Newbie starting from scratch
 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.".:thumbup:

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.

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

Thanks
 

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.

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.

Hi 6sWolcott, I think the best advice is to grow your equipment by purchasing items as you find a need for them. It will spread the costs out over time, and you won't spend your money on equipment you don't need. You have already purchased your rotary cutter, mat, scissors, etc, all very necessary. I would also add an iron and ironing board unless you already have those items. Your dining table should make a fine work table. And, of course, your sewing machine. You will need some sort of storage...rolling drawers, or the buffet in your diningroom, an old dresser from your childrens' rooms, etc are all good ones to get started. When you've been quilting for a while, you will know better what you want and need that will suit your style and your available space. If your husband is handy with tools, he will be your greatest asset...He'll be your greatest asset even if he isn't handy with tools! My husband has built shelves, installed a design wall, built a motorized work table that raises and lowers with the touch of a button, etc...as my wants and needs and our houses have changed over the years. You have the wonderful adventure of quilting to enrich your life for many years. Enjoy! We're glad to have you here with us.

Don't overwhelm yourself with buying a lot of 'stuff'. It looks like you have purchased the basics, you will need a couple rulers for when you cut your fabric. A 6 X 22, and a 12 1/2 X 12 1/2 square up ruler.
You will need some storage for your fabric stash. Have fun buying fabric for your stash, welcome to quilting!

I've been seriously quilting for a little over a year. I think the best "tool" I've invested in has been a couple of classes. I not only could learn from the instructor but from others I sewed beside. You'll meet people that will become dear friends and be a special part of your life. The added bonus is that you will have completed projects to encourage you to step ahead into something harder. Enjoy the journey.

hope you enjoy it as much as we all do -- welcome!!

i started out on my kitchen couters and table rotary cutter pins and regular ruler iron .just decided i was gonna quilt so i went for it.

As you have the financial means, invest in fleece or fleece-backed table cloths to hang on one wall to put your quilt blocks to try out designs, etc. I bought 2 pieces of thin lathing and nailed them with tiny nails just at the ceiling. The holes, should I take down my fleece wall, won't show. The other piece of lathing I used to stretch my design wall and nailed it parallel with the baseboard. I can work on a queen-sized quilt that way. You are going to have so much fun! Show your work when you can (pictures).

Do as I say not as I do. LOL (Finish one project before you start another one).

I've been sewing for nearly 60 years, and a dedicated quilter for about 15 years. I find that my "room", be it in the dining room, living room, or a dedicated sewing room, is constantly evolving. I have graduated from keeping my stash in cardboard boxes, to keeping it in a dresser (the best for me). I also have quite a few plastic containers that keep getting rearranged. Some days I just need to change things. Some days I just need to fondle fabric, so I fold and reorganize. It's all part of the joy of fabric. You do what you can each day, and grow with the art. Just be happy in whatever space is yours, and don't diminish the joy by buying too much to soon.

Look at Sewing Room redo's thread--I have also purchased precut countertops and put them on file cabinets to give me lots of countertops space. Look at past organization threads and pictures of studios. I'm always looking for new ideas.

Mine is in constant motion - felt cluttered yesterday and moved several containers - some days "stuff" feels better over here and others over there, whatever works best for you! Have fun!

Wait for a sale on quilt books and buy a couple of easy ones to start with and follow thier instructions. Good luck.

I to am new to quilting, could you please tell me what an awl is, and how you use it. Thankyou

Acquire as you go! Once you have the basics.. take it one step at a time..
ENJOY yourself as you learn. Don't stress over having everything at the beginning.
Buying is part of the fun, for me anyway!

Remember... re-purpose! re-purpose! re-purpose! re-purpose!!!!

If you are starting out in a dining room that has a table / china cabinet / buffet...
Use the table as your work surface. Place the machine at one end and cutting mat at the other.
Use the china cabinet for fabric storage and the buffet for quilting tool storage!

Eventually you'll find what system will work for you.
More than likely, you'll create your own personal system that works best!
HAVE FUN!

ROFLOL>>>>............right!!!!! thats gonna happen !!!!!!

having more than one project going at a time is great....if you have to stop one for a while you can work on the other

and given some time i can think of other excuses for works in progress.......those who know me, know that i just finished a quilt my grandmother started in the 1920's

you are going to have so much fun and it is just beginning !!!!!!

My favorite storage item is the Busy Box from The Container Store. It has several compartments which all lock together and is on wheels. I keep current projects in there while I'm at home, but the great thing is that it's awesome to take all your things with you to a retreat or workshop. It has a handle to pull it by. In fact, I bought a second one just to make it taller. You can connect them together for as tall as you'd like. One of the containers is shallow, so it holds all my tools, patterns, thread, etc. The deepest one holds the fabric and the middle one usually holds my travel iron, small fan, bottle of water, pressing mat, etc. It's a great organizer!

