New sewing rooms are organized!
 

As you may know from other posts, I'm a new quilter, but not new to sewing. My beloved Aunti died suddenly last May, and we've been given a large chunk of her vast collection of quilting fabrics, tools (including one of her three sewing machines), etc. Digesting all this bounty has taken about a month. But, it's done at last and I'm sew pleased with it that I had to share. (I've gleaned so much from others' great ideas that I don't think there's much new here, but I'll share anyways, 'cause we all like to geek out about this stuff, right? Right!) ;)

I have two rooms that have changed since Aunti's bequest came into my life: my bedroom and an adjacent den (we call it the pass-thru room, 'cause in our antique farmhouse, it's a room that has four doors: one to the other bedrooms and stairs, one to the outside deck, one to our bedroom, and one to the only bathroom on this floor. There are a lot of doors and some walls, so here's what we did!

The pass-thru room WAS our movie room/TV and Lego center (for the grandkids). This hadn't been using it much, and when the grandkids were here, it wasn't that great because the movies woke up the babies who slept in adjacent guest rooms. So, out with the old idea, in with the new! Here's the "before" shot:

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You can see in this picture the shelves that housed our movies, a couch, and my bedroom beyond. Note the fish tank and window (you'll see them soon again!). :D There was a small love seat in front of the window, which mostly I used to fold laundry. We relocated it downstairs.

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In the pass-thru room, we removed the red couch, exposing the full wall. I got some 8" deep finished lumber, stain, and some angle irons. My husband helped me to build wider shelves below the movie shelves by screwing brackets to the board wall.

Then, I had to arrange all the fabrics that I had inherited. I wrapped any fabrics that were 1 yd. or longer on the polar notions boards that Aunti had left. It took me two weeks to iron, wrap, and label all of them. I arranged them by color, and then on the shelves (in descending order) I stacked fat quarters, 1/4 yd. pieces, 1/2 yd. pieces, and 2/3-3/4 yd. pieces.

Here they are all done:

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In my bedroom, we relocated my small couch and placed my new sewing machine. I love the west-facing, natural light during the day. (In winter, I am never blinded because a ridge out the window shields me from direct sunlight; in summer, trees also help shield this window from western sun glare.)

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After working in these spaces for a bit using folding tables, I realized that I needed a cutting table, and could use more storage. After searching Pinterest, I decided on using four ClosetMaid cubby units. (I searched the 'net and bought them from Walmart at $39/each and free shipping. They came in a few days!)

I placed one unit on each end, and two back to back in the middle. This means that I have a knee hole where I can sit on a bar stool with my back to the fabric wall if I want to do applique work at this table. It also means that the cubbies on the front are double-deep, so I can store my longest rulers right to hand where I can use them. We used simple, half-inch plywood for the top. Here is a half-finished shot:

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I had one of those 3' X 5' cutting mats from Aunti, and I read about creating perfect pressing boards using boards, cotton batting, and canvas. I had both of these on hand. So, using the nearby bathroom floor, we covered the 3' X 5' table top with batting and canvas to create a perfect pressing surface.

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So, now, my cutting table (36 1/2" high) is a pressing surface and a cutting surface with tons of storage underneath and the ability to sit up to it (on the back side). It's great for laying out lap quilts so I can ponder my quilting options after piecing, too, which is what's going on in these pictures:

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Note that we didn't put any bracing or extra framing. We just laid the top down on the cubbie units. This is because we're not sure if we'll want to leave this here forever or move it around someday. It's very stable and solid as is; the rug helps to hold it in place.

On the opposing wall of the pass-thru room, I have a rolltop desk that I bought off Craig's List that I didn't want to lose. I culled about 75 books from Aunti's collection (she had over 500, I guesstimate), so my husband and I put up similar shelves over my desk to store them. I also have my biggest rulers stored there, on top.

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That's it! What do you think?

Attachments are not working...sounds like you have been busy!

Yup, attachments not opening.

Attachments are not working, but what you have done sounds great!!!

