Wednesday, September 13, 2017

A Community Sewing Room


 This idea came into my head...why not make a sewing room in the vacant room at church that used to house our knitting group's yarn storage? Tables and chairs were readily available and the room was well lit and air conditioned, and I had extra supplies of everything needed for sewing and quilting. This morning I mounted the big design wall, and tomorrow I will get a batt big enough to cover it (60% off Joann's coupon). In the meantime, I have pinned up a top and some blocks over a piece of white cotton, to simulate the effect. There is a large cutting table and another for pressing, covered slapdash at the moment with a canvas covered blanket, and held fast with bulldog clips. Hey, it works and I will make it look better in coming days. On the small table is cone thread and my entire scrap collection. 
 My good old Panasonic iron, with auto-shut off will get used and behind the pressing table is a wire shelf unit which just needs assembling...it has been waiting for about 5 years. Maybe now it will happen.

Two of my machines are set up here, and I still have another at home. And on the right wall, a smaller 48" design wall. My sister found this Elna (made in Switzerland!) on the side of the road, I kid you not, and it works just great, so it came along to join the fun.

How have I managed to collect so many rotary cutters, scissors, pins and needles? Also on the table are two mats and oodles of rulers and templates. We already have a good supply of fabric and more is waiting to be hauled upstairs.
This room is on the third floor, no elevator! So it's a good thing we have enough sewing machines to get us started.
Who is the us of which I speak? So far I know of two others in the church who showed a great deal of interest, and I am thinking that once we announce this facility, folks will come out of the woodwork. If you build it, they will come. I hope.




15 comments:

  1. Great ideas. We have three sit and sew at various church during the week. So much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great idea.

    You're lucky you church will let you have such a space on a semi-permanent basis and not require you to break down and put everything aside for some once a week bible class or something.

    I can see your group making wonderful things.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great mission opportunity for your church to undertake. I wish you the best, you should feel so proud for setting this up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How do you have so many rotary cutters, rulers, etc. Because you are neat and they are all together, not two here, one down stairs, one tucked in a half cut project.... you get the feel.

    I Will be very surprised if you don't get a group going..... what are you trying to do with this group? I would love a place at church to sew with others. Quilters meet once a month but the room is scheduled before we meet and after we meet and there is no storage for anything besides tables and chairs....

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is wonderful. You are amazing and your generosity never seizes to amaze me,
    epecially of your time

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would be there in a heartbeat to sew with you Melody, the only problem that I see is that I live in New Mexico! Too bad, because it looks like a fabulous space! I can't complain, because once a month I get to sew with a small group of ladies upstairs above a sewing machine store that is spacious too. But we cannot keep things set up like you have there. It is the classroom for when there is a class scheduled. I know you will get a lot of people, maybe even more than the room can handle. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. If I were closer, I would come! How cool to have a dedicated space!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful place to gather!! New friends will be made and fun will be had.....what a blessing!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So Cool! I wish I lived close enough to join you. I used to have that Elna SU. It's a great machine!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Excellent idea Melody! Bet you get a group going there and I second Kathy F - I wish I lived close enough too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I, for one am interested and I'm about an hour south in Acworth,GA...have followed you for years and am coming to CHA to look at a car for sale...it's almost in my backyard!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Leighway, I know where Acworth is, as I pass it on my way to IKEA. Email me, and we'll discuss meeting.

    ReplyDelete
  13. what a wonderful idea and kudos to you for seeing it through!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That looks like such a pleasant place for sewing with friends.

    ReplyDelete