Sewing space suggestions?
 

Hello Quilters,
When we finished our basement, I thought I would have a closet built to hide by gear, and just close the doors when not in use. I had one machine at the time. But I never seem to be finished :)

I just purchased a FW machine this morning (which makes 4 working machines) and the treadle machine, I just use as a sewing table, because it is rusted out. As a result, I am creeping out into a whole corner of the basement!

My corner looks a little bare...and I would like to have something hanging on the walls. Another quilt is obvious, but I would like something a bit different.....any suggestions? Will also have to find space for the FW...it being shipped and I hear they are very small :) I have never seen one up close before!

Here are the pics of my closet, and basement corner:

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Someone today posted a few 'skinny quilts' ... one of those would look great on that 'skinny' corner wall.

As for more space ... hard to tell without seeing the other two angles of the room.

Is there space to put the round cutting table in the center of the room and put the FW on the wall next to the "new" machine? That way the cutting table would have access to every machine.

Yes! Never thought of that. We have a small pool table on the opposite wall. I am trying to get my family to sell it. Dust collector. I use the ping pong table on it to layout blocks. If I dump that the round table could go in the centre and a full size iron board could go where the ping pong table is. Thx. Like the skinny quilt idea too.

How about a design wall?

Thank you for that suggestion. I have to look up how to make one!

A design wall would be great! I love mine!!!

Very nice space. You will love your FW. You can sew on a wooden TV tray with them if necessary-but just enjoy.

Old printers boxes are great for showing off thread! Or just get a thread holder and/or pegboard to hang tools like scissors and rulers, etc.

time for you to come out of the closet........that's where you can store FABRIC!!! I think I would try to make an "ell" by putting two machines up against a wall with a table off them at 90 degrees so you could have work space on the side of either machine. Congrats on the FW - I love mine. Unless you bought it with a table (which is rare) then you will need a work table for it as well. As for the round table - I love the look of them, but rarely find them useful unless in a dining situation. Can you switch it out for another table in the house? And I second the idea of a design wall - can't live without mine!

Definitely a design wall!
Not only is it functional, but a great source of inspiration .... and a way to showcase your work too!

While you have been using the pool table to lay out your blocks, you'll discover the design wall is much nicer. Plus, you "see" your layouts much better. And to say the least, the floor space it saves.

However, the pool/ping-pong table would be a great place to sandwich your quilts. So if you are going to get rid of them ... consider where/how you will sandwich in the future?

a nice space.yes to more quilts and a design wall.

You can also put individual blocks up. I took 3 of these sewing machine blocks, quilted them, and put them up on my wall in my sewing room. You can find these on ebay, individually or in a set of several.

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I agree with getting rid of the round table! As for something different for your walls...They sell very big letters at places like Hobby Lobby...you could spell out things like quilt, create, stipple...etc...

I vote for a design wall!

My "design wall" is a $5 flannel backed table cloth that is thumb tacked to the wall. It's easily removed if I don't need it--which is rare. There are always some blocks of one kind or another stuck on it!

My design wall is an old flannel sheet hung up with small nails. It really helps when working on how you want to put the quilt together.

Love your sewing room space and the Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy in the window. I would put a design wall on the wall by to the right of sewing machine in the last picture.

Thanks for the ideas. I will make a design wall! Keep my eye out for a rectangular cutting table with some storage underneath. Maybe some framed fabric or antique hankies...thx all.

Looks great, ENJOY!...

I love the design wall idea. I have covered the pool table to use as a spot to lay out my blocks and it works okay, it does not get used much for pool but I can not get H to sell it yet.

A design wall is an absolute must and can easily be made. My design wall is an old piece of wall paneling cut down to 4 feet by 6 feet and wrapped in flannel. My dh screwed it directly onto the wall and I use it constantly!

I would turn that "dust collector" pool table into a cutting table/ironing station! Couple of pieces of plywood piano hinged together, cover with batting and some nice fabric stapled to it and presto chango... When the pool players come for a visit, easy to take the cover off and make it back into a pool table! You will love your little FW, I had one I sold a couple of years ago. Still miss her :)

yeah, keep that pool table I did exactly what qltgrose did, it made a great cutting space.

Interesting...so is the whole table is an ironing surface? I have a big piece of particle board in the form of a ping-pong table I could possible do that with. How many layers of batting? I will have to do some negotiating to take it over - me vs. the kids.

I also have a frame that came with a bed purchase...I thought I would try the design wall idea. It is very rectangular and tall. Size....it is 20 inch by 60 inches. I could staple a fleece backed table cloth on it and hang on the wall. Should it hang 60 wide like a landscape or stand 60 tall like a full length mirror would stand....

Thanks for all the ideas.

Pool table
 

I dont know how large the table is, but I would get 2 smaller pieces and I would use 1/2 or better 3/4 in or more plywood. You may have to come up with some sort of center support underneath? Maybe a stack or 2 of books? You could cover one for ironing and cover the other with some self stick vinyl tiles and use it for a cutting space. On 2nd thought when I mentioned before the piano hinges, to hook them together, if the table is big and the lumber is heavy, best to not attach them, too hard to handle! That would be easier for the kids to remove as well when they want to convert back to a pool table.

The big boards I have made for my house sit on ironing boards. I got a 28x40 precut plywood board and covered with some fluffy old poly batt, stapled that down, then did the same with the topping fabric. The 2nd one I made the topping fabric with an elastic casing, so it can be removed for laundering. They do get messy after a while. If you staple the batt/ fabric down, I started with opposing corners first, then went to opposing centers, ends, etc. before filling in on the sides with more staples.

My design wall is 2 huge sheets of foam core board. I covered it with gridded flannel If I had more free wall space, I would rather have it mounted on the wall, so if you have the room, I would do that. Make it as large as you can though. Mine are not large enough when working on a big quilt.

Good luck! Please send photos when done! Would love to see it.
Jody:thumbup:

Keep the pool/ping pong table ...the ping pong surface is great for a cutting table. Move it closer to your area and move the round table over to the "family" area instead. Great swap and you'll love the bigger cutting/pressing surface.