Today I moved everything out of sewing room. My son and his family are moving in. So my sewing space is now in the corner in the living room. My fabric is all over. Under the bed, in the garage and in the camper. Has any one else had to make a major reduction in there sewing area? How did you handle it? I know this not a forever thing, just until they back on their feet. Any word of advise is welcomed.

Hi,

hugs to you, take care and hope you can get you a nice area to sew soon

Happy Quilting

Can you add on to your house?

Hi,
Many sympathies. My 4 bedrooms are filled with my daughter & her 2 friends. I sew in my bedroom. I rented a storage unit. It's not that much money & it helped me get rid of things we don't need right now. Big hug, Dotty

My DD and grandbabies also live with us. I sew in the kitchen when everyone is asleep or on weekends when the babies visit their other Mamaw and Papaw. My fabric and sewing things are in two tall cabinets with doors in my room.

I keep hoping that someday DD and SIL will finally decide to get them a place. I don't mind them living with us. I get to love and spoil my babies every day. But they need a room of their own, where they can play with their toys no one can fuss at them.

This may sound cold , but could they live in the camper for a while, up side is they would be close, have there own space, and you'd be able to keep the sewing room, guess you could always retire to mom's retreat, sewing room /camper. Hate anyone to loose the sewing space, not sure I'd give mine up. Good Luck :) Hope it all works out!! and know it will!! :)

When I read your title line I thought oh no, not another death or cancer.....I think I would change your title to say, I'm thankful I can be there in my son's time of need. JMHO

Find a small camper for sale and use that as your sewing place. It's worth it and when things are back to normal, you have instant hotel room when needed.

Both of my grown sons are 1000+ miles away - in opposite directions from me. I would give a lot to have them living with me. No offense meant to the poster - but as much as I love quilting... I'd take up knitting.

Sending HUGS your way, however, I am thankful that you took them in and are helping them. It's never easy to give up our sewing rooms, but I would do it in a heartbeat if my kids needed to be here with me. Good Luck, and hopefully all will work out for you.

It is just a hump in the rd. Things are tough right now for many. Just be glad you can help out even if it means losing your sewing room.

First, heres a big hug........Over the past few years we have had my stepson move-in twice. After he moved the first time I set up everything in a spare bedroom in the basement. Then my step-daughter, her babies father and new born moved in. Moved everything out of the room for them, after they had been gone a few weeks, my stepson was back. Last Jan. I turned my spare bedroom on the main floor into my sewing space. My stepson moved out in Aug and my BIL moved in in Sept. My wonderful hubby said the sewing room stays, its my spot and if we are helping out family they will have to make due with the basement. We also have a camper and I would try to set that up for your sewing space. You aren't the only one sharing your home with family, it's not always easy, try to think of the positive things that can come because of these changes. My BIL has been wonderful in helping us around the house, which gives me more "me" time. God bless.

Hope it works out okay.

((hugs))

It can be stressful - and if you had been waiting a long time to have your OWN space - I think it's okay to feel a bit sad/resentful/angry for a while about having to give it up.

We moved to a smaller home a year ago and only have two bedrooms. So, I am cramped into one half of the second bedroom and sometimes on my dining room table depending on the project..but it works. I just have to climb up and down the stairs which is sometimes painful,,so I plan accordingly

There's just as many feelings as there are persons who have had to make these big adjustments and no side is right or wrong. It all falls in the 'normal' category. Your son and his family are going thru emotions too, just like you. It's wonderful that you all have that type of relationship and want to be there to help each other. Many families are not that way.

You've shown yourself to be loving and self-sacrificing for the well being of your family and not put your interests first. There's absolutely nothing wrong with feeling sad either and no one should make you feel guilty in any way because that's how YOU feel, IMHO.

Would it be something maybe you could get your DDIL interested in?

I have given up my sewing room twice. The first time to my newborn twin DD's. I made myself a sewing place in the dining room. We moved to NC in 2006. I took over the formal dining room as my sewing room. In 2009 our DS moved in with us. I set up his bed and desk in my sewing room. We've been sharing it ever since. It's a royal pain, but we manage. He works a lot of nights, and I let him sleep even though he tells me to go ahead and sew while he sleeps. My fabric is scattered all over the house. It's a treasure hunt to find what I what sometimes. I have down sized my stash somewhat, and will be cleaning out more soon.

Well, after we bought this house we realized there is absolutly no storage space anywhere! (we bought it for the irrigated land for our horses) Maybe set up a small table or area that can be left out and set your machine up so it is part of the decor for now and think outside the box for creative storage areas for your works in progress and extra supplies. Kitchen counters can be used for cutting mats and press boards and then put away when you are done. small cabinets can hold alot if you are creative. Maybe a smaller but tall cabinet to hold lots of material. Maybe something cheap from a thrift store or garage sale and paint it to match your decor. If the camper is big enough you could keep your stash out there and organize it so you know where everything is.

