Okay need some advice on the pros and cons of an outdoor building or shed for a sewing room. We have a fairly small house already filled with all the crafts I do so I need more room if I want to sew. Hubby thinks a "garden/cabin" style shed would make a great sewing room in the back yard. I could have heat or air when I needed but it wouldn't be heated when I wasn't out there at all. We live in NC so we have cold months and hot months. What are the risks to the fabric being in a building not heated or cooled?
Thanks.

I'm thinking humidity will be the major issue. Changing temps will cause condensation. Plus, will it be critter proof?

Could you insulate the cabin shed???? I live in the same kind of weather and though I'd love the extra room, I don't know how my fabric would survive.

I don't think it's a good idea unless you're going to build it just as if it was another part of the house- fully up to code, insulated, etc. In which case you might as well just build another room onto the house!

Here's a good link on storing quilts and fabric in general.

http://www.getcreativeshow.com/semin...ing_quilts.htm

A good rule of thumb is to store your fabric the way you would store food (canned and boxed goods). They have to be stored in a place with even temperatures, otherwise the food will spoil and lose its nutritional value much more quickly. Fabric is the same way (minus the nutritional value!) :mrgreen:

It sounds like a great solution. A place all to yourself.... but I encourage you to throughly research. I agree with all the earlier comments about consistent temp and insulation. Don't let that discourage you. It just may work....and could be totally adorable, comfy place for you.

I recall another board member that has done this very same thing. There are pics of her building and the wip. I will try to find the link.

*** Here is the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-103882-1.htm

You may reach out to her and glean from her wisdom!!

Good luck!

Should you do that I would definitely use Damp X or Damp Rid. It's a container you open and set out, it removes all the excess moisture from the air. We use it in our cabin when it's closed up for months at a time. We are always amazed at how much water is in the container. We used to have mold issues but not anymore. It works wonders.

I store my fabric and machines in my main living space. I figure if it's confortable for me, my stash and machines are safe. I would worry about the temperature changes for both my fabric and especially my machine. They say not to subject your machine to cold because it seizes up the lubricants. I would worry about mildew on my fabrics.

My sewing room is a separate building from my house and I have a window air conditioner and I use an oil filled heater that you can find at Wal-Mart or Lowes. I only turn my air or heat on when I am plan on being in my sewing room, Honestly I have had this setup for years (probably 10 years)and no problem with my machines or fabric, I'm in Kentucky and we have some cold winters and a lot of humidity in the summer.
the condensation is never been a problem, Like in the winter I will turn my heater on a couple of hours before I aim to sew and everything in the room heats up together now If I took a cold machine into a warm room then you have condensation.
I have a Juki and several Brother machine and I have pretty good stash of fabric and absolutely no problem. Good Luck!

What do you mean "minus the nutritional value" It's full of fiber! :D :-D

And by the way, love your signature :-).