It has been a long time coming, but my quilting studio is up and running. I am so grateful to my husband, son in law, and Handyman Bill for making this dream come true. For so many years, I did my sewing on the dining room table, in the guest room, and in my last house, in a very nice dedicated "sewing room". I realize how fortunate I am to have this lovely large space to pursue my passion, and won't forget to be appreciative, ever.
Things are not 100% finished. We still need air conditioning, some trim, window coverings, and a few other minor details. This post is very photo heavy, but I hope you enjoy seeing some of the things we did.
We went from a former woodshop, and a very nice one at that (photos from one year ago):
Inside the door to the left, and back wall. Notice the funky cupboards, bare light bulbs and concrete floor.
Back wall and right wall. Even though the hobby wasn't mine, when I first saw this space, I could feel the creative vibe humming!
Right wall and entrance. More funky cupboards.
To this:
Inside the door to the left. Design wall is up, but needs some trim. Dresser for all my various sewing supplies. IPod dock for music or audio books while I sew.
Left wall and part of back wall. Sewing station for two! Sara's chair still needs to be ordered. She's been using a kitchen chair in the meantime. In a photo below, I will show close ups of my new sewing table, a former dining room table. Ironing table will be set up under the window.
Back wall with storage cabinetry. Marvelous cabinetry courtesy of Lowes. You can see a glimpse of the hardwood flooring my husband installed. I love my quilts on top, and hanging in the center. Believe me, those cabinets are pretty full of stash and supplies already!
Right wall with cutting table.
Right wall with reading corner and rocking chair. Sharp objects have been removed from overhead.
Here are some details.
I did get my Sister's Choice barn art hung, and a larger one is on order for the outside of the building.
Here is a close up of the cut out Bill made in the dining table to fit my Bernina. He used my acrylic insert from my old sewing table as his pattern. He dropped a little platform for the machine to sit on, at the correct height. When the template is put over the cut out, the sewing surface is smooth and uniform. I had him leave me 12 inches of space to the right, which is about 8 more than I had on my previous sewing table. He did the same procedure in the opposing corner, so I have space for Sara (or a friend) to come sew with me. We still need to sand the edges and apply a bit of stain so it looks more finished. (And yes, my friend Thelma did make the cupcake personalized mug rug for me!)
This fun little holder came from Hobby Lobby. I have a friend who uses hers to hold her rulers, but I am using mine to hold some patterns I hope to use in the near future. It also works fine to hold a magazine or book while you are reading the cutting instructions as you work.
Cabinets are 90% organized. I used plastic tubs from Target and organized my fabrics by designer, but also have things arranged by color or type (such as "Black and White" or "Civil War"). Larger cuts of fabric are folded and stacked on shallow shelves. UFOs are in smaller project boxes (and yes, I do have a shocking number of them). That super messy looking bin is full of tote bags that are going to go in a covered container out in the garage.
If you are designing a sewing space, don't forget to leave room for some treasured momentos and toys.
Goofy photos.
And a sunny spot for the dog.
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
140 responses to “Welcome to the Studio”
gorgeous space! lovely lovely lovely, and love the details! congrats!
gorgeous space! lovely lovely lovely, and love the details! congrats!
Congratulations to all who helped you create such a cheerful and bright sewing studio. I am sure that you and your invited guests (wish I could come but it is a bit far) will spend many happy hours stitching away.
Congratulations to all who helped you create such a cheerful and bright sewing studio. I am sure that you and your invited guests (wish I could come but it is a bit far) will spend many happy hours stitching away.
Love your new studio. How lucky you are to have such a beautiful well organized area to create in. I think I envy you just a little bit. Enjoy…
Love your new studio. How lucky you are to have such a beautiful well organized area to create in. I think I envy you just a little bit. Enjoy…
Beautiful!!! Thank you so much for showing us your studio. I am so happy for you and can not wait to see all the quilts and projects you will be making. Speaking of quilts, what is the name of the ‘quilt to be’ on the design wall? It looks like it is going to be beautiful!
Marsha
Beautiful!!! Thank you so much for showing us your studio. I am so happy for you and can not wait to see all the quilts and projects you will be making. Speaking of quilts, what is the name of the ‘quilt to be’ on the design wall? It looks like it is going to be beautiful!
Marsha
What a wonderful creative space! I hope it brings you many hours of enjoyment!
What a wonderful creative space! I hope it brings you many hours of enjoyment!
It’s awesome! Truly a dream sewing studio. I loved seeing all the photos.
It’s awesome! Truly a dream sewing studio. I loved seeing all the photos.
