Thread: Living room as studio

Originally Posted by craftiladi

Sewnoma...sounds like you are making great process, you will share pics , right?

Slow progress, but some! At this point I've MOSTLY just made a huge mess but there is some organization happening.

I'll do a big post when it's done (or nearly done) but when I get home tonight I'll post some "sneak peeks" here.

Okay, I'm a day late, but here's some work-in-progress...I'll put together a real post when it's all done but boy am I having fun filling these cabinets!

I have 5 BILLY bookcases from Ikea, with doors, and I love them. They're mostly still empty but I've started putting some things away...

Cabinet#1 is going to be for stuff still on the bolt, and "utility" fabrics (muslin, heat-proof stuff, canvas, vinyl, etc). The batting is just in there temporarily (batting will be stored under my cutting table, same as it is now). Also interfacing & stabilizer.


Cabinets 2 & 3 are where all my quilting cotton will go, and my thread (in those shallow bins in the middle there). Pre-cuts are in the orange and turquoise baskets. (My quilt inspector is already on the job!)


Cabinet 4 - the top is for work-in-progress, which is about all I have in there so far. Rest of the cabinet will be "other" fabrics - quilt backings, and flannel, fleece, corduroy, denim, etc. Also I have some bins that will go in the bottom of this cabinet for all my scraps.


Cabinet 5 is going to have some scraps that have been cut down (in some of those drawer bins) but mostly will be the catch-all for everything else! Misc hardware, glues, tape, graph paper, patterns (I only have about 5). Probably my quilting magazines will go in here too but not sure yet. Kona color card...whatever else gets in the way and needs a place to hide.


That's about it so far. Painters come next week (we just painted around where the cabinets were installed, they'll do the rest - we're having about half the house painted) and once they're done I can start REALLY moving in and taking good pictures.

And just so you aren't too impressed by all my neatness in these cabinets, here's what the rest of the room looks like right now. Yeesh. DH isn't done moving his stuff out yet, and there is construction debris everywhere (we're doing more work elsewhere too). I love a remodel...AFTER it's done! I can't wait to turn all this mess into my sewing space! Everything you see in this picture is LEAVING, including the ratty old blinds.

Since I live alone, there is nobody to veto a move to living room, however when DH was living he would not have objected. I have an L shaped work area along two walls and two long tables in center of room. I maintain the more stuff out in the open the more successful the creative vibes are flowing. So, after one of those flows, I have to straighten up and put things away. I am maybe the worlds worst at organizing my fabric and accessories, but my intentions are good. I love my conversion of sewing area to living room... When sewing groups come over, they roam via open double pocket doors and french doors from den to dining room to living room. It warms my heart to see them enjoy this old house, especially when they bring their children. My family and guests are always interested in my projects and the quilt in a frame I am currently hand quilting, this one in the den.

I did and loved it. Had a huge living room, and a small sitting room off the dining room. Moved TV, couch the other stuff in the sitting room and used the living room as my sewing room. There is only just me so nobody had an issue with it.