Snooze2978

As I was looking for a new house here in Iowa, I had my priorities to have a large enough area for my sewing room. I left Florida and an 18 x 10 room and it was just not large enough to hold everything. I now have the basement which is separated by a wall down the center which can not be removed safely as its a bearing wall so I opened the other end of the wall so I can walk thru from either end and gives more air flow. I think the total area is 25' x 29' with bump outs for the fridge/freezer, sink and PC armoire so there basically are not taking up this area. Since I had this much room I enlarged my cutting table to 6.5 x 4 which will get enlarged again with the new mat I'm ordering and I added a design wall 6 x 7.5 as that's all my ceilings would allow and then upgraded from a 10' quilt frame to a 12' which really made things tight. 6 bookcases full of fabrics, 2 embroidery machines, 2 sergers, kitchenette, ironing board, pegboards to hold all our little toys for our hobbies, TV/DVD, Ipod for music and books and of course, don't forget a full bathroom nearby so I never have to leave the basement. I only wish I had more windows but I did add shop lighting going across the room instead of the length of the room. I attached my roll of batting above my cutting table so its out of the way but nearby where I can get to it. I'm happy though would love just a few more feet of more all around. Let's face it we are rarely ever satisfied with what we have...................we always want more but I'll settle for what I have and be thankful.

Gabriola

Wow! Many, many thanks for all your wonderful suggestions. Lots of great ideas and things that I would never have thought of. I will get hold of the book suggested and break the news slowly to DH of all the things he needs to consider! When it is finished, probably this time next year (we are snow birds and head off to warmer climates for the winter), I will post pictures.

Suzan88

My studio, above the garage is 28x32 so I have a small kitchen, a shower room and a propane stove. A 50inch wide staircase is useful as I can get things up and down without struggling. And, with an eye to the future,it would be easy to fit a stairlift.

I had electrical outlets sunk into the floor at 4 points so that I don't have wires trailing everywhere, plug points in the walls are at counter height. I put in open shelving designed for fabric storage but, on reflection, would have waited to see how I used the room before having permanent fixtures. There are windows all along one wall, window seats under windows on two other walls but no one ever sits there so they are just storage for little used items. There is room for two couches - one is a futon in case I want to stay there when guests are in the main house - and a big old rocking chair. If there is one thing I would change, apart from the spacing of the fixed shelving, it's the lighting. I didn't think I would need more than the recessed ceiling spot lights and wall lights but a couple of industrial lighting strips would make the space more useable in dreary weather. Despite having 12 windows there is not enough directional lighting. I was so concerned about it looking nice that I painted it neutral, had a finished floor with underfloor heating and quite forgot that I might want to splash paint around, do a bit of sanding, dye fabric in the industrial sink or generally make a bit of a mess or screw things to the walls. So it's a room that could become an apartment if anyone could get me out of it but, the point made about not using it as much as if it were attached to the house is worth considering. I tend not to go there if the rain is really bouncing, the snow is deep or it's the dead of night ...but once I get there I lose track of time. A covered walkway would fix wet weather access and a screened in porch would make it perfect. But almost perfect is good too.

mary quite contrary

A move back to the Midwest has meant a new sewing space will be required. As we began to review floor plans, hubby suggested I use the garage for my space. It will be 20 x 28 with windows to see four seasons of crops, a special chair for hubby to use when visiting me and just around the corner from laundry and kitchen. I feel truly blessed. I intended to have others visit often and share much laughter and stitching time together.

Annaquilts

Insulation, heating and cooling are the most important to me. Even if a space has it all but is too hot or too cold it will not get used.

JoanneS

Make it as big as you can afford, put shelves from floor to ceiling with doors so your fabric and thread are protected from fading. Put pegboard in a few places so you can hang things like scissors and rulers where you can SEE them. If the room is big enough, put your cutting table in the middle of the room, so you can walk around it. You can also put cabinets under it - more storage! Plan on lots of electrical outlets for all the sewing machines, sergers, tv, computer. Have a separate circuit for the iron if possible. While you're at it, have the carpenters (or DH) make a big ironing board top for ironing your fabric and quilt tops. Think about where you'll need lighting before the ceiling is finished. You'll want a bathroom, fridge and comfy chair, too - both one for sewing and one for just sitting!

Post pictures while you're building and when it's finished, please!

kaelynangelfoot

I have all my tables set at counter height and I recently rearranged things to have an iron and a cutting mat next to my sewing machine so that its easier to paper piece. I also have a custom built sewing machine table, so that my sewing machine stitch plate is level with the table. This makes it much easier to quilt or sew large items as it reduces the drag resulting from the weight of the item. Its not a designer studio but it works great. [ATTACH=CONFIG]425087[/ATTACH]
Other than that, for me the two most important things I want to improve in my craft room are 1. Storage and 2. Lighting

rufree4t

I would take what ever size room you invision and make it half again as large or double it. We always think we do not need as much space as we do. I would make it at least 20 feet wide so if you want a long arm you have lots of space to put it. Maybe even 24 feet.

mary quite contrary

What kind of shelving do you use? Board or metal? Do you cover them? Thanks.

mjhaess

Congrats...I know you are thrilled...I have a building under construction since March..It has been slow coming but will be well worth the wait. It is a room in a 30x50 building with a 20x20 room for sewing with a 12x10 storage room and an 8x10 bathroom with a shower..Hope to have it done by fall...The electrician is due to start wiring this week and the plumber will be in also to finish the plumbing. The drywall man is last then the rest is up to us to finish. I will one day try to post pictures.