SOOOOOoooo awesome!!! I would never leave that room!! So happy for you!
SOOOOOoooo awesome!!! I would never leave that room!! So happy for you!
Looks awesome, Nicole!!!!
Looks awesome, Nicole!!!!
What a great space! You are going to enjoy it so much! Thanks for sharing photos with us. Is it a separate building?
What a great space! You are going to enjoy it so much! Thanks for sharing photos with us. Is it a separate building?
Oh Nicole, it is gorgeous! I can’t believe how finished it already looks, you and your family worked hard. Here is to many happy hours in your studio!
Oh Nicole, it is gorgeous! I can’t believe how finished it already looks, you and your family worked hard. Here is to many happy hours in your studio!
Beautiful!!! What a blessing to have such a lovely place to sew. I know you will enjoy it! Have a great week playing in your new “studio” 🙂
Beautiful!!! What a blessing to have such a lovely place to sew. I know you will enjoy it! Have a great week playing in your new “studio” 🙂
Wonderful! Beautiful! Awesome! How nice that you have a beautiful spot to work and play in. We will be expecting great things to come out of such a neat space……not that everything you do isn’t great anyway!
I am happy for you. Enjoy. Hugs……..
Wonderful! Beautiful! Awesome! How nice that you have a beautiful spot to work and play in. We will be expecting great things to come out of such a neat space……not that everything you do isn’t great anyway!
I am happy for you. Enjoy. Hugs……..
Wow! What can I say? It’s fabulous and I’m absolutely green with envy. No doubt, you’re going to be having a lot of fun in there!
Wow! What can I say? It’s fabulous and I’m absolutely green with envy. No doubt, you’re going to be having a lot of fun in there!
What a great space! I can’t wait to see everything that you are able to produce there.
I have to get in the basement & start clearing out & organizing my stuff (and DH’s because he won’t do it himself) so that I can show pictures on my blog.
Right now my sewing & quilting area just looks like a jumbled mess — but after two floods I have gotten a little disheartened. Things were lost; other things were just dumped into boxes so every time I open something I’m not sure what I will find.
It is great to see blogs like yours — gets me inspired to start going through things (probably one box at a time) so that I can get a bright, shiny, happy creative space also.
Keep up the good work!
What a great space! I can’t wait to see everything that you are able to produce there.
I have to get in the basement & start clearing out & organizing my stuff (and DH’s because he won’t do it himself) so that I can show pictures on my blog.
Right now my sewing & quilting area just looks like a jumbled mess — but after two floods I have gotten a little disheartened. Things were lost; other things were just dumped into boxes so every time I open something I’m not sure what I will find.
It is great to see blogs like yours — gets me inspired to start going through things (probably one box at a time) so that I can get a bright, shiny, happy creative space also.
Keep up the good work!
Just gorgeous!!!
Just gorgeous!!!
Your studio is just lovely! A dream come true…right up there with the dream to live close to your daughter and her family! You are very blessed, Nicole! The “Cash and Carry” zipper bag project will be fun…I’ve made more than a few of those little gems, myself! But, my favorite photo from today’s offerings has to be sweet Ozzie sunning himself in the doorway!
Your studio is just lovely! A dream come true…right up there with the dream to live close to your daughter and her family! You are very blessed, Nicole! The “Cash and Carry” zipper bag project will be fun…I’ve made more than a few of those little gems, myself! But, my favorite photo from today’s offerings has to be sweet Ozzie sunning himself in the doorway!
great space – was fun to watch the transformation.
great space – was fun to watch the transformation.
Worth the wait. You’ve thought of everything! Just wish one of my daughters inherited my quilting gene. How lovely to have a space for Sarah to sew with you. OK. You’ve inspired me to straighten up my space again to continue creating. Congrats.
Worth the wait. You’ve thought of everything! Just wish one of my daughters inherited my quilting gene. How lovely to have a space for Sarah to sew with you. OK. You’ve inspired me to straighten up my space again to continue creating. Congrats.
Thanks for the tour. Your new space looks fabulous. What a lovely space to sew in; you could spend all day there. Just need the Mister to bring your meals out to you!
Thanks for the tour. Your new space looks fabulous. What a lovely space to sew in; you could spend all day there. Just need the Mister to bring your meals out to you!
Beautiful! And, you deserve it! Thanks so much for the photo tour. I love that you have a two-machine table!
Beautiful! And, you deserve it! Thanks so much for the photo tour. I love that you have a two-machine table!
Your sewing studio is gorgeous!!! Congratulations on a wonderful transformation!!!
Your sewing studio is gorgeous!!! Congratulations on a wonderful transformation!!!
