This month we asked our staff:
"What changes have Lois Hallock's organizing ideas inspired in your home quilting space?" |
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Beth Hayes
Editor in Chief
My studio space is perhaps my favorite room in the house, but after studying Lois's book, I realize it isn't very efficient. My biggest challenge is not having installed a cutting table at the optimal height, so in desperation I run to the kitchen for big rotary cutting jobs.
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| That said, I'm going to put a priority on creating a more usable and enticing work space. Without a doubt, a design wall is in my future. Ellie has raved about her new installation, so that may be my next goal. |
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Ellie Brown
Art Director
DESIGN WALL! What a difference! I took 2' x 4' insulation panels and covered them with batting and muslin, then tacked them to my wall and VOILA! Now I can see my designs in progress up close or from 10 feet away.
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| For about $30 and a couple hours' work I feel like a pro, and I can comfortably explore design possibilities I couldn't before. This project was a big, cheap, and easy step up for me as a quilter. |
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Sandee Wachal
Associate Editor
I loved all the tips Lois gives in her book about room lighting, and good ergonomics (pages 12-16) for your sewing table and chair, cutting table, and ironing board. Her chart on light bulb comparisons can be used for every light in your home. |
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| And they say your sewing equipment should be at the proper height just for you but no one has ever spelled it out as well as she has. I'll enjoy the time I spend in my sewing room so much more with equipment positioned with my 5'2" height in mind. No more back or eye strain! |
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Kathy Patterson
Assistant Editor
I quilt in a very small but functional space, but I hadn't been giving comfort enough consideration. I've upgraded to a Koala sewing chair, and I'm planning to add a secondary pressing/cutting area perpendicular to my sewing machine (page 16).
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Lise Neer
Senior Designer
My studio "make-over" had a lot to do with necessity (small room, shared storage), and some of Lois's tips have made a big difference. |
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| The chapters on "Bargain Shopping" and "Going Vertical" inspired me to find a 7' Ikea CD shelf on Craig's list ($20!), and talk my husband into swapping bookcases (his was twice as tall and he's better at purging books). I also built my own "big board" work/ ironing surface to fit atop two rolling drawer units made by Elfa, which shrinks "The Work Triangle" into two stations, and is a real space saver. |
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Tricia Camp
Editorial Assistant
My storage is in the very large guest room closet upstairs and my workspace is in the dining room downstairs. I am using vertical space by adding shelves where I can store everything in see-thru bins (page 59). |
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| I have an empty bin to put what I will need for ONE project and carry that with me up and down the stairs if I can’t leave a project sitting out. |
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Laura Stone Roberts
Contributing Editor
I would love to have a larger space and the money for beautiful built-ins, but as that is impractical right now, I have found Lois's hints to be very helpful for reducing my storage needs. I love her three sorting categories: |
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| use it all the time, may use it sometimes, or will most likely never use it. I find it so hard to work in my crowded space! I know I will get more done when I have less stuff. |
