Show me your sewing area!

[Carole]

Here's my mess of a sewing room.  On the good side, it's the finished part of the basement and I can just leave it when I am ready to walk away.  On the bad side, my husband is a packrat and I am actually encroaching on what was supposed to have been his "playroom".  Thus I am cutting out on his game table.  The "junk" (his "treasures") on the windowsill and desks are his. Not to be moved!  I say I would be much more tidy but then I look around at my own office, and I wonder....

[Carla]

I'm a tad late here but I hope no one minds if I show my little sewing corner.  It is in our library/computer room.  I'm delighted to have this space to set up my machine and some of the tools, but I must admit I have fabric, patterns and notions scattered between three rooms and closets.  Oh well.

The desk which holds my machine.


Mother and Daddy are pictured on the left.  Can you see my mother's wedding dress pattern on the right?


This chair was my great-grandmother's and I use it for handwork.

[Karendee]

Carole,

Your sewing room looks plenty neat to me. And it is such a nice space.

Carla, how neat your spot is, too. I'm amazed that you've worked in there because no junk is around. I'm envious of you both.

Karen

[lyra]

That rocking chair looks like a very comfy spot. Nice. 

[geeksewing]

I admit: I love showing my sewing area and I love seeing others' too!  When I used to blog, I couldn't wait to share pictures of my sewing space.  It's a lot like having sewing friends over for a visit except that I don't have to bake a cake and put out the tea things.

I finally bought my sewing machine.  I was pretty much decided on the Platinum 770 or 775 but I was very hesitant in purchasing it online.  So I hunted for a Platinum 770 or 775 in all the Viking dealers in my area--actually, I wasn't on the phone all day.  There are really only three Viking dealers in my area, and two are chains.  I made three phone calls.  A couple of hours later, one of the dealers called me back and said that they had a Platinum 770 in their warehouse that was used as a demo at the Round Bobbin (?).  The price I was quoted was $899.  It was $100 more than acesewvac.com but the advantage was that I purchased it through a local dealer.  Even though acesewvac offered the usual one-year warranty, it was comforting to me that my machine wouldn't have to be shipped back-n-forth to take advantage of it.  So I paid $100 more for peace of mind.  I also purchased an extended 4-year warranty for $199 . . . am not quite sure if that was such a good idea.  Would I still be alive in the next five years?  Morbid, I know, but that's how I think sometimes.  I really flipped it in my mind over and over the day before I picked up the machine.  I said yes because it was a demo machine and I wanted no surprises.  The extended warranty included everything: all the parts, all the labor and the yearly service.  If it gives me trouble, I can send it in for as often need be on top of the yearly service.  Worth it?  I'm still undecided.

The demo machine practically looked brand-new.  It had me at hello...  I'm in the process of the tidying up my sewing area, making room for it, so whatever is behind the camera is a bit of a mess.

I apologize for the blurry pictures.  I'm still trying to figure out how to work the new camera with Vista.


I live in a dome house.  My sewing space is located on the upper floor (or loft), you can see the sloping roof.  If you're tall, this sort of sewing space wouldn't be convenient for you.  I'm petite and slim, the space is perfect for me!  The picture above shows the farthest corner of my sewing space upon entering.


Same space as above but with the iron set up.


To the right of the sewing machine.


My fabric stash.  You can't see it, but behind it are my drafted patterns and large roll of dotted drafting paper.


This is where I keep all my SM feet.  Pretty handy to take on weekend sewing retreats, I think.


The view from my sewing chair, the opposite corner.  Right behind the cutting table, you can see a child's gate, the kind that you can create a wall with or a large circle.  My husband set up this gate so that it separated my sewing space from my kids' play area.  Yes, I have to hurdle the gate every time I want to get in my sewing area but well worth it as it keeps my thighs firm  and the kids completely out.  Seeing me sew while they play keeps them playing longer and more at peace with each other.  It's wonderful!

I can't fully fold out the cutting table.  I use the long dining table downstairs for all my cutting, placing an XL cutting mat over it.  Not a big deal.  But if I need small pieces cut, I just fold up half of the cutting table.

Having my own space dedicated for sewing (and writing fiction on occasion) offers a great deal of encouragement!  On the weekends, I wake up quite early and bring my coffee in my sewing space and sew before anyone is up.


