Good Morning, Quilters!
I have been an errant blogger of late, but I haven’t forgotten about YOU! I have been busy celebrating Christmas and the New Year with family and taking some quiet time to think, plan and organize.
I love the early days of a new year when everything is a blank slate–including the untouched calendar waiting to be filled with activities, goals, lists, hopes and dreams and of course, doodles!
WORD OF THE YEAR
One of the big discussions in the blogosphere at this time of year is the idea of choosing a word for the year-a word that suggests a guiding principle.
In 2015, I chose the word focus–a play on my interest in learning more about photography and my need to avoid distractions.
By the end of the year (Squirrel!) I was so harried (Squirrel!) I never chose a word for 2016. (Perhaps I should have chosen Squirrel!?)
MOTTO FOR 2017
My motto for 2017 is Make New Friends
I don’t mean it literally–but as a reminder to be open to new ideas and fresh ways of looking at things, exploring new possibilities and avoiding ruts.
Remember the old Girl Scout song:
Make new friends, but keep the old…
One is silver and the other’s gold!
MAKING NEW FRIENDS-MY THREAD STASH
One of my frustrations in my sewing room is my thread stash.
I LOVE thread, but finding the right thread is a nightmare and leaves my sewing room looking like a tornado hit!
All of my thread is stored (neatly) in boxes. However, when I’m auditioning threads, I have to open all the boxes to see my choices–leaving my room a mess!
HOW A THREAD NERD LIVES DANGEROUSLY
Last week I had six June Tailor thread racks installed on my sewing room wall.
I know this is not the best way to store thread–light and dust can damage thread.
However, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and store my threads (on a wall with minimal sun light) in a way that suits the way I work--even if it means I have to replace threads more frequently!
I spent several happy hours silently organizing my thread. It was oddly calming and therapeutic…
This will transform the way I work–a fresh look and a NEW FRIEND!
Isn’t it pretty???
What about YOU? Do YOU have a motto or word for 2017?
Is there something YOU can look at with fresh eyes?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Signed,
YOUR Friend,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
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121 comments
Mary Honas
I love your thread display/storage! Why? Because though I don’t have as much as you do I store mine the same way!! You are going to love this way of working. 🙂
ADK Kate
Done! — that is my word for this year. Get all the projects that need that final effort to be completed done before letting myself start something new. I am new enough to quilting that my threads still are manageable in a large box but can easily see where over time your solution might be the only practical one. Have found that previewing threads can make a big difference in the final product.
Connie B of AZ
I just need to Ditto Kate, let’s FINISH and Enjoy the process
Lori Kennedy
I might have to take a second word–I LOVE DONE!!!
Susan Ramsayworldpresscom986
I have 4 thread displays and need more. The dust IS a problem. Note to old timer sewists; thread gets weak as it ages. If you are having a problem as you sew and the thread breaks, and your needle is not backward etc. Toss it and try another spool. It takes 10 to 15 years, so don’t worry if you bought thread last year. It should still be good.
I love the way Lori keeps hers in color sequence. So pretty.
Karen
I usually don’t choose a word but I decided this year I was choosing Brave. I get so bogged down by things that I want to face my fears and get on with it!
Patty Klein
Great word. I’m that way when it comes to the quilting. Not this year I hope.
Patty
Maxine Reece
Me too. I feel brave in most things but finishing is my downfall. So my word this year is finish also.
Beth
Love the way you organized your threads. It’s much more logical than storing in boxes. I did the same thing years ago. To avoid deterioration from dust and sunshine, I made a quilt to cover the threads.
Karen W
Love this idea. Will have o make a wall hanging one for the racks.
Susan Ramsayworldpresscom986
What a great idea! I think I’ll use something transparent, like vinyl.
Lucie the Happy Quilter
Happy new year Lori. I love the way your newly organised thread looks. What an inspiration ypu are!@! Clean slaye indeed x
Doris M
The thread looks like a colorful quilt hanging there. Love it.
Janette
HAPPY NEW YEAR!…..l wish you enough……..
