Not everyone enjoys working in the same kind of environment...tidy/cluttered, white walls/bright color, silence/music/TV, etc.

I think the motivation behind organizing your sewing space is just to be handling your fabrics! Refold them! Fondle them! Put pretty colors together. Maybe even run across a forgotten UFO that gets your juices flowing again. The goal is not just to have an organized space, but to spend time in your material world!
Who knows what may come of it?

I'm in the process of making the pin cushions that Alex showed us on show 1008 to give to my quilty friends, they probably have lots but I thought Alex's were so nice and at least it got me sewing again after not knowing what to to do.
I'm also sorting out my scraps into colours instead of having to wade through a tangled mess, it won't stay tidy for long though but I tried.
Happy quilting
Anne

Good luck with all the advice to clean the sewing room! In my next life! One tool that helps my creativity is keeping a clipboard with scrap paper( i.e.:the backs of discarded, printed computer paper) and a pencil handy to my spot near the sofa. The strangest things - on-line, tv, music, print media, even random memories - will spark and idea for a quilt theme. I'll make a quick sketch and/or note to pin on the wall or place in file. Fabric in my stash or at the store will usually spark a recall to a filed idea. Then Katie, bar the door!

Check out the video tutorials on byannie.com about putting zippers in bags.

http://www.byannie.com/zippers_videos/

You can also get the magnetic closures at Joann's. They are easy to put in and work really well.

eileenkny wrote:
Eileen, the PortaPocket does have a zipper, but the directions are super simple and straight forward. You just sew a 1/4" seam on the long sides! Easy Peasy!
But you can always leave that section out!

Neither of the other two bags I made had zippers. The large tote uses magnetic closures, which were easy to add. The smaller purse had directions for a button closure, but I left it off because I actually prefer a purse left open at the top.
In hind-sight, I wish I had added magnets!
http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/metals.htm


Oh well...if fore-sight were as good as hind-sight, we'd all be a darn sight better off!

I don't know where you would look on your side of the pond, but it is possible to buy the magnetic catches for handbags over here, so you could do without a zip, or how about using a flap and buckle instead?

My problem with making bags is that I can't do zippers. I'll make a confession here-I made it through a year of Home Ec without ever doing a zipper or buttonhole . I used a lot of ribbons and it got me a C grade for the year.

Any of those bags not require a zipper?

Thanks Pam!! I made that one first, thinking it would work for Houston, but it's much larger than I want to carry for an everyday purse. I love it for times when I need more space, but I'm really happy with the smaller sized purse. Of course, if I were to do it again, I would make some changes, but isn't that the way of everything?

Margo. I love your Lollapalooza bag. I have saved the websites too. It could make up in so many different fabrics and be anything from very casual to very formal. Thank you ofr sharing with us

The fashion police would throw me under the jail!! I live in jeans and tee shirts, and these days it's impossible to find a simple purse that isn't HUGE, covered in pockets and chains and extra bling! Just give me a plain little denim bag, please!! Never mind....I'll do it myself!

Those are really smart, Margo. And the good thing with making your own bag is you can be stylish, to your own requirements, rather than a fashion victim and not have the facilities you want.

Margo,
You come up with the greatest things! I've saved both the port-a-pocket and the purse pattern sites. Thank you so much for all the links you give us.

That's what I've been doing Rosemary! I'm in jeans most of the time, so I've made a denim tote bag, and a smaller denim purse. The bright orange PortaPockets should make it easier to switch as the occasion call for more or less room.


http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/portapockets.htm


pattern: http://pursepatterns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=164


pattern: http://www.studiokatdesigns.com/lollapalooza.htm

This denim tote is made with the right and "other" side of one piece of denim fabric! Cool, huh!