How to Cure Cabin Fever: A Change Is Good!
During the bitterly cold weeks of February, my husband and I suffered from cabin fever. We wanted to get out of the house, but temperatures were dangerously cold and there wasn’t anywhere to go. So we started moving things around. I moved my sewing room from the second floor to the basement, and I moved my home office from the spare bedroom into my former sewing space.
This is a long, narrow room with great overhead lighting. From the window, I look into the woods where birds, wild turkeys, and deer make themselves at home. I purchased an LL Bean desk from a gal who posted it on Facebook Marketplace, and it’s the nicest setup I’ve had during my 50 years (gulp) of sewing. I also ordered the white cubicle storage piece from Target. (Thank you, FedEx, UPS, and USPS drivers who worked during this horrible cold snap!)
We plan to add window trim, baseboard, and tile flooring later this year. Since it’s bright and warm with in-floor heat, this space doesn’t feel like a basement at all. The bonus is that my husband doesn’t hear my loud Juki sewing machine at work, and I don’t hear his Zoom meetings. (Can anyone relate to unique pandemic tensions because of spending a lot of time together?)
I’m much happier working in my former sewing space because the guest room was too dark! Eventually, I’ll move my Janome downstairs and add a bed to this space. My husband moved the chandelier from his office, which previously was a teenage girl’s bedroom, into my space. I love it! (This space was a young boy’s bedroom.)
None of our rooms are “done.” My husband spackled dozens of holes in the walls to prepare for fresh paint throughout the house. Once I decide on a rug, then I’ll choose curtains and paint colors.
Color of Connection Mini Quilt
I also participated in the Color of Connection quilt along during February. This event took place on Instagram (#colorofconnectionqal), and facilitated conversations about race during Black History Month. The pattern was designed to be an easy first quilt or an opportunity for an experienced quilter to experiment. I decided to make mine a mini: When you want to make it all, make it small.
This little quilt coordinates with my Sew Together Bag and Mini Maker Case. I also plan to make an Undercover Case for my Janome sewing machine to complete the set. Due to shipping delays across the country, I’m still waiting for all my supplies to arrive before I get started.
A Delayed Finish: Jolly Bar Row Along Quilt
If you’ll step back into the 2020 time warp with me, I’ll catch you up on the back story of my Jolly Bar Row Along quilt. I was sewing fast and furiously to complete this quilt on schedule. However, my priorities changed abruptly when I saw a country home for sale. I snapped a photo of the almost-finished quilt, posted it to my blog, and drove off to see the property.
When we decided to make an offer on the home, I packed all of my sewing projects, equipment, and fabric into boxes so we could sell our house. So this quilt didn’t see the light of day for months. And even then, I simply hung it in the closet as I unpacked boxes.
Then came cabin fever and my supplies were still in-transit. So I pulled out the Jolly Bar Row Along quilt, finished the remaining rows of quilting, and stitched on the cheery polka dot binding. Ah, it felt like the beginning of spring and spring fever.
Cabin Fever and Lots of Fabric Shopping
During February the Fat Quarter Shop (affiliate link) marked down all the Moda Bella Solids. So I pulled out my patterns, sorted my shelves, and placed an order so I can make more quilts for the beds in our new home. Truth be told, I placed several orders this month, so I have been reading a few new quilt books. (I love quilt books even more than fabric!)
I’m not a big shopper, but February was rough, and I succumbed to retail therapy. But I have no regrets. I’m super excited about all the plans I have to enjoy time in my sewing room and making our house feel like home.
I hope any feelings of cabin fever you had are giving way to spring fever. I can’t wait to spend more time outdoors so we can safely visit with family and friends!
Joyfully,
Tracie