Okay folks. I just set up my 'new' sew/craft/kwilt room... and I specifically chose to put my main cutting, sewing and ironing surface in the middle of my room. BUT, I see in so many of the marvelous pics of y'alls sewing rooms... that most times the cutting and sewing surfaces are up against walls.

??? Is this just personal preference? Or are there some excellent reasons for setting up those surfaces against walls? So what am I missing here? Clue me in!

Thanks...

if I had room mine would be in the middle, you will find it so much better to be able to work from any side, I envy you

My personal choice.. is ironing near my sewing machine so all I have to do it turn around and shoot it with the iron. In my room the machine is in the middle and the ironing serface is behind me which ends up putting it next to the wall. There is no wrong ot right .. just what ever YOU want and how YOU want it!

My room isn't big enough to put anything in the middle so the only option is against the wall. Seems like it would be ideal in the center if you have the space.

I use only one cabinet/surface: the Horn 5580 tall cabinet. I have my sewing machine in it, serger set up to my right on a small elevated table which is against the wall. I have the quilt leaf open and do my main cutting on the end and back side, main ironing too. When I piece, I simply roll one of the carts around to my left, and put the smaller cut mat/iron mat on it. I keep a stool on the other side, and that back surface also works as a craft table, reading table, area to layout fabrics and trims...etc. The whole table is 40" x 60".

Now I'm wondering if I should rotate my set up. Just curious! Thanks!

My room is not quite big enough to leave in the middle of the room. I keep it against the wall but, when I need to get around it I can pull it away from the wall and get all the way around it. I don't need it all the time so therefore why waste the room to leave it in the center. I only cut from one side and the only time I need to get around it is when I am basting it.

Just re-did my sewing room and my husband modified a base kitchen cabinet from Lowes, put my cutting table top (that was on the rolling table frame that I had gotten at Joann's years ago) on top of the cabinet and installed locking wheels under it... I can move it from against the wall to middle of room when I need space to cut around and when not using whole surface, it is out of the way on the wall and I still have 3 sides to use-I store my traveling machine for classes and embroidery machine in bottom and the two drawers on top have all my cutting tools...
It is the most wonderful table!! Best thing, it looks custom, but at a DIY price!!!! :P

Space is the problem. I would love to have mine in the center of the room but it is against the wall.

When I decided to move from a small room to the largest one in the house, my cutting area was going to be in the middle and there would be all kinds of room for all of my machines and other goodies. Then along came my Gammill...

I have two 6ft banquet tables that I move around...usually in an L-shape.
One is next to me and one in front of my sewing machine which sits in its
own table.
When I want to baste a quilt I move both table in the middle and push
my sewing machine aside.

In the center of the room is preferable to me, so I can get all the way around the table :D:D:D

Mine isn't in the center of the room, but it is about 3ft away from my back work area, so I am facing away from the wall with a work/storage area behind me.

My layout tables have drop leaves and they are against the wall when not in use, but when I need them I roll them out and set them up.

Only reason I have mine against the wall is for space. I have none. Im forced to have against the wall. My dream sewing room would have it in the middle for sure. You are fortunate.

I have my cutting table in the corner, and my big board ironing board in the next room. Why? because I need all the moving around I can get!! For me I do not want every thing in a nice little U shape, did that for years, and it is one of the reasones I am in the shape I am in, so do all the getting up and down and walking I can do, hoping it will some day make a differance.
My advice? do your room to make it best for you! Do you need to have your cutting table out from wall? or next to it? Machines facing wall. window? or to the center of the room? Make your room yours and how you will do best in.

I am lucky enough with my current sewing room to have my table in the middle of the room. I like being able to move all around it. When it was against the wall I found I would pile project etc against the wall and then not be able to reach them. Amazing who creative we can become with the space we have!:)

My room dictates where I can put things to make the most usage of space available, so my cutting table is against a wall, my "working and fiddling" station is in the center, and my machine table has the right side against a wall and 3 other sides open.
I like it this way too! works great for me. I changed things a hunnerd times till it came to this set up...and I'm getting to stiff a mouse to move too many more times ;)

Me too.

My room is only 8x9 so no room in the middle and is is a total mess right now! It also has my computer in it but I took off the closet doors and hubby put in a plug so it is out of the way for the most part.

Pictures anyone? I am in the middle of renovating my sewing room today & have been wondering the same thing.

Here is mine when it was cleaned up a bit

If it's in the middle of the room you can walk all the way around it, and fabric can drape off either end, which is good.

However, if you push one long end against a wall, then you can allow all sorts of stuff to pile up on your table and it won't fall off.

Are you tidy or messy? Might make a difference...

I have mine in the center so I can walk all around it work better for me.

WOW!! You have a wonderful sewing room! I am impressed with how organized and clean it is. Great inspiration for me to not be so messy! Thanks...

mine is in the middle. so i can get to all sides if necessary.

