You read about the sewing class. That was on Wednesday the 11th. Saturday (the 14th) Rob, Kate and I had a game night at Susan and Martin's house. The other DND couple could not make it, so there were just 5 people and we played board games through the night. We got home very early Sunday morning. Rob and I went out on Tuesday the 17th to take care of some business at the North Star Borough office as it was still open but we were afraid it was going to close and we needed to get Property Tax Exemptions in place before taxes were assessed. That is the last time I left the house until yesterday ( I took the trash to the transfer station... my big day out of the house... took all of 10 minutes).
Alaska quickly got into self-isolation mode. I had tested the 'order online and pick up at the grocery store' on Saturday. Then after the game night, I went into my own voluntary lockdown mode. Rob and Kate were still going into their offices at the University, even though the students were on Spring Break and being told not to come back to the campus after that week had finished. The Tuesday we were out, Rob had planned to do some things around here, but we could not find any of the parts and pieces we needed, so he had just gone into work.
When he had finished his tasks, he headed over to Kate's building only to find that she was packing up her things as they had been told to evacuate the building as quickly as they could and not plan on coming back for 14 days. The second diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Alaska had been a University researcher on the third floor of Kate's building. So they headed to their home to go into full quarantine for the next 14 days. (They are fine.)
I had a grocery delivery to the house from Fred Meyer in the meantime and have another one coming tomorrow. I tell you what, this may be something that I continue from time to time after this is all over as sometimes I really do not want to go into the store. Besides, even when I make a list, I always find other things to throw into the cart. This way I can make my "click list" and not be tempted by other things. The challenges these days are whether all of the items on the list will be available and what substitutions might be made. But then unpacking the order has more of a Christmas present feeling to it.
There is good news for all of this. I am using the time to slowly get my sewing area set up. After getting the Bakers Rack put together and the Accuquilt cutter, along with the dies, into their new home, I have been looking at the next step. I have so much stuff that needs to find a home, that each step... each area... needs to be carefully thought out.
Today stuff seemed to be making more sense, so I now have my sewing area set up and ready for sewing projects. The rest of the room... not so much.
This is the area just inside the door, towards the front of the house. The ironing board is up and sorta ready to go. I have not gotten my Oliso Iron out yet. I have seen it, but it is still in the garage. The rolls on the office chair are Grosgrain ribbon and decorative ribbons. Not sure how I am going to store them and make them available at the same time. My desktop computer is back there on the table... somewhere!
Next to the table is a new bookcase, It will hold thread for Happy... in the background but still in pieces and/or interfacing for the embroidery. Please note, you who are sewing face masks, I have 1 roll of 1/4" elastic, 2 rolls of 3/8" elastic and 1 roll of 1/2" elastic (somewhere close to 550 yards of elastic). I would have happily shared it with the Sew Much Love ladies who are making masks to donate to local Healthcare Facilities, were I closer. So very proud of you, ladies!!!
Beyond Happy is my new quilt frame. I need to get some more sturdy flooring under the legs. This lovely thick carpet has it sinking into the carpet and causing the frame to have a bow in it that prevents the smooth motion of the sewing machine. I will be tackling that last.
There are still boxes that need to be emptied or moved back into the garage. One of the tubs is crafting materials that will be finding a home in the garage on shelves. But little by little.
This is my cutting table. It is the one that was in Camp Parkesburg. It is not opened fully, but it was not when I had it in the sewing room. I had the same table up in the Happy room, but I gave that one away. Only one made the trip north. The little chest of drawers that was in the sewing room fits EXACTLY underneath and gives the table a very stable base for cutting. I have a large cutting mat on top, and in small file holders, I have a plethora of small rulers of all shapes and sizes up to about 6" squares. I have my Hedgehog pin cushion in a teacup and an OTTlite to light up the area. The material in the upper left corner is the material for a second bag from the class. The material in the center is going to be another Runaround Bag and some face masks for me to use when/if I venture out.
Now... the Bakers Rack has been totally covered with rulers. I was going to use long screws and put them into the wooden ceiling beam that cuts this room in half. Then I was going to hang the rulers on the screws. But I just was not happy with that solution. I would have needed a ladder to get them down. I had planned to hang my most used rulers on the Bakers Rack. Then, as I was hanging things, I realized I could pretty well hang them all over the rack and they would be easy to see, easy to search and easy to access. So, what you are seeing is all of my rulers, each and every one of them, hanging on the rack. Brilliant. Another reason to take my time and letting things sink in. Eventually, the room talks to me and says... do it this way!! My long, standard rulers are on the side of the rack, where I can grab them quickly.
This is directly from the side. See the long rulers?
This gives you a view from the corner. The Accuquilt Go cutter sits on the wooden top of the rack. All of the dies live on the shelves underneath along with the mats that run through to actually cut the material. There is also a First Aid kit. I had it in the car for the trip across the country. I am leaving it there as I might need it for cuts. Hopefully, never.
Here is a better look from the front! Lots of dies. And now the cutter is in a place making it easier to use. And all of the rulers... there are some without holes laying on the top shelf.
This is the other end. There are rulers hanging from all parts of the rack. But they are all within reach. I am a happy quilter.
Now to my sewing table. I have to warn you that there has been a new addition to the Rudewick stable of sewing machines. One of the problems with finding a local quilt/fabric/sewing shop is that Nothern Treads was having a sale on all of their sewing machines. They carry Singer, Brother, Bernina, Pfaff, and Husqvarna Viking. And they were all at really good prices. So good, that I could not say "no". So there is a new Husqvarna Viking Opal 670 sitting on the table. It is the last machine I will probably ever buy. But the store services all of the machines, and believe me, around here that is an important thing to find. So my lovely Singer is now my backup machine for when the Viking goes in for service.
Isn't she a beauty?? So many stitches, so many extras included, and I can sew with a foot pedal or just hit the start button... which at my age and with my aches and pains, not using the pedal may make sewing long periods of time much easier. The clear table you see there is a Sew Steady table that I had for my old Husqvarna Viking machine. Somehow it made the trip. It is not a perfect fit, but close enough so I do not have to spend money buying one that is cut to order. Wonderful!
I have a couple of extra LED lights that I can aim right to the sewing field. My little ironing board fits nicely to my left. I have rotating cutting mats that I can pull out to trim blocks and pieces. My cordless iron fits perfectly on the board. My accessories and feet are in containers under the board along with a trash can for scraps and whatever. The trays hold thread and needles, marking pens and extra scissors.
One last look. I have bobbins wound (see them on the desk?) and the machine is threaded with a cone of white and I am ready to get my sewing back in gear. I have fabric for projects on the table, ready to be cut and I am looking forward to getting started with those. I think we sewists have an advantage during these times of isolation. We can easily occupy our time, especially when one has a stash of projects... I am grateful for that!
Happy Mother's Day!
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