I have lived in California for 27 years and NEVER worry about earthquakes. I have only experienced short - minor to intermediate quakes during all these years. You are too funny! However, it is always interesting to see how people from other states view California.

Being in Texas, I have never seen a basement. But I do have to have windows to see out. Each morning I go about the entire house and open all the blinds to let the light in. I think I would get claustrophobic in an enclosed room. My house isn't large enough for a dedicated sewing room, so I have commandeered our guest room for setting up my quilt frames, they straddle the guest bed, and a card table set up against the wall holds my sewing machine. When I need to iron and cut, I use a table in my utility room. I get great light there as the back door exits that roon and it has a glass storm door on it. This also enables (forces) me to get up and down frequently when I am piecing which is better than setting for long hours at a stretch. I hope your basement works out for you.

Would it be possible to put another 'room' in the basement, and you take one of the rooms upstairs for your sewing room? Just a thought...

It appears that everything is possible. DH is looking at building a shop with an attached quilting studio. :thumbup:

My longarm studio is in the basement....sewing studio is on the main floor. I am blessed with huge windows in both. What I prefer about the basement is that there is more wall space to hang finished projects and keep me inspired and surrounded by the things I love!

You may need a dehumidifier in a basement sewing room. Probably let it run for a few weeks before moving in a sewing room. Probably a carpet for the floor for warmth.

I would recommend making sure there is no dampness. I knew a lady whose sewing machine started getting rusty because of a closed in damp basement. I don't know what metal the internal parts of machines are made of.

I have had my sewing room in our basement for 5 years and just love it. I painted the walls a soft yellow and have good lighting in the ceiling. (No windows) I have speakers from the "Man Cave" area so I can listen to the CD's whenever I want. I always sew my bindings on by hand, so I do that when I am in the main living space with DH. I love being able to just shut the door and not worry about my organized mess! I hope you love your sewing room no matter where you put it.

Mine is in the basement and i love love love it, no one will bother me, but its just me and the hubbs anyway, he installed a bunch of flouresent lights for me, and i do have two windows, i would say the basement is about 3/4 underground and is very dry. I like it to because in the summer its the coolest place to be and in the winter is the warmest, even the floor, which has no carpert, but i like it that way. And all the room in the world.

I had a basement sewing space in my last house and loved it. No worry about cleaning up - ever! and the dogs liked to hang out with me there. Though I had a window, added one big florescent light over head, and it was fine. I use an upstairs bedroom now, but it's carpeted and I really prefer the basement spot.