If I were you, I'd find a quilt store with a helpful staff. I would explain I was new to quilting and tell them what size mat and rulers you have. I would ask them if they have a simple beginner's quilt kit and buy that. I would ask them to explain the terminology of the pattern and tell you the tips for making that quilt. After you make your first one, I'd go back to the store with the top of the quilt and ask them to help you find someone to long arm quilt it. And I would then ask them what they thought of your top and where you should go from there. That's how I started and now I have a $10,000 Bernina 830 and a spare room that I call my quilting room that is stuffed with only my quilting supplies. I started at my dining table years ago and now I have everything you could think of for a quilter. Start small. I did a table top quilt so I could see the results fast and decide if I wanted to keep quilting. You probably will. It's so addictive. I suggested buying a kit because finding a pattern and then picking out all the fabric to go with the pattern can be nerve wracking (even now) at first. Good luck. I'm 99% sure you'll love quilting and soon be fantastic at it. Remember, we sew 1/4" seams. That is the most important thing to know. And to cut exactly the correct size of each piece of fabric.

I'm a new quilter. I joined a local quilting guild, which has been wonderful. If one is in your area, you might go visit.

I started just a few years ago. On the dining room table with 1 mat and a rotery cutter. I got my first machine shortly after from Walmart and it snowballed from there. I now have an entire room - and although small I love it! I just got the Accuquilt Go Cutter so I know I have come a long way in just a few years. I remember looking at some of the first magazines I got and just dreaming of something that would actually cut my fabric accurately!

Take your time - get what you need and use your Joanns coupons! The fun about being new is you want/need so many different things - there is always something you want that is not on sale! Often that is the trouble - the coupon is for a regular priced item and we have all that stuff already!

What a fun thread. It brings us all back to the fun and excitement of the beggining. I got so much help and insperation on this board. I also got as many used magazines as I could get my hands on. I got a ton of that stuff from the used bookstore at $0.50 each.

Like others mentioned - don't worry - before long you will have so much you won't know what to do with it!!

But more importantly - HAVE FUN!

Always use joanns cou[pons for rulers and best of luck to you

an awl is used to sew leather mostly, sometimes I have heard it used when you are trying to tie thick pieces of fabric, but I don't think I would like that. If you do any leather crafting at all, you will use one of them.

One more item to buy...
 

I have been quilting for many years and I think of all my items/gadgets, my most used is my Shape Cut. Can be purchased at Joanns with a coupon or just as cheap without a coupon at Wal-Mart. I have three standard size ones, one huge one, and a couple smaller ones. The small ones are pretty much a waste of money. I just bought the huge one so haven't used it yet, but the standard one measures about 15" x 18" with slots for your rotary cutter every half inch. Buy one and practice with it, and it will become your BFF. I use mine for cutting squares and rectangles, cutting strips for quilting and binding, and for squaring up finished blocks. Three things I can't live without... My dogs, my coffee and my beloved Shape Cut!

Light, light, light. Make sure that the lighting is good. Buy additional work lights if needed.

I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to let you know that I am in the exact same boat as you!!!! Even down to the dinning room haha. Any advice that you get please pass over my way :)

Seems like you have gotten tons of great advise so all I am gonna say is "ENJOY" the experience and yes it is addicting.........Welcome to the board and the world of quilting...

I am also in a one bedroom tiny apartment. I have a good sized bedroom. So that is where I sew. I wish I had more room. I envy those who have the beautiful rooms devoted just to sewing. However, I do ok, and I love working on projects. I have a wonderful Janome 660 Professional that I absolutely love. It's all good.

Hey there, many of us had to start small. You can enlarge as it presents itself. Or as you get older you may need to downsize.

Joann's coupons; LQS's sales are all part of it.
I had my fist stash given to me and still have to use most of it - will probably give it away.

Storage: I absolutely love IKEA Antonius system with the baskets that don't rust. Have 2, one on top of another in a closet and another under my IKEA table that I have my embroidery machine on. They store a lot. I also found stacking rolling baskets at an organization type store, but can't find them anymore. They went under the daybed for guests.

The very best ideas:
--Have quilting buddies who encourage you.
--Take some classes, locally if you can, or online if nothing is available nearby. Consider going to something like Quilt Camp [www.quiltcamp.com] or other learning opportunity. Check LQS's and quilt guilds/groups for retreats.
--Be creative and find what motivates you the best.
--Make things that you enjoy and Have Fun!
--If finances get tight consider joining a group that does charity quilts and will provide the fabric to you free.

You are in the right space here on the QB.


ali

Before you know it, you'll be trying to figure out "where did all this come from and where am I gonna put it all"

Get what you need when you need it, you are new to this and you may decide you aren't as into it as you think you will be. There are various places to get supplies and equipment from, Amazon and Overstock.com have a lot of things cheaper.

Sewing armoires are very practical and a great way to integrate into a working living space.

I could write a book on this subject, and it would be best for me to stop now before I launch into a long list.

sewing room update
 

I acquired a cutting table from a store that was closing for 15.00 has drop sides and closes, have the rulers, basic thread colors, and my wonderful hubby purchased me a Juki sewing machine. Loving how easy it is to use, the thread cutter, self threading , even the foot pedal cuts the thread. Who knew it could be this much fun. Making quilted potholders as my first project and playing with decorative stitiches. My daughter moves out in a week and then i can empty the dining room and paint it. I am going to put my machine in front of the windows, I have a pie safe im going to paint white for fabric storage, and I acquired a sewing table at joannes for half off. I will post pictures, thanks for all the great tips, I am so excited to finally be learning to sew.