Sewing Room Upgrade
 

For the last couple of years I have carved a little sewing space out of my family's tiny storage room. A few weeks ago I got an upgrade...our spare bedroom furniture was donated to someone who would actually use it, and now I have an entire bedroom to use as my sewing space! I am beyond thrilled for this....it is mentally exhausting to try to be creative when your sewing machine is sitting right next to the weedeater, rakes, and shovels (we still don't have a shed, but that's another story).

This is a nice space, and I am going to use my tax refund to spruce it up and make it workable for me. The room isn't large, but there is a south facing window for excellent light, and a tv with satellite and internet connections. The carpet is in bad shape, but I already have a pile of laminate flooring salvaged from a friend's house to put in there. The only other physical updates the room needs is a ceiling fan and a can of paint. I will probably put some uv reflective film on the window so I can leave fabric out without worrying so much about fading and to help keep out the summer heat, the ac isn't the greatest in there.

I would like to turn this room into a complete sewing studio: sewing station, cutting station, pressing station, design wall. All my fabric and books in there as well, and hopefully a window seat for hand sewing where I can see the garden. All that is left in the room is a small bookshelf with the tv on it, and a dresser with a mirror. I am figuring my books and patterns can go on the bookshelf, and I can use the drawers of the dresser to store thread, notions, and rulers. I have two sewing machines to put in there, one treadle and one that just sits on a hollow core plastic table, a desk chair, and a big bulky cabinet in another room that I think could work as a pressing table. The closet is long and narrow, and while off season clothing is stored in half of it, I can have the other half for my fabric.

I am cheerfully mapping out the room on graph paper and trying to decide on the best layout for everything. I want to keep things functional, as clutter free as possible, and somewhat portable. We are planning on moving within a few years, so I don't want to dump a lot of money into things I can't pack up and take with me. My whole budget for this project is roughly $1200, and I'm not afraid of doing the work myself.

I am leaning towards some flatpack furniture from somewhere like ikea, all on a level with the top of the treadle, in a horseshoe shape, with the design wall on the biggest wall of the room opposite the countertops.

I don't really have any questions right now, I just got access to the room this week. I just wanted to start a thread and share my good luck, and see if I get any good suggestions.

Thanks for reading!

My suggestion, have fun planning your room. Using graph paper is a very good idea. Just remember its your room, and you can do it your way.

I'm sewing in a reclaimed bedroom 10x10. One window, tv, computer. Sewing table takes up most of the room but that's ok. Just love my room and if DH needs me he knows where I am. Have fun planning Only thing I wish I would have done right away was paint it.

You could use a door across two file cabinets (lots of good storage), sewing machine near one end, pressing/cutting station on the other. One of the best things in my sewing room is deep shelves floor to ceiling. I ruler fold most of my fabric and looking at those stacks is like looking at a piece of art.

How fun!
Don't forget about good lighting....maybe something you can take with you.

Lots of great ideas how to organize your sewing room on line, You tube, and Pintrest. Most of them talk about the sewing triangle like the kitchen triangle...sewing, pressing, storage. Just have fun planning.

After doing some thinking and shopping my house a little, I actually have everything I need. It might not be match or be pretty, but it's functional. I spent a couple of hours rearranging the furniture in there to experiment with how functional my preferred arrangement is. I'll still have to come up with some storage solutions and I want to paint and swap out the flooring regardless, but this is not going to be a costly renovation.

Congratulations on your new sewing room. I know how thrilled I was when I got mine. Not thrilled that my daughter moved out, but happy to get a designated sewing room. My thrill was being able to leave my my ironing board up all the time. Don't worry about getting it set up right the first time. I have had my room for 13 years and still rearrange from time to time. Enjoy!!!

Remember Origami, nothing is nailed down so you'll be able to move things around until you're happy. Isn't funny how we find things that can be used for something else? I took my son's, who moved out, little computer desk and use it as a credenza next to my sewing machine. Now I have room for lots of doodads within an arms reach. ( Read coffee mug, lap top, small TV, sewing notions)

How exciting to finally have a space of all your own ... I’m sure you will come up w some clever ideas and like you said, it doesn’t have to be matchy matchy, as long as it’s functional...congratulations and good luck. We’d love to see some photos.

How wonderful to finally have a space of your own! If you want the mismatched furniture pieces to be cohesive, you could paint them all the same color. A friend of mine picked up furniture for her sewing room at yard sales and second hand shops and painted them (in her case black). Looks fantastic.

Congratulations!!! How exciting. The Ikea cabinets and furnishings is a great idea. My sister installed Some Ikea cabinets and upper cabinets in her sewing room in her old house to complete her space. They were great and easy to take down when getting ready to sell the house. She is now installing them in her current home.
My sewing space was custom made for me and if I could have one more thing it would be a better space for a design wall. You already have this figured into your room so you are one step ahead of the game. Make sure your cutting table it wide enough for a larger cutting mat. My treadle serves as the table for my sewing machine, which ever one happens to be in use at the time. I had to remember to leave space so I can open it. As time has gone on over the last 25 years my studio has become fuller and fuller of fabrics and sewing machines and now Accuquilt products. (14 sewing machines all together). Keeping it neat is a challenge but something I keep on working at. Fill your space with fun and just be peaceful in the joy of your own studio.

Congratulations on your space.👍 Having your own sewing space is a great thing. I claimed my DS's bedroom when he went to college. Quiltingcandy is so right,even after many years on my room, I too rearrange from time to time. Enjoy your new space.

Good for you. A workable sewing space is what makes sewing and quilting more enjoyable. Not necessary for things to match.

Seems like each a time i go to my sisters she has rearranged her sewing room!!!
I guess she is still just trying to find how her space works best for her!

Makes good sense to me!

Sometimes rearranging is great for motivation & a good cleaning-that's what I tell my husband anyway lol
But seriously spaces like craft/sewing rooms sometimes as you start to actually work on projects you finally figure what works & what doesn't.

How exciting!! Having a sewing space larger than a closet or storage area it fantastic. Keep planning and graphing things out. I can't wait to see pictures and see you all moved in. The only thing with a dedicated space is it doesn't take long to fill it up. Sew to your hearts content! Be creative with a bang!

Congratulations on your new sewing room. I would make one suggestion. Have an Ott light so you can sew when the natural lighting isn't good. I bought mine when it was on sale at Joann's and I wouldn't be without it. It save a lot of eye strain. Good luck with your painting and new floor. Please show us a picture when it is finished.