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I agree with the amma about the table with drop sides. Mine is my cutting table and I usually only need one side up. My main machine and serger or on a L shaped cabinet. My design board is a large cork bulletin board covered with flannel, I can stick notes on it too. On the frame you can put cup hooks to hold some of your tools. Mine is by my cutting table so it is handy. I have tall cabints we bought from Home Depot and also shelves. If I had it to do over, I think I would put more shelves and less cabinets. Everyone has to find what works best for them. Post a picture when you get it finished.
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Corry, What a great idea!
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Originally Posted by mar32428
Originally Posted by Dagny
1. A design wall is a great idea and it takes up no floor space.
2. I bought some stacking rectangular baskets at Lowes (closet organizer dept) that I use for keeping the components of WIP projects organized. I think that's been very useful. 3. You mentioned that you have two windows. You might consider locating your machine work station in front of one of them, particularly if you have a good view. The extra light will certainly be helpful. 4. Since your room is fairly small, I agree you should consider double duty equipment (e.g. cutting and pressing). 5. If it's in the budget, use a small flat screen TV that you can put on a shelf up out of the way. |
Originally Posted by Melody
I am in the planning process of turning my home office into a real sewing room and I was wondering what are some of your favorite ideas that you've used to organize yourself. My room is 10 by 10 with 2 windows. So I can't go with very big with tables, but other than that, I'm looking for "anything" so don't feel limited in giving advice. I love simple things, ordinary stuff turned into new ideas. I do not have a ton of stash (like some youtubes I've seen!), but I will probably begin to accumulate more once the sewing room is complete.
I will post Before pictures, as soon as I clean up my office clutter, and also After pictures when I'm all done and settled in. I can hardly wait. Thanks, in advance! :mrgreen: When I did my sewing room, which is also about 10 X 10 (with a washer and dryer and washtub in it) I bought an adjustable height table from IKEA. I have a portable machine on top with an extension table. it is the proper height with lots of storage underneath the table. I also bought an Ott light and have a radio. I need music! The best part is the door - I can close it and not put my things away when I am interrupted. |
I'm new to this site, but just got my sewing room remodel completed this spring. One of the most important things is making sure your table/desk is the right height for your machine. I did some research before I changed my room, to make sure my hands on the machine bed put my elbows at a right angle. Really helps in not getting stiff neck and shoulders.
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Originally Posted by JT
I'm new to this site, but just got my sewing room remodel completed this spring. One of the most important things is making sure your table/desk is the right height for your machine. I did some research before I changed my room, to make sure my hands on the machine bed put my elbows at a right angle. Really helps in not getting stiff neck and shoulders.
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One thing that was not voered, or I didnt see it. Where do you keep all of your magazines, books and patterns. Even after getting rid of a lot, I still have tons of magazines and it increase each month. Where do you put them and how do you organize them?
One more item for the sewing room. I have a small lazy susan that sits on the right side of my machine that I put items that I need when sewing. Some are in pencil holds rtc, |
I have a peg board on a wall and hang many items like scissors, hoops for my embroidery machine, quilting rulers etc. from it. As for a design wall I have purchased a tri fold display board (like kids use for school science fair projects) and covered it with flannel. Works great and can be folded and put away when not in use.
PRM |
We built the counter that my machine sets on. I have an L shaped work area. On my right is kitchen base cabinets that are actually built a little higher and deeper for a cutting table. Then the sewing table to the left is dropped down to about 27 inches. I have a Janome 6500, which is about 3 - 4 inches high.
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My favorite idea in my sewing room is that we took the closet doors off and put 3 closet rods across the doorway and I hang quilts there now.
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Originally Posted by quiltykim
Originally Posted by granny_59
great topic, I love the pegboards.
I also like my stuff handy so I made these. I added binding to plastic and formed pockets by sewing it to the background fabric. Then I put some batting on cardboard, put the fabric on it and stapled it on the back. I just took a long strip of fabric of the desired width and folded the pockets by putting the magazines in as far as I wanted them to show up. By folding the fabric to the back and staple it in place they became secured. Hope this makes sense. If I have to explain something I realize my limitations of your language. Granny |
Beautiful! Thanks so much for the great idea :) Kim
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Oh Connie you had to remind me how much I love your sewing rm. I have your flicker saved in my favorites....Love it!
