I am considering the idea of organizing a sewing/quilting area in my basement. (I live in Wisconsin so we have basements here). Are there any special considerations when keeping your machines in the basement? I do not have any water problems in the basement area so I am pretty sure my machines are safe from water. I also keep a dehumidifier in another area so that helps the dampness. I have three pieces of exercise equipment near by so when I get bored with quilting I could jump on the treadmill....hmm, don't think that will be happening much.

Sounds ideal. Sew, stretch, run; sew, stretch, run. My friend has her sewing area in her basement and has had no problems. She did put her plugs at chair rail level so she didn't have to keep going to the floor to plug stuff in and this works great. Hope you will send pics when you have it done.

In the Pictures section someone showed pictures this week of their sewing room in the basement. It was awesome...so much space! If it's not carpeted it might be cold, but personally I hate carpet in a sewing room....I'd much rather have wood floors, tile floors or cement...easier to sweep up scraps and threads! But...I would simple feel in heaven if I had a nice large sewing room!

Sounds like a great place to sew!

Thanks Vannesa...I have seen that picture this week and that has helped me to make my decision. As much as I like to sew on the main floor in my home, I cannot have the mess in my dining room all the time.

I have mine in my basement and have a dehumidifier running down there for the dampness. I don't have carpet, just a cement floor and I got some of those foam squares that interlock like a puzzle and have them under my feet at the sewing machine and along my quilting frame and cutting table. I love it down there, no one usually bothers me or even knows where I am!!!

In my other home I had my sewing room in the basement.Haad water lines bust & you guessed it. Lots of water on lots of fabric. I did 80 loads of laundry & then had to iron it all. Never again will I put my room in there. Also felt like I was in a dark hole. We had to cover up the windows when they built the front porch. I alawys called it MY HOLE. Personally I hated it. Depressing to be down there even with a tv or radio. We built a new log home & now we have a walk out basement & I have a beautiful view & a door to go outside that lets fresh air in. Water pipes to house is clear on the other side. Don't think it could ever get to my room. Love it. Donna, The Rustic Quilter

I love my basement sewing room. My basement is unfinished, we don't have a huge problem with water so I haven't had any problems. The basement stays the same temperature all year round about 60 or 65. Just wear shoes. I have a huge braided rug on the floor and my sewing cabinets are on that. I also have a Treadclimber that is mostly used for a quilt rack instead of it's intended purpose, but that's another story.

I dragged a cable through so I could hook up a TV to watch cable.

Great idea...as long as there is no dampness you should be okay

I have 'one of many' sewing areas in my basement...guess you can say it's the main one. No special things done for the machines or fabrics. Just a dehumidifier run in the summer but that would happen normally. The dehumidifier makes even dry basements smell so much better!

I also love my area down there because it's right next to the washer and dryer and laundry gets done very easily and quickly. If I quit for the day, I can leave the area just as it is and come back to it a week later and it'll be the same as I left it. No worry about someone moving something or company coming over!

Go for it! Provide adequate lighting fixtures and task lighting at your machine, and a radio and you should be fine.

I have a treadmill and a stationary bike downstairs and they're NEVER used!

Mine is in the basement. But, the basement is finished. I do have a burber carpet remnant. I love my room and it's privacy. You just need a lot of light.

I just recently set up my quilting area in the basement. We have a dehumidifier. I make sure and do a few loads of laundry while I am quilting which is in a room next to my sewing area. My DH has put in a new ceiling & all new track lighting! It is awesome. TV set up in ironing area! It is so nice to be able to leave the area & come back and it is as I left it! Moving everything from the kitchen at mealtime was getting old! Lots a room, warm and bright, what more could I ask for!!? Moooore fabric!! :)

I have my sewing room in the basement, we have a 4 level
home and it is in the 4th level. I LOVE it there I have radio and a TV down there. One nice thing is you do not have to put everything away when you are done. (YEAH)
:thumbup:

I had some quilts stored in the basement, which is only half below grade and top half wood frame construction. The quilts were always above grade. They still got a musty smell, but it goes away after a day of airing.

I have the room in the basement but with it being unfinished it is way too cold to work down there. My poor fingers won't work right. I may end up moving down there this summer!

Just another health consideration. I would run a radon test (you can get a kit at most home improvement stores) to make sure the levels aren't too high, since you plan on spending lots of time there.

