cricket_iscute

I thought about this very subject when I designed my sewing room furniture (and hubby made it out of red oak). I left about 12 inches to the right of the sewing machine, on the top where I could easily grab things. I have a red tool box tray there, and it has small baskets glued to it. Inside the baskets are everything I would need to grab in a hurry: seam rippers, thread snips, threaders, stiletto, some bobbins that are in use (others are in their case in the drawer below), some machine feet I'm switching to and from, dental tools and tweezers for grabbing threads, measuring devices, tapes, etc., seam creasers, hand needles, a big pincushion, extra set of eyeglasses, pens, pencils, etc. I put these things in the tray so I could take them to another machine if I was using one in it's own cabinet. Scissors are sometimes there, but usually on the table to the left of the tray. I also discovered that if I taped some bubble wrap down there, my table doesn't get scratched with the frequent movement of sharp tools.

I have a cone thread holder behind the machine, and a phone to the right of the machine.

I have drawers that contain scissors, making pens, quilting tools, patterns, small supplies, extra supplies that I keep at hand, bobbin trays, needle storage boxes, starter pieces of fabric, and ironing supplies. I have a surface that pulls out on the left and is the perfect height and size for cutting, pressing, laying blocks out, etc. I use a press and cut 12 inch mat in the top drawer on the right and a small iron for pressing.

I have a cutting table, with a drawer deep enough for my Go stripper dies, plus any rulers. Small rulers have their own drawer, and I keep my most used ones in a basket to the left of my main table, along with rotary cutters. The cutting table is the ideal height for me, about 36 inches, and has two large wings that I can bring up. It, like all my furniture, is on wheels.

I also have an extension table with wings that is behind my main sewing table, the same height, red oak, and is very helpful for quilt support during quilting.

My main table takes any machine (set down into the table) and I have other machines in cabinets.

I thought about this for a long time before I asked hubby to build it, and it has remained perfect for years. I made the whole table - and other items in the sewing room - to be flexible for changing needs. I sew quilts and clothing.

Cricket