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(image: tes.com)
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Amanda is showing a number of quick videos highlighting her tips for free-motion quilting swirls at WeAllSew.com. They give such great texture and movement to a quilt, yet people frequently struggle to find a style that suits them. But once you learn the basic rhythm, there are so many variations that you’ll be sure to find one that you enjoy.
Star Members can watch Amanda in Show 1312: Just in Time! Perfect Projects for the Holidays.
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Having the proper table for sewing is important for your body. You are, after all, going to be spending a lot of time at the machine.
When was the last time you thought about your body when sewing? Probably not until your shoulders ached or your back hurt. With the excitement of getting going on a project, we often overlook the fact that our work time can be diminished due to an aching back or shoulders. Having the proper table for sewing is important to your body. You are, after all, going to be spending a lot of time at the machine, so understanding a few important tips will help to make your sewing enjoyable and stress free.
"One of the key concepts of ergonomics is keeping your body in a neutral position as much as possible. Neutral position is the most relaxed state for your body. Your weight is centered and your limbs are relaxed. Whether sitting or standing, your body should be centered on your work...Since very few sewing tables are adjustable for height, you can choose a chair with adjustable seat height. Your seat needs to be adjusted so that when your arms and shoulders are relaxed, your palms can rest on the sewing machine bed with your elbows forming a 90° angle." (Excerpt from Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space by Lois Hallock)
We will address chairs in our next article, but for this week we want to share ideas that just might be the perfect fit for your creative space.
When shopping for a sewing table or extension here are a few things to keep in mind from the folks at Sewing Furniture:
1. Check Sizing:
Before you shop, take measurements and jot down some numbers:
2. Decide on Storage:
Make sure the sewing cabinet or table you’re planning to buy can hold everything you mean to put in it. If your storage is minimal, make other plans.
3. Do Your Quality Check:
Stability, Sturdiness, and Long-life, these are things that won’t come out in the manufacturer’s description, but you should be able to find them easily in user reviews.
4. Don’t Forget Assembly:
Also check the reviews to see the if the other buyers were able to assemble the beast.
If you’ve got that, you’ve pretty much got everything. Of course there’s a bit more to buying your table—you’ll be selecting based on color, style, and aesthetics as well as the practical details—but there you don’t need any schooling. Have fun shopping, and bring home a table that will stay with you through years of comfortable, well-organized sewing!
Sewing Cabinets and Tables
If you are purchasing a dedicated table...
Portable Sewing Tables
If you don’t own a cabinet that your sewing machine sits down into, an 18"x24" (or larger) acrylic sewing table is a MUST for quilting.
You'll need to know the specific make and model of your sewing machine to order the correct one. (The size of the cut out is different for each machine.)
I recommend you DO NOT order one smaller than 18" x 24". There's just not enough room to put your hands while you move the layered sandwich under the needle.
Tabletop extensions such as the SewSteady increase your working surface area and reduce fabric drag. SewSteady
The Sew & Go Table offers adjustable height, folds away flat, and offers easy portability. Sullivan
The SewEzi table includes a handy carrying case and inserts can be purchased to convert the table into a light box. SewEzi
Build your own for a customized and dedicated sewing table that includes storage. Keepsake
Upcycle a sturdy dining table. Amysfreemotionquiltingadventures
Create your own sewing machine space using a purchased pine table. Minneapolismqg
Build a custom sewing table with Ikea products for under $20. Badskirt
Not handy with power tools? There are a variety of sewing machine cabinets available on the market.
Olivia sewing table and matching chair on wheels in Olive. Joann
Go from sewing space to decorative piece of furniture. Sauder
With 31.5 square feet of sewing space, the Aussie Cabinet folds down to just a 99 1/2" x 22" unit when not in use. Arrow
Custom sewing cabinet. WoodenImages
Want improve support for your back? Leah Day offers a handy gadget that will help to improve your posture and relieve shoulder stress.
Just joined our year of organizing? Click here for other TQS Organization blogs.
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In celebration of National Sewing Month, WeAllSew is hosting a fun presser foot contest throughout the month of September!
This month they are inviting all BERNINA sewing machine owners to share one of their favorite sewing techniques. The BERNINA team will choose three winners out of the shared techniques to receive a free BERNINA presser foot and an exclusive blog post feature on BERNINA’s WeAllSew blog.
Click on the button below for all the details. Good Luck!
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Alexandra Kehayoglou uses scraps of leftover thread from her family's carpet factory in Buenos Aires to create handmade wool rugs that look like dreamy aerial landscapes. Her laborious hand-tufting process creates carpets and rugs that mimic natural textures like moss, water, trees and pastures. They can turn an entire room into a lush meadow or they can work as a tapestry and flow from the walls to the floor. Her creations can take several months to complete.
One of her most recent pieces is a carpeted runway for designer Dries Van Noten made in collaboration with Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
To see more of Kehayoglou’s tufted wool landscapes - look on Instagram, Artsy.
(photo: ThisisColossal.com)
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A child-size bag isn't always easy to find, but Stacy Schlyer at WeAllSew.com created the perfect size bag to make just for your child.
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This beautiful quilt is by Barbara H. Cline who is also featured in Show 1906: Crazy for Crazy Quilts with Allie Aller. Did you know that in a number of our shows we double your learning fun with more than one teacher or one technique to learn? That's right, you do the math, we have over 400 teachers and techniques right at your fingertips. That's less than 10¢ a technique. This is a great year to give membership a try.
Click here to watch Barbara and Allie in action.
Click here to order Barbara's book, "Amazingly Simple Triangle Stars."
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The wonderful Basil by Barbara Yates Beasley.
Star Members can learn how Barbara creates these animal portraits in Show 1905: Animal Portraits.
Original Photo: Gregory Case
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When we saw this hanging in the textile section of the Anthropologie store, we thought it looked like the softest thing ever...until we got a little bit closer....
It's not so soft...it's made out of clothespins!!! Do you think they have one in EVERY store?
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"Why Quilts Matter" spoke with Allie Aller about the re-emergence of crazy quilts and how they foreshadowed the art quilts of today.
Click here to read the interview with Allie.
Watch how Allie creates her fabulous crazy quilts in Show 1906: Crazy for Crazy Quilts.
"Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics" is the landmark nine-part documentary series that offers a fresh, relevant exploration of quilts.
It explores quilts in fresh new ways by taking you behind the scenes to reveal the unique position of quilts at the center of American culture. You'll go on an amazing quilt journey from function to art, to women's empowerment, economic clout, American politics and beyond.
Want to see what else Allie is up to now? See her latest show:
Show 2105: A Modern Approach to Stained Glass Quilting & Shot Cottons in Traditional Blocks.
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