Hi everyone!
I think the calendar and the weather are finally in agreement that spring has arrived! The temperature is climbing (most days), spring flowers are blooming, trees are budding and lawns are greening.
Spring also means a time for cleaning and organizing. A couple of posts ago, I talked about several ways that Handi Quilter helps with organizing and simplifying your longarm quilting. Today I’d like to expand on that topic. Ready to join me in organizing our quilting spaces?
Benefits of organizing
I know some of you are saying, “But I need a little clutter!” or “A clean surface means I’m not being productive!” And by no means is my quilting space always neat and ready to use.
But there are benefits to organizing your quilting space. These include improved workflow, increased efficiency and added inspiration and creativity. Let’s start with workflow.
Designating zones for improved workflow
When you look at your quilting space, you want it to support your process … your workflow.
And while we each develop our own quilting process, regardless, it breaks down into four basic tasks: cutting, pressing, sewing and quilting. We improve our workflow when we can move easily between zones supporting each of these functions.
Obviously, how much actual space you have available to quilt factors in, but the key is to make the most of what space you do have. To do that, you want to arrange your equipment and supplies efficiently.
Organizing for efficiency
Okay, so let’s look at each of our quilting zones from the perspective of efficiency.
The Cutting Zone
The top priority here is keeping your cutting surface open and clutter free.
While cutting your fabric may be the main purpose of this zone, you’ll probably return to this space to measure, pin, audition fabric and thread, prepare your batting, square your quilt back, and trim excess batting and backing once your quilting is complete.
You also want easy access to your basic cutting-related tools: rotary cutters, rulers, measuring tapes, scissors, pins, marking utensils, etc.
The Pressing Zone
Again, you want your pressing surface open and ready to use. You also want a good steam iron that can handle your pressing needs.
At The Quilting Connection, we use the Laurastar steam ironing systems. We use both the Laurastar Smart System and the Laurastar Lift steam generator iron. We cannot live without these amazing products!
Laurastar’s Smart System gives us the incredible benefits of double heated steam coming through the iron coupled with a smart board that uses a fan to help us manage the fabric. The Lift steam generator iron adds portability and allows us to use that fantastic double heated steam right at the longarm.
For more information on Laurastar, see our website and the Angie’s Answers video, Laurastar Lift Extra Steam Generator Iron. Get rid of wrinkles at your longarm quilting machine!
Your pressing station should also provide easy access to pressing cloths, starch and any other aids you use when you quilt.
The Sewing Zone
Obviously, the key components here are your domestic sewing machine and the table it sits on. For some of us, multiple machines serving different purposes make up our sewing stations. Regardless, easy access and open sewing surfaces are key to efficiency.
Because of the amount of time you spend seated at your machine, you’ll also want to have a comfortable chair or stool that provides proper support. Taking care of your body boosts your effectiveness and efficiency!
If you have the table space, you can also increase your efficiency by creating a smaller, secondary cutting and/or pressing area to one side of your machine.
And of course, you want easy access to machine accessories, pins, pin cushions/containers, seam ripper, scissors and any other tools you choose to use when sewing.
The Quilting Zone
It’s no secret that when you own a longarm quilting machine, floor space is a major consideration. And it involves more than just the size of the frame. You also need to be able to walk around the frame as you complete the various steps of the quilting process.
Because of this, you need to keep the surrounding floor space open so you can move around easily and safely.
Efficient access to your basic quilting accessories and machine tools can be a little more challenging in the quilting zone. But Handi Quilter provides a few effective solutions.
The HQ Tool Tray 2 sits on the poles of your frame, providing you with immediate access to the tools you use the most. See our website for more details.
You can also increase your efficiency by using some of that open space under your longarm frame. Check out Handi Quilter’s My Secret Drawer. These drawers are large enough to store up to 96 cones of thread, your quilting rulers and templates, your machine tools and supplies … or any of your other longarm accessories. See our website for more details.
And you know that secondary cutting/pressing area you have by your domestic sewing machine? You have a similar option for your longarm frame. Handi Quilter offers a Multi-Use Board that sits on your frame’s tabletop surface, giving you a usable workspace right at your longarm. See our website for more details.
Okay, so that’s a quick look at using work zones to make our quilting process more efficient, but what about all the ‘stuff’ that goes into quilting … the fabric, thread, patterns, etc.? How can we possibly organize all of that?
That’s a whole other topic worthy of its own post. So, I’ll pick up there next time. (But I’ll give you a hint … think storage options!)
In the meantime, consider how the overall arrangement of your quilting space supports your workflow and efficiency. Is it stimulating your creativity and imagination? Please share your ideas and thoughts with me!
And you know, spring is a great time to get out and explore the quilt shows in your area. That’s another way I stir my imagination! Consider adding the following quilt shows to your calendar.
Upcoming Spring Quilt Shows!
These are the shows that The Quilting Connection will be vending at in the next few months. If you are coming to see us at a show, make sure to bring your list of threads you need! We will be brining a lot of our stock of Superior Threads to the shows!
April 19th and 20th
Evergreen Quilters Guild Show
Green Bay Community Church, 600 Cardinal Lane, Green Bay, WI
Cost: $8 daily admission, $12 two-day admission
Hours: Friday 10AM – 5PM, Saturday 9AM – 3PM
May 4th and 5th
Sinnissippi Quilters Show
Indoor Sports Center – Sportscore II, 8800 Riverside Blvd, Loves Park, IL
Hours: Saturday 9AM – 5PM, Sunday 10AM – 5PM
See our website for additional information.
Please join us! We’d love to see you!
Share what’s got you thinking!
And as always, if you have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
Please share your thoughts and questions with us. We love to hear from you!
Angie