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[ The desk is large... 3 ft by 5 ft. This is where my machine will be.[
=========================== Sounds like my father-in-laws' 1910 wooden desk I'm using for my computer. Right behind my computer I have a premade 25 hole shoe box/rack. It's white wood and very strong, very heavy. Holds masses of computer disks, etc. _Hint...you might could stack these in the closet instead of shelves, like I said, they are very strong and will stack easily. Could be screwed together and to the wall studs if you want. And I would suggest a foot rest that is slightly slanted, with a 1x1 inch board across the bottom of it to keep the foot feed from running away. You could make that yourself with a couple of cheap power tools. And you might be very surprised at how much wood work you can do your self when motivated!! |
Originally Posted by ReeneeD
I bought a collapsible table at Walmart for $19.99. It is about 25 X 18 inches and I made a cover and covered it wil thermal batting and i use it next to me as a small ironing board. What a gem.
Also, I hung all my rulers and scissors on the wall. I like that, too. Good luck with your new room - sounds like it will be really nice! I just bought one like that from Costco for that same $19.99. It has an ironing surface of 54 inch by 17 inch, opened up. Retractable iron rest, easy to store, buit-in sleeve board, cotton cover and foam pad. Just copied that from the label, haven't used it yet. And can be folded and hung in a closet. Another sign on it says "press collars, plackets, sleeves or pant legs on built-in sleeve board. |
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My sewing room is also my guest bedroom so it was crowded in there and awkward. I solved it by putting a Murphy bed with drawers and shelves along one wall so the bed only takes up 18" and I have the rest of the room for sewing. Expensive, yes, but I love it.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Both are great ideas and doubling up on the use of space is important to me. I swear we have a barn full of antiques that ought to get some use.... I'm sure I can find a table to suit these ideas.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Okay, I should have gone ahead and posted pics right at first... but here is my office/homeschool classroom/soon to be sewing room. I didn't tidy it up, so be kind :D
As you can see I have a lot of light in the evening across the desk that will be my sewing machine desk. |
I purchased the fold-down cutting-table from Jo-Anne's @$69.99. 1/2 off regular price. Placed it in front of window, and purchased a small tabletop ironing board; perfect for the smaller pieces of fabric that you get cut out later on, and you set this on top of the cutting table.
You will then be able to place your larger ironing board to iron the larger pieces in the remainder of the room. |
Originally Posted by MarthaVA
I have found the greatest little bins to hold FQs and smaller cuts of fabric - and I only paid a dollar for each. WalMart had some that were 2/$1.00 and Target had a bunch for a dollar each, and the Dollar Tree has them too. GREAT!
I put them on my book case and I can see all my pretty fabric! I use those 3M hooks to hang on my wall and I hung a large piece of flannel using binder clips for my design wall. |
Originally Posted by aliaslaceygreen
You have been given lots of great ideas!!!
page three of this thread is where I have more currents shots of my studio...I still have more to do, but it is coming along.... http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-44879-3.htm Don't be afraid to try and reject some things; it takes time to find what works for YOU! good luck! |
What a wonderful idea. I was going to use a trundle bed so I could still sleep at least two.
Originally Posted by Janette
My sewing room is also my guest bedroom so it was crowded in there and awkward. I solved it by putting a Murphy bed with drawers and shelves along one wall so the bed only takes up 18" and I have the rest of the room for sewing. Expensive, yes, but I love it.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Busy weekend here too. Lots of cooking to do in the morning, kids arriving in their campers, 9 grandkids (teenagers and older). So I will say goodnight and thank you all so much. I will check back on Monday. And when I have the sewing room finished, I will post the AFTER pictures, but that is going to take me a while! So much sorting and pitching to do.
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Originally Posted by Corry
Okay, now how many of you have a kitty that loves to lay on your sewing table or on your stash for a comfy bed? I don't mind my cat coming into my sewing room while I am in there working but i don't want her making a habit of laying up on my table or fabrics. So I had to keep the door shut to my sewing room to keep my pets out. Well during the day it gets rather hot in my sewing room with the door shut but i need to keep it shut because of the animals...what to do...lol Hubby bought me a little window unit a/c but I only run it when i am in the sewing room. But still had the problem of it getting hot with the door shut. My stabilizer I use for machine embroidery got gummy with my thread breaking from gummed up needles. Well one day I said to my hubby...I need a screen door for my sewing room! A month later hubby brought me a screen door and took the other door off and put my new door on. It is soooo cool!! He painted the door and the screen PINK! It matches my room with the pink curtains and pink dresser! Well it works out great. The room is nice and cool with the a/c circulating thruout the house like it should and the pets can't get into my sewing room. I will take a pic of my screen door tomorrow and send it in. It is homemade of wood but looks really nice I think. My kitty is not so happy about it but that's life..lol My design wall, shop light hung from the ceiling and my screen door are my favorite ideas for my sewing room.