Naomi Ito's double gauze fabrics from her nani IRO collection have also been inspiring.


And finally, my WIPs.

[vtmartha]

A dome house - how exciting!

[BetsyV]

Really nice space, Diana! I don't have kids, but share the finished basement space with DH and our secondary stereo system so we can listen to great music while I sew, or he can read comfortably, or surf the web, or all 3! That way we can spend time together and pursue our different/shared interests at the same time in the same room. It works for us and I can see how it works for you and your children.

Do you have skylights for natural light? And stargazing at night?

(I can do the laundry conveniently at the same time too  )

[Carole]

Carla, I love that you have the pattern for your Mother's wedding dress.  What a great and unusual momento.  And terrific idea to keep your threads in those big jars.  You can really see what colors you have.

GS, we're all fascinated by the dome house.  I used to live in a passive solar earth shelter.  As a Realtor I've toured a few domes, and have always liked alternative styles of homes.  I'm happy that finally people may stop building McMansions and be a little more earth friendly in their housing choices.

[Judi73]

Diana, what a great sewing space and I love your write up about it.  Our friend's dome home has wonderful acoustics, if you stand in the right spot the music sounds like it's inside your head.  Have you noticed anything like that in your dome?

[geeksewing]

Our friend's dome home has wonderful acoustics, if you stand in the right spot the music sounds like it's inside your head.  Have you noticed anything like that in your dome?

Noticed?!  On our first day, the sounds were coming from everywhere.  Now, we're used to it but there are still times when we just can't tell where a sound is coming from.  Not just the acoustics, the heat and cool air (AC or fans) move very efficiently.  BTW, I found GH Quilts last week.  Now I'll have to pay a visit.

BetsyV, we have several skylights, one very large skylight at the highest part of the dome roof.  The whole house has natural light all day and a great part of the evening.  Even on cloudy days, there is still plenty of natural light throughout the living areas and the loft.  It's lovely to sew in natural light.

[Carla]

Carla, how neat your spot is, too. I'm amazed that you've worked in there because no junk is around. I'm envious of you both.

Uhm... I, uh, had cleaned it pretty thoroughly before I took pictures. 

[DancingSeamstress]

A little tour of my sewing space in its Before state on my blog if anyone is interested!

http://becauseisaidsew.blogspot.com/2009/02/little-tour.html

[fzxdoc]

Brooke, it's always fun to see someone's sewing space.  I loved the comment about the little kittie arms poking under the doorway as you are in there, door closed, sewing.  So cute!

Having just finished arranging my sewing room and sewing storage area in our new home, I have to say that it is pure pleasure to have a place for everything, finally.  I'm thinking about putting a sleeping bag in there and spending a few nights because I love being in the room so much!    The newness will wear off, to be sure, but not for a while, because this dream sewing room has been a long time coming.

Anyway, enjoy re-doing your sewing area and making room for your newest toy, too.  It will be a treat to see how you have rearranged things in your "after" picture.  Have fun making that space work for you!

Kathryn

[justgail]

I've enjoyed looking at everyone's sewing areas/rooms!  I've gotten some good ideas and inspiration to do a cleanup in my "stuff" room.    I used to call the place where I sew and do other crafts my craft area, but when my son (now 13) was learning to talk, he couldn't do the "ft" sound and it came out the "crap" area  . So I started calling it "Mom's stuff" area.   Since we've moved, it's now "Mom's Stuff Room" (along with some other names depending on how deep the piles are).   I have pictures, just need to post them when I get my PC back from repair.

Brooke - where did you get the mirror    I'd like to get a 3 way, but the only one I've found is not quite 4 feet tall, and I don't know how that would work for a full length view.

Gail

[DancingSeamstress]

I got mine at overstock.com, but they don't seem to have them anymore.  :-( 

[fzxdoc]

I got my 3 way mirror at Ikea.  It's actually 3 mirrors in which the center one mounts flat and the two side ones mount with hinges.

Kathryn

[geeksewing]

Aaaack!  My sewing corner is a complete mess.  I tried sewing this morning, tried!  I can't ignore the fabric explosion--what happened when I couldn't decide on a fabric, and I just dig deeper and deeper in my bins for the one, and neglecting to fold away the rest.

OK... that felt a little better.

[vtmartha]

Brooke, I can totally relate to your sewing space, complete with Brother coverstitch machine box!    I'm working on mine as well.   An enormous potential lies within . 

