I have shared with you in the past the great sewing studio I had in my former house. The house itself wasn't so great by any means, but my husband sweetened the pot by promising me he would put in a perfect sewing studio in an outbuilding to the house. And he did. I had amazing built in storage cupboards, hard wood floors, lots of natural light, and tons of room to spread out. Then we moved. I was so happy to get a different house, as the old one didn't suit me whatsoever, except for the studio. The photo above is of my storage cupboards in my previous studio. Yeah, I know. Man, I miss those things.
So now I have the best house ever, but my sewing area is an extra bedroom on the second floor. That's ok, really. Better than a space on the dining room table, right? As much as I appreciate the fact that I have a designated room of my own in which to create, I do miss the storage and the space that my former studio provided.
You may remember the special table I had customized to accomodate two sewing machines. I had hoped my daughter might sit across from me at this table and sew with me, or that I might invite a friend to join me in a day or so of stitching. We had an oak table that we had two cut outs made in, for two sewing stations. Underneath the cutout, there is a platform for the machines to sit on, and to make the sewing surface flush with the table tops, I had acrylic inserts made to fit my machine cut outs. The photo below is of my previous studio with the table with two sewing stations.
You can see how I had two cutouts made in the table for two sewing machines. It turned out that I did have a student that I mentored for a year, and did indeed have a use for two sewing stations. But after that arrangement ended, and we moved, I no longer really needed a table with cut outs for two machines.
Last weekend I rearranged my sewing room in the "new" house, and pushed it up against a wall instead of having it project out into the middle of the room. The photo below is of my first arrangement in the new sewing room. My back was to the design wall, the table took up all the floor space in the room, and I never had enough room to really pull my chair out as far as I wanted.
What a difference getting that table out of the middle of the room made! After the luxury of space in the studio, I had been feeling so crowded and claustrophobic in the smaller room, with this gigantic table taking up so much space. Moving it up against a wall made such an improvement.
Here is a little tour around the room now. Now the sewing table is up against the long wall. It is SO much better to be able to have access to the design wall, rather than having it blocked by the table as it was previously. Seriously, how could I think having my design wall behind me was a good idea? Now that the table is against the wall, I just covered up the hole for the second machine with a cutting mat and some trays of sewing supplies.
Here is a little look around the room as it is now.
The view from behind my sewing table. Window behind me with lots of bright light coming in. Lots of light at the cutting table. The dresser holds notions and layer cakes and charm packs. Woohoo, and take a look at the floor space in the middle of the room.
The view from where I sit, outside the door to the room into the landing outside. The closet on the right has built in shelves that hold my fabric bundles and mini bolts of fabric. Large plastic bins of color coded fabric reside out in the garage on metal shelving, which isn't so convenient, but that's life. That is where most of my "stash" resides, and after all these years, I find I can often "shop at home".
The sewing table and design wall. Love my two design walls. I have one that is 72" x 72", and a smaller one, above my ironing board. Natural light from the window behind me is good, and the new lighting fixture/ceiling fan my husband put in recently provide extra illumination. My pegboard of rulers is above the table for easy reach.
It seems to be working. But I sure do miss all those storage cupboards!
60 responses to “Where I Work Now”
Very nice. Love the red pineapple quilt; will look forward to seeing that one finished.
Very nice. Love the red pineapple quilt; will look forward to seeing that one finished.
Very nice. Love the red pineapple quilt; will look forward to seeing that one finished.
Love the light and the space you have! That huge design wall is the best! Cheers for your good idea to move the table to its new position as that will make the room even more wonderful to work in.
Can you envision large, tall storage cabinets flanking the window on the right and perhaps on the left, too, if there’s space for it between the window and the closet door.
You should see my tiny, crowded sewing room – or perhaps not!
Thanks for inviting us in!
AMIL’s condition is sadly unchanged.
Hugs!
Love the light and the space you have! That huge design wall is the best! Cheers for your good idea to move the table to its new position as that will make the room even more wonderful to work in.
