Hi,
So, I do have a very supportive husband...as far as my fabric/crafting addiction goes. We were talking about our some-day retirement home and he said we would need three bedrooms - one for sewing, one for guests, one for us.

While I sat here in front of one of my regular home decorating shows this afternoon, I suddenly thought about switching the treadmill into my sewing space and moving my stuff into the spare bedroom that is currently a junk room...

I think I'll do some measuring. Currently I'm in a space that's about 7 x 10 under the eaves with a wall half way around most of it. (Used to be closet and eave space until we had some remodeling down years ago). Frankly, my stuff is just spilling out of there into the hallway and other rooms. The spare room is much bigger.

Not sure how to broach this subject with DH. Any suggestions?
lots2do

Welllll, you start with, honey what would you think if WE (notice I stress WE, they want to be part of the decision making) rearranged a few things and turned part of this room into a sewing area for me. Blah blah blah. Go on to explain the benefits of this for you, so you are not cramped, sewing in a closet. If he is thinking ahead to when you move to a retirement home, why can't he make concessions now for that same reason now.

Just a thought. :D :D :D :D :D

Good luck. I hope this works out for you.

Since you already talked about moving "someday" and he is on board with you getting a sewing room, I cannot imagine that your idea would be such a shock. Tell him that based on what you talked about you came up with this wonderful idea. It's logical.

Does he like to be included in things? Most men like to be needed and he can be a great partner in the implementation of it all.

Go slow, read the signs, and the forge ahead.

a junk room and you're sewing studio isn't working for you.

sell the junk and move into the junk room.

a junk draw yes, a junk room is just too much junk.

measure the square footage of your home, compare that to the cost of your home to determine exactly what 1 square foot costs and multiply that by how many square feet your junk room is and them tell your DH exactly how much money it costs to store this junk - when the space could be used for better things.

tell him to move it, sell it, reduce it, whatever he wants but its going out of this room and i'm moving in.

Goodness it would have never occurred to me to ask if I could use a unused room in my own home. :lol: Get rid of the stuff in the room, no use moving it to another space. Clutter is not healthy (unless it's in your sewing room) and stored stuff is stored clutter.

Thanks, everybody,
It's not like I feel that I need permission so to speak. We've had a loss in the family this week (on his side, close relative) so that is where my hesitation is coming from. He is handling things very well, better than I, appearwise.
This does make sense to me, more and more but the timing is the thing to figure out.
:)lots2do
PS I do agree that junk is unhealthy. Since most of it is mine - this could just be the motivator to unload stuff. It's mostly paper so shouldn't be so tough. And his comment was what got the ball rolling, so to speak.

I'm sorry your loss. :cry: If you can give me tips on how to move a threadmill out of a room doorway, I sure would like to know. Mine was put together in the room and now will not go out of the room. I'm about ready to turn the windows into French doors so the thing can be taken out. It's the big one , the kind you can run as fast as you want on. Taking it apart is not an option unless we want to hire a tech which would be the same price as sledge hammering this one apart and buying a new one. :evil:

Bellaboo, I would put an ad in the paper "come and get it and it is yours!!!, bring some strong help!!!" Could several men tip it on it's side and carry it out?

Bellaboo..if you want to get rid of the treadmill..someone will disassemble it and probably pay for it also, a bargain price is a real enticement, just be sure they know it has to be taken apart to get it out!! Mine currently has my ironed lab coats hanging on it :D

Lots2do..maybe cleaning out the room and moving your stuff would be a good activity to help the two of you work through grief? I always find that keeping busy helps alot..although you have the loss in the back of your mind, it wears you out so you can sleep and keeps you moving forward.

We're all with you in your sorrow,

Mary

I'm sorry to hear about your loss!

Men do like to be included and a good way to include him would be to ask his opinion on things like shelving, benches or tables, and bookcases. Is he handy? If he likes to build things, have him make a fat quarter shelf, like the kind you see in the quilt stores or a large thread rack; stuff like that. If he's not but he enjoys going to the hardware store (and what guy doesn't!?!), send him to research things like the best shelves to hold fabric and books. If he's like my DH, he'll know what will work best for the workspace. :wink:

Thank you for your kind words of support. Thankfully, we have each other (as well as other friends and family) to help us through this time.

