danece

I need your help, I am getting ready to build an outbuilding behind my house in order to use as my Studio, I quilt, sew clothing, scrap book, rubber stamp, I do a lot of crafting. My question is, How big should it be, I have looked at many pictures and gotten many ideas about organization, storage, lighting, etc, but no place does it say how big the area should be. I was thinking about 14 x 18, do you all think this would be sufficient, or can someone help me figure out the size

ragamuffin

I would make it as big as you can afford. You need a comfort chair, refrig, microwave, tv, phone, computer, etc.
Really, I would make it 20' x 20' and if you can, make a loft at both ends to store or hang quilts from, or other crafts.
That way, if you need extra storage for your finished items, you can use both lofts. I have a small barn outback and it is 10' x 14' for my woodshop, and I would want it much bigger. Who knows, down the road, you may teach your skills, and you would need table room for that. I have made so many wood items over the years, I am proud of my work. My wooden sleighs with real runners, lined in velvet, tapestry, even a fur collar off a coat, was one of the best I done. I made a double seated one and stenciled "Over the River and Thru the Woods" on the sides. The person who bought it said her daughter uses it at the fire place all year round. Good luck in your building. Just have a great roof with tar paper underneath. I just had a shingle blow off in a rain storm and no tar paper. So water came in. I cannot take the things out in 90 degree weather so I have to wait until it cools.

Gramie bj

What ever size you decide on, it seams, will become to small in a short period of time. I have 2 rooms one is 12 X 20 The other is 15 X15, both packed full, I really need to clean out a lot of this stuff. I would first decide what size furniture you have to put in there, make scale cutouts and arrange them on graph paper move it all around until you are happy with the layout. Than add a couple of feet in each direction, should give you a good starting point to decide on going larger or smaller. Do you want any built in's? make allowance for doors opening, windows, are you having a 1/2 bath put in? A counter for a pot of coffee? Under counter frig? Do you have a long arm? good luck and enjoy the process. let us know what happens.

mamagrande

I am having one built and it's 12 x 20. I had been using a bedroom (12x14) but my longarm takes half of the room and I can bearly squeez through to the back side. My son was going to build a storage shed so I asked for him to add a room for me.....

I have already figured out on a graft paper where things are going to fit. I will have the LA in the SW corner and my sewing stations on the north wall, my new Kenmore and Serger set up and Singer 301 and Featherweight in the room handy. I will leave an older Kenmore and the Singer Treadle in the house.

All the necessary electrical cords will be installed for computer, TV, with AC and Heating...Microwave and small fridge. Oh and a day bed!
My DH is afraid he will have to make "visits" just to see me. haha

I would really recommend drawing out what is your dream room and then look at what you can afford.

quilter1

We are in the process of moving and my sewing room will be 18 x 16. By the time I get my longarm at one end and fabric storage cabinets there will be enough room for a large sewing table and a cutting table, but nothing more. It seems like a big room, but we quilters need lots of space for our expensive things. If you have the opportunity, I would make the room larger than you are planning, maybe 20 x 20. The loft idea is a good one. Remember to allot space for a comfortable chair for handwork, a TV and computer space, AND good lighting!

Gerbie

I would love to have the space to build a large quilting room. Better yet I need a separate house, with just two rooms, one being a bathroom with sink,shower & the "throne", and the other room just as big as I can get for all of my quilting things, with lots of built in cabinets, tv,microwave, computer on one end and the rest for quilting, machines, fabric and patterns. Oh to dream a bit. Good luck. Like someone posted earlier, make it as large as you can afford, with lots of windows and lighting, and builtins to take up less floor space. Enjoy, and share photos with the process and final building.

tessagin

Designate your areas for the different creative juices. Have your sewing area and your other crafting area. You could have a small break area with coffee pot, micro wave, and camper fridge.

nygal

I agree with making it as large as you can comfortably afford. You can have different "work stations" to do your various crafts. You will LOVE it I am sure!

mighty

I would make it as big as you can!!!!

mjhaess

I have a building under construction now. It will be a sewing room 20x20, a storage room with a cedar closet 10x12 and a bathroom with a shower,sink,and stool 8x10. I have an electrician drawing out the electrical design for me today. The 30 feet in the back of the building will be for my vintage car and other storage..One day I will try to post pictures...I have tried in the past but it just baffles me why I can't get it to upload.