Sewing Ease with Arrow

September is National Sewing Month, and with kids going back to school, nights drawing in a little earlier, there’s no better time to update and reorganize your sewing space! The more efficient and organized your area, the more productive and ultimately happier you’ll be. Janome Canada has partnered with Arrow Sewing Furniture to bring you some fabulous space-saving/ time-saving items, most of which can be drop-shipped right to your door! Check with your Janome Dealer for details.

Arrow introduced the Kangaroo Cabinet line in 2008 to bring you functional pieces which maximize storage space. Check with your Janome Canada dealers to see the full line available!

When quilting and binding a quilt, or hemming floor-length drapes, for example, you need an ample work space around your sewing machine to support the project. I recently posted about binding this very special Star Wars quilt my partner, Joe, made me as a birthday gift. He did all the cutting, piecing and quilting himself, but had trouble with the binding, so he left that for me to finish. I think I got the better end of the deal, don’t you? lol!

Binding a big quilt is definitely faster and easier, with much less strain on your arms and shoulders, when you have a large work surface to support the weight of the quilt, so you don’t have to wrestle with it as much.

Arrow Sewing Cabinets has many pieces to suit every style, every need, every budget, and most come in a variety of finishes from which to choose. In my classroom at the Janome Sewing and Learning Centre, I use the Arrow MOD cabinet which fits the BIG Continental M7 beautifully, though you can custom order an insert to fit around whatever machine model you have.

The table has a leaf at the back, which supports the quilt, or whatever the project you’re sewing, then folds down to take up less space when you don’t need it.

Binding is a breeze when you have a clutter-free space in which to work.

There’s ample room under the table, as well, complete with compartments on the left to help keep supplies organized and close at hand. A cleat at the back holds the wooden table top insert in place when your machine is up, so you won’t waste time searching for it, or tripping over it, when it’s time to covert the cabinet to a regular table top. This conversion is easily done with just a flick of a switch, as the Arrow MOD cabinet has a hydraulic lift which effortlessly raises and lowers your sewing machine. Brilliant!

To the left of the Arrow MOD cabinet is the MOD Drawer Unit; 5 drawers which, not only help you organize your sewing supplies, fabric, notions; whatever, the drawer unit acts as an extension table which gives you even more workspace and more support for your quilts, and other sewing projects.

Keep all your Janome Goodies at your fingertips – in alphabetical order, of course! Yes, I’m OCD about somethings….ok, most things, lol!

Not all of us have a dedicated sewing room which we can leave set-up all the time, so many of the Arrow/ Kangaroo sewing cabinets are designed with the flexibility to do double-duty if or when needed. Simply lower the machine into the cabinet, pop on the wooden insert, close the cabinet doors, and no one would know there’s a whole lot of sewing fabulousness going on in there. Throw a table cloth over it all and use it as a buffet for holiday gatherings! Or, maybe you don’t need all the drawers for sewing supplies. Instead, use them to store table linens, puzzles and games for the kids; snacks you want to hide from everyone, lol!

One of the best investments you can make to improve your sewing and to minimize aches and pains is to treat yourself to a good quality sewing chair. How many of us are still suffering in silence on that old, rickety cast-off dining room, or kitchen chair? I did that for years, often sewing new, fluffier cushions for it, hoping that would help make it more comfortable – it didn’t! You’ll be amazed how much more productive, how much longer you can sew, quilt, whatever, when you’re sitting more comfortably; at the right height, with lumbar support for your back just where you need it. Arrow has hydraulic lift or wooden leg chairs in sew many colours, patterns and prints; there’s definitely a chair for everyone!

Arrow Hydraulic Lift chair with Janome Print fabric – my favourite!

Instead of an traditional office chair at my desk, I have an Arrow “sewing” chair (in Janome fabric, of course, lol!) as I prefer the firm support and can work at my computer more comfortably, which helps my focus and concentration. Again, Arrow does double-duty, so it’s well-worth the investment! And, who doesn’t need more storage?!? I love that little secret compartment! What will you stash in yours?

Arrow maximizes storage, even in the chairs!

Contact your local Janome Canada Dealer to see all the fabulous sewing cabinets, chairs, and cutting tables Arrow Sewing Furniture has to offer you!

Happy Sewing!