Button Hooks

No, this isn't a post about vintage button hooks used to fasten the tiny buttons on Victorian boots or gloves, but on a recent visit to The Container Store (gathering organization ideas) I saw these very cute hooks- wouldn't they be great in a sewing room?

They come in red, white or blue so very colourful. They are easy to install and I see so many uses for them.

Just thought I would share, in case one of your New Year Resolutions was to get your sewing room organised!

Happy New Year (in a New Apartment)!

Happy New Year!

We recently moved apartments (yes in December before Christmas, but it has been the mildest December on record here in Connecticut!) and now we are finally settled in! We chose to move the small items ourselves and the moving company did the heavy job (furniture, boxes of books, anything that looked awkward).  One heavy item is my sewing machine table. It doesn't come apart and is very heavy! It has a small drawer on the left side. And was the one thing I forgot to remove and take to the house myself, of course, and it became a casualty of the move (the only casualty I hasten to add), as the men didn't realise it was still full of things and it fell open! They did put everything back into the drawer, but not quite how it was meant to go!

So one morning before going back to the old apartment to load up with more sewing room items (how much can someone actually have in their sewing room?!!) I sat and put the drawer back how it was meant to be.

 

Now it is all neat again and I can see just how many tape measures I have (thank you Kerri Mecca for a lot of them are table favours from SAGA Conventions) and how many needle threaders (thank you Claudia Newton as there is always one in every class kit) and how many finger shields (thank you Lillie McAnge as again there was one in all the class kits) and how many containers of pins (and each one is for something different-lace pins; applique pins, glass headed pins, silk pins) and how many bees waxes (thank you Jeannie Baumeister for putting those in your kits) but at least I can find these items again!

I could show you photos of the new sewing  room (AKA the guest room) as it went from being neat with the bed, night table, chest of drawers and sewing machine table to a room full of boxes of ribbon, lace, knitting needles, buttons, vintage baby clothes waiting to find new homes, but I think you can all picture that yourselves!

It is back to being neat again now-thank goodness and I can't wait to get in there and start sewing again!

Scissor Storage

I have this vintage rack (originally designed to display teaspoons) in my sewing room and I use it to store the little embroidery scissors (I seem to have acquired) when they are not in use.

I also display a few of my hankies. It makes for an interesting piece of wall art.

My larger scissors and other handy tools are held by a magnetic knife rack which is fixed to the wall within reach of my sewing machine.

 

 

 

My snips and 4 inch trimming scissors are next the the sewing machine.

Where are your sewing scissors and how do you store them for easy use?

A Mansion Christmas

I was lucky to spend Christmas in Newport, Rhode Island. We were there to visit the Newport mansions , or to use their correct term, 'cottages' (not a typical cottage as I know it from living in England, that's for sure!) which are decorated for the season. Only three of the Newport Preservation Society properties are open this time of year, but on visiting the Newport Visitor website, I read about another mansion just a few miles away that I thought we should visit.

Blithewold is in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, just up the road from the Roger Williams University. Not a huge imposing property, but a nice, large family home with views of Narragansett Bay. The house was built for the Van Wickle family and still looks as if they live there.

The rooms were lavishly decorated for Christmas using the theme "You are invited..." with each room being decorated by a different person or persons. The rooms took on the feel of a New Year Party or an Engagement Party, or Fancy Dress Party to name but a few.

I was most taken with a small bedroom which is called the sewing room, where under the window was the sewing machine, with a party frock waiting for some attention. Fine embroidered linens lay on the bed, ready to be put out for the family and guests.

In a couple of glass showcases two dresses have been conserved and are on display. One lavishly beaded, the other a more simple silk day gown.

Yes, I enjoyed the 'cottages' on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, but the surprise of Blithewold in Bristol made Christmas really special.

Blithewold Mansion, gardens and arboretum can be found at 101 Ferry Road, Bristol, Rhode Island.

You have to be comfortable

Have you enjoyed seeing the sewing rooms of your fellow SAGA members? I know the blog has received a lot of visits.

 Today's sewing room photos show that comfort is a key to a some of you in your sewing room- whether it is a favourite place to sit and stitch......
 

 

 

 

or somewhere to recline and ponder your next project..... 

Wherever you sit and sew I hope you have enjoyed the posts on 'Where SAGA Members Actually Sew!'

Where SAGA Members Acually Sew Part 2

Okay, so the first blog on SAGA members sewing rooms showed examples that went from one end of the extreme to the other. Today I will share a couple of sewing rooms that are maybe a little more middle of the road....

Anonymous Stitcher #3

 

 I see a lot of interesting methods of storage from plastic boxes to wooden shelves.  Using sewing items and storage as part of the room décor is also a common theme.

Anonymous Stitcher #4

 

Anonymous Stitcher #5

 

 

Do any of these rooms look like yours? I am sure some of you are seeing similarities!

There will be more Where SAGA Members Actually Sew soon.

Places SAGA Members Actually Sew

Some of the photos shared by SAGA members of their sewing rooms have been used to make limited edition notecards, but what of the other photos we received? Well, in today’s blog I thought I would share a couple of sewing rooms with you.

The next few photos are where Anonymous Stitcher Number 1 creates her heirloom garments.  This set up is obviously handy if you have to wash your fabric before you use it or just have a lot of laundry to do as you can pass the time at the  sewing machine while the load washes and dries!

 

 

 

But it works, as Anonymous S titcher Number 1 makes beautiful items, as can been seen in the photo below.

 

Anonymous Stitcher Number 2 shows the complete opposite of the spectrum-an empty sewing room! But what a room! It is approximately 19' X 35". It has a half bath and washer/dryer in it also. Do I see a theme here with the washing machines? This newly completed sewing room seems to have some wonderful views and lots of natural light, as well as lots and lots of built in storage.  I am sure that the owner will soon fill it! Sorry no photos of her latest sewing project-I guess she has been too busy planning this room!

I will share some more sewing room photos soon!

SAGA Special Project

So, what was the Special Project that photos of members sewing rooms were requested for? Well I can now reveal at least one of the projects that some of the photos have been used for!

Six of the photos were used to make notecards that will be on sale at the SAGA convention.

The notecards will be sold in sets of 6 for $10, and the number of sets is limited.

Once they are gone, they are gone!

 

 

I wish to thank all of the ladies who submitted photos of their sewing rooms. It was fun to see where our members actually create their wonderful heirloom garments. If your photo isn’t on one of the notecards, don’t think it isn’t going to be used- there are a couple of other projects in the works, so visit the blog often as you may be surprised at what you see!

If the sale of these notecards is successful, we hope to have another exclusive set ready for sale at the first retreat in Las Vegas!