An update on what’s going on around here. First of all: a sewing room update + a handy (and super simple!) quilting ruler storage tip that has helped me declutter my work space. (This post contains affiliate links.)
Command Hooks for Quilting Ruler Storage
My sewing room is still a work-in-progress since our house remodel this past summer. I’m gradually making progress. One day I’ll have it all put back together and do an official tour, but here’s a quick fix to an ongoing problem. I’ve been trying to find an easy access storage solution for my myriad of quilting rulers. I had a place in mind on the side of the Pax Ikea wardrobe and wanted to get a pegboard to hang them on, but just haven’t had time to do the research find one just the right size, etc.
Then one day on Instagram I saw someone using command hooks on the side of their cutting table for hanging rulers and thought: hah! That would be much simpler – even if it’s only a temporary solution until I find the right size pegboard.
I bought the clear Medium Hooks with the metal hooks. (You can find them here on Amazon.)
I can hang at least two rulers per hook, three if they’re not heavier big rulers.
So there you go. Very handy, accessible and much more organized quilting ruler storage than the previous pile on my cutting table and the floor next to the table. I love finding simple solutions to chronic messes.
Catching up with English Paper Piecing
Another update: I’ve been working on my Round We Go English Paper Piecing (EPP) blocks. It’s been good to have a handwork project while hanging out on the couch with our son.
I’ve been gradually working on these blocks for over a year. Here are some I made last fall and never shared. These are made using Sue Daley’s Round We Go patterns and templates. (They’re out of print now, but I’ve seen the Round We Go kits still available here.)
One of the reasons I love English Paper Piecing (EPP) is because I love having a portable handwork project going at all times. The other reason I love it is because I can make these really intricate shapes – there’s no way I could piece something this complicated by machine – and they turn out perfect every time. (Not that my stitching is perfect, but at least the shapes are, thanks to the paper templates.)
If you’re interested in learning more about English Paper Piecing (it’s not nearly as intimidating as it looks) Sue Daley has a great EPP introduction video with Jenny Doan at MSQC here. Sue Daley also has a channel of her own FULL of English Paper Piecing tips and tutorials.
Any other EPP’ers out there? Here’s one new thing I’ve learned over the past year. I tried the Size 15 Milliners Needles and I love them! They’re long and thin straw needles (and a little bendy) and I love the way they glide through those seams.
I’m also a big fan of Sue Daley’s pink Rotating Cutting Mat.
Here’s the latest round of blocks. One of my favorite parts of working on this project is playing with the endless color and fabric combination opportunities. It’s good to step back and look at them from a distance. I think that one on the bottom left might be a little too busy…
A common question I get is how I’ll piece these circle shapes together. Good question. I will eventually applique the circles to background squares and then piece those blocks together.
So, once more, Thank You Sewing, for providing me an outlet while we’re still dealing with a bit of a stressful situation with my son’s health. And an even bigger THANK YOU to all of you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, and support.
We’re still trying to triangulate what’s going on, trying new things, etc. I feel confident in the care we’re receiving, it’s just one of those cases that takes time and patience (which I admit I’m finding hard to muster sometimes. I just want to see him better and not carry around the stress of uncertainty.)
I haven’t had the time to personally respond to so many sweet comments and emails, but please know how much they’ve meant. They’ve buoyed me up more than you know!
Elle
I love having my rulers hanging right next to my cutting table. I pull down what I need, and in 1 step hang it back up. So easy to put things away! You’re going to love this!
Susan Backus
If you’re lucky enough to have a handy person in your life like I do, you can have any size pegboard you want. We bought a sheet of it at the local hardware store and cut it to the size I wanted. My husband made a wooden frame for it then hung it on my wall. I have all kinds of sewing notions and knitting needles hanging on it.
Amy
That sounds awesome! Sadly, I don’t have a handy handy-person in my life. My husband has other talents, but handy-man is not one of them. lol. I need to find one of these handy-people somewhere!
Mary Goth
Your EPP is beautiful! I’ve never tried it, but I’ve seen so many beautiful EPP lately, that I’ve considered giving it a try. And, I like that you’ll eventually applique it and make a finished project. You’ve inspired me!
Lucy | Charm About You
Great solution for storing rulers! I have some shop fitting hung on the wall and I hang mine from there. Wishing you and your family well x
Robby H.