FINISHING!!!!!!…….Just finished another lap quilt ….Thanks to your creative tutorials and all the wonderful ideas you give us. Thank you for giving me the knowledge and encouragement to forge ahead with free motion quilting. Lol …Still have along way to go but the journey so far has been a BLAST! God Bless
Veda Drummond
Just consider it a beautiful piece of artwork hung on your sewing room wall and one to be enjoyed!
Mary
Thread envy is happening. Very impressive.
I really like the idea of a word for 2017, a better concept than a ” resolution”.
I think my word will be ” experiment”. Could relate to quilting, recipes, or exercise,
mickie mclaughlin
WOW this post is so refreshing. I love the idea of choosing a “WORD” to move me forward in this new year. I also love Mary’s word “experiment” as I have been remiss in trying out the “what ifs”….so now that will be my word.
The thread “exhibit” is so lovely — ART!!! I like the idea of covering the thread when you are not working–is there ever a time though??–to keep the dust and pet hairs from landing on it. How about using tulle?
PS your dogs are so CUTE. They are a great addition to any sewing room.
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Tulle-great idea!
Suzy Webster
My word for the year is consider. Sometimes I feel like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew and so I want to consider what my priorities really should be.
Diana McDonough
I have my thread stored similarly…but I am rapidly outgrowing my current space, so I need more.
btw…your Amazon link is broken.
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Thanks for telling me!
Ness
I was kind of shocked when I thought about how many years it’s been since Focus became my goal… Lol! I was painting, teaching and designing back then. When a contract for books came along my titles were This One a thing I Do… I still apply this although all the social media I owned a couple years ago had me chasing Squirrels also. Now I feel like I have a mess of unfinished squirrels running amuck! I got one out the door at Christmas! So my words… I need two…. Are focus and finish! BTW… I was just thinking of buying a couple of these racks… Still pulling out boxes… You sold me. It is very lovely to look at. Sorry so long!
Ness
I meant joined not owned… Grumble face
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Ness–what is your book title??
Ness
It’s pretty old lol! This One Thing I Do… Northwoods was the first one. I did them with a friend DJ Williams. Tole painting days. 🙂
Nancy
Your thread wall is stunning ; it’s art into itself. Happy New Year! Looking forward to your posts.
catpatches
That’s the way I store my thread, and it really works best to be able to see all the colors at once…plus, I love thread as much as I love fabric, and so I like looking at it. Usually, I don’t choose a word for the year, but if pressed, I choose “patience”. My husband retires in April, and we’re planning a months-long trip we’ve dreamed of for decades beginning mid-September. It’s so exciting to be actually planning after so many years of dreaming, but I’ll need to be patient waiting for his retirement date, and to allow the time to pass until it’s the right time to be on our way. But patience works in so many ways…patience with myself and others is good practice too.
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I used to pray for patience but a friend told me not to–if you pray for patience you get lots of opportunities to use it-LOL!!
Ness
Mine sounds like Lord help me! Help me! Help me!! Lol!
Dolores Ingraham
My Pastor spoke on the same thing and suggested these words, Simplify, Seek, Discipline, Gratitude, Thankful, or Persevere. Persevere is very good for me because I keep jumping from one unfinished project to another.
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Great words!! I could use all of them!
Becky Shaffer
Your threads look so pretty and organized. I like to keep mine on a thread rack also, but my dilemma now is how to organize and store the bobbins.
I like the idea of a word instead of making resolutions for the new year. Now to think of a word…hmm.
Karen W
I use straws cut down to size & put the bobbin w/ the spool it matches (clear ones barely show). It sometimes helps to split the draw lengthwise, for spools w/ smaller spindle holes.
lilquilter
Karen – great idea, splitting the straw! Thanks! That never occurred to me.
Marta
Recently sat down and wrote up new list of projects for 2017 and sadly discovered there are 19. One a month puts it over into 2018 with no room for anything new that might come up this year. I have rarely finished a quilt in one month. Usually work on 2-3 at a time tho as I have 2 sewing places set up: in house and out in the garage which I named Cottage. That is where the large table is located to use when quilts get to the actual quilting stage. Piecing and FMQ can be done on small table in house. A novel thought has occurred to me. Can I give away a project that is in mid stage? I started a few when I was an ignorant beginner and I just have no desire to get involved with them ever again. Thus I am choosing a word for my new year: Cull. Pare. Downsize. Reduce. as in get rid of some stuff taking up space. I need to
take back territory in our guest room ! We could have guests again then.
lilquilter
Donate those UFOs to your local quilt guild or swap with your quilting friends for a fun challenge!
