I am in the bigger is better crowd. My long arm (Nolting 24" with 12' frame...wish it was a 14) and all it's supplies...batting, thread, pantos, etc...have half of a double garage unless I back the car out and then I get lots more room. I have my ironing board set up in this room too. I do my piecing on a kitchen table underneath the double windows in that room. I thought I would look out some. Not!!! All my fabric and large cutting table, and 1 more sewing machine is in the converted 15 x 20 shop with only a door between us. It, also, has a small bath. Love having that in there. I have large open shelving units along every wall in that room totally filled with fabric, old timey sewing patterns, quilting patterns, fun rulers, some yarn, fleece and who knows what else? I am a fabric junkie, so I have run totally out of space. I have totes - 2 to a shelf (about 15) filled with kits, specialty fabric...Christmas, Fall, Kids...and UFO's. I'll never get all the UFO's sewed, but that is my goal in 2018. Get half the UFO's (about 35) finished before I start on the kits. That will free up some space. Don't forget to add some space for storage of completed quilts and tops that need to be quilted. And on another shelving unit, I have thread sets/types sorted in Joan project boxes...probably 10 of those and a roll around plastic cart that has drawers with a complete 360 thread color set for when I want to embroidery on home/embroidery unit. I buy yardage when I buy fabric....don't have but a few fat quarters.
OMG....I need to get in there now and get something done. Christmas is a coming!
Overall, if I could design my own space, I would have cabinets that I could close the doors on with shelves that are 1" taller than folded twice and then rolled around a 6 inch wide ruler for my fabric. I would have a wall, that had several design walls on it, that either turn to the side or pull out for easier viewing and access. Similar to how they display the rugs in Home Depot or Lowe's. That way the projects wouldn't end up out of sight, out of mind. I would have a large cutting table, would love a 4' x 8' one, with pull out drawers all around for all the rulers, rotary cutters, blades, paper for figuring out dimensions and pencils. And larger drawers for the fabric you are working on in the current project. A wood roll around cart for all the embroidery supplies and I have a lot of different stabilizers, thread and patterns. Roll around so I can take it to the project. Figure out your U shaped sewing area for every machine and build them with rollers, that you can lock in place, with features, like being able to move the machines up and down for level sewing areas. Don't forget a sitting area with a small couch or recliner so hubby can come visit while you create. I'm thinking my perfect room would be about 20 by 60.
Last edited by Barb in Louisiana; 12-19-2017 at 07:54 AM.