mountainwoman

No separate room to turn into a sewing room? No problem! I live in a relatively small 2-bedroom apartment, and the second bedroom is occupied by my grandson. The master suite bedroom area is approx. 16x16 with a large en suite. When I began quilting about a year and a half ago, I placed my sewing machine on one end of my large L-shape computer station; fabrics were stowed in a large bin placed at the foot of my bed, cutting mats placed on top of that, along with rulers -you get the picture. I had a lovely piano in my bedroom, so there was no place for a sewing station. When my grandson bought a new TV and mounted it on the wall in the living room, I was able to move my piano into the living room, freeing up this corner to create my sewing nook. I considered using pegboard, but I wound up using Command strips to hang various sewing tools, and I am really glad I did. Now, my cutting mats (one of them is a cutting mat and a reversible ironing pad, which I use a lot when pressing seams on squares, etc.) are hung on the wall; on an adjacent wall I have my rulers, various types of scissors, bobbin holders, and a thread rack (and need to add another). On the wall beneath my cutting mats is a 4-drawer storage unit (the top has divisions and holds my pin cushion, a seam measuring ruler, marking pens, seam ripper, etc. Next to it is a wide three-drawer unit that contains quilt tops waiting to be quilted and related fabric; I store my Quilting Binder and a couple of pattern books on top of this unit. Both of these units have my precuts -charm packs, layer cakes, and Jolly Bars (5x10). The VERY BEST ITEM? My 4' table! There are three height settings, two of which I use: If I am sewing, I use the midpoint and set my sewing machine on it; by pulling it out a bit, the quilt can fall behind the table, and there is plenty of room to spread it out as I quilt. I mostly bought this table, however, for cutting fabric. It can be raised to counter height (36"), and it is perfect for cutting fabric, pressing seams on quilting squares, etc. As you can see from my photo, everything is neatly stored and easily accessible!

To finish out the room, I have an over-the-door ironing board on the entrance door to my bedroom --just drop it down and iron the fabric before cutting or press a quilt top, etc., then pop it up out of the way. I have a cedar chest at the foot of my bed for storing completed quilts, which are either gifts or are donated to charity through my quilting group that meets twice a month to make quilts for those in need. There are two closets in my en suite, so I have two bins in there to store my stash. I'm thinking about adding a shelf or two beneath the cutting boards to hold the quilting books I have just begun to collect, and I'd like to add some individual completed quilt squares to add some color and decor to this space.

Would I love to have a dedicated sewing room? Of course! But things are what they are, and I am very happy with my highly functional quilting nook. I encourage anyone out there who has limited space to study your space carefully --I bet there is a sewing nook for you, too, just waiting to be discovered!

just janet

I have a corner of my Family Room. I keep it as neat as possible as you do. I make everything from coasters to queen size quilts. I also have a closet for things that are necessary, like batting, rulers etc that I like to keep "out of sight" Love it, I call it my Happy Place!

Jane Quilter

nice job......everything you need............

Tartan

​Nifty nook!

Nammie to 7

You have set up a very nice sewing area!

crafty pat

You did a wonderful job utilizing your space. It looks like a lovely place to work.

rryder

Very nice sewing area. You did a good job maximizing your space.

Rob

NJ Quilter

Well done! Nice and neat as well as highly functional.

MsHeirloom

You have really made a functional, cozy space for yourself. Congratulations, and may you have many happy hours creating in your space!

mountainwoman

Oh, I love what you call your sewing space -the Happy Place! I think one of the things I love is having a space for everything, easily accessible, and, like you, being able to keep things neat. Happy Sewing in your Happy Place!