winia

As a suggestion, when he wants to do something his way, ask him why he wants to do it that way. After he answers, then explain to him this is the reason why you want it this way and why his way will not work for somebody who sews.

Greenheron

Could you ask him for his help in very distinct, specific ways? Give him plans for custom work that you have chosen, solicit help with painting in your color. Thank him for his help and interest. You have something meaningful that you love to do--perhaps he: a. wants to help you, b. wants to be with you, or, c. is feeling useless and unfocused.

I'd give a good bit for a husband who would help with a project, even if he did need a collar, reins and blinkers.

wildyard

LOL, I do soooooooo know how you are feeling about now. Only I had to contend with two men, my DH and my son. I had it all drawn out on paper and they kept insisting I had my scale wrong and my placements just couldn't work. I would say just try it my way, and they would patiently tell me why my way wouldn't work. My DH would explain all kinds of engineer reasons and my son would talk to me in calm reasonable tones. I was ready to kill them both!!!
What made me so frustrated is that they wouldn't even try my way, just tell me why it was wrong. grrrrrrrrrrr
Since we were only talking about placement of movable items, I finally had it and said fine, you just put things where you want them and don't talk to me about it any more. I gave them the diagram of how I wanted it and refused to discuss it again. My plan was that after they finished, I'd get someone else to help me move things to where I wanted them once everything was in the room. LOL.
Well, when they called me in to see the finished room, danged if everything wasn't right where I had it on my plan!!! Two humble men apologized to me and then took me out to dinner because my plan did work and I had been right.

Janet Espeleta

I have found that if I draw out a rough sketch of how I want the room to be arranged, it helps my dh visualize what I have in mind better than if I just try to tell him. The hardest thing I have with him is he always wants to do everything the cheapest way possible where I would rather spend a bit more money & get something that will last & work the way I want it to. For instance I wanted a shelf mounted above my cutting table with 2 lights on the bottom. He only wanted to buy 1 light, but my cutting table s 6' long & I wanted to be able to use 2 lights if necessary. My SIL, who is an electrician, knew exactly what I had in mind so, bless his heart, he came by a couple days later with another light, took the 1st one off and then remounted them both. Now it works exactly like what I had in mind. Of course, for some reason my SIL doesn't listen to my daughter like he does me, which really irritates her to no end!

joeyoz

I actually have a friend that went through that very same thing. You have to stick to your guns and make sure he gets the point that it is YOUR room. Poke him with a stick if you have to. Be VERY assertive. Make sure you tell him you love him BUT.......
Good luck and hope it all turns out the way YOU want it.

milikaa1

I am sorry . I am very lucky to have my husband, he offers suggestions and ideas which I actually love, he is really good about this kind of stuff and goes above and beyond to make things special for me.....

lfw045

No need to be sorry milikaa1. You are very blessed to have a husband that treasures what his wife wants. :^)

Just Me...

When he tries to change your mind, try little subtleties like, "and how will that work for YOU?" or "what has your experience been when you laid it out like that?" Don't be mean or harsh, but he will understand your point...it is your sewing room. If that doesn't work, you can always offer to help him decorate his garage! Works for me! LOL

Just Me...

it also helps him when I explain the "why" of my layout, etc. for the room...i.e. ironing board close to the machine because you are up and down so much....closet organizer to keep like fabrics together, etc.

beatys9

I find the 'redirect' method works well... DH & I are going through something similar right now so we have agreed to turn one space into my sewing area & another into his 'mancave'. He is so excited working on his mancave (where I won't fuss at his about the tv volume and the junk he's watching), he now could care less what I do in the sewing area...