We have an "alternative" lifestyle -- we're full-time RVers! So I sew, craft, bead etc on our dining table. I "hide" the machine between the back of a chair and the wall. My cutting mat and rulers are under our bed and projects are in ziplock bags (varying sizes) stashed where ever I find a spot. Not much stash to speak of, but I do have several "projects in waiting".
So you see you can manage just about anything, if you have adequate motivation!
Good luck to you in your new venture. And, you'll be allowing some nice student a homey place to live.