Lori Kennedy
Cull and move on to what is important to you and what inspires you!
Susan Ramsayworldpresscom986
To reduce: Stay out of quilt shops (very hard, I know) Use what you have. When trying to match thread, go a shade darker. Now, do you already have a thread that will do?
Becky Shaffer
I remember Libby Lehman once saying that you don’t need to finish every quilt. She said when you’ve learned what it has to teach you, you can move on. So culling sounds like a good word to me.
Lori Kennedy
Becky, I LOVE that motto–“when you’ve learned what it has to teach you, you can move on!” I might have to quilt that on a pillow or something! Congratulations on your new grand baby! Two baby tutorials coming in January–inspired by you–albeit a little late!
Marta
First great grand baby girl due in Feb..Looking forward to your tutorials.
Kaylene Nelson
OMG… I can’t imagine having that much thread. I get confused with what small stash that I have. But, I have trouble not bringing more thread home with me each time I shop. Love looking at all your thread!
Patty Klein
You can get a white shower curtain or just some pretty fabric. Attach it to the top, or above your racks and make a cover for your thread. Helps keep out dust and light.
It is a beautiful display, and that in itself can be inspiring.
My words for the year are quilt and finish.
Patty
Beth Hardy
Hi. I did get on a preorder list and was lucky to receive the new bernina foot and rulers. Now I’m scared to use them. I was wondering why you say “if you don’t have a bernina, try Amy Johnsons craftsy class.” Do you have a recommendation on where to learn. Love my Bernina shop, but they are not particularly helpful with the new foot.
PS I share love with my Bernina 770QE, not so much our snowy Wisconsin winters.
Lori Kennedy
Beth, At the time I wrote that article, BERNINA was warning people not to use an off brand foot-as it nulls your warranty. Now that BERNINA’s foot is out–go for it! Because the foot is new, many of the stores and salespeople haven’t had time to truly play and experiment with it. I have a foot now and am playing, playing, playing–but am not ready to offer tutorials until I am more skilled–hopefully by June or July I will start offering tutorials on ruler work.
I LOVE my BERNINA 770QE too! My favorite machine ever! Winters in MN…quilting weather!
June Neigum
Turtorials on ruler work would be great!!!! As most of the tuts on Youtube are for long arms that the needle moves not the fabric which is a whole different technique. My mid arm quilting machine came with rulers and all the extras. Just don’t have the confidence to try them yet.
Christina
I love the picture of your thread wall! It looks like a rainbow! And WOW do you have a lot of thread!! I used to store my thread on the thread racks also but I hated the dust. So I bought some storage bins with draws and organized my threads that way. This way they all stand and don’t become a jumbled mess.
Michele
Re: the new quilting foot. Your word should be “play”! I keep a stack of quilt sandwiches (about 12″) ready to try new threads, tools, etc. I learned this from Patsy Thompson. It is much less painful than trying a new technique on “the good stuff”. I got my new foot and tools, and had a donation quilt ready to quilt. I had fun, and it came out great, even though I chose to combine 2 circles and a wavy line instead of something more simple.
Lori Kennedy
Sounds wonderful!
onecreativefamily
Love your thread idea. In my sewing room I have taken closet doors off and on the wall in there are my threads. I have a light that I turn on when I need to see. I still seem to have a mess at times, but much easier to keeping organized. Planning is my motto for 2017. I don’t feel so scattered and more able to focus.
Holly
Welcome back Lori. What a beautiful thread display, you certainly have a BIG supply of threads. My word for 2017 is magical. Happy New Year.
Nancy Birger
If any of your threads are duplicates, you might want to store those in one of your boxes. I love all of the color on the wall.It is very cheerful.
Lori Kennedy
Great idea!
