For the 8th night of Hanukkah I received what most would think is a pretty random gift. My husband gave me a bun pan rack. Actually a half rack (cause a full rack would be ridiculous!). You might not know what this is. It's a rack like you would see in an industrial kitchen to hold sheet pans. Most likely maybe you've seen one behind the counter at a donut shop or bagel shop.
So why did I receive this gift? Well, I don't have an industrial kitchen and my oven isn't even large enough to fit a full sheet pan, so not for baking! I'll be using it in my studio for project organization. I've been using the smaller version of this for years... fast food trays. This new super size tray system will give me even more room to organize my ongoing projects. Try as I might, I'm usually working on at least 2-3 projects at one, plus monthly bee blocks. And often these projects get buried under layers on my cutting table or ironing board. (Maybe you can relate?) These 18" x 26" pans give me lots of space to pack in all the pieces for even a larger project. And I can use my fast food trays on them.
I've loaded up the current active projects and raised the height of my cutting table to fit the rack underneath for now, though I've already decided this slight adjustment to table height makes it suboptimal ergonomically, so I'll be making some adjustments. My room isn't giant, meaning I probably don't really need to be able to roll it around, so maybe I'll just remove the wheels. Or if I rearrange things a little, I think I can roll it into the closet. Time will tell... but probably I'll wait until I need to do more cutting to deal with readjusting my table height.
These are my Kona solids for my bee blocks this month. I can easily pull out a sheet pan to put on my cutting table to work, or I can just pull them out like drawers as the picture above.
What's your most interesting tool or storage item in your sewing space?
Suzy
That is so thoughtful! And useful. And sleek. Love it. ❤️ Since the trays slide out, wheels could definitely go (for the moment, anyway).
sarah
Post authorThat's what I'm leaning toward. Thanks for visiting, Suzy.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
That's a great gift. I think it's a great way to organize your projects.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Anja. I'm very excited about it!
Lydia
What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing.
sarah
Post authorThank you, Lydia. I'm excited about how much shelf and cabinet space it will free up.
Mel Beach
What an awesome gift!! I've been wanting one for several years--so I may need to ask Santa to bring me one for Christmas!! I look forward to seeing how it helps you to organize your WIPs!!
sarah
Post authorCome on, Santa! I have visions of my studio being sooooo tidy now. ;-) We'll see. Thanks for visiting, Mel.
Ellyn
well that's brilliant! also..... those bee blocks? love the colors! haha
sarah
Post authorThanks, Ellyn! You chose such great colors. They will be a dream to work with!
Elana goldberg
I love your Hanukkah gift. It’s so practical. What a hubby! My favorite Hanukkah gift was many years ago when I bought my husband 8 neckties- 1 for each night. (Century 21 had great deals).
sarah
Post authorThat's so fun. Evan and I alternate nights... so we give four gifts to each other. My favorite year was the year he wrote a book. I commissioned an art piece that included his book. The first gift I gave him was a single nail. The second gift I wrapped up the hammer we already owned. The third gift was an empty frame. And finally, I gave him the art. Thanks for visiting, Elana.
MJ Ibarguen
great idea! My current favorite storage trick: I've been buying these veggie puff things at Costco and they come in a great clear box with a clear top. Each box holds scraps of one color family. When the box gets full, I make a scrap quilt with that color family. So far, so good!
sarah
Post authorI love that not only have you found a storage solution that works for you, but you've created a system to use those scraps. Bravo! Thanks for sharing, MJ. :-)
Emily
What a brilliant solution! And such a great and thoughtful gift.
sarah
Post authorIndeed! Thanks for visiting, Emily.
Melanie
What a thoughtful gift! And amazing repurpose/use of the trays. Hope you find a way to place it that will also allow you ergonomical cutting. xo Melanie
sarah
Post authorI've already dropped my table back to the "right" height and moved the cart into the closet for now. I may end up taking the wheels off to have it under the cutting table, or rearranging the room to have it somewhere else. But it's working for now. Easy access to my pieces for the projects I'm working on at the moment (and those in the queue). Thanks for visiting, Melanie.
Lindsay Norlen
I didn't know they came in half rack size! I've always loved this idea but don't have anywhere to store the full rack.
sarah
Post authorThe "half" is the height of the rack. These are full sheet pan size pans. So it's still sizable, but I'm very happy with it. Thanks for visiting, Lindsay.
Kim J Brownell
Sarah, that's exactly what I'm wanting to do in my sewing room.
sarah
Post authorIt's such a great addition! Thanks for visiting, Kim.