Not Again !!
 

Just getting back into the swing of quilting and starting to keep up with the board after real life got in the way for a while. I had a beautiful quilting area in the lower level and had it just like I wanted... and then... a slow leak in a water supply line that went undiscovered for quite some time has put me back to square one and I do mean square one! I have attached pics of what it looked like although I had repainted.The green was hard to live with over time but I liked it. And the after pictures are breaking my heart. Now I have to start all over and I feel overwhelmed with the amount of choices I have! Pinterest is the devil! The only thing decided on is the floor....the last thing to be installed! Color scheme ? Nope. Floor Layout? Nope. Finishes? Nope. Lighting? Nope. I have all my machines, fabric, batting, etc crammed into a small room and just feel like its too much even think about....sigh. I have the books Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space and Dream Sewing Spaces but right now that is just providing me with more options that I can't seem to narrow down! The space is very large about 32 x 32 plus some odd nooks and crannies that i can have if I want. Anyone know a good space planner cause I am floundering!

Fabulous space! Just take it one step at a time. First, step away from Pinterest. Haha! What colors make you happy? What did you like about your old room? What would you have changed? Think of it as a do-over. C'mon, you can do this!

Sometimes, too many choices is a curse. Why don't you concentrate on the big choices first. Lighting, color and flooring. Then maybe your organization. On your color, think about what would really make you happy everyday to go into your quilting room. Or, do you want it to set off your finished pieces that will decorate your room. If you liked the green, why did you eventually not like it. Is it the wrong shade, too dark....

Lighting, now that you've used the room already, you know where the lighting is lacking. Go with your gut on what you'd like.

You have the flooring picked out. One problem solved.

Organization, again, you've already used the room. Think about what it was missing.

Did you not like anything about the room before the disaster? It really was a pretty room. I hope you have fun decorating and that you end up with the room of your dreams.

If the area was set up just the way you liked it before, is there some reason you can't just put it back that way? Maybe a different color if the green wasn't exactly to your liking? But if you liked it the way it was before, why change it once you get the repairs done?

Thanks for the pep talk. That room was the sixth sewing room I set up in the last few years and I finally had it almost right. The green while bright and fresh was jarring after a while and so I went more neutral and that worked with all the fabric adding color. A step at a time... I know the ceiling will be white, so that's two decisions down... a few more to go. Thanks again for the encouragement it is much needed!

The room will actually be quite a bit larger since there were walls removed and added another 300 square feet so now it is about 700 square feet in size which is about double what is was. It just seems daunting to figure out how is should be... on the other hand I probably need more fabric....hmmmm lol

oo, don't forget a nice big design wall also. They are fairly easy to make on your own.

Was it a water line leak or a foundation leak???

As we have discovered after gutting it, it was both. In a way the pipe leak was a blessing because we were able to see the problems with the foundation. The foundation repairs will begin tomorrow and then we can start rebuilding from the cement in. We have already installed new gutters and rainspouts, changed the landscaping and will be sealing and waterproofing the foundation after the mason has finished his repairs. I'm really thankful that none of my sewing machines were damaged.

I have no advice, but I'm sorry about the difficulty you're having. How wonderful you'll feel as each step of the process is finished! You'll have quite the accomplishment to share!

I'm so sorry for the loss of what you had and loved and worked so hard to get almost to your liking. I agree--step away from Pinterest.

I felt overwhelmed planning a new kitchen a few months ago and was finding NOTHING on Pinterest for a space I liked that roughly matched what I was looking for.

So I made a list of everything I hated in one column, and what changes to each one in the other.

I would recommend you do that.
Start with color. Find a fabric in a color you love and could be surrounded with all year long. I chose pale yellow. Keep that fabric in a special place so you'll have it to color-match paint when the time comes.

Make sure you like your view. That's huge.
You've done this before so you know what kind of space you need to move around it--and it sounds like you'll have NO problem having enough space!


Plenty of electrical outlets.
A place for handwork.
Design wall not near sunlight unless you can draw a shade to protect the fabric.