Can you envision large, tall storage cabinets flanking the window on the right and perhaps on the left, too, if there’s space for it between the window and the closet door.
You should see my tiny, crowded sewing room – or perhaps not!
Thanks for inviting us in!
AMIL’s condition is sadly unchanged.
Hugs!
Love the light and the space you have! That huge design wall is the best! Cheers for your good idea to move the table to its new position as that will make the room even more wonderful to work in.
Can you envision large, tall storage cabinets flanking the window on the right and perhaps on the left, too, if there’s space for it between the window and the closet door.
You should see my tiny, crowded sewing room – or perhaps not!
Thanks for inviting us in!
AMIL’s condition is sadly unchanged.
Hugs!
WOW!! What a lovely sewing room!! It’s perfect!
P
WOW!! What a lovely sewing room!! It’s perfect!
P
WOW!! What a lovely sewing room!! It’s perfect!
P
Oh that Pineapple Quilt is gorgeous! Those cupboards would be really hard to part with, but you’ve done a great job in your new space.
Oh that Pineapple Quilt is gorgeous! Those cupboards would be really hard to part with, but you’ve done a great job in your new space.
Oh that Pineapple Quilt is gorgeous! Those cupboards would be really hard to part with, but you’ve done a great job in your new space.
Wish I had that nice big window in my sewing room. I have a little dormer window that doesn’t let in much light at all. Love your sewing room.
Wish I had that nice big window in my sewing room. I have a little dormer window that doesn’t let in much light at all. Love your sewing room.
Wish I had that nice big window in my sewing room. I have a little dormer window that doesn’t let in much light at all. Love your sewing room.
Love that space Nicole! I need to put up a design mini-wall above my ironing board too… perhaps my kids won’t notice that I’m slowly taking down their baby pictures to put up quilting items. That’s what hallways and dining room walls are for anyway, right?
Love that space Nicole! I need to put up a design mini-wall above my ironing board too… perhaps my kids won’t notice that I’m slowly taking down their baby pictures to put up quilting items. That’s what hallways and dining room walls are for anyway, right?
Love that space Nicole! I need to put up a design mini-wall above my ironing board too… perhaps my kids won’t notice that I’m slowly taking down their baby pictures to put up quilting items. That’s what hallways and dining room walls are for anyway, right?
it looks wonderful! so glad you have a house you love again…maybe when eva is older she will sit and sew with you. ;p
it looks wonderful! so glad you have a house you love again…maybe when eva is older she will sit and sew with you. ;p
it looks wonderful! so glad you have a house you love again…maybe when eva is older she will sit and sew with you. ;p
I feel your pain on find the right layout for the new space. I am going through that right now as well. I had an 13×13 room with a walk in closet as my sewing room in my old house. I now have moved to a smaller home and my room is 11×10 and although I have a wide closet it is single width and the layout is awkward. I actually removed the doors of the two closet entries (it’s a long closet with two doors… No idea WHY they would do that instead of a double door). I like to face out in my sewing room since I have a TV I can put up on the wall but the smaller room is really making things quite cramp. I just started sewing in it this last week and I think the layout will need a bit of tweaking.
Hopefully this new layout will work for you.
I feel your pain on find the right layout for the new space. I am going through that right now as well. I had an 13×13 room with a walk in closet as my sewing room in my old house. I now have moved to a smaller home and my room is 11×10 and although I have a wide closet it is single width and the layout is awkward. I actually removed the doors of the two closet entries (it’s a long closet with two doors… No idea WHY they would do that instead of a double door). I like to face out in my sewing room since I have a TV I can put up on the wall but the smaller room is really making things quite cramp. I just started sewing in it this last week and I think the layout will need a bit of tweaking.
Hopefully this new layout will work for you.
