I’m on vacation with my family right now skiing in Colorado but before I left I snapped some behind-the-scenes photos of some favorite things around the Lil Blue Boo studio!
Large rolls of marking paper and pattern paper
The lightweight marking paper is used for drafting new patterns and the heavy manila pattern paper is what I use for final templates. The manila paper is heavier than card stock and is really durable for everyday pattern use.
Pattern Hooks
All of my pattern templates are hung around the studio for easy access. I can hang about 20 patterns on one hook.
Industrial Fabric Cutters (update: click here to view an entire post on fabric cutters)
These come in every size imaginable….the one below is a small cutter that can cut through about 6 layers of knit at one time….great for small projects. Larger cutters can cut through about a foot of fabric at time.
A finished pile of cut pieces:
A Kitchen Mixer
This is the extent of my cooking these days! I can mix up to about a half gallon of custom ink colors at one time with my kitchen mixer:
Large Work Tables
Below is the large silk screening table that Mr. LBB made for me. It’s great for completing large amounts of printing at one time. Gicela is a new member of the LBB team and wears ALL white to work everyday….she’s pretty brave considering all the paint and ink that we use around here.
The silk screening table is lined with felt so it doubles as an extra large ironing board as well so we can easily heat set all of the fabric too.
Fabric Scraps
Long strips of scrap fabric make great ties to keep finished size pieces together that are waiting to be sewn:
Large Pattern Weights
These heavy weights keep pattern templates flat and also keep layers of fabric in place for cutting:
Tally Sheets
I have templates for almost everything we do around here….I have to keep super organized to get orders out on time. Here is a sample tally sheet just for cutting sizes….whoever is cutting can just make “tic” marks to keep track of what they are doing:
Snips
Sharp snips are great for cutting loose threads to clean up finished projects and to keep by the sewing machine:
Shelving and Storage Bins
I am fanatical about keeping organized and Lisa is a pro at it! Here are some finished spring dresses I snapped a photo of last week. Lisa closely inspects every single item we make, packages them up perfectly and then sorts them by style and size:
One of my newest favorite things? Rosie…my new industrial coverstitch machine. I am super picky about stitches….and hers are beautiful. I think I looked at every machine imaginable. I can’t wait to get back from vacation and use her!
I would like to please reserve a small corner to work in 🙂
this is GREAT. thank you so much for these insights into the way you work.
I think a formal introduction to Miss Gicela is in order.
Love to see the little LBB franchise growing ginormous 1 person at a time….
XO
Shelly
I've only just stumbled across your blog and have already added it on my list of favourites. You are doing over there, exactly what I am doing here (Perth, Western Australia) though you are ahead of me.
How do you keep up with the posts? It seems everytime I click on there's three more that appear.
I have the patterns ready and the ideas in my head but hadn't got to producing them in bulk so this insight into the way you work is fantastic. Just curious, how many people do you have working with you and how did you market yourself to begin with? So many questions…
Hope you had a great holiday.
So fascinating!!!
I love to see the "behind the scenes" of your job!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
RobyGiup
(robygiup.splinder.com)
Those pattern hooks are a terrific idea. What a great tool to keep all those fly away pattern pieces in one place. Putting them under something heavy was my method, but kids can outsmart that pretty easily. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
I love this post Ashley.
How cool to see 'behind the scenes'!
That machine is amazing! I sure wish I could sew with and industrial coverstitch. I don't even want to know how much it cost.
Very cool post!
I would love it if you would share your source for the pattern paper and drafting paper.
I only wish I could be as organized as you!
Hugs,
Gina
Love your blog and have for a long time. Would love your source for the pattern paper as well. I need some.
Thanks.
[email protected]
I love it! SO neat to see all of this. Thank you for sharing. It's exciting
Hi! I came across your blog last year and then stumbled upon it again today. Good thing. It looks like you’re doing great things and having lots of fun! 🙂
I would like to ask if you can share your source for the tracing paper. I could really use a whole roll like that! Thanks!