My husband and John put the finishing touch on my now complete studio by hanging my “magic box” this past Wednesday! I’ve been finding every moment I can to stitch and smile since then.
The magic box is where I store the art quilts that shouldn’t be folded. It is an engineering marvel constructed by another wonderful carpenter when we moved into our last home. Fortunately Mike was willing to take it down and move it here, and I’m so grateful he and John were able to put it all together. Here it is in progress:
And here it is installed:
My portable design walls live in front of it, so it’s compact and out of the way, yet provides amazing storage. I’m very blessed.
My new closet has storage for bins and completed quilts:
Tall, hanging space:
And there’s even a little extra room that I’m going to try very hard not to fill too fast (and no ~ I’m not renting out space đ€Ł):
The counter area (on the left) shelters my cutting table so it doesn’t get piled with stuff when not in use.
The area under the counter to the right is perfect for my fabric carts.
I was going to have John put doors on it, but he said they might just be in the way. Then I had a light bulb moment. I purchased a beautiful hand painted “shawl” on our Sew We Go cruise in Hawaii, but I really don’t know where I’ll ever wear it. So I folded it over, stitched a sleeve, and sheered it onto a curtain rod.
It protects my fabric from light and I love looking at it. Plus ~ it’s easy to move out of the way.
Now I’m trying out the sewing area and having fun tweaking and rearranging as I’m working.
I still have plenty of stuff, but at least it’s organized and I know where everything is. Now it’s time to finish my latest challenge quilt and a crib quilt for a baby girl who’s on the way! It feels so good to be quilting again!!!
judy raddatz says
So happy that you have the perfect area to create.
Juleen Jaeger says
Love your âhappy placeâ! You are blessed!
Doris Ast says
I am so envious as that is a sewing studio any serious quilter would like to have. I am glad to have a sewing room even though it is only 11 x 13.
Mary Wedor says
Wow! How wonderful! Great space! Enjoy
Ruth Grater says
Wonderful quilting space. Enjoy!
Diane says
Amazing and beautiful. You truly are blessed! Canât wait to see the creativity to come from this room and you. Enjoy your happy place!
Rene Steven says
Beautiful! Would you be willing to write a post with more construction details and photos of the Magic Box in use? Thatâs looks very intriguing.
Patti N says
There was a blog post about the magic box. https://www.chrisquilts.net/?s=magic+box
clkquilt says
I’ll include information about the Magic box and my quilt floating system in next week’s post!
Laurie Neubauer says
Oh so happy for you Chris that your happy place is finished. I especially love the placement of your sewing machine overlooking the outdoors of God’s creation. That’s always uplifting and inspiring. I do love the Hawaiian shawl coverup for hiding the fabric carts. It’s gorgeous! It takes a lot of planning and work to get everything to fit so well together. Cheers to everyone who helped make this completion day possible and wishing you many wonderful creations coming from your “Happy Place.”
Laurie
Sue Shaffer says
I have a question about the last photo with the machine quilting station. What brand is it and how is it to quilt on? I know I don’t have room for a long arm machine and recently saw one advertised similar to yours. It didn’t have the metal arm above the machine like yours. Does that help hold excess quilt folds as you are sewing? I’m really curious about it. Your Happy Place is wonderful! I have a happy place also, but it isn’t quite as spacious as yours, even tho it’s the largest room in our house! LOL Happy stitching! Sue
Patti N says
I think that’s a Handi-Quilter Sweet 16. The bar above it was something she added for helping keep the weight of the quilt off the table. There was a blog post about it – I think about a year ago?
clkquilt says
I’m working on next week’s post and will include links from previous “topics of the week” about my mid-arm machine and the Quilt Float system :-)!
Ginny says
Loving your new sewing area and all the storage. You did a great job putting it all together. The natural light by the sewing machine reminds me of my childhood..our sewing machine was in front of a window too. Loved it.
Now get sewing and have fun messing it up. Lol
Ann Thome says
Chris,
You deserve a wonderful place to be creative. You have encouraged, taught, and supported so many new quilters (myself, included) and thanks for sharing your very organized room.
Cathy Borneman says
Wonderful!!!
Cathy De Vries says
BEAUTIFUL SET-UP! ENJOY the SPACE!
đ§”đȘĄđ§”
WANDA E KRUGER says
WOW!! Really great sewing area; you are blessed that your husband is so talented. My husband passed 13 years ago and did a lot of creative building for me. I moved, too, 18 months ago, so am on my own; making due with what I have.
Patti N says
So happy for you to have that done. I love that you have bungee cords on your fabric carts to keep the fabric from falling off!
Dianne David says
Love the quilt support you have over your machine. Is that something you designed or something I can purchase?
Julie Vandermause says
Well Fickle Snitz and wollopers, what a Sewerâs dream space to work. You are truly blessed.Good things take time and itâs proven there for sure. Where do I go Chris to find out what classes you are teaching ?
Thanks for continuing to share your life with all of us,
Julie
clkquilt says
Hi Julie, At this time I only have classes and lectures scheduled with quilt guilds. The move overtook my life, but now I’m hoping to get back into a routine. As soon as I figure out where and when I’ll be teaching classes – I’ll share it in my blog. Thanks for your interest!
Debbie H. says
Oh Chris….how wonderful to have all that space and the organizational ideas you have put in place. Your creativity really has shown through and know you will have many years to enjoy it. Thank you so much for sharing and giving “us” some great tips đ
Cindy Unruh says
Looks amazing! Know youâre happy!