Just love it. It looks so warm and inviting. You will have such happy times in there. Really love the sewing table. Happy quilting!
Just love it. It looks so warm and inviting. You will have such happy times in there. Really love the sewing table. Happy quilting!
Oh my gosh, such a special place! Lots of room to keep things organized, and I love the sewing table for two. It is so sunny and cheery that the creative juices will no doubt flow freely! 🙂
Oh my gosh, such a special place! Lots of room to keep things organized, and I love the sewing table for two. It is so sunny and cheery that the creative juices will no doubt flow freely! 🙂
How wonderful. Your quilts on the cabinet look great, but it would be nice to see more of them! I’m glad you finally have your space finished. I know it was a year from the time I moved to the time I sewed, and I was quite frustrated. So much to do to organize again. Yours looks great!
How wonderful. Your quilts on the cabinet look great, but it would be nice to see more of them! I’m glad you finally have your space finished. I know it was a year from the time I moved to the time I sewed, and I was quite frustrated. So much to do to organize again. Yours looks great!
Congratulations on your beautiful studio and thank you so much for the tour! Your gratitude for such a space is so evident in your post. Enjoy!
Congratulations on your beautiful studio and thank you so much for the tour! Your gratitude for such a space is so evident in your post. Enjoy!
What a stellar place to exercise your amazing creativity and have fun! Love what you’ve done to make the studio fit you, your interests, and the mementos you cherish. It’s a special joy to have room for Sara to come so you and she can sew and play together!
Applause to all who helped make your vision a reality, too!
Now the fun can start and sheer joy can send your spirit soaring!
Hugs!
What a stellar place to exercise your amazing creativity and have fun! Love what you’ve done to make the studio fit you, your interests, and the mementos you cherish. It’s a special joy to have room for Sara to come so you and she can sew and play together!
Applause to all who helped make your vision a reality, too!
Now the fun can start and sheer joy can send your spirit soaring!
Hugs!
Fabulous, you all did a lovely job! enjoy your space!
Fabulous, you all did a lovely job! enjoy your space!
A lovely tour, thanks so much. Everything looks so neat and organized, and even the dog is enjoying it. I’m lucky enough to have a small sewing room, but would love to have the space for some of those fabulous cupboards you have.
A lovely tour, thanks so much. Everything looks so neat and organized, and even the dog is enjoying it. I’m lucky enough to have a small sewing room, but would love to have the space for some of those fabulous cupboards you have.
Gorgeous and beautifully organized. Great planning to make it for two or more friends to stitch with you! Hope the air conditioning–even a window unit–goes in quickly !
Gorgeous and beautifully organized. Great planning to make it for two or more friends to stitch with you! Hope the air conditioning–even a window unit–goes in quickly !
Beautiful space! Problem is—-now I want one too!
Wishing you many happy hours in this lovely space.
Beautiful space! Problem is—-now I want one too!
Wishing you many happy hours in this lovely space.
How lovely!! I think we get what we deserve in life, so you’ve obviously been very good!
How lovely!! I think we get what we deserve in life, so you’ve obviously been very good!
It is beautiful! Congratulations to you and everyone involved. Thank you for the tour!
It is beautiful! Congratulations to you and everyone involved. Thank you for the tour!
Your studio is just gorgeous! Thanks for the tour. Wishing you many, many hours of sewing fun!
Your studio is just gorgeous! Thanks for the tour. Wishing you many, many hours of sewing fun!
What a wonderful space you’ve created! I wish you many happy hours of sewing-wish I could come sew there myself.
What a wonderful space you’ve created! I wish you many happy hours of sewing-wish I could come sew there myself.
Well I am totally jealous now! It is wonderful.
Well I am totally jealous now! It is wonderful.
Big SIGH! Thank you for sharing your lovely sewing space with us! I have a very small shed behind my house…I wonder if my Koala Cub would fit in there……
Big SIGH! Thank you for sharing your lovely sewing space with us! I have a very small shed behind my house…I wonder if my Koala Cub would fit in there……
How fun to see your studio – it is fabulous! Love the white cabinets, and the quilts on top & the quilt hanging in the bare space. Love it all – I would sew all day and night 🙂
When I set up my cabinets, I had display space, too. The cute stuff quickly gave way to books, or fabric.
How fun to see your studio – it is fabulous! Love the white cabinets, and the quilts on top & the quilt hanging in the bare space. Love it all – I would sew all day and night 🙂
When I set up my cabinets, I had display space, too. The cute stuff quickly gave way to books, or fabric.