Add an antique, really old so beautiful, screen-door to the room. they can still talk to you and you to them :lol: |
When my son was still at home, his best friend worked for a cabinet/counter top company and they threw away damgaed or unwanted counter tops. I got several long ones and my husband built stands for them to rest on. I have one long one on one wall and a short wider one on another wall that I use as as cutting table, and a short narrow one that I use for the serger. Those three tops were the best things I got, and I could build my sewing room around them.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Oh, my goodness! So many great ideas. I am going to make a list of the ideas that will work best for my little room and I will keep refering back to this thread to refresh my memory so I don't forget anything! I love the pics. Without a doubt this is the best forum on the web! Honest.
I am so excited about getting started... but all my company has arrived so I will be busy for another day. After that, I will get started tearing this room apart. Fun and family tomorrow, then work and fun afterwards. I'm going to take pics of the progress as I go (boy is this going to be a mess for awhile!) thanks ;-) |
So many great ideas, and wonderful, loving families willing to help create the spaces, large or small, which we so treasure. God bless them all.
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Originally Posted by granny_59
Originally Posted by quiltykim
Originally Posted by granny_59
great topic, I love the pegboards.
I also like my stuff handy so I made these. I added binding to plastic and formed pockets by sewing it to the background fabric. Then I put some batting on cardboard, put the fabric on it and stapled it on the back. I just took a long strip of fabric of the desired width and folded the pockets by putting the magazines in as far as I wanted them to show up. By folding the fabric to the back and staple it in place they became secured. Hope this makes sense. If I have to explain something I realize my limitations of your language. Granny |
Originally Posted by garysgal
When my son was still at home, his best friend worked for a cabinet/counter top company and they threw away damgaed or unwanted counter tops. I got several long ones and my husband built stands for them to rest on. I have one long one on one wall and a short wider one on another wall that I use as as cutting table, and a short narrow one that I use for the serger. Those three tops were the best things I got, and I could build my sewing room around them.
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I had a friend give me a portable "craft table". I don't know where she bought it, probably Michaels. It is 36 inches tall, and has a surface of 36 inches by 24, approx. It also has a power cord with sockets on the front and a shelf of "cubby holes" that you drop containers in to hold paints, brushes, etc. I had my dh cover the cubbies with pegboard. I covered the table with thermal batting and a cover. This table sits to the left of my sewing machine, I use it for a pressing table. The iron is plugged in and sits on the pegboard, I just swivel to my left to press as I sew.
I remove the cover to help me baste or to cut. |
Originally Posted by skjquiltnut
Originally Posted by granny_59
Originally Posted by quiltykim
Originally Posted by granny_59
great topic, I love the pegboards.
I also like my stuff handy so I made these. I added binding to plastic and formed pockets by sewing it to the background fabric. Then I put some batting on cardboard, put the fabric on it and stapled it on the back. I just took a long strip of fabric of the desired width and folded the pockets by putting the magazines in as far as I wanted them to show up. By folding the fabric to the back and staple it in place they became secured. Hope this makes sense. If I have to explain something I realize my limitations of your language. Granny |
Recently getting all of my fabric out of boxes and into plastic stacking drawers has improved my productivity tremendously. I purchased 18 skinny stacking drawers (3 inches deep) for cut quilting pieces and some additional 8" deep stacking drawers for yardage. I was lucky enough that they fit in my closet.
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Originally Posted by skjquiltnut
Originally Posted by Corry
Okay, now how many of you have a kitty that loves to lay on your sewing table or on your stash for a comfy bed? I don't mind my cat coming into my sewing room while I am in there working but i don't want her making a habit of laying up on my table or fabrics. So I had to keep the door shut to my sewing room to keep my pets out. Well during the day it gets rather hot in my sewing room with the door shut but i need to keep it shut because of the animals...what to do...lol Hubby bought me a little window unit a/c but I only run it when i am in the sewing room. But still had the problem of it getting hot with the door shut. My stabilizer I use for machine embroidery got gummy with my thread breaking from gummed up needles. Well one day I said to my hubby...I need a screen door for my sewing room! A month later hubby brought me a screen door and took the other door off and put my new door on. It is soooo cool!! He painted the door and the screen PINK! It matches my room with the pink curtains and pink dresser! Well it works out great. The room is nice and cool with the a/c circulating thruout the house like it should and the pets can't get into my sewing room. I will take a pic of my screen door tomorrow and send it in. It is homemade of wood but looks really nice I think. My kitty is not so happy about it but that's life..lol My design wall, shop light hung from the ceiling and my screen door are my favorite ideas for my sewing room.
