Sundays Sewing Space - Hadley from Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle

Im back (got to get this internet thing sorted, im writing this from an internet cafe) and this week I have the lovely Hadley from Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle, if you havent met Hadley then you should head on over and say hi, she really is lovely, very friendly, always has a kind word to say and makes beautiful things

Hadley took some persuading to show us her space but I think you will agree she has done a great job of making the most of what she has. I have so far always had to make do with sharing my sewing space with the rest of the family (in our last house I spread my stuff between the dining room and sitting room) and I was never as neat and organised as Hadley is.

Lets have a looksee


Where is your Sewing Space?

Now this is not meant to be a sob story, I am so jealous of all the Sewing Spaces that have come before me, but I don't have a proper space, just the dining table in the conservatory and one low wall with all my sewing paraphernalia.

What 3 words do you feel best describes it?

Meagre, Wanting, Mine-between-meals!

What are your most important things in there?

My Denyse Schmidt FQs and yardage!  Shallow, but most other things would be easily replaced by our insurance!

How is the room laid out? (machine, cutting table ironing board etc)

Um, it's either 'out' or put away; actually there's usually a pile of current stuff, and everything else is tidy(ish).  I have just started using small baskets for current projects to cut down on the searching-about time.  Well, the ironing board is kept in the garage, although I picked up one of those little sleeve ones at a charity shop and that is really handy.  Cutting table?  Are you joking!?

What sort of sewing machine do you have and how do you feel about it?

I had a real basic Brother from Argos that I bought years ago, but my husband bought me a Janome QXL605 last June for my birthday and I love it!  It has all the gadgets like 'needle up/down', thread cutter and things my old machine hadn't even heard of like a walking foot and a million (60) stitches!  It is brilliant for what I need it for, and does loads that I haven't tried yet.

Do you have anything in the room for inspiration?

Basically no - as it's a glass conservatory on 3 sides and an opening to the kitchen on the fourth there is no wall space, I do have a Martha Stewart calendar and usually a mini quilt or my current project hooked on the blinds to one side - So the rest is in my head, on my MacBook or from my books and magazines that are all over the rest of the house.

Where do you keep your fabric stash and how do you organise it?

My wonderful IKEA unit houses all my prized fabrics and scrap bin; the rest are in a couple of other plastic tubs.  I keep new purchases together, solids in one bin and things I've pulled for specific projects in another.  The rest of the drawers have thread, buttons, scissors and other crafty bits.  'Organised' is a bit of a strong word, but I know where things are, usually.

Do you have any top tips to do with work spaces? 

Try to keep it tidy!  I love it when I do; I cope for a little while when its starting to look like mayhem, then I have to stop and get it all in order before I lose the plot!  I like knowing exactly where everything is - I don't have the time or energy to be rooting about; my sewing time is so limited it would be non-existent if I had to search out all the things I needed.  Also, seeing as it is the place we eat everyday, my sewing time is worked round mealtimes!  I also have to keep it relatively nice looking, otherwise I wouldn't have a leg to stand on making demands on the kids to tidy up their toys!

 What would your ideal workspace look like/be?

It would be a room, with a door!  Anything over and above that would be idyllic!  We have a cabin at the end of the garden which is currently used as a shed - I would love to convert this; but then I would probably get paranoid about leaks or fabric thieves in the night.  My top priority would be a design wall.  I have to make do with quickly spreading things on the lounge floor, taking a photo or two, and then packing up again before the 'young assistants' try to get in on the act.  Not ideal.

Thanks Hadley, I for one think you have a great space, and you have done a much better job at sharing your space than I ever did. Thanks so much for sharing x (I do adore your sewing machine mini quilt)