Do you want to see a before? You would not be so impressed It was a challenge on the board last year!

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Leah Day? She is phenominal quilter who has some books and DVDs on the market. For doing FMQ, she recommends setting up your sewing maching in the (left) corner of the room, so that the quilt "pools" in the corner of your table, rather than going off the edge of the table and thus contributing to what is referred to as "drag". I have found this hint to be very helpful. In fact, her Beginners DVD is filled with great hints for newbie quilters such as myself.

My sewing room is set up in a "U" shape (and a rolling chair). I put the cutting table against the wall - it's deep enough for a mat and a squatty bookshelf (lots of storage!). A table-high bookshelf to the left of the cutting table to stack stuff and store my strips/charms. Ironing board is in the middle, in front of the window. Machine has just barely enough room behind it, but I get to stare at my stash closet while sewing! Design wall is on the opposite wall. To me, it's very efficient for the small room I have.

I like so many of you have a size issue.. I would love for it to be out in the middle but just no room... I don't think there is a wrong or right way, it is whatever works best for what you are doing... so glad you are able to have that room to work in!!!

Actually, that's a great idea. I like to move around too... simply cause I'm borderline ADHD... and jumpy if I stay in the same position for too long. lol.

I'll get on the stick and post some pictures tomorrow, when there's enough daylight to make some good shots. I'll post them over in the picture section, of course!

Ladies, thanks. I was thinking that there might be some obscure reason having to do with quilting that might make a difference. Space is indeed key. I wouldn't have room to baste a queen sized quilt in anycase cause the room is too small. If and when I need to baste a quilt that size, I've already developed a good relationship with my Local sew store. (The local quilt stores are rather cliquey and not very helpful to newbies. The sew store, however, has been extremely wonderful with their time, expertise, even parts and pieces.)
Thanks again!

That does sound very efficient and practical... things I totally get and admire. I don't have room for an ironing board, and only put it up when I'm washing/ironing a full load of fabrics or some serious yardage. Instead, I use a flat covered rectangular board, or a ironing mat for most of it. Like someone else also said, we get creative when we have to make do. Someday, maybe I'll be able to use one of the larger bedrooms, but realistically... that ain't happinin any time soon!

LOL!!! I'm both! I dislike clutter, but like to do multiple projects at once. I've got sewing, dolls, quilting, jewelry, crochet, cross stitch, rug making, crafting, small home appliance repair, painting and ribbon crafting ALL in the same room. lol. Ahh... It would be nice to have a couch and reading area, a dedicated cutting table, a big board ironing board, a seperate room for fabric storage, and a longarm... all in a 18' x 26' room. But me... I'm in a 10'x 11' or thereabouts. And no closets that I can appropriate in the house otherwise! lol. I've been looking through others pictures of sewing rooms and getting some great ideas (and some great green eyed 'monsters' of envy too!).

My quilting frame is in the basement, with a rolling chair and bookshelves behind it for my stash. The rest of the room is taken up with a treadmill, punching bag, drumset and DS's little man cave.
My real sewing room is my diningroom, which is open concept with the living room, so, if I didn't have any furniture it would be 12'x16', but with furniture, my "area" is the diningroom table, with a rolling cabinet beside me that has a small ironing surface on it, and a few cube organizers against the wall - hidden from the front door by the computer armoire.
But, now that we don't need the "armoire" anymore in this age of laptops, I've commandeered it for stash too! LOL
And no, I won't show pictures, because even my mother won't visit because of the mess!

When I had my big sewing room the cutting table was in the center. The sewing I can do either way, but I prefer the quilting table against the table. I have a 4 x 6 feet table with a well for the sewing machine. Against the wall, the quilt can not fall off the edges and I could do the biggest quilts with no weight pulling down..

My cutting table was originally away from the wall so that I could cut on either side. Last year I decided to place the table against the wall so that I could put my other two tables together in the center of my space to make one large sewing table (60" x 80"). The table my computer/printer is on completes the L shape at one end of the cutting table.

I want to get a digital camera so that I can share pictures.

Midwestqltr

Good point. I'll remember that for when I quilt something bigger than a wall size. hum

If I had the room my cutting table would be in the middle so that I could get to both sides. Sometimes it is a bit of a 'pain' when I can't easily move to the opposite side. I think we all do the best we can with the space we have available.

featherweight, I like your sewing room it looks great

I think this is ideal! Mine is in the middle of the room, at times I like it and many times I wish I could roll it towards the wall!

I like to be able to walk around the tables and get at all sides. Also I don't have any unused wall space. I have a wall of storage, a wall of cabinetry and snatches of space for more sewing machines. I would post a pic but you guys have already seen mine and are ready to shoot me with green daggers.