Here are some pictures of my almost finished sewing room. I say almost because is it ever finished? I will always be moving and improving the flow and function as time goes by. I still am waiting for some closets to be cleaned out by my daughter to get those UFOs under that table hidden away.
The table is in the middle of the room to be able to walk around the table when cutting or ironing. It is raining here to day so the pictures are a little weird.
The wall space above that lamp is getting a peg board to hang all of my rulers.
The antique thread storage unit was given to me by my husband for my 40th birthday. It was used for floss but is perfect for button, charms, needles and all kinds of small things that have a tendency to get lost. It looks weird in that corner but it was the only logical place for it and I didn't like the amount of room it took up on an angle. The walls also look a little barren but I will be making some small quilts.
This is my design wall. I opted not to have flannel on it and use pins mostly because I don't like the way flannel looks with a million threads all over it and if the blocks are pinned I know they won't fall down. As you can see I had a little artist working on a quilt.
I love having another table to lay things out, draw, or just move something to another spot. I always have more than one thing going at a time. Of course a TV {yes it still has a VCR in it!} to keep me company.
I re-purposed {I feel so cool saying that} furniture from the bedrooms I deconstructed. This little table is near my machine and has all the things I need to grab often. Not shown on here is my bobbin holder. The drawers are also great for more storage.
I also got to use some things that don't go anywhere in the house. I love this little antique lamp, it is small so it is up on a pedestal! Lighting was a problem as it is a bedroom. I didn't want to make major changes so there are lamps all around. Mismatched of course!
It also gives me a chance to put some of my little collectibles. I got these in Sante Fe and did not have a spot for them until now.
The other room holds my fabric. This shelving is the best thing in the whole world. It is industrial metal shelving that does not bend or warp like wood, it doesn't even really get dusty.
This quilt was hanging in the room before and will most likely stay. In the corner where the basket is I am going to have my husband make me a big ironing table that rolls and can be pulled out as needed.
This is the other side of the room. That dresser holds all my UFOs that I am promising to get out and work on.
Another little shelf to use mostly for decorations.
The cleaned out shelves makes it so much easier to find things.
Hand dyes are separated from.....
regular solids that are separated from......
my vintage fabrics. I can see them all!
If you are thinking of making a move here are some tips I will give to you:
The one thing I did do was to draw out my rooms on graph paper. I then measured everything I was planning to put in there. It really made it simple to figure out how to lay things out. I made very little changes.
Also......sometimes when you want to do a project like this it feels overwhelming. It was worse thinking about it than actually doing it......well except for the millions of trips up the stairs carrying all that fabric, it was a workout. I set aside an entire week to work on this, I pretty much got it done along with all the other things that go on in life.
Clear out the new room entirely of everything and move things you are saving to another room, get rid of the stuff you don't want BEFORE you start adding in your machine etc. If you save that for last you won't get rid of it, trust me I know this......Clean the room thoroughly.
The room does not have to be perfect, functional is way better. Mine does not look like a magazine but so far it is "working" very good. I think I will be changing a few things as I go along and also what makes sense to the way I sew. Really think about how you want to use your space. For example if you only make small art type quilts you may not need so many big tables.
Try making things as nice as you can. Storage can be cute and useful, not everything has to be in a plastic bin. I am making use of a lot of antique/vintage things I have collected over the years.
The most important thing is to have a space that you are happy in no matter what the size. I am so lucky to have these 2 rooms and enjoy every minute I am in there. I think I am even a little more productive, it must be all that sunshine!
Kelly
