MarthaT

For many years my sewing room was a closet in our bedroom. Since in our previous home my sewing room was the dining room table, I thought it was great to at least have doors to close over my mess at the end of the day. Our bedroom had been added on to before we purchased it and now had a walk-in closet which we used for our clothes and storage, so the original bedroom closet with bi-fold doors, became my sewing closet. I put a small desk in it for my machine and storage in the drawers. A clamp on lamp gave good lighting. There was lots of storage on the overhead shelf. I could hang things on the closet rod, even fabric folded over a hanger. In the space at one end of the desk was room to slide in my ironing board. At the other end of the desk I could store things like quilt batts. On the wall behind the desk I could pin up guide sheets, clippings of ideas, etc. I didn't worry about holes in the wall because, after all it was a closet! While it was not as ideal as having a full-blown sewing room, it was a great alternative. Look around your home for a corner of a room, or a closet that can accommodate a desk. You may be surprised what you can tuck into a small space.
Jcrow, I'm so sorry about your children. My mother has, in her sewing room, a futon on a frame that allows it to turn into a double bed and she makes into a bed when we are there. Would your children like to sleep in a bed like that and be in your home, rather than in a motel? There are 6 kids in my family and when we all come home with our families, we max out my parent's house (3 bdrms, 2 bath, sewing rm, even the screened porch & laundry room!), camper, and another camper that they sometimes borrow. But we'd rather have a big slumber party there and share the bathrooms, floors, etc. than be in motels. Are they upset at you taking their room or at not being able to wake up at Mom's house? Don't know what we are going to do as a number of grandchildren are getting married and having kids. I think we are finally outgrowing the place! (Maybe start using the attic! LOL!)