I feel your pain on find the right layout for the new space. I am going through that right now as well. I had an 13×13 room with a walk in closet as my sewing room in my old house. I now have moved to a smaller home and my room is 11×10 and although I have a wide closet it is single width and the layout is awkward. I actually removed the doors of the two closet entries (it’s a long closet with two doors… No idea WHY they would do that instead of a double door). I like to face out in my sewing room since I have a TV I can put up on the wall but the smaller room is really making things quite cramp. I just started sewing in it this last week and I think the layout will need a bit of tweaking.
Hopefully this new layout will work for you.
I do love your space – the grander studio was ideal; but your new room also looks very workable. As mentioned before, I just have my dining room table, and storage boxes in the corner of a couple rooms. But my day of “empty nest” will come one of these days.
I do love your space – the grander studio was ideal; but your new room also looks very workable. As mentioned before, I just have my dining room table, and storage boxes in the corner of a couple rooms. But my day of “empty nest” will come one of these days.
I do love your space – the grander studio was ideal; but your new room also looks very workable. As mentioned before, I just have my dining room table, and storage boxes in the corner of a couple rooms. But my day of “empty nest” will come one of these days.
I really like where you moved your table against the wall and next to the design wall PERFECT !
My design wall is on 60 ” X 60 ” but at least I have one 😉
Do you think you can put a cabinet on each side of your cutting table ? Then you could probably bring in some of your stash from the garage ? That is if you have room !
I really like where you moved your table against the wall and next to the design wall PERFECT !
My design wall is on 60 ” X 60 ” but at least I have one 😉
Do you think you can put a cabinet on each side of your cutting table ? Then you could probably bring in some of your stash from the garage ? That is if you have room !
I really like where you moved your table against the wall and next to the design wall PERFECT !
My design wall is on 60 ” X 60 ” but at least I have one 😉
Do you think you can put a cabinet on each side of your cutting table ? Then you could probably bring in some of your stash from the garage ? That is if you have room !
Love how neat your new area is! Maybe there will be a sewing studio built for you in the future like the one you had, just saying 🙂
Love how neat your new area is! Maybe there will be a sewing studio built for you in the future like the one you had, just saying 🙂
Love how neat your new area is! Maybe there will be a sewing studio built for you in the future like the one you had, just saying 🙂
Putting your sewing table against the wall is definitely an improvement in your space. You are lucky to have a bright dedicated room for your sewing even though it’s not the great studio you used to have.
Putting your sewing table against the wall is definitely an improvement in your space. You are lucky to have a bright dedicated room for your sewing even though it’s not the great studio you used to have.
Putting your sewing table against the wall is definitely an improvement in your space. You are lucky to have a bright dedicated room for your sewing even though it’s not the great studio you used to have.
Your studio looks good. Bright, organized and very functional.
We moved just over a year ago, and I lost my great sewing space. Now I have a table set up in a storage room in the basement. Definitely not ideal. But I’m happy that I have a sewing space! Way better than the dining room table. And no one wants to hang out in the storage room, so it’s all mine — except for the cats.
Enjoy your space, and sew away!
Your studio looks good. Bright, organized and very functional.
We moved just over a year ago, and I lost my great sewing space. Now I have a table set up in a storage room in the basement. Definitely not ideal. But I’m happy that I have a sewing space! Way better than the dining room table. And no one wants to hang out in the storage room, so it’s all mine — except for the cats.
Enjoy your space, and sew away!
Your studio looks good. Bright, organized and very functional.
We moved just over a year ago, and I lost my great sewing space. Now I have a table set up in a storage room in the basement. Definitely not ideal. But I’m happy that I have a sewing space! Way better than the dining room table. And no one wants to hang out in the storage room, so it’s all mine — except for the cats.
Enjoy your space, and sew away!
Looks really good. I’m wondering if you have an opinion on the flooring; you had hardwood in the studio and appear to have carpet here. Which do you think is best for a sewing space?
I assume the hardwood would be better for sweeping up stray threads and that pins might get stuck in the carpet???
Looks really good. I’m wondering if you have an opinion on the flooring; you had hardwood in the studio and appear to have carpet here. Which do you think is best for a sewing space?
