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Thursday, January 18, 2024

Quilt Studio ~ Ruler Storage

 Today I'm sharing how I like to organize my rulers.




A new studio means a new set up. I don't know about you, but I have to use the space for awhile before I know if I like it or not. To be honest, I'm not sure I'm quite satisfied yet, but I do know I want my rulers ups where I can see them.

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Ruler organization, like pretty much everything in quilting, is so personal. We know what we like and what works for us. Sometimes, though, we need inspiration to find what we do like. That's why I'm sharing today. To help inspire and get those organizational ideas flowing.




I personally love having my rulers up and where I can easily grab them. For a long time in my old studio they were stored in this drawer. Handy because it's my cutting table, but not that handy if I had to dig.





In the following pictures you may note that my peg board is cracked and scratched. Way back when KMart closed I was able to grab a few peg board pieces from their dumpsters. I could paint them, but I'd rather be sewing. You can find peg board in all different sizes to fit your space. Here's an Amazon link with lots of options.




When I was using just a wall I had these hooks for my rulers. It was frustrating though, because the rulers would catch when I pulled them off. I kept that in mind when I was looking for new hooks to use with the peg board. 





I really like these, though I didn't need to order as many as I did. LOL They have just enough of a tilt to them to keep the ruler on , but not so much to make it difficult to take it off and put it back on quickly.




My one issue with these hooks is how hard it was to take them out and move them. Maybe I missed a trick, but my fingers were sore by the end. My advice, do a better job of planning than I did. Ha!




I really needed my ruler area to be restful to my eyes. I moved rulers a lot. It took longer than it should have maybe, but I did find what I liked, and it's actually the first thing I see when I walk in the door to my studio and it makes me smile.




When I did a Pinterest search for quilting supply storage I liked the idea of bins for my peg board as well. I chose these, and I confess, I thought they would be too small. It ends up they are perfect. 




In the cups I have my rotary cutter and scissors, marking tools and sewing tools. These are the sewing tools I use most often, not all of them.




In the squares I have my clothes pins, found in the Target dollar area a few years ago, that I use to mark rows and units. You can keep a lookout for something similar, usually around back to school time, or check these out at The Fat Quarter Shop.




The other square holds a magnetic pin holder. This is my grandma's old holder and her pins. Makes me smile to look at them.




What about those rulers or templates that don't have holes? I was blessed by a wooden ruler holder made by my uncle. I found a similar one here.


Right now this holds my rulers for sewing clothing and my marking/trimming pads. Honestly these might go back in the drawer. I don't like giving up that space at the top of the mat, and I know I will need to move it to cut yardage sooner or later.




I'm really happy with this set up. So happy, I came back in the room a few times after I was done just to look at it and enjoy.

PS Those liquor boxes to the side?




Full of flamingos. Hahahahahaha They will get unpacked someday. If you are ever packing to move, liquor store boxes are perfect. Sturdy and not too big, so you can't overload them.


Bonus ruler tips.

1) Rulers that slip. There are many products that keep your rulers from slipping, but a quick, cheap, easy to find remedy is clear medical tape. It MUST be clear, but it works great to grip the fabric.




2) Write your name on your ruler with a Sharpie and then cover it with a piece of scotch tape to keep it from rubbing off.

3) If you don't have specialty rulers for trimming units like half-square triangles, flying geese, etc, mark the ruler you are using with a sharpie. The marker will wear off eventually or you can color over it with a dry erase marker and wipe off.

4) Rulers will wear down. When you find this has happened, bring it to a place that cuts glass. Have them trim it down 1/2 inch and you have a nice straight edge again.

5) Remember the pattern storage tips in the Bites of PBJ newsletter? Use a binder and sheet protectors to keep the instructions handy for those specialty rulers.

Do you have any helpful tips for ruler usage or storage? Let me know in the comments.

Go make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024

2023 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Show

The official last post of the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge is the Quilt Show Post.




I love seeing the blocks each month fill my Quilt and Learn With Patterns By Jen Facebook group. This post celebrates the culmination of your work all year. We have some beautiful finishes and fun extras!

