tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post3131692137903131888..comments2023-10-31T23:18:36.262+11:00Comments on Esther's Design Blog: The MessEsther Aliuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-70559015994605018072015-07-17T06:51:44.988+10:002015-07-17T06:51:44.988+10:00If you find a system that works, let me know! I d...If you find a system that works, let me know! I don't even have room to cut or sew so I've moved that out into the living room and my husband really doesn't like it!Penny from S.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01356259322973749943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-33704298535088797432015-07-14T10:12:08.885+10:002015-07-14T10:12:08.885+10:00Hi Sue,
This sounds just like me! I have doll mak...Hi Sue,<br /><br />This sounds just like me! I have doll making, teddy bears, knitting, crochet, quilting, painting, oh my goodness, so many supplies! And yes, millions of books! My next 'project' is to try and thin down my books and magazines, there's just too many of them. <br /><br />Personally, whenever a quilter asks me about my opinion in starting out in quilting, I always tell them not to stash build - just buy what you need for the project you're working on and nothing more. Stash building was the biggest mistake I made in quilting. I regret it and it's costs me thousands of wasted dollars. Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-85558360120121469832015-07-14T10:09:15.671+10:002015-07-14T10:09:15.671+10:00It's gone cold down my way, perfectly quilting...It's gone cold down my way, perfectly quilting weather, so I was forced to be my own tidying fairy - otherwise there'd be no spot left for me to sew !Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-67845311045862707322015-07-14T10:07:39.811+10:002015-07-14T10:07:39.811+10:00Well I've been downsizing for about 4 years no...Well I've been downsizing for about 4 years now, what I need is to move house again! You're going to have a wonderful time setting up your sewing in your new home Anne Marieke, what a wonderful time for you.Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-84675115207018463282015-07-14T10:05:51.710+10:002015-07-14T10:05:51.710+10:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rebecca Grace, yo...Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rebecca Grace, you've raised some interesting points. I think the real 'problem' with textile art is that it often happens in the home. If I had a dedicated studio or building separate to my home, I would no doubt fill it up and run wild! Yes, there is an element of womanly guilt about it for sure.<br /><br />And you were right too, I did find some buried treasure, so I'm so glad I decided to tidy!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-80775579934671059282015-07-14T10:03:10.404+10:002015-07-14T10:03:10.404+10:00Good system Marjorie, I wish I had started out wit...Good system Marjorie, I wish I had started out with one. I have one now, but I started quite late into my quilting life...almost too late if I'm honest!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-31005082145964432452015-07-14T10:02:12.571+10:002015-07-14T10:02:12.571+10:00I know it doesn't look like it, but I have bee...I know it doesn't look like it, but I have been selling and giving away a LOT of my stash. In fact, from this tidy up alone I have two huge (15kg each) sacks of fabric I'm donating and I've boxed the rest of the fabric I need to release in the garage so I can grab it and put it in my car whenever I go somewhere where fabric might be wanted. Less is more, totally agree!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-1859098735531907562015-07-14T10:00:19.681+10:002015-07-14T10:00:19.681+10:00Hi Bunny,
It's taking me YEARS to downsize and...Hi Bunny,<br />It's taking me YEARS to downsize and I still haven't achieved it. I envy you your neat streak, its a beautiful thing to have.Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-52472592622285623712015-07-14T09:59:30.426+10:002015-07-14T09:59:30.426+10:00We should install time lapse photography to captur...We should install time lapse photography to capture the 'magic' moment it all turns to chaos!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-57442541828929699622015-07-14T09:58:47.603+10:002015-07-14T09:58:47.603+10:00Hi Mar,
I was seriously considering moving my sew...Hi Mar,<br /><br />I was seriously considering moving my sewing room to our lounge room as the space is bigger and the light is better on dark days. Unfortunately my lounge room is 'open plan' and it would look like someone burgled us every time we stepped inside. Luckily, my studio is currently in a room and I can SHUT THE DOOR. Bliss. Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-83162622459162420372015-07-14T09:57:07.425+10:002015-07-14T09:57:07.425+10:00Hi Jenny, honestly when I look at 'sewing stud...Hi Jenny, honestly when I look at 'sewing studios' in magazines, I wonder how they get any work done? Being so perfectly arranged as they are. <br /><br />My room is quite bad at the moment - because I'm so busy. Every now and then I have to stop everything and haul it all into some kind of order - just so I can start my creative mess cycle all over again. <br /><br />My DDs think its a bad idea to show images of my messy studio, but I don't care. This is what creativity actually looks like for me!