Mention was made of a camper - is there one available? If so, make that YOUR room. For sewing, reading, your get-away spot. You will need time and space for yourself, no matter how helpful your family is. And put a sign on the door "Knock before even thinking of entering." My son and his fiance lived with us for 6 months. They worked nights, slept days - so different from hubby's and my schedule. I couldn't get away from them, even when they were sleeping!! No vacuuming till they woke up, stuff like that. Feel free to come and vent to us, that's for sure!!

You could also look into those greenhouse/storage building that they have with the windows and stuff. Some of them have porches and are really cute. Put a window unit with air and heat and have a quiet get away for yourself :D Then when the kids get back on their feet, it could be a wonderful playhouse for the grandkids :D

I don't see your post as complaining at all... just a request for advice on how to handle the changes being made. Blessings on you for being willing to move your sewing area while helping out family. In these harsh economical times it's important that family come first - many of us may find ourselves in this situation in the near future. It'd be great if you could find a small area to set up your machine - even if you have to clean it up each time you are done... hope your family gets back on their feet soon.

I did that. Our house is older and they had built on another Master Room. I got the original as my sewing "Suite". It was originally one big room but there has been a wall put up so its two rooms. One with a bathroom and the sink and two nice closets. My daughter moved back home to go to college and I was glad to make room for her ~ she got the bathroom side ~ and now I have everything in the one room. Its been a mess...I usually end up on the dining table so I can spread out. I recently got tubs to store the things that I NEED but don't use all the time. The chore for me has been how to decide whats absolutely necessary to keep out.

In the "olden days" when extended families shared space, there was still time and space allotted to sewing and quilting. It may give you a new appreciation for your craft and an opportunity to whittle down the stash to manageable proportions (or sort your stash into project bags). You already know that family always comes first. Any chance the new housemates may be interested in sharing your hobby in some manner?

I agree. Just because you are doing the right thing for family doesn't mean you you shouldn't be a little upset that it means giving something important to you up for a while. You're a good person but not a saint. ;-)

Perhaps you can take this opportunity to do some handwork that is portable and doesn't take up much space. You might find that you enjoy the change of pace, and it would make dealing with a difficult situation less stressful.

I can only imagine your pain. Look at the upside...you still have a space for sewing. :?

It is just the two of us in a three bedroom home with a den. I am still cramped with all my sewing stuff and we have a storage unit too. We always spread out to fill the spaces we have, it is in our nature. But we can squeeze back in when needed. Here is a hug and good luck to all of you. It is a tough time for many right now.

Thank you all of your good thoughts. I know this won't last long. You given me some ideas on how to continue to sew. Thank you so much.

Sending you hugs. I have not had to go back but have exoperience with having to put it all away and using the dining table when available late at night. I used plastic large storage bings and oragnized by theme. I had an Hawaiian bin, a large bolt of batting, and several other large bins. When not in use I put the bins 4 and the big box of batting in my walk in closet. I was also so fortunate to be able to clear out a taller narrrow dresser type and I put FQ in there by color. All rulers and a cutting mat etc. where in one of those big bags. When I quilted I would pull stuff out. You might also want to make your own kits with all the fabric and items you need to make a complete quilt. Then put the other fabric away in large bins in storage like garage, attic or walk in closet.

Hugs, Anna

I am so spoiled, living by myself. When I have company, I have to quick shuffle stuff around.
It is good of you to share with them. Do set a time limit, though, and insist that they work toward leaving. This isn't a vacation for anyone.

Have them pay SOMETHING towards the living costs - that way they may not feel like such big losers - and you may not feel quite as "put upon"

Yes, I've made major changes from having a sewing room to loosing the sewing room because a child came home. In fact, this has happened about 4 tmes.

I've moved my sewing things in and out of so many different rooms because of my family's needs, that I've gotten to be a pro at it.

Here is what I learned...
1. I have one cabinet (always kept in the dining room no matter where my sewing room/area is at.) (My cabinet is a armoire type cabinet.) In that cabinet I have all of my sewing accessories (in little plastic bins) from bobbins, needles, machine accessories to lace, elastic and anything else that would be a pain to hunt for. I never try to move this cabinet. It is in a place where I can access it even if someone is staying in my sewing room.

2. Any new project that I start (whether I have a sewing room or just a sewing area) goes into it's own plastic rectangle tub. These tubs are only about 4 " tall and I can easily stack one rectangle tube onto another tub. That way, no matter which area I'm going to sew at, I have my project all together.