Command hooks going on my shopping list. They should be far easier to find than hand sanitizer just now. Sending good wishes and healthy prayers for you and your family.
Suzanne Miller
After a while my rulers crashed to the ground on the command strips. Especially the bigger or longer ones.
Amy
Ooo. Good to know! I’ll make sure to avoid them getting too heavy.
Kay
A great tip about the rulers, thank you. I love EPP but still haven’t settled on any particular needle. These blocks are so pretty, they will look amazing all together. x
Susan Quinn
I love your idea of using command hooks! I think I’ll use your idea as I have a fabric cabinet close to my cutting station. I am also a huge EPP fan. I am currently hand piecing a king size Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt using assorted red and white fabrics. I am not doing it the traditional way though using templates. I am using Inklingo to piece my blocks and it’s a very fast way to get blocks done. Hugs to you and your family and many prayers for your son’s recovery ❤
Amy
Whoa! That sounds amazing! And thank you for the prayers. xo
Linda
I did that year, I buy them in Walmart’s. I have a small wall space next to the closet, I put it there, I hang my 16.5″ , stripology and my 6 x 24″ ruler on it,it’s right behind my cutting table. My smaller rulers are stored in a wooden napkin holder.
Leslie K.
Thanks so much for the command hook idea. We are moving this summer and I will be setting up a new sewing room….definitely using this idea!
I too love EPP. I take it everywhere with me. I have not tried size 15 needles but they sound perfect and I will be trying them soon.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. We too went through an unknown illness with our daughter and visited so many doctors for about 6 months. In the end, all worked out well. Praying for that same outcome for your son.
Amy
Thank you, Leslie. xo
nancyangerer
I love your EPP pieces, and I don’t think that one is too busy. Anyway, I am looking forward to the final quilt. Do you baste or glue your fabric to the paper pieces? I also enjoy EPP and have used both methods for attaching the fabric. Right now I am working on a queen-sized quilt using 2 inch hexagons and diamonds making 6 pointed stars. It is all scrappy. I think I started it almost 3 years ago and have about 4 rows to go. We have driven thousands and thousands of miles during those years which has given me a lot of time to whip stitch pieces together. I also work on it in the evenings when we watch tv.
umterp76
I use the Command Hooks in a similar way, but on the back of my sewing room door. They work great!!!
Amy
Oh, that’s a great idea!
Lynn Clark
I recently moved into a new apt bldg. with my adult children. My side of the apt has a large hallway between the bedroom & bathroom and while reading this blogpost & comments, it occurred to me that the inside of those 4 doors would be the perfect place to put the command hooks to hang quilt rulers and quilting/sewing tools and accessories. No one shares my closets so there would be no interference with anything hanging on the doors. I will have to scope out the space tomorrow. If it all works out, I’ll post photographs here soon. Thanks for the inspiration and tips!
Amy
That sounds like a great plan! Don’t you love finding simple solutions like that?
Suzanne
Be careful with the command hooks. I have had them fall off of multiple types of surfaces. Had to replace one of my expensive rulers because it broke when it came off the wall. I use to love using the hooks for this type of storage but something has changed with the adhesive and they seem to spontaneously come unstuck even when following 3M’s instructions for use/
Amy
Ooo. Thanks for the warning, Suzanne.
Margaret Beverly
Amy, you and your family are in my prayers. God’s hand is in this and He will your son through it. I am sorry that all of you have to go through this very trying time.
I really enjoy reading your blogs and great tips. I am relatively new to quilting so any help is appreciated.
Amy
Thank you so much, Margaret. xo
Anne Richardson
You and your family are in our prayers. My ruler storage is two tubular towel bars affixed to the ends of my cutting table (a kitchen island with butcher block top from Kmart). I use S hooks to hang the rulers, stencils and my portable ironing pad on them. It is handy, tidy, and doesn’t take up much space.
quiltingdee
Thanks for your great tips and ideas.
Sharon Dickinson
Really like the idea of the command hooks. I really don’t have all of the rulers I would like to have yet this gives me a good idea on how to store the few I have. Did you have to drill holes in your rulers or did your rulers already have holes for the command hooks? Please let me know how you use the hooks through the rulers thank you.
Amy
My rulers already had hang holes on them. 🙂
vanseeters
Icant get my download it just shows name of pattern and it wont download it was6.00 can you help me
Amy
Hi Dotty – I just sent you an email.