Where I Sew – Latifah Saafir of The Quilt Engineer
I’m Latifah Saafir and I blog at The Quilt Engineer. I live with and help take care of my 92 year old grandfather and I use his dining room table to sew on. It doesn’t reflect my aesthetic but it is sort of fun to sew under the chandelier that he hung years ago and on a dining set that my grandmother picked out. So, my sewing space is purely functional and just a touch sentimental. My fabric stash and supplies fills a bookshelf in my bedroom and at least a third of my closet.
Latifah’s Links: Blog, Facebook, Patterns on Craftsy, Twitter
Where I Sew is a month long celebration of the spaces we create in. Leave a comment and be entered to win one of 50 $20 Pink Chalk Fabrics Gift Certificates. Add your sewing room to the tour!
74 Comments
What a sweet story (the grandfather, the table and the light).
View CommentJuly 26, 2013
I waited 25 years to inherit my grandmothers sewing machine and cabinet. The sewing machine did not make it 25 years but the cabinet now holds my new sewing machine. I think of my grandmother every time I sit down to work on a project.
View CommentJuly 26, 2013
Great story! Your space does look functional. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentJuly 27, 2013
Any place you can find to sew is a good place! It is a great thing that you do, helping to care for your grandfather
View CommentJuly 27, 2013
I have a nice sewing space now but when a kid learning to sew the dining room table was my favorite spot for my sewing projects.
View CommentJuly 27, 2013
I’m right there with ‘ya. I sew on the dining room table a lot of the time. As long as you don’t need to move it often, it works just fine. Bless you for helping take care of your grandfather. Not that many folks willing to take that role anymore. Best of luck to you.
View CommentJuly 27, 2013
That is a really nice idea, helping take care of a grandparent. I love the table and light.
View CommentJuly 27, 2013
The chandelier looks really stylish and it has story behind so why not. Enjoy!
View CommentJuly 28, 2013
Turns out we don’t need a fancy sewing room to do amazing work! Thanks for sharing your story and your work space.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
I started out like that on my dining room table in the 1980’s. now I live in a 3-BR house filled with sewing machines and fabric and often I can’t find a clear space to work!
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Way to make it work! That’s where I’m going to be soon. Taking apart my sewing space for a family member moving in.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
what a blessing you must be to your grandfather! love that quilt
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
I’ve not heard a more touching story of where someone sews. Even if it’s not the most dedicated sewing space it’s certainly proof of a very dedicated granddaughter.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Love the chandelier! I sew in the dining room too, but out light fixture is boring.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Love that quilt. 🙂
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
That chandelier and wall quilt are amazing!
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Love, Love the quilt hanging on the wall.
View CommentJuly 30, 2013
It’s great to see the quilt hanging on the wall – making it your sewing space. 🙂
View CommentJuly 30, 2013
It is a space filled with love. What could be more perfect?
View CommentAugust 3, 2013
Shows it’s not all about having the fanciest sewing space – though that’s certainly nice. What I missed the most before I got it, was a raised cutting table. I couldn’t cut for very long without hurting my back on a regular height table. I’m 5’9″, it’s probably easier for people who are a bit shorter.
View CommentAugust 3, 2013
I sew on the dining room table I inherited from my mother. I’ll never trade it for one of those recessed-drop-down-fancy-pants tables because nothing can compete with the sweet feeling of sewing on my mom’s table.
View CommentAugust 5, 2013
I too take care of someone, but it is my mother. When she moved in downstairs (which is where my sewing area was) she insisted that I keep my sewing down there. We have re-arranged it several times.. So i do enjoy your story and your picture. I’m sure you both enjoy the time together.
View CommentAugust 5, 2013
I love her story and seeing this picture makes me think I would like a beautiful chandelier in my sewing room!
View CommentJuly 2, 2014
I loved your presentation at the LAQuilt show last Sunday. Thank you for bringing your sweet spirit and inspiring story to share, as well as all the quilts.
View CommentAugust 8, 2014