The 2023 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Tops




Toni"s quilt is a beautiful top. I am *loving* that orange, black and purple combo. The cat's cute, too. *wink*




Brandi's top is pieced and SO pretty. I love the aqua she chose to sash and border with. It really gives your eye a resting place, so important in BOM quilts.




Gail's finished quilt, all in Island Batik fabrics is gorgeous. You can read about her quilt on her blog here. She is a Monthly Color Challenge Blogger!




Debbie's quilt looks so fantastic. I'm loving that purple and yellow hourglass blocks, and it's NOT because I'm a Minnesota girl (Vikings). *grin*




Carolyn's top is coming along so nicely, note she made two of each block and got a bigger quilt! She also graced us with more pretty inspiration in the background. Love it!





Rubiana's quilt! What is it about black and white that just makes a quilt glow?! Her border looks almost chain like. Amazing!




You may remember Susan from last year's finish. She used her blocks to make an apron (see this post). This year she used the blocks to make a long arm cover. What???!!!! I love how she makes this challenge hers.




Raylee's gorgeous finish! Love her work so much. Using two different background really adds a new element to this quilt, and the border! Wow! Raylee is a Monthly Color Challenge Blogger, find her HERE.




Check out her YouTube video for finishing inspiration. She really took the Color Challenge to heart and used her scraps for everything, including the binding. She talks a bit about her border choice, the fun quilting motif, and you don't want to miss the fabulous backing! Don't forget to subscribe to her channel. *smile.*




Paula used the October block to make this quilt. I love when a quilter get's inspired by a block and just goes with it. She has a fabulous quilt now and I'm SO very glad she shared it with us.




Joanne also chose to make a quilt using just the February blocks. I love the color and the outcome. She is a Monthly Color Challenge Blogger, find her HERE.




Shout out for Annette's 2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt.
It's never too late to finish a quilt! It's never too late to send me a picture of any of your Monthly Color Challenge quilt, or add them to the Facebook Group, either. *grin* We want to cheer you on! Well done, Annette!

Thank you so much for stitching along with me for the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge.

If you missed the 2024 Monthly Color Challenge Announcement you can find it here or click on the tab at the top of the page. This years inspiration is coming to us from amazing tropical fish. Enjoy color with us all year long!

Let's make something Extraordinary!

 

Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

 

Newsletter sign up

 

2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

 

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

 

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Monday, January 1, 2024

2024 January Monthly Color Challenge Block

 Are you ready for a New Year and a new Monthly Color Challenge?!




Our challenge this month is inspired by tropical fish. Such beauty lays under the water, it's hard not to be inspired.


Photo Credit

This month our color is green and we look to the Green Tiger Barb for our inspiration.



From AZGardens:

 It’s hard to overlook the Green Tiger Barb in a tank, thanks to its fluorescent green body, silver and gold blotches and neat orange fins.  These fish should be put in schools of at least six, and they’re known for being quite active.  That said, you should note they like well-planted aquariums that have either soft or slightly acidic water.

In regards to breeding, we recommend putting them together in the same aquarium, as they will pair off instinctively.  The females will lay eggs, the males will fertilize them and the baby fry will be swimming within 4 days.  The frys need formulas before they can take on flake food, while adults need veggies, meats with protein, flake foods and live and frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.



I love greens and this fish would be hard to say no to, especially adding the gold, silver and orange!

 



I'm using Benartex's "Burlap" fabric line. I love the texture of the fabric, sooo much.

 

Our featured blogger this month is:

 

Joanne ~ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

 

Find her on Instagram,too!

 

Ready for the  block? It's a super simple block with Flying Geese Units and a Square in a Square unit. Two of  my favorites.


 

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2024MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

  


I hope my feed is swimming in green this month!

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of January! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late to receive the January block instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the February - December Monthly Color Challenge blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your inbox. Sign up HERE.

 

Let's make something Extraordinary!

 

Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?

 

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

 

Newsletter sign up

 

2024 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

 

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

 

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.