Rearranging and Sadness

I spent most of yesterday rearranging my bedroom. My bedroom houses my sewing area. Since we have such a small bedroom and small house for that matter, I have to make the most of my space. I did have a large, long dresser that I used for housing my fabrics. Two things were wrong with that. First, the dresser did not allow me to see what I had. Secondly, the only space in my bedroom that the dresser fit, was along the wall that the floor wall heater lives. I could get away with having it in front of the heater in the summertime, but during the winter, no go.

So I talked my husband into buying a new shelving system and we moved the dresser into my son’s room. He was outgrowing his dresser and needed more room anyway. That killed two birds with one stone.

Today, I spent re-folding fabric to make it neater. That is when the sadness happened - my daughter cut the cord to my foot pedal of my sewing machine. I was on the phone, chatting with a friend. I was also folding fabric. My husband was in the livingroom playing video games with my son. I knew my daughter was in the room with me, but I didn’t think there was anything out that she could actually hurt herself with. Evidently, I was wrong. When we rearranged, my husband moved a container to my desk that used to be in a high up spot, and it had a pair of scissors in there. I had no clue they were there until I saw her with them. I was still on the phone, but I swiftly took them away from her.

After I was off the phone, she showed me her cut pajamas. Ok. Not a huge deal. They were starting to get a little small for her. Since they were a favorite pair, I made a point to show her that they were going in the trash to teach her that scissors were not for little girls. A little later - probably about 30 minutes or so, I go to my desk and start to clean it off and look at my foot pedal. It literally took me three or four minutes to register what was wrong with my pedal.

Boy was I mad. I sent her to her room because I needed her out of my sight for a while. Hubby comes running back to the room - asking what is wrong. He tells me to call immediately to find out how much a replacement is.

My first call is to my Janome dealer (the closest one - that is still two hours away in Bellingham). I honestly don’t know why I even bother to call them. The owner evidently is the only one who can find out how much things are and that can order parts. She is never in. I mean, hello, if you are a dealer, either be there all the time, or deligate someone else to be able to talk to others in your absence.

Anyway, I start calling Janome dealers within a 50 mile radius. I finally get one. They state that a new pedal is $120, but he had a used one for $69. He could mail it to me. He finds out that I am on Whidbey Island and tells me there is a sewing and vac nearby that may have one. I call the store and they state that if I bring the pedal by that they may be able to just replace the cord. I take it by and he states that he should have one in stock - he actually has been tripping over it and put it away finally but it was black, did I still want it. I stated it was fine as long as it worked, I don’t care if the color is not the same. He stated that if he could not find it, that he would have to order one. It may take a little longer to get one, as the place requires a $25 minimum order. So I know it should be less than $25 to replace the cord. I hope it works, and it is worth a shot instead of having to buy a complete replacement. My dad said I should be able to splice the wires together and put elecitrical tape on it, but with a $1500 machine, I don’t want to risk it. My husband agrees.

Anyway - so on to the good stuff - the photos of the rearranging - you can click the photos to get them larger.
This is my design wall and desk. The design wall has been turned so that it is taller than wide.

This is my stash that is for specific projects - 1//2 yard or larger.

This is the fabric that is not earmarked for anything - either bought that way or leftover from other projects - 1/2 yard or larger.

The boxes are my UFOs and WIPS - most of them only contain one project.

This is the bin right next to my sewing area where I can just toss scraps.

This is the whole picture. The window looks out to the harbor - so I can see mountains and the water from my window.

The quilts on the top shelf are the ones that I have cut the batting for and still have not sandwiched yet. There is also some extra batting I can’t seem to part with.

The bins that are on the top shelf is of various cuts of fabric - the one below is of my fat quarters. I plan on refolding them soon.

Ignore the gross chair. I need to take the steam cleaner to it after several sodas have been spilled in it, but just have not done it yet.

The little trashcan on the desk is a recent purchase from the dollar store. It will get moved down to the floor when I actually sew for threads and too-small scraps. I also plan on taking it with me to retreat at the end of the month.
The fabric was folded using the method that was taught to us by Lois L. Hallock when she spoke to our guild.

Clare had asked what the pink block was in my last post (which is also shown in this post) - it is the Hawaiian shirt from my “Map Not to Scale” quilt from the 2006 Western Washington Shop Hop.

Something just occured to me. My Thursday quilting day may be off if I don’t get my pedal back. Argh! I guess I just have to finish kitting up a few projects if it doesnt get back.