My sewing room is in the basement ever since mother-in-law moved in and kids moved out! I took over the largest bedroom so I could fit my short-arm in there. I have had it in the other bedroom (guestroom) and the rec-room, but like the biggest one better-can spread out more and lots of shelves in closet for storing containers and such.
I do have a little light issue, but that is easily resolved. I also have a large sewign cabinet in the main part of the house (grand room) because my MIL can't be left alone while awake for long.

I have a studio in the basement. I love it . No one knows its all down there , and I can leave it as is and come back without the stress of looking at my mess.
I am in IL. so our "conditions" are similar. A few things , do get a dehumidifer both for the fabric and the machine. Computerized machines do not like prolonged humidity. This is a summer issue. I love sewing there in the summer as it is so cool. But do get a space heater for the winter. I preheat the space for about 20 minutes before sewing. Its surprising how much heat comes off the iron , so once I am into it , I turn off the space heater.
I put lots of flouesant lights in the space so its like daylight in my room.... but any light will fade fabric over time , so plan for how to keep your stash from the light exposure.
Consider purchasing a battery backup for your sump pump on the rare chance that a power outage might cause a flood, they are called an "ace inthe Hole".
I do some times miss a window but find having it out of sight from the rest of the house is worth the trade off.
Oh one last tip, inthe winter I wear wool socks , sounds like not a big deal ... but it really made a huge differnce since the floor is always cool. The dogs love that I am down there in the summer , as they love the cool floor.

sounds like a good plan to me...

What great suggestions you all have! That is why I like this board. I often use the 'search' option and read past posts for ideas too especially when making a purchase on a quilting tool. Wishing you all a very Happy 2011 of quilting success.

i'm also in an unfinished basement - but painted the walls a sunshiney yellow, laundry room is a pretty green. I have plenty of ceiling lights and i do have space heaters down there for the winter and gotta wear shoes on my feet to keep them warm(i'm a slipper sock person) I do have carpet on the floor thru out the basement, so it isn't stepping on cold concrete.

Love being able to leave the mess!!!

I hand quilt, and i have the frame set up in my office

I think it sounds great! If you don't have any windows? Try putting up pictures of the outdoors, framed in old window frames, you can even add curtains over them :wink:
It is an illusion, but it does help, and YOU get to choose your scenery :D:D:D

Basements fine, I've run my long arming business from there for three years now almost 4. Jane pieces and sews, we have batting racks, backing shelves, Jane's quilting stash--( Cloth Knox-LOL)and other machines etc. We kept everything out of harms way, overhead pipes, etc, just in case and run a dehumidifier in the summer and all has been well. If you don't or haven't had problems just don't create any--landscaping or something that may cause water back-up and you should be fine. Where in the Icey Bowl state are ya from? Dave B.

The only problem that occurred to me you took care of withe the dehumidifier. You might need some sort of heater if your basement is not heated.

I also live in WI, Almond. I am currently trying to move my sewing room to another area of our house. I have a extra bedroom that is my sewing room, but I never sew in there. Instead I sew at the dinning room table, where I can look out into our back yard, and see wildlife and day light. Plus that location allows me to multi task. One option I have is to move downstairs to the bedroom down there, but I am afraid I will not use it.
I am envious of people that have a nice sewing area, mine just isn't large enough for all my stuff. I would love to have a sewing studio. Maybe I could just turn the dinning area into my sewing area. LOL
Even though I sew at the dining room table, it is not messy. But it sure would be nice to have everything in one area, where you wouldn't have to put things away all the time.
Good luck with your room, it will be fine, good suggestions from everyone.

My quilting area is in 1/2 basement and I love it!
We have a woodstove to take off the chill in winter, and wonderfully cool in the summer. Sometime if I get to missing upstairs will take my machine up to the Kitchen area. But usually it is just me during the day so am found quilting down there. I do have carpet (not my favorite) but it does keep toesy's warm especially with those new minky feeling socks out now.

My sewing area.... is in the basement and I have had no problems. Right now the only problem I have is my sewing area has been taken over by Christmas and Jan. 8th a baptismal party. Then...... back to sewing. I have a list I need to get started on soon.

I am in NC and my sewing room is in the basement and I have no problems. I find it is the ideal place as it stays cool in the summers and a little heater in th winter is all I need to help keep it warm.