Got 'em fixed. Now look again? :D

Very nice. Wow, you have your own little quilt store. So many wonderful choices. Love how you made your cutting table. I think you utilized your space in your pass through room wonderfully. Sorry for the loss of your Aunt. But, I would say your cup runith over. You came up with some wonderful clever ideas for storage and placement. I hope you get to spend lots of time creating in your new space.

Thanks so much!

You and hubby have created a fantastic quilting haven! Great job!

You have created a fantastic space and I love the fabric organization! I bet your Aunti would be proud of what you have done.

very nice space! I'm a LOT green with envy!

What a great sewing quilting space! I am sorry for your loss, but, very happy she had a willing recipient to will her treasures to. That must have been a comfort to her at least. I don't know what will happen to my stash if anything should happen to me. No one sews or quilts in my family. :~(

You created a wonderful sewing room! You have lots of space to work in and it is nice and bright. I would love to have that kind of space!

OH, my , what a great makeover! Just curious, what did you use to secure the top of the cutting table to the cubby units? They're melamine,aren't they?

Love the quilt "store" you have there, your sewing machine, the space to move all around, and all that natural light . Kudoes to you and the hubby for giving Aunti's stash a place to shine.

Wow; great organization! Enjoy!

You did a great job with all that material. I love how you developed your room and kept the costs down. And that view....it's fantastic. I know you are going to enjoy your quilting area.

What a wonderful space you have created and oh I see so many quilts being created from your extensive stash, well done.

What a great place you have now. Oh and the stash is wonderful!

What a wonderful work space. Looks like you've made the most of your inheritance. Your Aunti would be very pleased to see you are making good use of the quilting things.

I love the wall of fabric. It's really beautiful, like a work of art!

Very nicely done. Your Aunt would be proud of what you have done with your space and her stash. Now to create beautiful quilts in that lovely site.

What a great space you have made!! And you will never have to purchase fabric again!!

What a fabulous space!! You have done a marvelous job organizing your new stash. It looks great and very functional too! Have fun!!!

Great organizing job. I thought I had problems with my quilting room having the back door(which everyone uses) and the door to the rest of the house. I don't know how I would handle have four doors and the traffic flow through there.

Since I sew every evening and weekend and don't watch movies, I think you used the space perfectly.
Your space is great and wonderful. Very good ideas.

Absolutely beautiful rooms. You did a great job.

Wow - what an awesome room!

Really nice room! WOW! Lots of fabrics. Happy stitching!

Love your sewing spaces, very well done.

I think you have a wonderful work space. I know you will think of your Aunt as you work in it! Enjoy the space and hug your Hubby. We all need understanding spouses when we are passionate about quilting! Luann

You had some really great ideas about using your space! I love the table made with the cubbies. :)

That looks great. I like your ideas.

That was my 1st thought as well. You would be surprised how fabric collects dust and the sunlight will fade the exposed portions of the fabric bolts. Great stash!

You have made great use of the space, each of us have to arrange to fit us. I'm feeling lost with out being able to sew, fell an fractured my right arm /shoulder. left hand doesn't work so well.

Your Aunt knew what she was doing in leaving her stash to you. It looks like love was given and received and a lot of love has been put into your wonderful new stash and room. It's a joy to look at.

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*** Super nice room
*** Thanks to Anti you have plenty to do now.
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*** Glad it went to someone who could appreciate it.
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Thanks for the kudos. We didn't attach it! The wrapped canvas keeps it from slipping, and on the side I cut on, the cabbies directly support the table top. The "knee hole" is only 3' X 1'.

What a fabulous sewing area you`ve created using those 2 rooms! You'll be so productive!

Thanks for all that encouragement, Ladies! It is a pretty array. I love the colors, and fabric is so warm. About the light: I'm thinking hard about attaching a large, fabric design wall to the ceiling that can come down to do double duty as a curtain because of that light issue. Also, the cutting table already blocks the door light already. :thumbup:

Fantastic room, thanks for the ideas.