TexasSunshine

When DH built my room he put in plenty of lighting, lots of outlets, ceiling fan, painted floor, large shelf to put bins on, 2 large tables to cut on, a large mat fits on it plus my large ironing board, large design wall, long shelf along one end that holds my machines and serger. I can move from one to the other if needed. My tables have a skirt around it so I can store a lot under it.

sblancarte

I have purchased long sheets of countertop from the local hardware store and sit it on top of cabinets or wire chest of drawers--a lot of countertop for very little money. I also made a pressing table by cutting a piece of wood and attached it to the top of a wire rolling cart with washers and wing nuts. I wrapped the wood in the thermal reflective lining, then the siver ironing cloth, then deco fabric to make my new ironing board. It is on weels and I can sit and iron. I can iron an entire width of fabric very easily. I also bought one of the steam irons that has a seperate base for the water and I keep the base on the shelf underneath. Don't forget to plan for your fabruc storage!

supergma

Windows in your actual sewing area with really good lighting elsewhere. You need lots of windowless wall space for shelving. If you have enough room, a good size cutting table. Bless your DH.

JNCT14

Try to recycle as much as you can (you would be surprised at what you can make use of - I used an old dresser and mounted my cutting board on it - the drawer space was invaluable) and at the least have your machines and maybe your iron on a dedicated power strip. This way you can shut those off all at once if you don't need them while you are cutting/pinning/basting, etc.

My daughter also got me for my birthday a Skull Candy iPod docking station. I don't have a cable hookup or internet connection in my sewing room but I can play the music on my iPod and the docking station is really little but with great sound. I have a 10 x 12 room and I posted pictures in the virtual room on this forum - take a look. I did most of it for free and you mentioned you needed to keep the cost down.....

thequilteddove

Lessons learned: I was try'n to save money when hubby built my room...
1. We bought regular kitchen cabinets & counter tops. I didn't stop to think about how a kitchen counter is way higher than a sewing table. I tried using a drafting chair, but w/a carpet floor it was a royal pain! So now I do all my sew'n standing up! I've learned to like it :)
2. We used about half the basement... omg we should have used it all! There's never enough space.
3. The basement floor is not level, so we decided to carpet. It's beautiful. However, I'm a swifter kinda gal. I can swift my upstairs floors every day, but for some reason I don't seem to like to vacuum... but with that said, carpet is warmer for your tootsies than tile :)
4. If you buy batting by the roll, use closet bracets to store them.
5. An area for a design wall is a must! I hate that I don't have enough wall space or floor space to lay out my blocks. I have a solution in my mind, I just haven't implemented it yet. My solution is to make a design wall that functions like a rollup window shade. It will go in front of my fabric closets :)
6. If your a thread junkie like me. My cupboards have pull out shelves in them. There are two shelves, I wish there were three. I have a solution :) I'm gonna buy another pull out shelf and bat my eyes at my hubby to fix the shelves in my cupboard lol
7. I have a nice peg board. But you know I need a bigger one! And yes I have a solution! lol
8. Lighting! I don't have any windows. Although my 'studio' is lovely, this is my #1 complaint. I do have track lighting, but it still seems to never be bright enough for me!

Quilting Nana

I did something similar. My ironiong space is not near my sewing machine. I did that on purpose because that makes me have to get up and move.
If I had everything right next to me I would never move. :-)

NanaCsews2

Lucky you! My DH helped me create my creative room also. Couple thoughts: Ask your DH for suggestions, he will feel like he is part of your passion and will give you your 'space'. :) Make sure there is room for an extra chair for him to come in and sit with you every now and then. More than 1 design wall if you have the space. I have a small portable one I move around. Two large thread holders (120 pegs each) attached to a board on the wall hold/display all my smaller embroidery and sewing thread cones. For those with carpet, use a dog hair comb to 'rake' up the threads, pins and small bits of fabric. The ones with longer metal tines work great. Good wishes to you, you are going to love YOUR space!

JNCT14

Saw a couple of suggestions on thread holders - just FYI - my dad made my mom glass front cabinets (He etched them as well - really pretty and its an easy technique) - reason being that thread like everything else gathers dust. If you have the room for a pegboard on a wall, then the doors for protection are a good idea.

NanaCsews2

I agree with the thread and dust comment. I should have mentioned we purchased (unfinished kitchen) cabinets from local home improvement retailer and put them around my 9x10 room. For the thread, we put the racks up, formed a board frame around them, and created a plexiglass door front. All my fabric (large, organized stash), huge supply of yarn skeins, and large thread cones are behind cabinet doors. I hope to get pics on here someday. It is a small room, but it is amazing what I fit into it.

catlover

I have wood laminate in mine. It's easy to sweep up the threads and lint. And my chair rolls on it easily.

Cynthia