Karen W
Happy New Year! No, Lori, I haven’t found my word for 2017 yet. We leave for home tomorrow (yea) – we’ve been across the country, visiting kids & grandklds for the holidays in south FL, but it’s time to go home — reorganizing, projects (a half-done quilt in the frame), & normal routines are waiting… I have my threads in different storage arrangements & we live in a sunny, dusty climate, so I made dust covers for my thread racks. At first they were clear plastic, but then I got some dark oil cloth & made new ones. When I need access, just lift off the soft cover & the rest of the time they’re protected. My favorite solution, though, is in my upper corner cabinets (glass-windowpanes) w/ large turntables on the shelves. Just spin & select (they face away from the sunlight). They look pretty thru the glass, too.
Lori Kennedy
That’s a great idea, too! I have more thread that didn’t fit on the rack….
LaurenM
That’s funny. I just took all my thread off my June Tailor racks and put them in plastic containers because they were getting too dusty.
Lori Kennedy
Argh!!! I may live to regret this–but for now, I’ll enjoy!
KJ
That wall of thread is amazing. Your dogs are adorable.
My word is health. I can apply it in many areas
-when grocery shopping, go for the healthier options
-when baking and cooking, go for the healthier items
-make sure I pet the kitties often for a mental health boost
-don’t let work bog me down and interfere with my health
-walk away from people who negatively affect my mental health and surround myself with people who make me happy and challenge me
-exercise where possible
-do some quilting and crafts for a healthy attitude but
-don’t sew too long or it affects my physical health
That was a nice mental exercise. Thank you.
Lori Kennedy
You can never go wrong with health!!!!
Sally
That is a crazy amount of thread. I agree – so pretty!!
annwalsh2015
I love it! I might just have to try something like this myself. I have been storing my threads in plastic containers to keep them protected from dust and sunlight, and while I don’t have near the stash that you have, I do have several lovely colours that would enhance the decor of my workspace if they became “wall art”!
dawk2012
My word if forgive, myself and others. I choose this word with trepidation because like asking for patience, it requires practice, which requires conflict and pain. However, life without either is not life. I want to live free, in kindness and joy again. Love the thread display, and I have some Christmas $$ to spend. Off to buy some racks.
KJ
Wonderful sentiment and nicely put.
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Joanns–coupons!
Cave Creek Maggie
Your thread looks amazingly organized and colorful and inviting! I love it! My word MUST be “Distracted” because, although I love your thread I LOVE your dogs!!! OMGoodness! They are so sweet and beautiful and expressive~just look into their eyes! What is their breed?!? I need a friend like that!!! (Missing my Rosie!)
Maureen B. in B.C.
So beautiful; such rich colours … juicy seems to be the word. I love the convenience and “artiness” of seeing them all on the wall, but my issue is keeping the bobbins with the thread. Filling a bobbin half empties a Mettler spool. BUT just recently I discovered these bobbin/spool holders that look like oversized plastic cotter pins, and come in several colours. They work on all types of thread spools, unlike earlier models. I’m in love with these cotter pins! Unfortunately they won’t fit on the pegs of a wall-mounted thread holder because of their length. But then, I don’t have the massive collection of threads you have, Lori. Thread envy IS the case, as a previous blogger wrote.
My word this year is “donate”. It felt very good to donate some quilts to the local crisis centre before Christmas, I want to do more of that.
KJ
I love those spool holders. No worries about the bobbin falling off the spool. Sadly, I only have one package. I am in BC too. Where did you find them here?
Maureen B. in B.C.
Fabricland. I emptied the supply in Nanaimo, then hit Victoria. They still had some left when I left town ?
Maureen B. in B.C.
Oops, I edited and lost the “thread”, so to speak … Filling a bobbin half empties a Mettler spool, so don’t want to do it twice by mistake because I couldn’t find the first one I filled.
KJ
Thanks. I am on the mainland and 5 minutes form a Fabricland.
For everyone else, these bobbin holders really are great.
QuiltE
Had never thought of them as cotter pins, but good description! They really are the greatest for keeping spools and matching bobbins together. I scooped a bunch when our Fabricland closed, but I have seen them at times in regular LQS’!
KEK
SPARKLE–find some; add some.
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I have a bottle of glitter Ill send you!
Ruth Wingfield
I love the way you have organized your thread! It is so easy to find what you want like that. I am spending January organizing my supplies also. I just may have to invest in some of those thread racks!
