Sewing Space in Garage
 

DH and I are going to convert our garage into a "bonus room" that we can share. We like being in the same room with another as we tinker (me with quilting, him with computers).

I'd love to see your pics of rooms! I'm needing lots of ideas especially since DH will be sharing the space. Not sure how to "do the layout" and decor.

Thanks so much!

Will you be using the space for other activities or just quilting and computers? Do you have a long arm that will require space? How many sewing machines will be placed in the area? How many windows are there in the area? Do you want to sew using light from windows? I'm guessing you will want a design wall and space for a table for cutting and such. How many computers will go in the space?

I know lots of questions but lots of things to think about with new space. Congratulations, I know you and DH will have fun designing and using this space.

Do not forget that it is not so much the equipment & the furnishings that will make up this workroom. It is the united spirit, the togetherness, and the support that this room will bring. If you really need to sew or compute, you can well do it where each of you participate in these activities right now.

in case it will help you, we have an entire subforum of pictures of quilting spaces. it can be found here http://www.quiltingboard.com/sitemap/f-23.html

Electrical outlets, heating/airconditioning, storage, and floor covering(s) are also some things to consider.

I would make it clear just how much space is all mine. You may find computers edging their way into your space and eventually you'll be sewing in the dining room again.

I think this is a great idea. I spend all my free time in my sewing room, and my DH spends his time on his computer. I'd like it if we were in the same room, but neither room is large enough for this to happen. :hunf:

Exactly what I was going to suggest ... there's lots of ideas there, along with lots of pics!

Start with a dream list of what each of you would really like to have in there .... don't worry about whether it's realistic at this point. Just list the ultimates. At the same time, start saving pics of what you want as they're great to work with. You'll be surprised how many of them can get included with a little thought, and planning.

Then do a detailed to scale drawing with measurements and what is there now (ie doors, electrical, windows, etc). Should be a breeze for him on his computer! And then start adding in the must haves and the dreams .... and move them around as many times as you wish until you get the plan put together.

Some of the things that are must haves for others, you may not care for.
Likewise, some of your must haves, others may think there's no need.
So be careful to not be guided by what others suggest ... and come up with what you really want.
It's better to take some time and do it right ... than rush into it and possibly have HUGE regrets!

Sounds wonderful, good luck. Share pictures when completed.

I think it would be cool to pick two complimentary colors (one for you and one for him) and paint two walls with each color. Then it would be a good division of spaces. You will probably want a television in the room that both of you would be able to view. Lighting is also very important. Also, consider close space. It is easy to store fabrics in some beautiful furniture/bookcases but computer equipment can be an eyesore so you may want to make sure he has hideaway storage. Post pix when you are done.

oh my gosh..this is exactly what DH and I want to do to our garage...then the old living room will be my sewing room and the 2 empty bedrooms will be a guest room and a storage room!

When laying out space, there is a tendency to place tables and furniture along the walls and neglecting the center of the room. There is also the tendency to leave wall space unused. Be sure to play with paper and pencil and work with T formations, where one or two tables jut at 90 degree angles from a table or wall.
One suggestion is to place two work tables parallel coming out from a side wall and leaving about 3 feet in between. On the wall between the tables, you could hang rulers and catchall containers. Use one of the tables for cutting and one for ironing and "spreading." Just be sure they're high enough for you to cut without leaning over!

One further note- a design wall can be fully movable if you use a large piece of insulation board covered with flannel. That way, valuable wall space can be used for shelving and the design wall can lean against an area you don't have to get to often (a hot water heater closet?)

Depending on Size of Garage.... take in to consideration, Tables that can be Folded and Put away in a closet. Tables that you can be moved easily away from the walls, tables or work center, storage for machines not in use, area for notions, nice Storage for Fabric with plenty of shelves or bins or tubs.
Lighting is important... I like natural light near windows.... flooring that can be easily cleaned, dust mopped or Vacuumed, plenty of outlets or another Circuit/fuse box may be necessary for every thing that will be plugged in,,, I agree with several other posts that you need to make a list of every thing you are going to need as well as hubby's list too... Can't wait to see pictures....

Put all plugs at a chair rail hight along wall if possible. It makes it easier to plug in machines both sewing and computing.

That was my sewing room in our old house. I had two closets (actually one closet with two french doors) all along one wall - great for storage of fabric (my 3/4s of the space) and office stuff (hubby's area). The rest of the area was open. We did have the mechanical stuff in the garage as well (furnace/water heater/water softner). We had partitioned off an area about 7 foot by 14 for that. It was marvelous because one wall of the utility room area was shelves for pantry storage. This is a photo of just half the closet. I calculated one time that I had almost 900 yards of fabric in that closet.
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What a great idea! One reason I love having a corner of the living room instead of the extra bedroom is so I can be with hubby in the evenings after the babies go to bed. If you have an ikea nearby, the expedit shelving makes a nice room divider that is low and great storage.

Thanks for the link. I hadn't seen this subforum before.

How wonderful that your hubby wants to share the space and you have found a big enough place to do that.

Another suggestion: Place your fabric in an area(s) where it won't be exposed to light (because it will fade.)

When we build our garage, I made sure we added a 2nd floor, for storage space, etc. but it turns out to be our studio. Half is for my quilting area w/ big tables and the other half for dh trains. Add a pellet stove n perfect solution to keeping it warm in winter when we need it. Good luck planning yours.

TV in room - DH and I tend to like different programs - are you TV watching compatible?
Also - my DH has a more severe hearing impairment than I have - and he likes/needs it several 'notches' louder to hear it easily - and that is where it starts to be painful for me.

Make sure that you have a/c in your new "bonus room".

WOW what a wonderful project! One thing I would suggest is "pull down" outlets from the ceiling. The ones at my LQS retract to the ceiling when not in use. Makes even the center of the room usable by electronics without tripping over cords.

we have a shared room (its a 4 car garage behind the 2.5 car garage !LOL), we love it .. I can be sewing and he can be working on his current project and we can talk about what each is doing ..