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-41944747511519160332015-07-14T09:54:40.544+10:002015-07-14T09:54:40.544+10:00Yes, I can't blame my DH for any of the mess i...Yes, I can't blame my DH for any of the mess in our home - its really all mine. And yes, I love it!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-22972932690954957972015-07-14T09:53:43.533+10:002015-07-14T09:53:43.533+10:00I have about 8 projects on the go and if I didn...I have about 8 projects on the go and if I didn't slip them into project bags, I would be all over the place. It definitely does get confusing! Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-80321675283990495442015-07-14T09:52:55.636+10:002015-07-14T09:52:55.636+10:00Hi Sandra, when you find out, let me know! My stuf...Hi Sandra, when you find out, let me know! My stuff is always in the last bag, the last box or tucked impossibly away...Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-87868381255266758762015-07-14T09:52:04.999+10:002015-07-14T09:52:04.999+10:00Hi Glenda, I know you have to work double hard wit...Hi Glenda, I know you have to work double hard with all the mold issues up in QLD. Another problem with tidying up is that I keep finding interesting things...and get sidetracked, it takes double the time to sort out projects and fabrics because I get involved with them all over again!Esther Aliuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760874340919976083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-3182374176023997312015-07-12T01:55:11.804+10:002015-07-12T01:55:11.804+10:00I wish I had a £ for every minute I've wasted ...I wish I had a £ for every minute I've wasted looking for something in particular in my workroom! I share my workroom with two large printers, my quilting and teddy making supplies, as well as sculpting and painting supplies...not to mention my craft books and magazines. Tidying always seems like a waste of time when I feel I could be doing something creative instead. I do have to tidy between different types of projects as mohair clippings and polymer clay or paint really don't work well together! I LOVE choosing fabrics for a project from my stash, but I really hate the mess it makes. It seems to take forever to put the fabric back into some kind of order. In some respects, I envy quilters who only buy fabrics for their present project, so don't have the storage issues. I have industrial style racking for my fabric and supplies. Fabric sits directly on the racks sorted into colours, while smaller supplies are in large plastic boxes that sit on the racks. Sue Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08015468150942480159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-16084541541209678262015-07-12T01:17:33.568+10:002015-07-12T01:17:33.568+10:00LOL! I can't work in my room at the moment for...LOL! I can't work in my room at the moment for the MESS. How did that happened, who did that?<br />Luckily the weather is good right now, so I have moved out into the garden, <br />until a fairy sorts it out for me :-)<br />Yes, they do exist, but they seem to be a bit thin on the ground around here ;-), so I will have to face it, but I will wait until it rains :-))<br />Radkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407639057505104281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-73373891901832594282015-07-12T01:13:11.826+10:002015-07-12T01:13:11.826+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Radkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407639057505104281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-41311230886768067842015-07-11T07:14:25.076+10:002015-07-11T07:14:25.076+10:00The best thing I can suggest is move house! My sew...The best thing I can suggest is move house! My sewing stuff is ever so tidy. Downside is that most of it is in storage right now LOL Anne Mariekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311227381975321224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-25373082323843861682015-07-11T04:21:41.002+10:002015-07-11T04:21:41.002+10:00Hmmm... I'm not a big fan of "less;"...Hmmm... I'm not a big fan of "less;" I think that's Womanly Guilt talking. Our fabrics, threads, notions and embellishments are the tools of our craft. Male artists don't feel guilty about owning too many art supplies. Did Monet feel guilty about owning too many paint brushes, paint colors, or canvases, or did he delight in having just the right colors and range of canvas sizes for every idea that popped into his head? Did Michelangelo or Rodin feel guilty about having too many blocks of marble to choose from when they wanted to make a sculpture, or did they enjoy being able to select the perfect piece of stone for every project? <br /><br />However, there IS such a thing as a paralyzing mess that prohibits creative work, and the only solution for that problem