Gabriola

After many years of moving around the house, my DH has decided to build me a studio for quilting in the garden. I would appreciate any ideas as to size and suggestions of what to include. For those of you who have a studio what do you like most about it and what do you wish you had included? I am only a hobby quilter and enjoy other crafts too!
Many thanks in advance for your help...it's wonderful to be able to ask the world for help!!

Tartan

I would like a room big enough to fit a long arm machine! If I had that I would need room to store a full roll of batting, shelves with doors to contain my stash (doors to prevent fading) and a nice window to look out of by my sewing machine. A sink with running water would be nice close to my ironing station. Lots of good lighting and computer hook up. Okay, add a comfy day bed, fridge and bathroom and I might never leave.

MamaDonna

Oh Tartan that sounds like paradise!!! Gabriola how exciting for you. I would love to give you suggestions but I am still moving my "hobby" around the house trying to find the right place... All I can suggest after building home and barns, go bigger than you think because you'll always regret it!!!

sandyquilts

Congrats. OK you can never have enough electrical outlets .... give your iron a dedicated outlet. Ceiling fan or fans. TV with cable. Cutting table + extra large cutting matt with storage underneath. Peg board in the stash closet to hold rulers, bags and etc. A design wall. Extra large sewing table and install the machine onto a shelf so the machine bed and table are level. A secretarial type chair for sewing so you can adjust it. Rolling bins or something similar to store your threads and other items to prevent them from getting dusty. AND one of those large ironing board surfaces with storage underneath.

tessagin

I would set mine up like a big kitchen with an island(cutting table) that has electrical outlets. One counter area that is designated to other crafts. The dining area (for the longarm). A little nook with a side table to sit down and relax. One end of the counter area could be for a microwave, small sink and fridge, like they used to have for efficiency apartments. The cupboards area could keep the supplies needed for those certain designated areas. Maybe have a nice little deck or porch to be able to step outside. And yes windows to let the light in and the sometimes gentle breezes. Everyone knows that even on a rainy day if the windows are open it brightens the day. Floors of tile with a semigloss shine that always look clean if all you have time is a lick and a promise with a Swiffer. A design closet that serves a multi-purpose that can display multiple designs on the inside of the doors and those racks that swing out hold multiples. Then at the end of the day if you "need" to run an errand/s you can shut the doors. The library end would be next to the area reading nook and would consist of books and dvds, or cds and your computer.

mckwilter

If I could custom build my own work room, I would put kitchen cabinets (both lower and upper) on 2 walls of the room. The countertops would be your work surfaces and the drawers and cabinets would hold your various supplies. Have kneeholes built in so that you have somewhere to sit and work. If you have any hobbies that require a cooktop (I make baskets and dye my reeds), have one installed, too. On the third wall, I would have my cutting surface and large ironing surface, with shelves for bins, etc. to hold rulers, cutters, irons, etc. On the fourth wall, I would have a wall-to-wall bookcase with a build in computer station to hold all the books I have. The bookcase would have doors that were a design wall and a pegboard. I would have three sewing centers facing each other, one with my sewing machne, one with my serger and one with my Sunshine 16 (a sit-down mid-arm machine for FMQ).

As you can tell, I have thought about this. I always said that if I could build my own house, I'd start with a plan for a duplex. The first kitchen / dining area / living room would be used for those purposes. The second kitchen / dining area / living room would become my sewing / craft area. I would have a stove and refrigerator and as many cabinets as I could fit into them, plus a table and chairs for friends to come and sit and sew. The dining area would have the built-in bookcases plus a small sitting area with good lighting and a comfy chair for my hand work -- applique, hand piecing and hand quilting. The family room would have the cutting, ironing and sewing stations. The layout would include 4 bedrooms, but the master bedroom / bath would actually take up 2 bedrooms, so that we could have a sitting area in the master. The third bedroom would become my husband's music room and the 4th bedroom would be the exercise room. All the rooms would have cable TV hookups.

petthefabric

So good to dream.

I kinda like that duplex idea.

grammysharon

I want your studio dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ube quilting

Have the electric outlets raised so you don't have to bend over to use them also having enough of them and a power surge protector right on the electrical box coming into the building for sure fire protection from surges.

In my wildest dreams I always wanted a screen porch to do my sewing in when the weather is nice.

I would not have a lot of drawers because stuff just gets lost or forgotten in them. I like to have my tools in sight just like a garage or carpenters work area. Tools go back to the same spot every time I'm done using them.

Don't forget space for incidentals like a coffee maker, small fridge, copier and stuff like that.

Have fun through the process and keep posting.
peace

sewbeadit

Build it as big as you can afford and afford to keep up, you will never regret it.