Packing up the Sewing Room

I had hoped to have a post ready now about my new sewing space in my new house in my new city. But as with all stages of this move things have not gone according to the time plan that I had in my head.

But late on Sunday night, as I was trying to get the new house in some sort of order before I hopped on a plane back to the old city early on Monday morning for my last week of work here I pondered a lot about the process of packing up the sewing room.

We were lucky enough to have our move paid for, thanks to my partners new employers, and as part of that arrangement we were not allowed to pack anything other than our clothing or it would not be insured. I have been involved in several such moves before, thanks to my work, and my feelings about strangers going packing all my things has always been a little mixed.On the one hand I am thankful I do not have to personally stand over boxes for days on end and get everything in their temporary cardboard homes, instead sit on a chair and watch it all done in a few hours but on the other I hate the invasion of my privacy and I can never help but shake the feeling that the movers and packers are not as careful with my things as they would be with their own.

These old thoughts first came to mind during this move with the completion of The Inventory. This has capital letters for good reason. It is the first, last and only list of your goods provided to the movers and the basis for the insurance. It is not a time for undervaluation. For this move I actually developed several databases, the one for the books took all weekend even with the assistance of a barcode scanner and the great program Collectorz Book Collector.

But how do you value a metre of fabric, sure it's easy enough to say that it was $24 a meter when you bought it two years ago but now it is out of print and hard to get. And that scrap over there? That is actually a Prints Charming panel that is not produced anymore and I'm saving it to make a baby quilt for my child, should I ever have the chance. The Elna machine, it's probably $50 on eBay, if you can find one, but you can't replace the one that my mum chose for me. All the buttons, so many little packets and varied origins. It's not like you can replace them, so what is the point of putting a money value on it? Just pack carefully please, so nothing gets lost.

And then there is the moment that packers walk into the sewing room/study and let out a low whistle of shock/awe/dread. And the mutterings from the room about the amount, range and 'what is this for?' comments as they take almost as long packing everything in that room as they do in the rest of the house. Should I try to explain, no, I don't think they would understand.

But I have got most of it unpacked, and somewhat less of it all organized in the new sewing room.

And because a post is not a post without a picture, here is a 'before' picture. Hopefully it will be finished this weekend and I can show you the 'after' pictures, 'cause I want to sew!

What I'm supposed to be doing...and what I am doing.

I'm supposed to be tidying, culling even (if I am brave) starting with the fabric cupboard.

Tidying the craft supplies strewn all over the house and hoping, wishing and praying that the new house has a dedicated sewing space (caution to the wind: that there in fact, is, a new house).

But instead I went to get a few fat quarters for my do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} blocks and came home with this.

The next day I went back to the fabric store with my partner  to get the backing for the blue and white quilt and came back with that and also this

But don't you just love the selvedges?

I'll really miss my LQS.

In my defence I also weeded the garden, planted out all the plants that we had in pots and washed the pots out for the movers, filed a years worth of filing in the study and did my tax.

I also started quilting the Happy Camper picnic rug, one of the three six unquilted tops I found. I am trying to get some of them quilted, basted or at least the batting cut to size for them in the hope these can be packed in the WIP boxes and I won't have to try to have the batting roll packed and sealed for transport.

But a pledge - no more fabric until after I have moved! I have some recommendations for Melbourne stores (let me know if you have any too) and want to be able to go shopping when I get there. I'll stand fast....except maybe on the 23rd when the sale starts...

LQS - The Remnant Warehouse

I should start by declaring this is my LQS, and I love it. And while the shops I have been visiting recently have opened my eyes to some other great stores out there I always feel a little like I’m cheating on this store.

Location and Parking
494 Botany Road
Alexandria

Located reasonably close to the city Remnant Warehouse is on Botany Road, easily accessed by several bust routes, and, if you don't mind a walk, the Airport line train. Parking is on the street (I usually end up parking on the road parallel to Botany Road behind the store)

Yardage
The fabric section of this store has a large of great designer fabrics. There are usually several bolt of many of the Moda ranges and there is also a healthy stock of Amy Butler and a good range of Kaffe Fasset. Prices ranged in store from $20-$30 on non sale stock.

Much of the range fabric is displayed on shelves in the middle of the store in ranges (including some great novelty fabric) and the walls of the shop are lined with other fabric sorted by colourway.

There is a sale section in the rear of the store where you can pick up some great bargains.

Fat Quarters
The store has two major displays of fat quarters (cut to Australian dimensions). One has a range of fat quarters in the $5-$6 dollar bracket and includes some great fabrics. The other tray has mostly 'blender fabric' but still great quality for between $2-$4.

There are also tubs of extra stock under the counter, so if you find one of something and really want more it is worth asking the staff.

The best of the fat quarter section in this store is Friday, or should I say Fat Quarter Friday where you can buy one, get one free. I love Friday's here.

Precuts
There is usually a healthy range of Moda (and sometimes other brands) precuts in the store, including Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Charm Packs. There are also increasingly fat quarter packs put together in store with complementary or range fabrics.

Books
There is a small but quality selection of books in the store. On my last visit there were several of the Amy Butler books, Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings and the Jelly Roll Series as well as a range of others that usually tempt me.

Patterns
There are some patterns in the store, A few Make it Perfect, some Me and My Sister Designs, Amy Butler and a few others. (In addition to some regular brand sewing patterns I will mention below)

Rulers, Notions and Potions
There is a section of notions and potions on the right hand side of the store including rotary cutters, cutting mats, rulers (brands include Matilda's Own specialty shapes as well as some regulars). The section isn't huge but it has all the basics in good quality. If you were looking for something particular and were to travel a long way I'd call first.

Service
Shopping here is a joy. The staff are knowledgeable, sewers themselves and very friendly. Occasionally there are lollies on offer from the jar behind the counter and always a smile.

Classes and Services
Classes are on offer, check out their website for details. It is also possible to hire the class area for your group at a minimal cost per person.

Other Stock/Information
The Remnant Warehouse also stock fabric or dressmaking, notions and patterns for this as well. There is a second store next door (recently located) and part of the same business that has an even larger range.

Good sales are held twice a year. Sign up online for the newsletter for advance warning of these not to be missed events.

The store also operates a loyalty card for stock purchased at full price. Spend $200 and receive a $20 voucher. I have earned more of these than I care to think about! Ask for more details in-store.

The Remnant Warehouse
494 Botany Road
Alexandria
(02) 9698 7855
Website


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