ROPE & ANCHOR TRADING CO.

You don’t need a huge amount of space to get creative.

We have been on the canal for about 13 years now, and I started my quilting obsession around 9 years ago.  My husband encouraged me to get a hobby, and I went off to Hobbycraft and came back with a little Brother sewing machine, some thread and a pack of fat quarters.  The sewing machine sat on the dinnette (dining area, that also turns into a bed), on the boat for a year or so, with fabric piling up around me.  We then decided to remove the dinnette, and create an area that was just for my sewing stuff.  I needed to have an area to be able to sew, cut and baste quilts, that was really important, as I have very little floor space, I also wanted it to look good as well as be functional. 

  • narrowboat crafts

    My workspace

    I have recently moved from my workspace of 6 foot by 4 foot into The Little Boat. A whopping 18 foot by 6 foot space of fabric and notions, with a dedicated cutting area, my own little wood burner and kitchen, and a place to create to my hearts content.

  • Sewing in small spaces

    Small Space, Big Ideas

    I am a big believer that you can sew, craft and create in a small space, it just takes some thinking about and organising.  This is my old sewing area which I still use to baste my quilts.

  • Sewing Studio

    The Little Boat

    Here is "The Little Boat", my new floating studio. She is a 26 foot Springer Narrowboat, with a gorgeous little back deck, powered by solar panels, and her very own roof garden.

Take a peak inside the little boat!

There is a cosy log burner, and a small kitchen area with a sink and hob.

I have shelves of jars with buttons, laces and beautiful notions.

There is a dedicated cutting area, with storage for fabric below, and then there is my beloved Brother sewing machine.