Saturday, May 12, 2012

Quilt table - Serendipity Studio



I'm so glad to see you!! Come on in! We're just finishing up the Serendipity Studio.  I want to tell you all about the quilt table we made.  My dream was to have a huge table that I could lay out an entire quilt on. No more pinning and basting on the floor - my knees will no longer allow it, plain and simple.  In the center of the room I had a big enough space for a large table. My bed is a queen, but I usually make my quilt a bit longer all around, so I needed this table to be somewhere around 7 x 8 feet total work surface.  My husband said we could build it so it had storage underneath, and I got to thinking. I wanted all four sides to be open for easy access.  I even decided ahead of time what I wanted to store under there so we could custom build it.  Ya just gotta love being married to a carpenter, right!!!   I explained what I wanted in great detail to my husband.  He smiled and shook his head, as he always does when he hears my great ideas, and then took my wish list and sat down with a pencil and paper and a tape measurer.  After a few different ideas we came up with the perfect solution.  We would build a base and put a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood as the table.  Then we would cut another 4 x 8 in half lengthwise to be two 2 x 8 foot pieces.  We would hinge those to each side and support the extra pieces with a leg of some sorts, like a gate leg table.  I could open up the extra sides when I needed them and put them back down when I didn't, so the room didn't feel so crowded.
So we built the base . . . .

Note the little cubby holes.  I have tons of yarn I have collected over the years for my crochet and knitting projects and needed a place for it all, instead of in a huge plastic garbage bag. We custom built the little cubbies to store the yarns.  I should have enough space to organize the yarns by color!
This side is where the bolts of fabric can fit, tucked safely out of the way. Usually my bolts are for backing fabrics or fabrics I loved so much I had to buy it all.  I will probably keep my quilt battings in there too, although I might keep my large pieces of Warm and Natural batting right on the long cardboard tube it comes on and set that in a corner somewhere. 
This side is where I am storing my interfacings and stabilizers and Wonder-Under, as well as stuffing for my dolls.
                       
I made some fabric skirts to cover the open areas.  I think it looks so cute and I like being able to hide supplies out of sight!  
For the table top, I not only wanted to be able to lay out my quilts and baste, but I wanted to be able to iron on them.  I HATE trying to maneuver a quilt top over my ironing board. So, I cut two layers of warm and natural batting and one layer of a thermal batting, and we stapled them to the board, wrapping the raw edges under.  
Then I picked out a fabric I LOVE that I have been saving for I can't remember how long.  I hated to cut into it because once it was gone it would be gone, so this is a perfect way to be able to enjoy it every day!  The fabric is "Nicole" from Mod Girls by Jennifer Paganelli.  Love it.  Thank you Jennifer!!  I stitched a canvas twill tape to all the edges for reinforcement. I figured it would be much stronger and better to staple into than the actual fabric. 


We layed the fabric out and gave it a final pressing to make sure all the wrinkles were out.  We wrapped it around the edges and stapled it down over the three layers of batting.  Perfect.  Now I can iron and lay out my quilt pieces without having to drag it over the ironing board.  This will be really helpful with my quilts because I do a lot of applique, which I usually fuse down.
Uh oh.  One problem.  If I had the drop-down sides it would be harder to get into the storage in the base.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to have to go through putting the sides up just to reach for something. Also, I thought this would be a perfect place to showcase more of my vintage pillowcases, but the drop-down sides would cover them. I had to put on my thinking cap.  The light bulb went off and I figured out an alternative solution.  I decided we could just make a 2nd identical top.  When I needed a larger work area, I could turn the first 4 x 8  sideways, and put up the second one right next to it on the base. Either way it would work out to be the same amount of surface area.  I figured it would take as much time to turn the boards around as it would lifting up the drop-down side and pulling out the legs to support it.  The only problem was where to store the second top when I wasn't using it.  Duh, light bulb went off again. Just put one on top of the other.  We made the second piece and covered it with the identical fabric and placed it on top of the first one. The only thing I did differently was to also cover the underside of the top board so the raw wood wouldn't possibly catch or splinter into my beautiful fabric when they are being moved. I am thinking of crocheting a cute little edge to go around it. I'm not sure I'll ever have time - maybe someday in an alternate universe where I have nothing else I need to do I'll get around to it!  :)
Here it is with both sections up.  Plenty of room to work!!
Since I had my heart set on using this fabric, I did have to modify a bit.  My fabric was around 43 inches wide, which wasn't wide enough for the 48" board. If I wanted to use one long piece with no seams I would have to cut each board to 42 inches wide instead of 48.  I decided I would rather lose the inches than have to piece the fabric because it would ruin the overall design.  I also didn't want to be ironing over a seam.   It was a tradeoff, but I don't regret it because it looks so pretty!  Goodness, I can see that I will need to pick up some more vintage pillowcases. Darn.  More antiquing!!  
A while back I made a smaller ironing board to sit on my cutting table in my sewing room. It was  made in the exact same way, just a bit smaller. This one measures around 50 x 32.  I saw the scrap of plywood in my husband's trailer one day a few months ago and asked him if I could have it, and that is how this little ironing board came about.  I love having it.  I would highly recommend making one, it is so helpful. You'll love it!!


