 

What do you do with all the leftover scraps?  I made a miniature quilt just like her big quilt for her doll cradle for Christmas.  Also out of leftover pink scraps I made a little doll pillow. She thought that was really neat because she could carry this quilt and her baby doll together.  On both the quilts I used buttons for the eyes.  Realized I forgot the eyes when I was taking the pictures.

So give it a try and see how you like working with the cuddle material.  Watch out because this does cause dust bunnies! Or maybe I should say furry bunnies!  It wouldn’t be the first or the last bunnies that I will ever see!  

In on a secret!  I also did a cuddle Holstein cow which I haven’t got back from the quilter yet.  Keep checking back with me to see the hot pink quilt with the black and white Holstein!!

Until next time………….

Connie