Add an antique, really old so beautiful, screen-door to the room. they can still talk to you and you to them :lol: |
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I have not read all of these suggestions so sorry if this is a repeat, but my favorite ideas that I used in my sewing room is the picture rail right up by the ceiling so everything is movable, and the pegboard on the chains so I can move it anywhere I want anytime I want.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Okay, I should have gone ahead and posted pics right at first... but here is my office/homeschool classroom/soon to be sewing room. I didn't tidy it up, so be kind :D
As you can see I have a lot of light in the evening across the desk that will be my sewing machine desk. Where are you putting all that you have in the office? :?: :D Not sure what size the room is that I call my sewing room. It is not as big as I would like and has one window. I began pulling stuff out of there yesterday and am trying to sort through everything. My 'before' pictures will stay on my computer until I have the 'after' ones taken. A little tooooo messy to show now. Blessings to you as you go through yours. I will be watching your topic with great interest! |
Sew Extreme... I have been teaching my grandson for 2 years. It isn't the typical homeschool, it is K-12 Virtual Academy in Ohio. I can't say enough good things about it. His books are in the pictures, but they don't show up very well in all the clutter. :lol: Actually, I have 2 grandchildren in K-12 and one more probably enrolling next year. Congratulations to you for being a homeschooling mom for 17yrs! Some days can be tough, but it's so rewarding.
Believe it or not , but both desks have drawers that are almost empty... hence, the clutter. A lot of my clutter comes from my genealogy work, which is finally going to get filed properly. I am the family historian (self appointed :lol: ) and I also have charge of all the old family albums on DH's side of the family. Those are being scanned into my computer, catalogued and put into albums along with the family histories. Big job but I love it. I don't do scrapbooking (I really don't need another hobby!) I have already done 3 albums with the histories, so it won't take too long to organize what's left. I hate being unorganized. And I'm very anxious to get started on this room. |
It's been a wonderful weekend with the family and today was especially nice. And so here I am, reading through all these posts while everyone has gone to bed. I love the pictures that have been posted.... more things to add to my list. :thumbup: I have recuited one of my grandsons to help move furniture out of the room. Although, the 2 desks are solid as rocks and move just as easily, so I am having second thoughts about taking them out. My husband made the one that the computer sits on when he was in high school, many years ago, and the drawer space is invaluable and I plan to put that to good use.
The plans are starting to form in my mind's eye, thanks to all of your suggestions. |
Originally Posted by skjquiltnut
Originally Posted by garysgal
When my son was still at home, his best friend worked for a cabinet/counter top company and they threw away damgaed or unwanted counter tops. I got several long ones and my husband built stands for them to rest on. I have one long one on one wall and a short wider one on another wall that I use as as cutting table, and a short narrow one that I use for the serger. Those three tops were the best things I got, and I could build my sewing room around them.
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Originally Posted by kwhite
I have not read all of these suggestions so sorry if this is a repeat, but my favorite ideas that I used in my sewing room is the picture rail right up by the ceiling so everything is movable, and the pegboard on the chains so I can move it anywhere I want anytime I want.
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Originally Posted by Melody
Sew Extreme... I have been teaching my grandson for 2 years. It isn't the typical homeschool, it is K-12 Virtual Academy in Ohio. I can't say enough good things about it. His books are in the pictures, but they don't show up very well in all the clutter. :lol: Actually, I have 2 grandchildren in K-12 and one more probably enrolling next year. Congratulations to you for being a homeschooling mom for 17yrs! Some days can be tough, but it's so rewarding.
Believe it or not , but both desks have drawers that are almost empty... hence, the clutter. A lot of my clutter comes from my genealogy work, which is finally going to get filed properly. I am the family historian (self appointed :lol: ) and I also have charge of all the old family albums on DH's side of the family. Those are being scanned into my computer, catalogued and put into albums along with the family histories. Big job but I love it. I don't do scrapbooking (I really don't need another hobby!) I have already done 3 albums with the histories, so it won't take too long to organize what's left. I hate being unorganized. And I'm very anxious to get started on this room. |
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