I assume the hardwood would be better for sweeping up stray threads and that pins might get stuck in the carpet???
Looks really good. I’m wondering if you have an opinion on the flooring; you had hardwood in the studio and appear to have carpet here. Which do you think is best for a sewing space?
I assume the hardwood would be better for sweeping up stray threads and that pins might get stuck in the carpet???
Such a lovely sewing space, Nicole! I am envious!! But I do have a dedicated sewing room so I can’t complain too much.
Such a lovely sewing space, Nicole! I am envious!! But I do have a dedicated sewing room so I can’t complain too much.
Such a lovely sewing space, Nicole! I am envious!! But I do have a dedicated sewing room so I can’t complain too much.
I do remember that fabulous studio you once had but your space now is still fantastic. I could spend hours in there! My sewing space is one step up from the dining room table.
I do remember that fabulous studio you once had but your space now is still fantastic. I could spend hours in there! My sewing space is one step up from the dining room table.
I do remember that fabulous studio you once had but your space now is still fantastic. I could spend hours in there! My sewing space is one step up from the dining room table.
Nicole,Any room you decorate looks great, but oh, my aching back, when I look at that hard chair you are using in front of your machine! Could it be higher or maybe wheel around so you can back up. BTW, my schnauzer, Teddy, the Terror, I mean terrier says ” Hi” to Ozzie.
Nicole,Any room you decorate looks great, but oh, my aching back, when I look at that hard chair you are using in front of your machine! Could it be higher or maybe wheel around so you can back up. BTW, my schnauzer, Teddy, the Terror, I mean terrier says ” Hi” to Ozzie.
Nicole,Any room you decorate looks great, but oh, my aching back, when I look at that hard chair you are using in front of your machine! Could it be higher or maybe wheel around so you can back up. BTW, my schnauzer, Teddy, the Terror, I mean terrier says ” Hi” to Ozzie.
For years (during hubby’s military career) I moved and stored quilt supplies in Rubbermaid bins and stitched on the kitchen table that needed to be cleared every night for the family dinner. I always dreamed of the day when I would have my OWN space which I do have now so I know all too well how much that space means to you…pieceful!
For years (during hubby’s military career) I moved and stored quilt supplies in Rubbermaid bins and stitched on the kitchen table that needed to be cleared every night for the family dinner. I always dreamed of the day when I would have my OWN space which I do have now so I know all too well how much that space means to you…pieceful!
For years (during hubby’s military career) I moved and stored quilt supplies in Rubbermaid bins and stitched on the kitchen table that needed to be cleared every night for the family dinner. I always dreamed of the day when I would have my OWN space which I do have now so I know all too well how much that space means to you…pieceful!
Love your new sewing room. That design wall is awesome. I only have a very small sewing room and very small portable design wall….and alot of stuff, but I love it and have learned to make it work. Thanks for sharing pics of your sewing room, enjoyed it immensely.
Love your new sewing room. That design wall is awesome. I only have a very small sewing room and very small portable design wall….and alot of stuff, but I love it and have learned to make it work. Thanks for sharing pics of your sewing room, enjoyed it immensely.
Love your new sewing room. That design wall is awesome. I only have a very small sewing room and very small portable design wall….and alot of stuff, but I love it and have learned to make it work. Thanks for sharing pics of your sewing room, enjoyed it immensely.
I was unpacking and organising my sewing space in our new house tonight. We bought our own home and moved in three weeks ago. I share the formal lounge with the kids for my sewing room and their play room. At least we can shut the door and visitors don’t have to see the mess!
I was unpacking and organising my sewing space in our new house tonight. We bought our own home and moved in three weeks ago. I share the formal lounge with the kids for my sewing room and their play room. At least we can shut the door and visitors don’t have to see the mess!
I was unpacking and organising my sewing space in our new house tonight. We bought our own home and moved in three weeks ago. I share the formal lounge with the kids for my sewing room and their play room. At least we can shut the door and visitors don’t have to see the mess!