I outgrew my 8x1- room upstairs so I moved to the basement. I do have a dehumdifier . I placed an area rug where I have my machine the floor has old tile on it. I have an old large dinning room table that I can lay things out on on just on lol. Everything is so handy .Cutting board,iron,material. my husband has the other side facing me where he does his Bible studies and household bills. It gives us time together.I also have MS and he built me and esculator to ride up and down so I don't need to waste energy climbing the steps. You will love it and no one else needs to see your room when it gets a little messy lol Have fun in the move good time to sort and organize. Happy quilting

I have my sewing room in the basement and I love it. My mess is out of the way and it is nice and quiet. Only draw back is there is not sun.

Rosalia856, I couldn't agree with you more, no one needs to see it at its worst! Love the basement and lucky you to have such a considerate husband to get you and esculator! Sounds ideal.

I should have mentioned we have a walk out basement with a window that helps distract me and also make me smile as the sun beams in in the early a.m.. My Millennium takes up an 18 ft x 10 ft space just on its own, I have a layout table I made for cutting straight long edges, squaring tops, and ironing those huge backings and tops before I long arm them. Then Janes area! Yup, its definitely a sewing basement--THE WHOLE THING-LOL We also have a wood burning furnace which make it nice and toasty through the whole house. The basement is not finished and we kind of like that --open without too many walls. We use a lot of fold out tables for all the sewing machines and serger areas too.
Gotta get sewing---Take Care--Dave B.

I have mine in the basement. LOVE IT.

I had my sewing room in my basement and I loved the quiet and open space. But after a while I realized that lighting was a problem. I only have a small window. I have moved my sewing room to my sun porch and it is so much better for me. If you sew in your basement just make sure, if you don't have windows you get good lighting and it will be great.

Definitely. My "studio", as I call it, is in my basement. Every house we've lived in (in 3 states, in past 15 years) I've had my studio in the basement. Never had a water problem; this house my basement is the warmest place in winter and the coolest in the summer. There is a treadmill too, which I do sometimes use! And a TV, since I like background noise. The iron stays set up next to my area too. The floors are cement, but I have put down inexpensive area rugs, so it is comfy. The main issue in my current house was the basement lighting, but I have one of those bright light floor lamps that I put right over my machine, and I bought a big clip light (kind of industrial-looking, like a garage work lamp) to brighten up the whole area. Behind my machine was just some studs framing a wall area which is not drywalled, so I covered it with fabric! Now I can pin up various items and blocks and it is my inspiration wall. The best part is that I can leave work in progress around and not worry about the mess, and I can clean it up when I choose too. I have several plastic drawer bins to hold my things, and I have 2 closed bookcases that hold my fabric, batting, and other stuff. It's my area and I love it. Go for it!!

I had mine in the basement for many years and didn't experience any machine or fabric problems. But we don't have a window (except the stupid 12" one) so I don't get any natural light, but most importantly, I can't see what's going on outside, and felt completely disconnected. Finally moved one son down there, and took over his room upstairs and I'm much happier.

When I was a teenager, running around the house barefoot, I accidentally stepped on a needle which had gotten embedded in the carpet fibers on our stairs. It broke off at the skin when I jumped and had to be removed in the emergency room (my Dad's a doctor but I wouldn't let him cut it out at home). My Mom's sewing room was in the basement, and it was a good place for it. Still, my husband and I have carpet everywhere in our house, so I'm extra careful with pins and needles and don't go barefoot anymore.

I live in Wisconsin also. I have my room in one of the bedrooms in our basement. Since we have 3 patio doors down there and it is a big walk out, it works great. I love my privacy and no one bothers me. We are getting ready to move my sewing room to a larger space in the basement, which includes one of the patio doors. It is unfinished but that is part of the move. We purchased the carpet tile squares which you do not glue down. They seem to be working great. When we are finished I will post pictures.

My sewing room is in the basement, I love it! And yes the treadmill is a must-mine makes a great storage space for fabric! LOL.
My 4 yr old grandson (& his parents & baby brother) are visitng for the holidays (they live 3000 miles from us so don't get here often enough for him to remember our house). He is fascinated with my sewing area & seriously asked if that is where I live.

I've lived in my house for 30 years and have always thought of putting my sewing room in the basement, but we heat with wood and it doesn't heat the basement. I don't think it would be good for the machines. My machine was first set up in the laundry room. Then I had it in the spare bedroom, got married again and gave my room up for my step daughter. Moved it out on the balcony over the livingroom. Now all four kids are gone and I have my own sewing room again. When our house sells and we move into a house all on one level I will have a basement sewing room. I hope to get a long arm and have everything in one place.