Yep, another post about my new store. I am totally obsessed and running a bit off kilter. Another week and things should start to run a little more balanced with actual quilting going on. Yeah, go ahead and laugh. Entreprenuerism: where one works 80 hours a week to avoid working a 40 hour a week job.
Here's the front of the shop now...it's closed, so you can't see the open sign and the shades are down. I'll be working on new signage on the windows soon.
Just inside that freshly painted door, lingers the old and much abused inside of the door. But I did work on the walls to either side this weekend. There was a lot of water stains to cover up. The windows used to leak apparently. I have to all of this in small stages while keeping the shop open. So the door and trim will be painted white soon, then once I paint over the wall paper, I can paint it my choice of pale turquoise.
Why paint the wall paper instead of removing it? I rent the shop space from the previous owner and he's concerned that stripping the wall paper will ruin the drywall. He's likely right as the lower walls I painted in the picture above might have had one coat of primer over the drywall and some unpainted areas were peeking out. Plus this is a bit quicker.
I did paint over the wall paper at the rear of the shop and it turned out well once I got a flatter finish of paint and a rougher roller to add a little blemish hiding texture.
This is the machine I will use the most in the shop, a Janome 8900SE. I'm covering the wall paper behind this area with white batting as a design wall. Not sure at this point if I will make it pinable with foam behind it, nor whether we'll need to paint it first to hide the pattern (I think so).
This is at the opposite end of that wall and I'm hoping to either replace these shelves or paint them, and see about bringing in a little fabric.
But it's not completely without some free motion quilting! I sold this fabulous Janome Artistic SD-16 last week. It came in on a Monday and since we are closed on Mondays, I called my customer and she and I played with it for a while before she took it home. She's a natural at FMQ; didn't even get out the stitch regulator that comes with it.
This machine is more expensive than the Janome Artistic SD18, but I really like it. Much better visibility, more features, the stitch regulator is a big plus for a lot of people though I don't see myself using it, and the table is fabulous! You sit at the side of the head, which is my preferred position. It comes with a ruler foot too!
I feel a little like one of my kids' favorite books, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". If you sell a quilter a machine shop, she'll want to redecorate. But first she'll have to clean, so before she does that she'll have to reorganize. She'll want to use some turquise paint on the trim. But first she'll have to get rid of the country blue. Then she'll want to add lots of white. She'll have classes. But first she will have to make room for her students.....on and on it goes!
But I'm loving it! Even if I am totally exhausted and my brain is on hyperdrive and my body is dragging. It's gonna be so worth it!
I love these posts. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're exhausted but you leave me smiling. So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteSo very, very excited for you!! And we don't mind more shop posts!! It's kind of fun to see a different angle of the industry :-)
ReplyDeleteLove seeing you set up your new store! So exciting!
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful you are showing us your shop in more than one post, you are doing something you love !! and it shows everyone that being an entrepreneur is not a cake walk. Good luck, I opened a quilt shop 15 months ago so I know what you are feeling. The Red Hen Shop in Iowa
ReplyDeleteWhere is this shop?
ReplyDeleteLynchburg Virginia!
DeleteI love hearing about and seeing your progress with your new adventure. Keep the updates coming. We are very excited for you! Wish I was closer, I would come visit. I have a question about the quilt you have hanging on your wall, the one used in your Craftsy classes, do/will you have a pattern available? Thanks for all the inspiration you share!
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ReplyDeleteReally like the quilt hung on the wall at the rear of the shop - what pattern is that? Do you sell the pattern?
ReplyDeleteYes, covering the 80's wallpaper is good. You're bringing the shop into the new century. I love seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I love the virtual tour :-)
ReplyDeleteAmy - your enthusiasm and excitement for this new life adventure comes thru and it's fun to read! Keep going girl!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy-- Love what you are doing with your new shop. It looks great. Your energy amazes me.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased an Artistic SD-16. I had the SD-18 and hated that machine. I was so excited when I first bought it to finally have a sit down "longarm" but I did not like how the foot pedal worked on the SD 18. It was all of nothing with the speed. Anyway the SD 16 is a dream. I have been quilting on it constantly. Works so well. I have not used the stitch regulator as I though it might be too confining but I will eventually give it a try. I also bought the new Janome 9400. What a fabulous sewing machine as well. So many great features and I especially like the lighting for my old eyes.
Anyway, good luck on future improvements for your shop. One of these days when I am in NC I'm going to go up through VA and stop to see you.
I love hearing that you love these two fabulous machines. I have the 9400 in the shop and used that HP foot and plate for a curved piecing project---really nice!
DeleteI like seeing these posts. I would love to have a sit down long arm. Is the stitch regulator one that rides under the quilt and as you move the quilt it responds to it?
ReplyDeleteYes, it can either ride under the quilt or be attached to an edge. The movement of the regulator controls the speed. At my Janome training event, they said that many people attach it under the quilt and then set their hand over the top as a grip on the quilt.
DeleteHow exciting to have a new shop! It's going to look great when you are finished "updating" it. That wallpaper has to go! hahahaha
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see how you're digging into the space to make it your own. I'm sure it will take time, but if you're anything like me, you want it "right" immediately! Thanks for sharing about the Artistic SD-16. It looks like a nice machine. Hope to visit your shop someday. It will probably be finished when I do! GGG
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
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