is reorganizing. I do try to straighten up between projects, but now that I've been starting new projects while others are still in progress, it's getting more challenging. And I do LIKE having "nests" all over the house with different projects in different rooms -- I think that makes it easier to keep things straight. After all, I have all of my toiletries in my bathroom because that's where I get cleaned up and dressed for the day. I have all of my cooking things in the kitchen where I need them to cook. I have all of my hand stitching applique supplies downstairs in the living room, because that's where I work on my applique, and my machine stitching supplies up in the sewing room with my sewing machine. Dumping my hand stitching supplies in my sewing room wouldn't help me any more than dumping my toothbrush, shampoo and pots and pans in my sewing room. The toiletries and cooking supplies don't belong there, and they would get in the way of using my sewing machines!<br /><br />Good luck to you with your tidying chore. The silver lining of such pursuits is often that you find some treasure you'd long forgotten about beneath your mess. I hope that happens for you!Rebecca Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14801489818836195754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-47027845401700364022015-07-11T00:26:26.957+10:002015-07-11T00:26:26.957+10:00My DD helped me clean out my sewing room two weeks...My DD helped me clean out my sewing room two weeks ago. We put up a pegboard, gave away a sewing machine cabinet and replaced it with a shelving unit that has 9 cubes for projects, cleared off all surfaces by putting stuff away or throwing it out, bought clear acrylic dividers for drawers, bought decorative boxes to hold really big projects in progress, etc. All of my rulers are hanging on nails on a wall space so I can see all of them at a glance (and it's really pretty with the various colors and shapes.) I am determined from now on that I will put one project away in its box or bin or whatever before I get another project out to work on. I have high hopes that this will keep this room tidy enough that I will know where things are. Pinterest is a great source of organizing ideas!!!lindaterryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08749380296647913350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-66711466603439263152015-07-10T23:30:55.042+10:002015-07-10T23:30:55.042+10:00To add to the "less" camp, one thing tha...To add to the "less" camp, one thing that is helping me is less categories and a specific amount of space for that category. For example, I use med sized boxes for WIP/UFO and planned projects. The space for them will hold 20 bins. I can't add until I clear something out. There's one shelf for "irresistables" (the fabric that was too cute / too cheap to pass up. Another small section for priorities. Recently I wanted to clear out a drawer to expand the batik collection so the fabrics "I no longer love" moved to a "priority bin" to make a donation quilt. And about once a month, I spend a few hours moving everything that's drifted out of it's space back to where it belongs. Marjoriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09426062040438565996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-77792312419071646512015-07-10T22:15:22.688+10:002015-07-10T22:15:22.688+10:00The secret is LESS. Take half of it and give it a...The secret is LESS. Take half of it and give it away. I spent 35 minutes this morning making three piles of one box. Give away (or sell), repo fabs and other fun fabs. Certainly just a drop in the bucket one paper carton, but two weeks worth and a corner will be free!!!! LESS Susie Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05893377527974815997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-62502985394403397042015-07-10T21:30:12.324+10:002015-07-10T21:30:12.324+10:00Hmm my kids call me a neat freak I can't work ...Hmm my kids call me a neat freak I can't work in a mess lol. I try to clean up before I work on anything or after I have made the mess. Actually lately I want to get rid of all the fabric I have had for years as it bothers me that it's not being used. Since I am appliqueying more I don't do as much machine work. Although whe we moved a year and half ago I did get rid of tons. So that is my next step to clear out more. BunnyBunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14952553076346739583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113183995005359036.post-15450138246167085212015-07-10T17:52:40.612+10:002015-07-10T17:52:40.612+10:00Dear Esther,
it is a miracle, no matter how nice a...Dear Esther,<br />it is a miracle, no matter how nice and tidy the sewing room was before starting to play in it. Afterwards it is always in total chaos. I don't have a clue when and how I turned into a tornado, but it does happen in the process. I clean up when the girls come over for a sewing weekend. Nice motivation to have sewing visitors and make them think I am soooo organized.Flickenstichlerinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234604824763882898noreply@blogger.com