Karen O'Brien
My word for 2017 is a phrase – “Just get started!” I am the ultimate perfectionist so I am often fearful of learning something new because I know it’s not going to be perfect. Taking your Craftsy Divide and Conquer FM class has propelled me to jump in and let the quilting chips fall where they may – so to say – and be “OK” with that. Thanks for the virtual encouragement and instruction!
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Lets get started!!
Penny Mattson
My word for the year is HOPE because by the end of last year I felt so hopeless. I also have a phrase of the year; Choose Joy. I repeat it often.
I also keep my thread on a wall rack. I have been even more aware than usual of color lately and love seeing it. I don’t worry about it getting dusty, just blow it off ;). I also make lots of scrap quilts and burn through whatever threads have the least amount on the spool; used up five spools on the last quilt. Since they are scrappy anyway it doesn’t matter if all the thread matches. Today I am of to the city for…new thread!
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I hope2017 is a great year for you!
Becky Shaffer
Someone once said, “Finished is better than perfect”. I try to keep that in mind when I’m afraid to start something because it might not be perfect. It helps and it sure is nice to have some finished quilts!
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Agree!
BJ
I used the same set-up for thread in a previous home but also installed a curtain rod a bit wider than the racks. In a room full of gorgeous fabric, it was easy to change out the curtains, and light and dust were kept at bay. I made it wider so I could push the curtains to the side and expose all the threads at once when necessary. I used clip-on rings to hold the fabric so I could re-use it (if it didn’t fade too badly). It was a better way to work than the clear boxes, so good luck with your new system!
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Great tips!
Lynne Capehart
My word for the year is GRATITUDE. I am keeping a gratitude journal and trying to find something to be grateful for every day. My husband is in the early stages of dementia, and I need to remind myself of positive things to keep on an even keel. So, gratitude for having time to sew, gratitude for having a little time to myself, gratitude that his dementia is not full -blown and may not be for a few more years. Etc.
Becky Shaffer
Lori, I love another quote by Libby when she said it was okay not to finish a quilt. She said, “Don’t finish that butt-ugly quilt and give it to charity. Charities don’t want butt-ugly quilts either”! She was such a great teacher and lady. It is so sad that her serious health problems have prevented her from teaching and doing all the things she used to do. We never know….seize the day!
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I agree-sad about Libby and another of my favorite teachers-Sue Garman. Seize the day–alwsys a great motto!
Rita
Those threads look sooo beautiful! Making friends is a good theme for the year. And I`ll add being as kind to myself as I am to others.
Elizabeth Kuntz
okay, when you said you had to open all your boxes to find the threads you needed to use your room ended up trashed. That is exactly how I do it too! I’ll spread out my boxes on the floor and pull threads out and audition them side by side. I’m liking the wall idea more and more. Dust be damned!!!
Elizabeth Kuntz
I did have a talk with my hubby this morning and I said that I wanted to start using new words this year. Retro words. The two that came to mind was Lolligag and shenanigans. Don’t ask!!! They just popped in my head 😀
Kim Vogel
Although I understand your concerns regarding the degradation of the thread from storing it this way, the fact that you are likely to use it more often balances the issue. I would think you would be more likely to “grab a new spool” if you didn’t have to go searching for it. You might consider marking them somehow so that if a spool sits for a long time, you would know it is an “older” spool and perhaps likely to have problems while quilting. Anyway, it looks AWESOME!
mickie mclaughlin
Love this idea.
meh4092
You could always find some nice fabric to throw over your thread to protect it a bit, look at that fabric for awhile and then change it.
JanineMarie
I love your thread “art installation.” Really, it’s art! It must make you very happy to look at when you are working.
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It does!! I just love it!
Paula Hedges
My word for 2017 is Learn. I want to learn how to get the most out of EQ7. I want to get comfortable with FMQ on all my machines – home, mid-arm, and longarm. I want to learn how to say no when saying yes is not good for me or my family. And most of all, I want to learn how to put balance in my life – business, family, and fun – without feeling resentful, guilty, or have to explain my choices.
Lori Kennedy
That sounds like a tall order–the balance part–LOL! Send any and all tips my way–I could stand to LEARN a few things…LOL!
Paula Hedges
So I’m not the only one? I promise to share if I find the secret to success!
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