Hopefully you enjoyed seeing this project and were inspired to make yourself an ironing table, or table topper.  Well it is almost Mother's Day, you deserve it!  Thanks so much for visiting!!! 





42 comments:

  1. Lucy,
    You and Ricky did a great job!
    If I could only get Fred to refurbish the table I have for my craft room...sheesh.
    I love your table.
    love,
    Ethel

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  2. Hi Julie,

    What a GREAT space! I love it! It's so cheery; such a fun place to craft & sew in. And I love the fabric on the quilt table.

    Have a Happy Mother's Day!

    Julie

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  3. Oh my gosh! You are so lucky! Your husband did such a good job! Your room looks beautiful...what a gift. If you know where I can get one of those (a carpenter husband) please let me know asap!! haha I'm still searching for one...and the clocks ticking! ;P
    Erica

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  4. Oh my goodness--that is one beautiful room to work in--
    but it would worry me--
    as it is too pretty to get it all messed up with craft mess's!!!!!!
    Happy day tomorrow--
    Hugs, Di and miss gracir

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  5. Julie,
    It is beautiful!! I am inspired!! Your room is gorgeous!! Happy Mother's Day!! xo Heather

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  6. Your room just keeps getting cuter and better. Today I read a blog that showcased craft rooms. I immediately thought of you. Yours is my favorite!

    Happy Mother's Day!

    Tresa

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  7. Such an absolutely wonderful space...I want to come and sew a while...Well done...I love all your glimpses...smiles...Renee

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  8. Your sewing studio is amazing! I just found your blog and am your newest follower. I love the name of your studio BTW.

    xo,
    Danielle

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  9. a very Happy Mother's Day to you my friend...hugs...

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  10. Wow!! What an amazing sewing room!!! It is just lovely!!
    Happy Mother's Day,

    chris

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  11. Oh I dont think I would ever want to leave that room....too much fun and oh so pretty. You are so talented, have a great Mother's Day sweetie.
    Love,Debbie:)

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  12. Enhorabuena!!! es precioso. Me da mucha envidia sana, ojalá pudiera tener mi propia casa, taller... para poder dedicarme a todo esto!!!
    Muchísimas gracias por tu blog
    karumina
    pd/ahora he abierto otros blogs aunque el primero siga siendo el de karuminadesign... este nuevo: "karuminacreations"... también lo estoy haciendo con todo mi amor. Espero que te guste

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  13. I can see why you wanted to save your fabric for a special project my sweet friend. It is beautiful. Do you have any scraps left over hehe. You have so much room and y'all are doing a great job putting it together. Your sewing room in over the moon. Hope you are having a Wonderful Mother's Day.
    Hugs
    donna

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  14. Dear sweet Julie,
    You are so very blessed to have such a handy hubby! Whenever my husband is making or doing something for me...I am in the habit of telling him, fondly, that "He never looked more attractive!" He always chuckles and says, "I know, Honey!"
    What an amazing project...from start to finish! You have so carefully planned out every nook and cranny. And, your choice of fabrics is delightful! Thank you so much for sharing "step by step".
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xo

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  15. Have a lovely Mother's Day, my dear friend!!
    Hugs
    Luciana

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  16. Man that looks great. It's so good to see the results of your hard work and imaginings come to fruition. well done everyone involved. I also note the cute little aprons hanging on the back wall. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Oh my! This room just keeps getting better and better! I love your clever solution for the tops. Gorgeous fabric too!

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  18. What a great work space. The fabric is beautiful.I've wanted to make an ironing surface for awhile and now, thanks to you know how. Your Craft space is so cheerful and inspiring. I love following along on it's progress.

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  19. WOW what a great work space with lots of room. Great colors with lots of inspiration. I know it is a lot of work to create it, but so worth it in the end.

    Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. I have so enjoyed my visit here and loved reading your profile. I love the old sitcoms too and some days have them on in the background as I work.
    Hope to see you again and your new following.

    Enjoy the week and happy creating.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  20. Love your room - heaven on earth that is for sure!

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  21. I adore your work space. Everything is gorgeous! The fabrics are beautiful and so cheerful :)
    I am so glad you found my blog now I can enjoy yours! I am a follower :)
    Hugs
    Donna

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  22. Julie it's looking so wonderful...I sure wish I could get a room to have to do my things...the table is a great idea, I just love it, all the material is very pretty...well missy, I just started your dress...Pink on the top and teal on the bottom and red for accents rite......and when your ready just let me know...but I will be working on it in between my granddaughters blanket...Hugs hugs hugs....with love Janice

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  23. Oh your room is a girl's dream...you have inspired me to get busy on my craft room and make it to where I want to sew and craft again.
    Yes I hate hat's ahhh, but you do not at all have a goofy face, your beautiful.
    Thank's for your comment's I really enjoy them.
    Love,Debbie:)

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  24. I can certainly see why you didn't want to cut the fabric. It's beautiful!!

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  25. I'm so jealous! I have quilted since I was about 12 and I remember my grandmother had the quilt rack that hung from the ceiling! Man your table is sooooo much better! So glad you came by my blog and I could find other quilters! I love all your graphics they're precious!!! I'll be back! xoxoxox-cindy

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  26. Hello! This is SO wonderful!! I've just found your lovely blog, and I'm a new follower...so nice to "meet" you!
    Best,
    Anne

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  27. Jealous. My neighbor has something like that. I guess if I took the shelves out of my sewing room I'd have room for something like that. Oh the choices one has to make to get the quilting room of their dreams. I guess I'll keep what I have and just dream of your. LOL

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  28. i LOVE this! I love your whole blog. It's so much fun I can't wait to keep exploring!

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  29. What a beautiful place to work. I am looking forward to being one of many followers of yours.
    It is very nice to meet you.
    Maggie

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  30. Just came by again to show my friend your beautiful space. She like me loves the colors you chose for your room. The fabric on the table is just gorgeous. Love everything about your room.
    I hope you can come by soon because I am having a nice giveaway and hope you can put your name in the
    hat.
    Love
    Maggie

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  31. Hello my dear! Good morning!
    What a wonderful place and cozy!
    You're awesome!
    A big hug and be with God!
    Luciana

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  32. Julie, I absolutely love this husband of yours! Your craft room is becoming the most charming place to be ever! I especially like the way your have the vintage linens hanging. This special place is so you! So sweet! Elizabeth

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  33. oh wow!!!! your room is just gorgeous!! can I please come work with you??? ;)

    Luisa♥
    labellemadeleine.blogspot.com

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  34. I came over from Madame Samm's
    You are such a lucky girl to have such a big room AND a talented hubby.

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  35. Julie! It looks so lovely! You two have some great skills and work great together designing this all! I do want a small table top ironing board. The fabric is so pretty. Great way to enjoy it! Blessings,
    Susie

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  36. Hello dear friend!
    Stopped by to say hi and leave a hug.
    Be blessed one week. Ok?
    Luciana

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  37. Hi Julie, hope you are well!

    Just to let you know I have nominated you for the 'Versatile Blogger Award' - details on my blog.

    Hugs, Estelle xx

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  38. Hi Julie! Your new header is so cute!

    I've been missing you and hope you're okay and just having fun in your new room!

    I THOUGHT I had commented on this post back when but I don't see it. Well, I LOVE the picket fence and the clothes line! So cute! ♥

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  39. What an amazing job, and yes you are blessed to have such a handy hubby! Can I rent him?

    Your room is perfect! I still have goodies for you...........I'm so bad, but they will eventually come, I swear!

    Hugs, N' Love,
    Meri

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  40. May I ask you the cabinet heighth? I have been using a small kitchen table as a cutting board surface and it's too low to stand at for very long. Thanks for letting me know! Adorable room...I love your nostalgic nest - every corner! CAROL in CHINA

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  41. Hi Julie! Nice to meet you, too. Yes, I was so inspired by your sewing room creativity wall-clothes line and color. I love it! It's adorable! On some of my albums and scrapbooking pages I create clothes lines with baby clothes and such. I love art and it makes me happy! Well thanks for wanting to follow me. I have now added a Follow Me button on the upper left side of my blog. Happy sewing!-G

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