3. I have my thread in it's own thread carrying box. I have a sewing box where I keep the things I need (like thimbles, a few bobbins for the machine I'm using, scissors, fabric cutter, tape measurer, needles for my machine. I have a carrying case that will hold a cutting mat and a ironing pad.

I have portable lamps to be moved to wherever I may be sewing so that I have plenty of lamps.

I have my stash folded (the way Alaska Sunshine showed in the tutorial) but I put them in tubs instead of on shelves. I stack these tubs where ever I can find a place to keep them.

As for batting, I usually buy it in the package and I just stuff that where ever I can.

There you go...all of my sewing supplies and projects are portable and I can easily access anything in a few minutes whether I have a sewing room or not.

Never had a sewing room - so I just set up wherever I can at the time. Usually a table in the dining room.
look on the bright side - it will be nice seeing your grandkids more often.

I feel your pain. I'm in the process of clearing out my two spare bedrooms (one of which was my sewing room) so my daughter, SIL and grandson can move in. They sold their house and will be living with us while they build a new one.

We're more than willing to have them here for six months or so, but it's also hard to give up rooms we're used to having. Our grandson is two; he gets into everything, and my sewing machine is irresistible to him. I guess I'll be sewing after he goes to bed.

I only have 2 bedrooms, one I use as my sewing room, and spare bedroom. When my daughter and family come to stay, they have my larger bedroom, and I move into the sewing room, cum bedroom. I have to dismantle my worktops and store everythiing on top of each other. I do not get the opportunity to quilt while they are here,but worth every minute.

Hugs to you. My first suggestion is the rules, expectations and duties. They need to help a lot aroung the house. Cleaning, laundry cooking, yardwork.....

Second: you need your time and space and your sewing area is OFF limits....

Third: take time for YOU!!!! if you want to sew in peace and quiet, have them leave for an hour. They can go to the mall or park. They need time together also.

Last. Remember....We're here for you. Deep Breaths....Hugs coming your way. Thanks for sharing.

When my husband and I separated I had to sell the farm. I lost my beautiful sewing room (when we built the house I designed my sewing space) and my DD,DGS and I moved into a much smaller house where I had an alcove in my bedroom to sew and the walk in closet to store my fabrics. That sort of worked for us but then I got sick and the three of us moved in with my son and his family. There is not a lot of room but I have a corner of the basement and what fabrics I could fit into suitcases are in the house and the rest is stored in the garage. We are hoping that this will only be for 1 year but since I lost my job after being on disability for 2 1/2 months who knows how long it will be for. I am finding that people don't want to hire people in their fifties no matter what your qualifications are. I am just hoping to find something soon so that we can get a place of our own again but as long as I can set up my machine and make quilts I am happy. That is my therapy and keeps me sane. Without it I'd go absolutely bananas!

You will get through it!! I have just a sewing space, and it is working out quite well. It is very important to keep things neat, so you can know where everything is lol; but hang in there. One of my sons is on disability and lives with us, so I w1ll probably never have a sewing room; but that's ok. I can still quilt!!

You have my sincere sympathy and total understanding? My daughter and grandsom (now 12) moved in a couple years ago and one of my brothers is living here after a stroke last fall. I used to occupy the largest bedroom, daughter had bedroom and grandson had his. A very large area of basement was for sewing, crafts, rubberstamping & scrapbooking. When brother moved in, grandson moved to basement room, daughter made herself a bedroom at one end of what was sewing area in basement and is using rest of that area for her sewimg and a small living room for them. Gave up my big bedroom for the computer/rubber stamping/scrapbooking and crafts. Brother took over guest room and my room is also my sewing room now. When brother arrived I packed up so much fabric, craft supplies etc and stored them in garage and small store room in basement. I was not thinking when I packed it up, should have been way more organized and should have marked boxes bette; oh well I'll survive and it IS kind of nice to run across little surprises every once in a while. It could always be worse - I could be the one giving up everything I have and moving in with someone else.

I agree. Things are tough and getting tougher.... We all know it's hard to give up our space but bless you for putting your kid's first.

When my DD and DGD moved in with us 3 years ago, it was a very big transition for us all. I had to improvise and I work shift work so they had to respect my need for sleep at odd hours. Now after living with us for these years, they will be moving into their own home in another month or so.I will be losing my little sewing buddy. This will once again make my life and house different. Life is an adventure and everything that happens to us whether good or bad shapes who we are and who we continue to become. If we didn't have any adventures what would we have? I gave up my privacy but gained a special relationship with a DGD and DD and for that I will always be thankful.

Hugs! Its so nice of you to help them out! Most of my sewing is done on the kitchen table, because I want to be out with everyone else!!!