[BeeBee]

After today :

[movinon]

What a nice diversion it is looking at all these sewing retreats!  I remember in high school I loved seeing where people sewed, my friends or their moms.  My best friend converted half her closet to a sewing area where she kept the sewing table.   In the house I had converted oldest DS's room to a sewing room... it was my comfort room.  I no longer have it, use my sewing furniture in the bedroom (luckily I have lots of drawers and just need two for clothes!) and am lucky still to have room to fully open my cabinet (except for the extension table... unless I fold in the return that holds the serger and more drawers.  I really need the area to be pristine and clear from clutter to focus on what I'm doing.  It's a little cluttered now as I'm doing some gift wrap in the area so will get photos of the combo bedroom/workroom bedroom furniture/sewing furniture later ... but I will attempt to post my first photo of what the view is out the window in front of the main machine.... this is what I look at late in the day when sewing.  I love it when the sun first comes up too.  And the daylight is wonderful.  Too bad that job gets in the way!  Though I no longer have the huge house and dedicated room, there is a feeling of peace and calm that did not exist before...

[stashpanache]

Well, here is my sewing "retreat"   They say if you can't laugh at yourself, you're in trouble.  Top picture was taken a few days before Christmas.  Please notice the teddy bear in the doll stroller etc.  To point out that DGD had been there. There is another machine sitting on a chair that you cannot see ( My coverhem)  I just took the three underneath the disaster because it just so happens I was cleaning out my sewing "closet" today and making room for DGD coming in the morning.  I have to have a place to put her high chair and room for our plates on the table.  My one bedroom has 665 sq ft so often there are 5 machines in my living/dining area plus my computer etc.  My serger thread hangs over the water heater.  Every once in awhile I read the sewing environment thread and have a good laugh when somebody complains about their "Sewing Room".

[fzxdoc]

What great photos, Stash.  You always give me a chuckle with your self-deprecating humor.  That Christmas-sewing-blitz photo is hilarious.  What I like the best about it is that everything is color coordinated.  Even your pink jacket blends in with the spray bottle, the fabric scraps, the project in progress, your serger, and even the stroller!

Your after photos are nice and are a tribute to your ingenuity.  Perhaps you should have been a space engineer in your former life--as in finding a space for everything. 

Just think of the happy hours you have spent sewing in your living room there...as movinon says, it's not always about having the idea sewing space but in the finding joy in simply looking out the window (or whatever) when sewing. 

Over the years I've sewn in closets, on kitchen tables, on a dorm room floor, and in sewing spaces too small to turn around in.  That's why it's nice to finally have a perfect spot, and space, to sew.

BeeBee, I like the layout of your sewing area.  Can't see why you're blushing.  It looks wonderful!

I've seen lots of sewing rooms on this and other sites, but the two that stick the most in my brain are AnnC's gorgeous custom-built sewing space and Peter's model of efficiency sewing and pressing area (and office!). If I can find the links to them, I'll come back and put them here.

Kathryn

[zora]

You all got lovely sewing areas. I wish I could show you mine but you'll have to wait until spring. The room is not heated so I moved my machines out temporarily and what is a sewing area without machines?

[Robin]

I do enjoy this thread!  Brooke- I spent some time over at your blog and love seeing your workspace. 
Stash, your space is so cozy and inviting- I love the thread over the water heater!
movinon- your views are to-die-for!
geek, I really wanted to live in a dome house when they first came out; it is so nice to get a glimpse into one.  All that light sounds delicious.

I have been sewing in weekend space.  Most of my supplies have travelled north to be in my weekday space.
My goodness, it is challenging to sew without all the necessary supplies!  I had to trim off some selvedge from fabric in the stash to use as twill stay tape.
And I brought my serger home to Rockville with me this weekend.

Well, even with the minor logistical issues, it has been a major improvement to have the condo in Baltimore.  All that time I used to spend commuting is now put to much better use.  I am not so tired all the time.

eta: Beebee, your space is gorgeous.  The old vintage machine looks so nice next to the bright white table.  very inviting!

[Karendee]

All the sewing spaces shown here inspire in their own way. Stash, I think you get the prize for the best use of space. You accomplish such lovely garments out of your limited, extremely well thought out space. Enjoy KK during her visit; I know you will!

