Now that we had transformed Brianna’s room into my new quilting and sewing sanctuary, it was time to put all of my fabric, notions, and machines in their new home.
As you know, we have been trying to keep Brianna’s things, but healthily. I put the bug in Chris, my hubby’s ear, to convert Brianna’s bed into a bench. He took this task to heart, and the outcome is beautiful. It is a piece of furniture that we will hand down for future generations. I turned her comforter into the cushion cover, so the bench is all hers, literally.
I will start with the fact that I did go ahead and splurge on two big purchases for my new space. I bought myself an Arrow Sewing Station, the Aussie II. I love it. I can raise and lower my main sewing machine and close the cabinet down to a long dresser size when not in use. Of course, this rarely happens as I spend much of my free time sewing! The second purchase was the Martelli Advantage Work Station. I admit I am in love with this too! It is so lovely to have a table, specifically for cutting my fabric. I no longer need to pull my cutting mat out and put it away. Plus, this table raises, lowers, and even tilts!
I also had the idea of refurbishing her long dresser into my ironing station. We painted it with white chalk paint and added a star in blue to the front. It proved to be challenging when taping to paint it, but we were pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Chris cut a piece of plywood several inches wider and longer than the top, added wood braces on the bottom to prevent it from sliding. It sits purrfectly on top of the dresser. I wrapped the wood with a few batting layers and covered that in a vintage sewing fabric. It turned out amazing.
The last piece was her short dresser and bookshelf that sits on top. I painted this with white chalk paint and added blue to the back walls. Chris removed the drawers from the dresser and added a shelf to have more storage space for fabric. Anyone who sews or quilts knows there is NEVER too much storage for your fabric! Somehow, it just seems to keep multiplying!
For the closet, I purchased twelve large plastic shoe boxes. I have them sorted by color for all my scrap fabric. Of course, this makes it easy to find small fabric pieces, especially when I do applique. And it alleviates any frustration when you need a specific color. It is so much easier when things are kept organized.
To finish off the room, I hung a painting my cousin, Lisa painted the day Brianna passed. I also hung a photo of my grandmother (Bachan) and Brianna each sewing. I like to think that they are both hanging out with me in Brianna’s room, also known as Emi’s quilting and sewing sanctuary.
Aussie II Sewing table 
Brianna’s bed turned bench 
The girls (Pearl & Maggie) couldn’t resist the new seat! 
Plywood being covered with batting 
Fabric for ironing station 
Primed and ready for paint 
Starting the star on the dresser turned ironing station 
Ironing station complete! It’s 3 yards long! 
My Martelli Advantage work station 
Bookshelf & short dresser before picture 
I like orgainizing fabric yardage by color 
Purrfectly Imperfect 