olebat

Normally, I have little trouble putting into words the images I have in my head. However, ‘tis said, that a picture is worth a thousand words. So I made a brief sketch which may say in fewer words another option to consider.

This does not take into consideration the placement of doors, outlets or overhead lighting, but is considering that the right hand wall is windowed, at least from one third up.

I drew this on a piece of paper 8.5 X 14, so the room was scaled to coincide with your measurements of 8X12. The book cases were a standard 3' wide X 1' deep, available from most Target, K and Walmart type stores. Ikea systems have more flexible sizes.

By positioning book cases extending out from the brick wall, instead of linearly, you can actually create more useable space. The open shelving can be for books, fabrics, drawers of notions, patterns or whatever. The back sides can be covered with pegboard for templates, stencils, tools, design wall, etc. Book cases may need to be tied together by screwing planks between them, but is a convenient way to attach additional lighting. On the open ends, a heavy curtain rod for drapes to darken the fabric storage area when you aren’t fondling your fabric or want to close off an untidy area. I have an ironing cover on my cutting table, so it saves the space of a separate ironing board. Also, a small pressing pad next to the sewing machine for the piece pressing is handy.

You’ll have a lot of space below the windows for the plastic drawer units which are so popular. Batting can be stored on top of the book cases which are back to back.

The sketch seems to have re-sized a bit, the chair was in a corner, and the sewing station was much closer to the window wall.