Welcome to My Lab

A laboratory is a place where experiments and testing are done. (noun)

My oldest can be credited with dubbing my sewing room "The Lab". The name is rather appropriate as my design wall can attest! The results of quite a few experiments and testing (still in progress of course) are displayed. If you look carefully, you will see my first experiment with Dear Jane, two OMQG BOMs which were successfully tested, two or three Priority: Alzheimer Quilts still in the research stage, a failed scrappy Dresden experiment, along with my Peace, Love and Happiness and Cowboy and Cowgirl quilt blocks being assembled.

As I spent some time cleaning my Lab this weekend I thought I'd share a few photos. (Next week I get my camera back and I can't wait.) Sometimes I feel like the arrangement of my Lab itself is an experiment. The furniture placement and room layout is constantly being tested ;-)

I read a great article (there's that research coming in again....ha) that a creative space needs to generate energy. This article explained several techniques of quilt studio arrangement and how these can impact inspiration. I utilized some of these suggestions such as placing my Juki in the center of the room facing the door and my design wall.

My fabric is stored in open shelving units visible as you first walk in the door as also suggested in this article. However, I am not patient enough to fold my fabric neatly as suggested. This is as neat as it gets folks!

Can you tell there is another design wall rolled up above the larger design wall? I found the idea on another blog, but I can't find the link. I use this smaller design wall for blocks that I am making using the Leader Ender method and in no hurry to finish. There are about 7 or 8 36-patch blocks and 6 postage stamp blocks rolled up there. When I want to use that design wall, I can just untie the ribbons, and it drapes over the main one.

This quilt top was draped over my chair getting wrinkled....now it hangs here waiting for its turn to be quilted. I took the curtains down a long time ago but kept the hardware. Now it is serving a purpose.

This basted quilt top is also waiting its turn to be quilted and keeping the coin quilt company. I can push each one to either side of the window to let in the sunshine.