Sunday, June 15, 2014

Guess Your Best (Giveaway), a Tip, and a Peek at the Sewing Room


Above is currently what's up in the sewing room. I expect to finish it tonight, or mostly finish, but I need to take a break and get to the grocery store. I thought I'd post a sneak peak while I'm out and make a little "contest"/giveaway. I have a duplicate all-sizes (different) dress pattern from the same indie company as I'm currently sewing. So, if you guess what dress pattern (yes, dress) the above is, your name will be entered into the giveaway draw, winner to be announced next Saturday. I'll mail the pattern anywhere, so this is open to everyone. Once I post the finished dress and identify the pattern (tomorrow evening at the earliest), the contest will close.

I spent some time yesterday organizing the sewing room a little more. I still have a LONG way to go! One of the things that was bugging me the most was not having my thread organized and handy so I got my thread racks hung and loaded. This reminded me of a little tip I picked up somewhere years and years ago, and I thought I'd share it here for anyone who hasn't heard it before.

You'd think with FOUR thread racks, I wouldn't run out of space. Hah! While there are some empty spots at the moment, that's only because I haven't replaced some used up spools yet. Usually, it's bursting with spools.


To make more space, get thee some plastic straws. Cut them about 4" long and slice/cut them lengthwise. This slice lets the straw curl tighter to fit into the spool hole easier. Slide the straw onto a spoke on your rack and double or triple your storage-per-spoke, depending on spool height. Obviously, there are no strict rules here and you cut your straws to whatever length works best for you.


Finally, here's a little peek into the "new" space. It's pretty tight in here even if it looks roomier than it is. The fabric is mess. Some rolled, some flat. All just stuck willy-nilly wherever in the cubbies. I thought I wanted it rolled, but have decided against that. The thought of getting it all organized makes my head hurt so I'm just dealing with it as is for now. There's also still more fabric in bins/boxes in various places throughout the house. It's a mess.


Speaking of hanging stuff, have any of you used the Command hooks and/or Velcro-ish hanger thingies? Those things ROCK ... as long as everything doesn't come crashing down in a couple of months. ;-)

41 comments:

  1. This is Vogue 8972. HOPE I WIN!

    Brenda
    iowa_genealogist@yahoo.com

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  2. I have no idea what pattern that is, but it's a cheerful looking top! Glad to see that your sewing room is beginning to take shape; it's important to have your priorities straight and get your important spaces working.

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  3. Lovely top. I have no idea either but wanted to say how lovely it looks. Great tip with the straws.

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  4. So glad that you've got your sewing room up and that you're starting to work in it. Tight is better than no sewing room - at least in my book. Can't wait to see your finished top/dress?!

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  5. At least you are getting to sew; that's a good thing. Don't need another pattern ;-) hey, did you get a cutting table? I think that may be what I see.

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    1. Nope. That's the top and mat from the old table just plunked on a smaller table as a base. so far, so good.

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  6. Hot Patterns Uptown/Downtown?

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  7. OK, I feel like an idiot. I tried the straws, but they were too big around and the lengthwise cut never occurred to me. Duh. Off to redo the thread racks! K

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  8. HP 1071 Weekender Sunshine Tops is my guess!

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  9. I thought the Hotpattern Sunshine Tops as well.

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  10. Shoot now that read the post again and saw dress the it must be Hot Patterns Uptown Downtown. The fabric is throwing me!

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  11. My guess is Colette Moneta because of the neckline. Looking forward to seeing the reveal.

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  12. I'm a fan of command hooks- I use them to hold rulers, scarves & purses. They're awesome, although I haven't tried yet to take them down or anything. :)

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  13. I don't know which pattern it is but I'd love to know what the fabric is & where you got it . It's soooo pretty

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  14. No clue on the pattern but I still had to comment to say I'm so glad to see your posts popping up in my feed again. :-)

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  15. Hot Patterns Uptown Downtown. And I love command hooks! I use them all over the house and in the sewing room they keep a press cloth close at hand, and this one pressing tool, no idea what it is called.

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  16. HP 1090 Classix Nouveau Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress

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  17. Is it the HP Uptown/Downtown knit dress?

    Your straw tip is genius. You should submit it to Threads!

    Glad to see that you're posting again.

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  18. I thought that it was the new HP Blouse-back tee (I'm wearing my not-yet-blogged version right now) from the dressform shot, but since you said it was a dress, I think I'll need to go with everyone else's guess of the Uptown/Downtown dress. Don't enter me in the contest, though--I already have that pattern. ;)

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    1. Michelle, the giveaway is for a different pattern. still want to opt out?

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  19. I'm going to guess Hot Patterns' Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress - LOVE your fabric choice! Great tip on thread storage; and best of luck organizing your fabrics - that's a project on my summer todo list too. Sarai;s blog 'Colleterie' blog posted a great 'tag' system of identification on 6/11; I'm going to give that a try.

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  20. I have had command hooks up for years in various spots in the house. They hold like crazy, if you follow instructions.

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  21. No clue on what pattern but from the guesses above - the HP uptown/downtown dress looks closest.
    Like the straw idea - I'm going to go 'install' some straws.

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  22. I'm going Hot Patterns Uptown Downtown Dress as I know you like Hot Patterns and it looks like that neckline.

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  23. Is it hot patterns uptown downtown? Fun print. Looking forward to seeing more.

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  24. Hot Patterns Classic Nouveau Uptown Downtown dress? Super cute as a top!

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  25. I have no idea what the pattern is, but it sounds like lots of people know it :). It looks lovely though, a great match between the fabric and pattern. I desperately need thread racks like yours - my threads are currently in a shoe box, driving me nuts every time I'm looking for the *exact* match to my fabric!

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  26. Love it that you're back posting, I've missed you. I think the pattern could be the Style Arc Kristen dress.

    Your room looks great btw.

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  27. Love the fabric that you have used. I too think that it is HP uptown downtown dress with the round neckline and raglan style sleeves

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  28. Love your thread racks. My threads are stored in a box. Your sewing room looks lovely and bright. Great to see you getting sorted.

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  29. My guess is pocket full of posies by blank slate

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  30. So glad you are back to posting. I love following your blog especially the fitting posts - I too think it's the HP Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

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  31. My guess is Hot Patterns Uptown/Downtown. I like how your sewing room is looking. I especially like the windows and the natural lighting.

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  32. I think it is HP 1071 Weekender Sunshine Tops made a dress length.
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  33. Love your sewing space, Helenko...I use that same straw trick on my thread racks & STILL don't have enough room! LOL

    I was thinking your dress pattern might be the Indie In & Out dress??
    Did you widen the neckline's band?
    Either way, the fabric is Gorgeous!
    Can't wait to see it completed.

    fondly
    Rettabug

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  35. I'm going with the Colette Moneta. I've got myself thinking I recognize the neckline treatment. I could be on crack.

    SO happy for your new sewing room! Even a snug space is great!

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  36. Fabric is so annoying to organize, isn't it? While my current cupboards are great, it took me a long time to force myself to fold everything neat to put in there. For years, my "fabric organization" included everything (including pin-filled wips) twisted up and dumped on a chair...

    ...oh to have a stash that small again...

    Oh! No clue what pattern that is. :)

    Also, I'm so using your straw idea.

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  37. That looks like HP Uptown Downtown. At first I thought Moneta, but the sleeve is Uptown Downtown. :-)

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