Your room is just beautiful, a wonderful space to create in. It’s so funny when you described the sewing table reconstruction. About six or seven years ago, my husband and son did just that with a six foot utility table I have. It works perfectly, nice and level surface to sew those big quilts!!!!! Love it.
Your room is just beautiful, a wonderful space to create in. It’s so funny when you described the sewing table reconstruction. About six or seven years ago, my husband and son did just that with a six foot utility table I have. It works perfectly, nice and level surface to sew those big quilts!!!!! Love it.
What a lovely sewing studio you have. I bet you never want to leave it. It is so nice to have your own space to sew & to be able to leave everything out & not have to put it away all the time.
What a lovely sewing studio you have. I bet you never want to leave it. It is so nice to have your own space to sew & to be able to leave everything out & not have to put it away all the time.
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Perfectly wonderful space! I have taken over my daughter’s old bedroom and it is huge. I need to get it more ‘user friendly’. Do you have any tips for where things should go? It seems like I am always taking the long way to the ironing board and so on…
Perfectly wonderful space! I have taken over my daughter’s old bedroom and it is huge. I need to get it more ‘user friendly’. Do you have any tips for where things should go? It seems like I am always taking the long way to the ironing board and so on…
Beautiful space and so nicely organized, lucky you! Now you’ll be major productive and we’ll get to see all these wonderful projects just flying out the door!
Beautiful space and so nicely organized, lucky you! Now you’ll be major productive and we’ll get to see all these wonderful projects just flying out the door!
It looks fabulous! I foresee you spending many happy hours in there!!
It looks fabulous! I foresee you spending many happy hours in there!!
Fab-u-lo-so! It is gorgeous and just perfect.
Fab-u-lo-so! It is gorgeous and just perfect.
Wow – your new studio could be in the pages of a magazine, Nicole! Your hubby, son-in-law and Handyman bill are to be commended for a wonderful job of construction and you for your incredible organization skills! I can see you spending many happy years in there creating gorgeous quilts! Maybe someday a little granddaughter will be sewing by your side as well ;>)
Cheers!
Wow – your new studio could be in the pages of a magazine, Nicole! Your hubby, son-in-law and Handyman bill are to be commended for a wonderful job of construction and you for your incredible organization skills! I can see you spending many happy years in there creating gorgeous quilts! Maybe someday a little granddaughter will be sewing by your side as well ;>)
Cheers!
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the tour and when I saw it was up, I settled in with my beverage to enjoy. What a gorgeous space! I’m sure I will return to it again and again for inspiration. My sewing room is adequate but not special like your studio. So happy for you and will look forward to the wonderful creations to come.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the tour and when I saw it was up, I settled in with my beverage to enjoy. What a gorgeous space! I’m sure I will return to it again and again for inspiration. My sewing room is adequate but not special like your studio. So happy for you and will look forward to the wonderful creations to come.
Wow. It is so beautiful. What a lovely treat for you.
Wow. It is so beautiful. What a lovely treat for you.
Absolutely spectacular! Happy for you!
Absolutely spectacular! Happy for you!
This looks like a little bit of heaven!!! I love it! Thank you for the guided tour! It looks like a wonderful creative space and I am sure you will put it to great use!!! What a great room! Congrats on the new space!!!!! I think my favorite (one of them) part of your new room is the table for two! :O)
This looks like a little bit of heaven!!! I love it! Thank you for the guided tour! It looks like a wonderful creative space and I am sure you will put it to great use!!! What a great room! Congrats on the new space!!!!! I think my favorite (one of them) part of your new room is the table for two! :O)
Oh my Nicole, what an incredible sewing studio. I know you will enjoy having such a nice bright spot to sew.
Oh my Nicole, what an incredible sewing studio. I know you will enjoy having such a nice bright spot to sew.
It’s absolutely perfect and beautiful!! So happy for you.
It’s absolutely perfect and beautiful!! So happy for you.
Ditto on all the above comments.
I so like the inclusion of your daughter in the design plan. What wonderful times you will have sewing, planning, and just being together.
Your design wall is huge!
Thanks for allowing us to see your space.
Ditto on all the above comments.
I so like the inclusion of your daughter in the design plan. What wonderful times you will have sewing, planning, and just being together.
Your design wall is huge!
Thanks for allowing us to see your space.
Много красиво!
Много красиво!
A really wonderful space. The sewing table is fantastic. I have a good table set up too and it makes working on large projects so much easier. Have fun in your studio.
A really wonderful space. The sewing table is fantastic. I have a good table set up too and it makes working on large projects so much easier. Have fun in your studio.