Acoustics. Is the basement echo-ey?
Have a bathroom down there? Sink? Coffee maker? Chocolate cupboard? haha

So sorry. As others have said lighting, colour and plenty of sockets for your machines iron etc. you can reduce extension leads. Draw a plan of how it will go together places of furniture you still have or need.

What a wonderful room this will be. go to one of the big box stores and use their computer to help you out on the designing of the room.

Wow...sorry you have gone through all of this. Remember, baby steps. Floor, paint choice, great lighting. Everything after that will simply flow. This is your room, your domain, your happy place. Make it that way again. Go for it!!

I can sympathize with you. Since moving into this present house I've discovered a couple areas with water problems. The previous owners had their downspouts too close to the house so everytime it rained it came into the basement along one wall where I had my shelves of quilting cottons. Once I got that fixed then one of my pipes burst overhead of my dress fabrics and notebooks full of projects. The books were toast so I tossed them, dried all the fabrics. Was fortunate that only one fabric bled onto another fabric, a burgundy red crepe wool onto a peach colored linen. What a mess. Got that fixed and then discovered a pin hole leak coming thru the side wall. Sprayed a substance onto to stop that leak as well as onto some of the floor as it seems to be seeping up from the floor too. Old house so I'm sure they never put some sort of water proof sheeting down before pouring the concrete. Floor kept crumbling in some areas. Anyway, I'm dry now this season.

Nice large area you have though.

Wow Snooze.... I hope I don't keep finding problems! Ouch. I have always loved setting my sewing space but I have moved and changed it so many times the last couple years and now to start from scratch with no limits really is just a little overwhelming. I plan to make a scale drawing today and then start a wish list and try to find someone to build some custom cabinetry or failing that getting ready to assemble cabinets and customizing the interiors, I am pretty handy with power tools( if I do say so myself). Does anyone have a Koala or Horn cabinet or have an opinion on the pros and cons of each? That is on my list for sure...or a custom built one if I can find a skilled wood worker in this area.

I agree with NJ Quilter. I would start from there. We removed our dishwasher. DH put kitchen back to way it was just change trim. Now onto the living room. Maybe just tweak what you have.

tjk829 wrote:
I have the books Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space and Dream Sewing Spaces Anyone know a good space planner cause I am floundering!
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I was wanting some new planning tool too, and one day this is what I came up with to plan my dream studio (hope this helps! :D:

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There ya go-a super excuse for fabric shopping. But while your floor is still cement get your chalk out and a tape measure- measure the things that you have and plan to use again. If you are getting new cabinets go to Menards or Lowes and get a look at what they have and they will give you pamphlets of every thing with measurements and colors they come in-they can also do a computer print out of your room and all the things you will be putting into it -Free of charge. Try not to stress -you are an old hand at creating sewing rooms. Hey it was beautiful before and it will be again.

I Love the colors you had and also the arrangement. Like someone else said, just take a time at a time.

So sorry you have to go through this. On the other hand what an opportunity you have a blank canvas to do what you want with. Keep us up on the progress.

We moved 4 years ago after I finally had the quilting room I always wanted. The house we moved to has a much bigger room and hardwood floors which I love, but I still do not have it set up like I would like. The lighting was terrible, I have added a solatube sky light which has been the best thing it was so dark before even though there was a window, but I have to have natural light, now if I could just finally get the space set up like I want it.

How lucky you are to have such a big wonderful space. Did you loose your pretty furniture too. If you like green, I would go with a softer, paler grey green, a new neutral, and I love pale yellow to brighten place up. Take a deep breath and start with color on walls, flooring, and lighting. Then what furniture you have and what you need. As I have 8 sq feet if space and things here and there, I would LOVE to be able to have that space. . Our vet has an almost new office and I would love a finished cement floor like he has, hard to do in a double wide. Let us see it as you work, and don't forget to look at the thread here on organizing a sewing room/space.

I can see how daunting it would be to have to start over -- take one step at a time --maybe make a list so you can check the steps off -- that always makes me feel like I've accomplished something! Good luck in your new room. I'm sure it will be wonderful when it is finished.

I am sorry your space got wrecked by water -

But you seem to be more fortunate than many in that you are able to do it over and have a huge amount of space to work with.

