Suggestions for sewing studio
 

We have a guest house on our property (appx 1000 sq feet) that is currently being used as storage, but once we finally get moved in, the plan is to make it my sewing studio. There is a living room, bedroom, kitchenette, utility room, and bathroom, and 2 closet spaces. I have a midarm machine on 10ft frame, a serger, and need to have at least 2 other machines set up to function, plus a cutting table, and storage for my stash, books, patterns, etc. I also have an absurd amount of camouflage military fabric because I do alterations for our base, and that stuff has to be easily accessible. I will keep my designer ruby in the main house in my master bedroom but otherwise it all needs to be out here.

Currently there is only a ceiling fan with a light bulb, so I'm looking for lighting suggestions and also space saving storage ideas. It will be decorated in black and white and red, as that is my logo, (ladybug with yellow daisies here and there) but I want to finally have a fully organized work space, big enough that I can have one or two workers in at a time to help as needed.

Aside from my machines and stash, I've got nothing as far as furniture except a couple of bookcases and cabinets for machines. I do have a round dining room table I could refinish and use, and a couple of chairs.

A large ironing surface would be something I'd definitely want. It could be on top of some type of storage unit, or, if you don't want to give dedicated space, make a "drop-down" board that you can fold back up and secure to the wall when not in use. I think a trip to Lowes or Home Depot to look at lighting options used in workshops might yield some ideas.

Check out the room of Spaghetti8888 posted 6/14/12 @ 1:29 p.m. He designed an amazing room and you will get many ideas from his pictures. I could only dream of having a room as organized and put together as this.

Do you have an Ikea nearby? That is an amazing source for all things organizational!! They have storage units that are very affordable (Billy Bookcases) and good looking (Expedit). Their lighting department is filled with very unusual and workable ideas for a sewing studio - I should know - I've re-done my entire space for quilting with Ikea!! I do not suggest ordering online as their shipping charges are ridiculously high, but should you have a store within reasonable driving distance, check it out - you won't be sorry. And yes, all their shelving comes in several different colors so you can stick with your black, red and white theme. Have fun!! (p.s. you can also check out craigslist for used Ikea furniture/shelving)

My favorite thing in my sewing room is a system of elfa drawers with ironing surfaces on top. I custom designed them for a 10 foot wall and it holds so much. They can be pricey, but they always go on sale in January and June so you might want to check them out online. I saved my money until I could afford them, but I did wait until they went on sale. The best part was the ability to custom design the size drawers I needed and it certainly keeps me organized.

You might want to start checking out garage sales for wood CD racks ... fat quarters fit neatly in them. Bookcases for storing fabric ... long dresser for storage and top for cutting or ironing surface ... if you have bolts of batting you can hang those from the ceiling with closet poles and brackets ... peg board for hanging up rulers, tools, etc. You might check out your library for books about organizing your quilting space ... lots of good ideas in there.

Stash storage......comic boards and uline foam board placed like library books is the best solution I've heard....did that and love it. A home labeler (Brother available at Office Deport) is a must for drawer storage. I've haven't been satisfied with my pattern or book storage method yet...still looking.

Design wall is a must and for me is never big enough when I have several things going at once.

How LUCKY are U to get a very big sewing studio. Good Luck with the decorating and reorganizing of it.

Have a blessed day.

debra

Lucky you! Take your time in filling up your space.

Make sure you have the right size table for ironing and table for cutting and stuff, make sure these tables are at a comfortable height. I love my florecent lights, especially over my quilting machine. I don't know where you live but, think about a air conditioner and heat source as they are needed for your climate. Bookcases are wonderful for just about anything. I like to use a peg board to hang boocoos of stuff. Sounds like you are a lucky lady, have fun with it and remember it's yours and do it the way you want it right off the bat! You can always experiment with it and change it as you desire. Good luck and have fun!......
Also, tell your military family and or clients THANKS from a little old countrygirl in KY. Thanks for all they do, as well as, their families!.... God Bless Them ALL!.......................
Penny

Post pix as you go, we all love seeing each others spaces!

How exciting! Have fun decorating your studio. Please post photos when it is finished.

My DH installed 2 long florescent light fixtures in my sewing room, has Ottlite like bulbs, so I get great lighting and its not a yellow light.
He put the same type of lighting in the kitchen, its wonderful.

For goodness sake, do not worry about what to put in there. Before you know it, the space will be so overfull. Take your time, move in, and play for a while. You'll figure it out. If not, then put in some shelves and buy enough fabric to fill them. You'll be just as crazy, uhm, HAPPY as the rest of us.

Sweet. My little sewing room is done in ladybugs as well. The upper half of my wall is red with lower half beige with a black stripe and ladybug decals all around. I have two windows and ladybug valances. I am in the process of reorganizing and will post pics when finished. Good luck to you. Oh, I have purchased comic book boards and have wrapped my stash on them (like 400). It is already looking much better and my room is not all that big (just a bedroom)

I have seen the Cd racks are you pulling out the plastic insert to store fat quarters in them or leaving it in?

That is my dream to have a separate studio. Have fun designing it and make it bright and cheery with lots of nature light.