So well worth the wait! The flooring is lovely and I love your dining table turned sewing table. Did you do anything out of the ordinary for lighting? Have been missing seeing all your projects in the works the last few months… now will look forward to all your UFOs becoming FOs!
So well worth the wait! The flooring is lovely and I love your dining table turned sewing table. Did you do anything out of the ordinary for lighting? Have been missing seeing all your projects in the works the last few months… now will look forward to all your UFOs becoming FOs!
Congratulations! You’ve finally got the space you dreamed of, and it’s perfect. I hope you find many, many, many hours of peace and enjoyment there.
Congratulations! You’ve finally got the space you dreamed of, and it’s perfect. I hope you find many, many, many hours of peace and enjoyment there.
I covet your sewing studio…looks like such a wonderful creative space for you and a lucky friend. I know the work you put in to it, and am so happy that it is now ready for you to create and have fun!! Enjoy!
I covet your sewing studio…looks like such a wonderful creative space for you and a lucky friend. I know the work you put in to it, and am so happy that it is now ready for you to create and have fun!! Enjoy!
Beautiful! What a fabulous place to play with fabric.
Beautiful! What a fabulous place to play with fabric.
What a lovely space! Enjoyed your tour. May you have many years of happy quilting!
What a lovely space! Enjoyed your tour. May you have many years of happy quilting!
Oh, such a wonderful and inspiring place! I hope to have a dedicated and organized space like that one day when I retire! Thank you for sharing and enjoy it!
Oh, such a wonderful and inspiring place! I hope to have a dedicated and organized space like that one day when I retire! Thank you for sharing and enjoy it!
It IS possible to sigh and drool simultaneously!
Congratulations! It’s lovely.
It IS possible to sigh and drool simultaneously!
Congratulations! It’s lovely.
I think it was worth the wait! What a nice bright space to sew alone and with friends. I love the homeyness of the room. It is a place to sit and create and also spend time just enjoying the view and the ideas that come while in your room. Great job to all who helped. Thanks for showing us the finished product. K-
I think it was worth the wait! What a nice bright space to sew alone and with friends. I love the homeyness of the room. It is a place to sit and create and also spend time just enjoying the view and the ideas that come while in your room. Great job to all who helped. Thanks for showing us the finished product. K-
Love your space and all the great pictures! You’re inspiring me to clean out my room and get it spiffy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love your space and all the great pictures! You’re inspiring me to clean out my room and get it spiffy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Congratulations, it is absolutely fabulous! I definitely have quilt-studio-envy 🙂 Thank you for showing us the transformation – I love peeking into other people’s sewing spaces
Congratulations, it is absolutely fabulous! I definitely have quilt-studio-envy 🙂 Thank you for showing us the transformation – I love peeking into other people’s sewing spaces
Your quilting studio is awesome! (How did you get the woodworker to give it up?) Your studio is so inspiring and I’m sure just walking in there gets your creative juices flowing. Another question, how do you keep your threads and folded quilts on top of your cabinets from getting dusty?
Thanks for sharing!
Pam in IL
Your quilting studio is awesome! (How did you get the woodworker to give it up?) Your studio is so inspiring and I’m sure just walking in there gets your creative juices flowing. Another question, how do you keep your threads and folded quilts on top of your cabinets from getting dusty?
Thanks for sharing!
Pam in IL
Ohhh…I am green with envy! What a lovely space. You will have such pleasure creating beautiful quilts in this great studio. Is there room for a long-arm? You talked once about getting one. I love the quilt on the quilt rack by the cutting table…can you tell me the pattern? The one on the design wall is also very nice. Congratulations, and wishing you many many happy hours of quilting!
Ohhh…I am green with envy! What a lovely space. You will have such pleasure creating beautiful quilts in this great studio. Is there room for a long-arm? You talked once about getting one. I love the quilt on the quilt rack by the cutting table…can you tell me the pattern? The one on the design wall is also very nice. Congratulations, and wishing you many many happy hours of quilting!
I’m crazy about your studio–and jealous.
I’m crazy about your studio–and jealous.
I love your studio and the sewing table. Would like to know how far back from the edge of the table is your needle? How tall is your table? I’ve been wanting something just like this and you have so much surface to lay a quilt. Thanks for sharing.
I love your studio and the sewing table. Would like to know how far back from the edge of the table is your needle? How tall is your table? I’ve been wanting something just like this and you have so much surface to lay a quilt. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the tour of your new sewing studio. It’s wonderful! You all did such a great job. Wishing you many happy hours in your new space.
Thanks for the tour of your new sewing studio. It’s wonderful! You all did such a great job. Wishing you many happy hours in your new space.
Amazing!!
Amazing!!