"ORGANIZE YOUR STASH & SEWING ROOM"

Hey quilters....I've received several tips on organizing a sewing room ( between us I cannot use the term..." clutter" in my sewing room....fabric is not clutter :-) Well...I've saved the tips to make a nice interesting article that you can even print out if needed. I know when I'm working on a project and  need some extra "punch" in a design it's nice to go to my organized stash of fabric. If your sewing room is small like mine these tips will come in handy! Anyway, thanks for sending in your tips!

DESIGN WALL...small, medium and large for your layout of current project and when you get an inspiration of your next.
CORKBOARD SQUARES...adhere to a closet door wall to organize your cutting rulers with pegs for easy accessibility.
CUTTING TABLE...purchase or create one of your own that is "Sturdy" and has storage space underneath for shelves or containers to "stash" your fabrics
CREATE A "L" SHAPE...sewing room to organize your furniture around the perimeter of your room.
ANTIQUE CORNER CABINETS and CHESTS....make adorable storage areas plus gives your room a less industrial feel while being creative
STASH...take a few minutes with scraps and cut immediately into "charm squares"...organize them by size and store/label for future use
CARDBOARD....use extra holders that your fabric store gives away and use them to wrap your pre-washed and ironed fabric on....
ORGANIZE BY COLOR AND SEASON....love this tip....creating that easy "go to" color when needed for projects
CASTERS...purchase/build tables and cabinets on casters for easy accessibility and flexibility of usage of space
PROJECT INSPIRATION WALL...have a "mini" peg wall for your goals of the week or month. I go to the next extreme....I put pics of the grandkids to make me smile when I get frustrated on a project.
2 PK SWEATER STORAGE BAGS....purchase at dollar store are great for temporary storing your projects and great for traveling to your quilt workshops.
UTILIZE THE SPACE ABOVE YOUR WINDOWS...place shelves to store baskets, quilt books etc.
I love this one....I use baskets and pre-cut my strips for projects and loosely hang them over the baskets for easy accessibility
STASH BASKET....hang a basket by your cutting table to discard your scraps in for later cutting
ORGANIZE YOUR THREAD....by color and style ( hand sewing, machine quilting etc)
MINI CUTTING MAT....by your sewing table for easy accessibility to trim while sewing
IRON....I have one by sewing machine to press seams while sewing along with the great tip above!
STORAGE BASKETS....clear storage containers to hold same size cuts of fabric....label outside for easy access
JARS....create a accessory magnetic wall to store pins etc in magnetic tins (cute one)
DOOR STORAGE....utilize the back of doors to use "clear over the door shoe holders" to store your items for easy access and visibility
UNDER WINDOWS....create a storage unit under windows to utilize that space of 18-24" depending on window size
PORTABLE IRON BOARD....on your cutting table for small projects
INDUSTRIAL CABINETS....great for storing plus magnetic holders are easy accessible for items
FLOORING....have low maintenance floors in sewing room for cleaning plus easy movement of cabinets, storage units with casters
COLOR....create color for your inspiration in your sewing room
COFFEE POT...I love this one....have a small 4 cup handy in sewing room
Thanks for the tips....keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

"CUT FOR THE CURE"

Good morning quilters...recently I was asked what rulers that I like to use. I have to tell you that thanks to my "Mother in Law's" wonderful birthday present last year, I fell in love with these. They are "Cut for the Cure Rulers by Nifty Notions". Mom has a special reason for this gift due to she's a "Breast Cancer Survivor". These rulers are designed by Kaye England and  a portion of sales proceeds go directly to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The rulers are designed with a Breast Cancer awareness theme. The 12 rulers in the collection consists of 3 squares, 3 rectangles, and 6 specialty rulers. They have bright pink and green lines, allowing them to work on light and dark fabrics. Each ruler have sight lines every sixteenth inch and sight holes at every inch intersection. If you buy the complete package you get a wonderful DVD with Kaye England demonstrating each use of ruler with helpful tips. Quilters.....I have to say...they are wonderful and easy to use plus you are helping a great cause! You can go to Kaye England website for more information.
Keep the tips or q's coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

"ADORABLE MINATURE QUILT STAND HOLDERS"

Hey quilters....hope everyone is back safe and sound from family vacations before the hustle of "back to school". Blog tips were slow last week but thanks for sending tips this week. I had to post this info in the meantime. I received this info and the website has the most adorable miniature quilt stand holders. They have "Table Top" metal quilt stand holders plus wall hangers as well. You can purchase individual "headers" to change out seasonally. They would make adorable stands for those Christmas presents when you like to add that personal touch. Anyway, the prices are reasonable so check it out at ackfeldwire.com. Thanks for sending in that great Holiday tip! Keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

T.G.I.Q/FRIDAY...."TIPS ON CONTROLLING BORDERS'