My main suggestion is to have many electrical outlets installed - and to have them at least three feet off the floor - or above your work tables - so that they are easy to use.

I agree that sometimes too many choices can make decision making more difficult.

Love the Lego planning tool. I used graph paper and laminated my current pieces of furniture, cut them out and shifted them around to take several pictures. That's a start but living in the space really helps the most. And you have a head start on that! Good luck.

LOL... the legos are awesome I am going to see the grandkids!! :)

I have empathy for your situation, but not solutions. Sorry that you have to go through this. Maybe just change the color from green and improve any other things you didn't like. What a job!

Sorry for your stress but it will be sew worth it in the end. As others have said, take it one step at a time & time it will take, for sure. Don't rush into decisions & change what you didn't like in your other rooms & improve on the ones that you did like. Sounds easy doesn't it but we all know, change is sometimes tough. You are going to have a fabulous room when all is said & done. Good luck. Make sure you post the end results.

Omg....what a nightmare......must be costing a fortune to redo......just wait til it a real space then begin.....right now from your pic it looks so depressing

Oh, your old room was very nice and I am sure your new one will be also. Crisis=opportunity. I agree - remember what you liked from before and do it again. Change the things you would have liked to have had different. Nothing is set in stone and it can be modified if you make a mistake. I certainly have made a few.....

I would pick a neutral color for the walls - my sewing room is Belgian cream - white is always nice because you can change the décor easily or any neutral color. Just take one step at a time and when it gets to you, dream of how beautiful it will look! We had a water problem in our kitchen and were without a kitchen for several months, and we're still finishing up but at least it's functional. Your room will look beautiful!

I LOVE the green. If you like it, go ahead and use it again on the rebuild. Why not re-create your new room in the same fashion/floor plan as the old one? If you were comfy with it and liked it, do it.

All i can say, the day will come again, for the blessed Quilter

So very sorry to hear of your problems with water/leakage/etc. I can understand how you are feeling overwhelmed. But you have a lovely, large space to use so that is a big plus. And your machines were not damaged; that is also a plus. As others have said, take it a step at a time. Choose the basics: flooring, outlets, paint colors, cabinets, etc., and then when that is done, you can think about putting your quilting furniture, fabrics and other things back in place. I'm really sorry you have to deal with this. I wish I were closer because I would enjoy helping you sort through things. I love to organize so this would be right up my alley. Maybe you have a quilt friend or two who could help you work through some of the details. Good luck to you! It will be so nice to have a "new" space to work in!

Just put everything on wheels so you can change your mind 400 times if you want to!

OK but more helpfully.... What I did to plan my layout was make a scale drawing of my room on graph paper, marking windows and doors and outlets and light switches so I had a complete view of what was going on in the room. Then I made scaled cut-out pieces of paper for each piece of furniture that was going to go into the room or that MIGHT go into the room (getting measurements online for furniture I was considering buying), and that let me play with a ton of options without having to actually drag furniture around or invest in a bunch of stuff that might not really work out.

I KEPT all of those pieces too, and I was glad I did because after about 3 months I realized the room was not working in a couple of key ways and needed a new plan...I just busted out my envelope of pieces and re-arranged it until I was happy, and then I had a nice map for my DH to use to help me move things where they would go. Thankfully I've been happy with layout #2 for awhile now. :)

Do you have quilting friends? If so, visit their quilting space and see what catches your eye and what you know you couldn't work with.

Some things for me are a must. Like if there's a window, that's where my sewing machine will be. Like many others have said... start with what you REALLY liked about the old room and go from there. **you know: you can't eat an elephant whole. One bite at a time. :D

I have my entire basement, flourescent lights, concrete floor, so wheels will roll nicely, not finished, but i like it that way, pegboards are my walls so i can hang things. good luck to you, but you can make it work.

Sorry you had all that trouble...Take your time and make the new space the best...

You didn't mention whether or not your machines and fabric were ok...I hope so. Looking forward to seeing your plans in the works. Most people's sewing spaces are "works in progress", not finished products. Wishing you the best.

Slow down and breathe! Now think about what you loved in your room and go back in with that . Any thing you didn't doesn't go back in. One step at a time. And breathe!