6swolcott

Since I am starting from nothing, though on black friday my bff and I went to Joannes and I invested in the basics, rotary cutter, sissors, cutting mat, etc. I even had to buy basic thread. I am starting from nothing, I am turning my dining room into my sewing room as I am also a newbie with a full nest who are all just flying the coop in the next two weeks. Any suggestions on starting fresh, must haves organization anything would be appreciated. I also want to say thank you to all, you inspire me.

QuiltnNan

will the room be dual duty, or will it just be the sewing room?

lfletcher

I would just buy things as you need them. I started out with plastic drawers from Walmart and I still use them. Over the years I have upgraded to the Elna drawer system from the Container Store and love them. I store my stash in two barrister bookcases (the kind with the glass door). I eventually invested in a Horn table for my Janome which I also love. My cutting area is a built in L-shaped desk which also houses my computer. My room has evolved over a period of 10 years and I love it. It is set for now until I come up with the next idea.

Dianemarie

I too started in the dining room; I would work on one end and my stuff stayed there. I usually worked through a series of projects then had to clean it up for a birthday party. I made dresses for my girls all the time and an occasional shirt for son and crafts.For 10yrs. When we remodeled it worked out that we squared off the house addition and it gave me about 5 x 12 feet at one end. I quickly took over that; putting a closet on onside to match our clothes closet. Just this year I had such a mess going on that I got cubies at Ikea and my son put them up for me and we moved the table and I had been re-organizing til Thanksgiving. So now I think I'm living the good life. I still need to put fabric on the boards I bought from someone on this QB then it'll be perfect --LOL LOL seriously if you're happy it doesn't matter what others think. I have never seen two sewing/quilting spaces/rooms/areas the same. I have one friend that thinks my area is just a mess and I should get rid of all that stuff ! I wonder about her and that is why I have QB friends they understand me ! Enjoy your space and be creative ! Come here for your questions and support; everyone is very friendly and helpful.

Emma S

The projects you choose will probably dictate what you will need but just a few thoughts. You didn't mention what type of rulers you purchased but I find the 6X24 and a 6.5 X 6.5 the most useful. If you are going to quilt your own projects a walking foot is really a must. These are just my personal list of essentials, others will no doubt have a different list. More than anything enjoy the process. Please share your first project.

Krisb

A walking foot is a must if you will be machine quilting. A square up ruler, but I would get the 12 1/2 square, not the smaller one. A seam ripper, an awl to hold the pieces in line while you sew. A good iron, if you don't already have one. Some way to be certain that you are sewing a consistent 1/4" seam, whether tape on the machine bed or a 1/4" foot. Patience. This board, to ask questions and try out ideas. And finally, a person who will look at your latest project and say, "Honey, that's the nicest one yet.".

Lori S

Buy as the need presents itself ! There are tools I have purchased with the idea it was good to have that have gotten little no no use , some used only because I needed to somehow justify the purchase to myself.

barri1

I'm really laughing.. I started in a small studio apartment with a small healing mat, rotary cutter, used machine in a cabinet, safety pins, and a small kitchen table.. I made a queen sized quilt which was scrappy before scrappy was popular.. I used buttons instead of ties.. I love it.. but made a big mistake.. I didn't wash the fabric before quilting.. I don't use the quilt, so never washed it.. I'm terrified to do it.. Now I'm in a one bedroom.. I have a small table with 18"X 12" mat, and I'm using a 1926 Singer 66 in a cabinet.. I'm in the middle of making five identical queen quilts qith scraps.. The fabric for the project is sitting on my cocktail table.. The rest are in sweater boxes stacked.. I'm not jealous of all who have the room.. I just take what I have, and make the best of it.. I have one major problem.. I have a curly little dog, and the snippets travel from where I'm working to other parts of the house.. Sort of like hitch hikers..
Barri

6swolcott

I am emptying the dining room to just be my sewing craft room, I also scrapbook, but I can see already that quilting maybe taking over my life. I am becoming addicted. I have two children moving out in before Christmas, so just DH and I at home. No need for the dining room to remain that. I am excited about this new adventure, but someone should have told me that getting lost in the quilting maze was a going to be for Life.

scrappy2

Welcome, I started out on kitchen table but now my kids have flew the coop I took over 1 bed room & DH took over the other for an office. So far you have done good on the basics. If you plan on quilting your own a walking foot would help. I hate to say this but a seam ripper is a must. There are alot of tools out there & sometimes they're just good to look at & not much use. For staying organized I would purchase plastic drawers on wheels, Walmart has them. Then as you grow or change your mine it will be easy to move. At one time I put a board & pad on mine and use it to pressed my blocks on. You can also move it beside you when you sew and use the top for extra space for pins ect. I got mine from Walmart.
This is a great Board they are very helpful. Keep us posted on how you are doing.