Karen

[Mom to 5]

Am I a bad mom for hoping my daughter decides not to come "home" from college so my machine, stash and I can have our own space?

[marciae]

Am I a bad mom for hoping my daughter decides not to come "home" from college so my machine, stash and I can have our own space?

Not at all!!

[RuthieK]

No pictures of my sewing room yet as the decor is soo terrible (it used to be a teenage boys bedroom and has not been redecorated yet).
I have been trying to tidy up in there today. It seems that it does not matter how much space I have I still manage to trash it :-(

I'm also not going to cut ahead any more, that's how I ended up with so many UFOs. Not sure it helps if i just stash them in pretty boxes.....

The rooms on this thread look so nice, but did you all tidy up beforehand?

[BeeBee]

Well, yes.  I tidied up, in fact the desk was spotless, I'd even wiped it down with a cloth and got all the lint and drink rings off. Then I started to play with my new cutter, and drug out extra feet for my machine, and hunted thru the drawers for a screw driver.  Luckily you can't really see the floor, covered in threads.     I did go thru yesterday morning and finally tossed a couple of UFO's that are never going to work (pair of shorts that don't cover my butt  and the Vogue dress-disaster for a couple) and some scraps that are too small for anything and not suitable for quilting (yes, I know I don't quilt, we all know that isn't the point).  Then I sorted some fabrics into the "what was I thinking" box, I need to donate that somewhere.  There's probably a theatre guild around here or something.  It helped relieve some of the shelf clutter.  I gave some though to rolling my fabrics, but only briefly.
I hope you've taken some photos Ruthie, so you'll have some before/after pictures.  You'll enjoy it more. 

[Karla]

Am I a bad mom for hoping my daughter decides not to come "home" from college so my machine, stash and I can have our own space?

  Oh, probably, but you're no worse than the rest of us! 

[KC in KS]

Thank you for this thread!

I'm a kitchen table sewer - which means everything has to be put away at mealtime.     I've been dreaming of having a dedicated sewing area, but had just about convinced myself it's not possible in our current house. Now, seeing what you all have done in some very unorthodox spaces makes me realize that looking for ideas in "design your sewing room" books is perhaps not the best way to go about it. 

One question - anybody have suggestions for securing things from curious critters (cats, kids, whathaveyou) when you don't have a door to shut?

[Towanda]

If you live near a Home Depot, check to see if they have a very small compact black tool chest. I bought one for work. It is 5 drawers, has a bar which you can slide down the front to secure the drawers. The top drawer has a hasp for a lock. The chest was only 49 bucks. HD is the only place that I have seen a tool chest that small.

[RuthieK]

One question - anybody have suggestions for securing things from curious critters (cats, kids, whathaveyou) when you don't have a door to shut?

Large plastic box with lid? - the ones with the snap clasps would deter animals and v small kids. And your withering look should work on older kids.
Sort you can buy in diy stores for storing stuff in the garage.

Other places you could sew (some of which I've tried)
Desk in corner of bedroom, desk in guest room, one end of dining room, under the stairs area (if open to another room), large built in cupboard, wardrobe type desk which closes up pretty much anywhere, garage (pretty cold), loft area (if converted), utility room, handy for washing fabric!

[geeksewing]

anybody have suggestions for securing things from curious critters (cats, kids, whathaveyou) when you don't have a door to shut?

My husband put a baby gate between my sewing area and the kids' play area.  He didn't secure the gate to the wall, but rather, ingeniously placed it between and snaked it around articles of furniture so it can be removed easily.  The advantage to this is that I can keep a close eye on them while they play--they bicker less with each other knowing that I'm just a couple of feet away, and when they see me "playing" next to them, they feel free to include me in their conversations or ask questions.

This little corner of the house is my sanctuary.

[Gigi Louis]

Well, I'm a little late to the party but it does my heart good to see that I am not the only one with less than tidy sewing spaces!  Oh, everything looks so nice in my photos but, in reality, it's all just piles of tissue, patterns, fabric and lost scissors.  Having a lot of room to spread out is both good and bad since I can just push the piles aside to start something new instead of having to clean up. 

http://behindtheseams.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/tada-the-new-sewing-studio/

http://behindtheseams.wordpress.com/2006/09/16/where-the-action-is/

I sure wish I had a beautiful view like some of you!  I dream of looking out over my own woods as I sew, sigh.