Aurora

I use one of those wooden TV tray tables from Walmart for my ironing/pressing. I also have one for a 12 x 18 cutting mat. I live with my 93 year old mother in a mobile home. My sewing room is a small bedroom with some of her furniture along the walls. I have had to be very creative with fabric and tool storage. I am also a member of the County Extension Office. Our FCS Agent is a quilter as well so we have quite a quilting program. We have UFO days once a week, where I work on larger projects like major cutting. October 3 and 4, we will have our annual Lock-in. It starts at 3:00 p.m. Friday and goes until 7:00 a.m. Saturday. I always get lots accomplished.

Sharonquilts

I am in a similar situation ... except I still have a full size bed, dresser, TV stand, and 5-drawer chest in my room to deal with. My DH feels we still need to keep these ... just in case. So I added a 6 ft. folding table that just fits partly over the end of the bed. This has worked out very well. I can put my cutting mat on it and can use it as an ironing station (w/removable padding, of course). While it's still not ideal, it's better than going downstairs to the dining room to cut or the laundry room to iron. My sewing machine/cabinet are in the corner to the right. Since they are very near to the closet, I don't have room to add a table behind for more support of quilts.

I have a small desk in the garage I need to finish painting to sit my embroidery machine on. Once that's finished, I'll put the TV on top of the chest (which I use to store some fabrics, etc.) and place the desk beside the dresser on the opposite side of the room to do embroidery. Also have fabrics stored on a shelf in the closet. My DH took over the closet for his winter clothers when our son moved out ... otherwise I would have a lot more storage space Hahaha.

One thing I've learned is that quilters will find a way to make space limitations work. We are a creative bunch. Ha.

Little Lulu

I wouldn't cover the window. You will want the lighting. I have a table under the window and my work space then has me sitting as if I am looking out the window.

leighway

A photo of the room as it is, along with pics of the shelves as they are currently would be a good starting point for our suggestions. Unless you are uber organized, I would think there might be a way to 'tighten up' the items on the shelves now, to give you a bit of space to place things.
As for the window, you could look into some board and brackets and put a couple of shelves there. Also, look to Ikea for one of the rod and bucket fixtures or make one to also go in the window to hold smaller items like pencils, scissors, etc.
As for a design wall, go for the large piece of insulation from Home Depot, cover it with flannel and place it in front of one of your existing shelves, leaning against it. it's very lightweight and you can move it when you need to.
Ironing if it includes large pieces might have to be done outside your room. Meanwhile, one of the June Taylor ironing mats would be perfect when piecing. That's all I've had in my sewing room for years and it's great. I can place it against a wall when I need the space for cutting. Hope these ideas help you.

cashs_mom

Unless you have to get things on the shelves that are already there on a daily basis, I would get some sheets of plywood/insulation/something to stand in front of the shelves and make that a useable area. Even if it's just for a design wall. They have sets of wire baskets/drawers that will fit under tables and work well for fabric storage. As far as not being able to get rid of the stuff, my method is to do a few things at a time. I look at it decide if I want to keep it and then it either goes in the charity basket or the trash. When you do 3 or 4 items a couple times a week you don't really notice its gone and suddenly there starts to be extra space.

stillvnu

Just a suggestion … I would hang a shoe rack on one of the shelves to store small notions, pins, scissors, threads and a flannel tablecloth on another for a design wall. Lucky you to have a space to sew! Enjoy!

Annaquilts

Yes, this! I have a lot of space and still like the TV trays. They are also low enough I can scoot them under the table I am working on without breaking them down. When they need be I pull them out and also use them as support when quilting a quilt.

SusieQOH

Just beautiful!!!

I love that ironing station. When you think about it regular ironing boards are not at all designed for quilters. I'm going to look into a style like yours.

I second the shoe rack. I bought one on Amazon that has clear dividers and hung it on my sewing room door. It holds a ton.

azwendyg

Have you thought about making a free standing pegboard "wall" that you can just lean up against the front of the shelves? Could it be made to slide aside when you need to access the shelves? A foam insulation board design wall could also sit in front of the shelves if you would like to have one...

selm

Is there room to add a shelf over the window? This would give you some space for stash or whatever. You probably would also need a folding stool to access the shelf when you wanted anything on the shelf.