
No, I don't mean Frank Zappa, not that he and his Mothers aren't worth a listen. But discovering that you don't have what you need when you're at a quilting retreat far from anywhere doesn't mean it can't happen there.
We're sewing in a restaurant. Long story for another time. Anyway, it's not like the place is set up for quilting. We have to bring everything we need. This means, for me, that what I bring can get out of control. So I have to exert the highest restraint when I'm packing
What you see is a project hanging on a portable design wall. It's a good size for smaller wall hangings, which are what I like to work on at retreats. It's foam board you can get at any arts/crafts shop, covered with flannel-backed tablecloth material you can get at larger fabric stores.
But where does it hang? Nowhere, when you're sewing at a restaurant. Hence the need for invention.
Because the restaurant is currently closed for the winter (yeah, I know it's spring but the place isn't open for regular business yet) chairs are stacked. These stacks provide a perfect height for my portable design wall. The bottom isn't too low, the top not too high. Surprisingly, I'm finding I really like this arrangement.
Because of the built-in pincushion. Plus I can drape fabric I'm auditioning over the seat backs behind the design wall and on the seat itself.
I like it so much I think when I get home I'm going to figure out a similar setup.
Nothing like not-having to stimulate invention!
(PS - the wall hanging is something I'm working on for my sister. In the first photo the white fabric over the "stained glass" is standing in for a dove.)