I need to ask a couple of questions. I've just bought the small house next door to me to hopefully turn into my sewing craft house. The house was built in 1940, has no central heat or air. My first question is this... will having window air conditioners affect my fabric, sewing machine and serger? Will having an old Deerborn gas heater affect them? Also when I hopefully get organized I had planned on putting vinyl or a clear shower curtain liner on the front of my bookcases to keep the dust off my fabric. Would this be okay? I would appreciate any advice you ladies could give me. Thank you Carol

I would suggest using a fabric to cover your shelves that would also keep out the sunshine so you don't end up with bleached out spots on your fabrics :wink:

I don't see how a window unit would hurt your fabrics, I don't have a clue about the gas heater...

The one thing I wonder , does that type of heater have a smell . like a kerosen ?

But I am excited for you , how lucky to be able to have a whole house :mrgreen:

Lucky you . . .a whole house dedicated to sewing!!! :)

Neither the air conditioner nor the heater should pose a problem. However, depending on what part of Texas you're in, you might want to manage the humidity a bit. I'm in West Texas where it's considered high desert and very dry (most years, anyway) :D So need to add a little humidity in the house in the wintertime to protect wood furnishings, ie. sewing tables, cabinets and shelving. If you're in East or South Texas, it's VERY humid which can be pretty taxing on machines so you'll want to make sure the window unit does a good job of condensing the humidity and clearing it out.

Would love to see pictures of your finished "sewing house" :) And congratulations!!!!! :)

I would google about the gas heater or call a local gas heating dealer. I used window air cond. before I put in central. I thought it was a good thing.

Gas central heating uses the same gas as the floor heater. I don't see why there would be a problem. I had a window unit in my sewing room for several years before I had central air. Again the same cool air comes from both.

The window ac n heater are fine. I live in an older home too, and neither have affected my fabric. And just how WICKED COOL is it that you have a whole house for a sewing room!!!???? Im doing a big happy dance for you!

it is so nice to have a studio house just for your craft! I miss mine that I had in ND am sure you will love it!

A WHOLE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are all jealous!! Can't wait to see pictures.

Thank you Amma, I may consider fabric but I was just wanting something I could see through. I don't think the sunshine will be a problem where the fabric will be.

I'll have to check that out. I hope it won't have a smell.It's just a gas heater.

Thank you, another thing to consider. I live near Wichita Falls, about a mile from Oklahoma.

I want to thank you all for your advice. I knew you all would come through for me. If you could see this place you would not be jealous. It is a lot of work. It had been used for a rent house for the last 7 years. The last one was a heavy smoker so I'm scrubbing walls and ceilings to paint....not a spot in the kitchen without a grease spot. If I can pull this off I will post pictures but it will take time. I've been scrubbing for nearly a month now. Hard on the old arms and shoulders. Thanks again

Then humidity will be a small factor . . .so you'll want to keep that in mind when shopping for a window unit as condenser capabilities will vary. Can't wait to show my hubby this thread when he gets home since he teases me for taking over the guest room . . .you're getting a whole house :D

Yes, my husband said I could have the house and he could have the yard. We were just tired of not knowing who would be renting it next. We've had some doozies over there. One renter even poisoned our dog. The house is only about 9 feet from my patio.

I can't imagine having a whole house. You are so lucky. Post pics when you can.

Sounds like a dream "craft" home in the making. It will be fun filling it and decorating it from quilters eyes! Can't wait to see what you have done in the future! Congrats!

I agree, I don't even have my own room!

Wow your own quilt cottage! How fun! Sorry not good at answering your questions but hopefully some one can.

I have a friend that did this same exact thing! Her husband uses the "second" house next door as his train house. He has electric trains set up in different rooms and she has the dining room set up for hosting meetings for various groups she belongs too. They love it.

Just my opinion but I think gas heat of any kind will dry out your fabrics and turn them yellow. Have that Dearborn checked and be sure it is only burning a blue flame, and put a carbon monoxide detector or two in the house. Can't wait to see it.