Late last night, wondering if the timing was right, I explained. He listened and simply said "okay". Why does this make me wonder if he's been thinking the same thing? I really wanted to ask when? but didn't. He is the organizing side of this partnership so he'll figure it out and then give me a reasonable timeline. But, I am very excited. I think I'll be much more productive with an organized space.

We are meeting for a movie and a quick dinner tonight after work. Looking forward to it.
Thanks for your advice,
lots2do

Let us know how it turns out. And post a couple of pictures once you've got your new sewing space so we can all Oooh and Aaah over it. :D

Thanks, I will try!
lots2do (and now more to do :))

Sorry for your loss and glad that you have each other to get through the tough time.

Happy planning on the room switch. Sounds like a lot of work but it will be worth it in the end.

Funny, in our relationship, I'm the planner. I write all our house remodel plans in a book and that book goes everywhere as a reference. Pat laughs at me, because I will stop a sales person in his pitch, pull out my book and start taking notes. I have avoided some very costly mistakes that way. When we are in a pickle, Pat often says: Let's take a look in that book of yours.

Thank you, Martina.
It is going to be a lot of work but it is going to be worth it in the end. And, I am going to be so motivated once we start!
Best wishes,
lots2do

lots2do... I'm sorry for you and your DH's loss...

As far as your sewing room switch... I did it and am so glad I did.. I had the small 4th bedroom...but most of it spilled out into the family room.. cutting table, fabric, etc. I just didn't have the room in there for everything. I had been contemplating moving into the family room and just having the whole thing, but compromised into splitting it in half.. I have a little over half and the other side is for sitting, lounging, etc...

About a week after I moved into my new space, our water heater decided to die..which was in my sewing room. Thank the Lord for giving me the idea to move my stuff the week before, for had I not, I would've lost some fabric, machines, 2 laptops., etc, instead of just carpet and the annoyance of cleaning up.

Thank you, truesy.
Oh my goodness, you were so lucky that you made the move!
lots2do

You might be surprised at his response to move your "junk" out of that room. It might even be appreciated! When we moved into this place one of the criteria was to have three bedrooms even tho we only needed two, one as be my sewing room :D.

Well, we start tomorrow.
Wish us luck!
lots2do

Good luck! Be sure to take a "before" and "after" picture. Have a great time!

I would say start cleaning. Tell him that you want to start getting some of your clutter out, go through old papers, etc. If he wants to help, great. If he's preoccupied with grieving, that's okay too... start with your stuff and wait for him. That way you're putting no pressure on him, and still starting to clean out your stuff which it sounds like you want to do even if you can't move into the space.

We.., Lots2do, I know you REALLY had a LOT TO DO, but have you started yet? Oh how I wish I could lasso my heart to get started with mine. I began some time back, but it seems all has ceased. Everytime I go in there to "clean" I get distracted with some part of the clutter and go in a different direction. :? You keep up the good work. :thumbup:

Yes, we started! And I am really pleased that we did! The night before Thanksgiving, DH asked what the game plan was and when would I need him to help. I started Thanksgiving morning and just needed my guys to move the treadmill. It has little wheels that helped after it was folded up and it just squeaked into the space with only a few inches to spare. Looks like the space was built for it.

There is still a lot of stuff to sort through and there won't be any sewing happening in there any time soon. :( But I did get through one big tote last night and filled a big trash bag. :) It's all worth it, I'll just have to be persistent.

Thanks for your support,
lots2do but sticking with it

Lots2do,
Glad to hear that you started, can't wait to see your sewing room! Have fun!

Sorry for you loss as well...

But.. wwoooo hoooo for you!!!!!
I just moved my two youngers DD into the same room (they wanted to share) and now have moved my sewing stuff from the corner in the kitchen to my new room. I love it, my house looks less cluttered and I love and make great use of my new space! Your DH sounds like a great guy!

lots2do, good for you for starting on the room! Your hubby sounds wonderful. :!:

DH is a keeper, one of the many things I'm thankful for...
:)lots2do