Hey quilters....it's hard to believe it's Friday already! Hope everyone is having a great week and getting those projects going for Christmas. Before we know it Santa will be going HO, HO, HO and if your like, you'll be going NO, NO, NO! I am determined this year to get my gifts done ahead of time due to me making gifts for other people. I can definitely say with this heat I'd rather be inside quilting :-) Anyway, here are some tips of the week along with a segment on controlling our borders. Thanks for sending in tips....keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

*Gather fabric cardboard holders from local quilt shops to use in your sewing room. Pre-wash and iron your fabrics and wrap on cardboards and you are "good to go" for your next project.
* At your next quilt meeting or retreat...make re-usable "quilt-tags" instead of just your ordinary
name tag....again a gift they can re-use....have a segment on how to make them as well.
* Save your plastic drink containers to safely dispose of your rotary cutting blades.
* Sweet quilt hanger for small projects....use a twisted cord drapery tie-back
* Use a clip-board stand to display your quilt design on table next to your sewing machine to have design to reflect on as needed.
* Organize your scraps into plastic containers by colors and prints....cut into charm squares for your next scrap quilt.

Helpful tips so we don't get "wavy borders"
* Cut your border strips to fit your top...instead of pre-cut strips
* Cut borders on the lengthwise grain of fabric are easier to bind....edges are more stable
* To help keep crosswise grain fabric stable use spray starch on fabric before cutting.
* While laying your quilt layers together for basting/quilting....place on a smooth/flat surface

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY....LETTER TO SANTA PATTERN"

Hey quilters....it's hard to believe it's July already. I was in a store the other day and Christmas décor is already out. With the birth of our Grandson Davin, I designed this quilt for his first Christmas. It's a fast and easy pattern and is absolutely adorable when finished. You can personalize it with your family's names or makes an adorable gift to in laws with the grandchildren's names on it as well. Pattern will be 10% off the month of July to help you get a "jump start" on your Christmas Gifts! We are also offering 10% off custom orders this month if you do not wish to make the pattern yourself.
Email me to receive mailing instructions. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

 

 

"LETTER TO SANTA"

52 X 60

 

Copyright, Children's Couture by Cat, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'T.G.I.Q./FRIDAY'

Hey quilters...Thank God I Quilt and it's Friday!....hope everyone had a great week. I've received several tips this week. Always remember....they may be old news to an experienced quilter but someone just starting out may really appreciate your tips. Sometimes sharing our mistakes can really be a time saver for someone else. Also, wanted to share my "cutting table" that my husband made me from  his Grandfather's 3/4 bed. Doug made a table insert to go between the headboard and footboard. The 3/4 bed was hand made and carved from his grandfather. We are estimating it's at least 90 years old. Now that's re-purposing and twice treasured. The cutting table is a hit when the quilting ladies come over! Recently submitted photo/article to Fon's and Porter Tip T.V. segment and they replied back this morning that it's going on to the producer. If we get selected for the tip segment we receive a year's subscription to their magazine. Wish us luck!
Anyway, thanks so much for sending in your tips. Keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com

* Attach scraps from quilt on the back of the quilt that can be later used from patching if needed along with your quilt label.
* Use your ironing board along side your sewing table to help balance the weight of quilt while machine quilting
* The dollar store has garden gloves that are rubber backed that are great to use while machine quilting (rubber helps grip fabric while free-motion quilting)
* Always cut your strips on the bias for curved applique' pieces/binding curved edges. It's cut on a 45* angle to the salvage and has the most stretch (wonderful for stems, etc)
* When cutting strips for a quilt she attaches them with a small clothespins (from craft stores) to a wire hanger so they are available as needed
* Going to quilt guild mtg's with your work in progress...she takes her extra thread wound in bobbins to save on space. No need to carry the extra large spools :-)
* Puzzle mats are great for folding up your work in progress when going to workshops etc.
* When storing quilts she uses "swimming pool noodles" to help eliminate creases if folded. Wrap noodle with your left over batting to protect the quilts. Again. the dollar store has these in season right now
* Extra quilt squares ...join them together to make a charity quilt!

 

email me if anyone would like to know how Doug created this :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

'BRIGHTEN SOMEONE'S DAY by RECYCLING OLD MAGAZINES"

Hey....received this tip and have to say I personally experienced this first hand. She recommended taking your magazines once viewed (new or old) to your local hospitals, churches etc. Many hospitals have chemo centers and patients would love to view a magazine to help keep their minds off of what they are experiencing during treatments. Also, you can contact your local hospice centers to donate them to local families. Local Churches also have members that are recuperating at home and would greatly appreciate magazines to read during their down time. I know personally, during all 4 ankle surgeries that I had within the last four years, I would have gone nuts without Moms quilt books. I had healing difficulties after my surgeries and had leg elevated for several months. I went through over 150 of her quilt books and magazines. Sometimes it's the "little things" that can brighten someone's day. So recycle those magazines!
Thanks so much for sharing this great tip. Keep them coming!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
email tips: cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com