Just a thought here, we installed a ductless air conditioner in one room of my house and it has been wonderful! I was able to free up the window and it cools the large room much better than a window unit.

Sounds like you really have alot of work cut out for you. It should be just wonderful after you get to see the light of day with it! Just think, you could hold little mini retreats!
What Fun!

I was born and raised in Wichita Falls. I've been gone from Texas for over 35 years, but sometimes I still get homesick for the open skies and mesquite trees!! I love the idea of a small craft house. Please post pictures -- even 'before' and then the 'after' would be great to see.

Thank you, I certainly will do that.

One other thing to think about:

Does the heater run off of propane (not natural gas)?

You may possibly be scrubbing not only nicotine and smoke but propane doesn't burn quite as clean as they'd like you to believe. When we cleaned and sold my grandparents house that had been heated with Dearborn heaters and propane there was a golden brown film all over everything. If I were going to have fabric stored in the house with a heater of that type, I would store it in ziploc bags, just in case!

Hi Linda, yes I live in Burkburnett.I've lived here since 1960....moved here when I was 16 from Garland. When I get to go on vacation and see all the pretty scenery and get back close to home I wonder why we live in such a flat place.LOL

Hi Cookie, it is natural gas but I am still a little concerned about moving the fabric in there.

Hi Carol, Wow, I think we're all a bit envious of your complete sewing house!! LOL
I use plastic bins to store some of my fabric and have had no problems. Not sure about the other stuff but I don't see how heat and AC would hurt anything. I have both.
Good luck and keep us posted!! :D:D

Thank you all so much. I will try to keep you updated. I'm excited about it. I know it's just going to take time.

How exciting, I would love to buy the house next door to us and call it the "Craft House" My husband thinks our present home is already the "Craft House!!!" LOL

One question, has the electrical been updated? We have a late 1930's home, that fortunately had been updated in the 70's. You might want check that out and install a higher amperage for your irons and sewing machines so you don't blow a fuse. My DH put higher amp circuits in my sewing room, which is a remodeled attic to accomodate my sewing stuff and a separate circuit for the window air conditioner unit. Enjoy your space!!

Have you tried slicing a bunch of apples and placing them all over the house to draw out the smoke. It really does work. I bought a used car that had been cleaned, deoderized (sp) the whole thing and still smelled like smoke. Put the apples under the seats and in a few day it smelled much better and got it all out.

Just curious, how do you claim your second house for tax purposes? Your first one would be homestead, can you say the second one is a hobby house or vacation home? Not being noisy , just thought about doing this too. But didn't want to struggle with the tax laws.

I grew up in Garland, now live in Mesquite. I bet we know some of the same people.

Not much has been updated in that house. I do know the air conditioner is on a separate circuit....now. Last week we changed windows with the AC and when we plugged it in it blew it up. Someone had changed the plug to a 220. So we had to buy a new window unit. There will actually be 3 window units in the house when I get through.

Thanks Liz, that is one I had not heard of but sure will give it a try.

I don't really know yet. I just told the appraisal dist. that I bought it because it is ajoining property and it will be used as an outbuilding and that no one will live there. I live on a corner so the addresses are on different streets but I consider it part of my back yard. Like I said there is only about 9 feet from my patio to the other house.

Oh my.. Looking at the pictures of your 'clean' spots, it does look like you have a LOT of work ahead... One day at a time, on part at a time.. You'll love it once it's done, and you'll always know what's going on over there now. I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than you can even guess.. You just need to order some 'elbow grease' from someplace!

Yes Judie, it is a slow process. At least I don't have far to go to work on it.LOL I'll just be so glad when I can move in.

to help get rid of the smoke,use a mist bottle with vinegar water, As far as the window unit and gas heater goes. I grew up with these and my DM was a quilter and I still use some quilts of hers that were made in the 40s.

Thank you, I do have some bowls of vinegar setting around. I believe it has helped. I am using vinegar and water to clean the nicotine off the walls.It's working pretty good.