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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: thanson68
Date: 05-04-2005, 07:33 PM (1 of 39)
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Does anyone know of a site that provides information and advice for setting up a sewing room? I am planning to design my sewing room and have no idea as to where to begin. Thanks in advance! Sonja |
User: thanson68
Member since: 08-05-2002 Total posts: 16 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-04-2005, 07:43 PM (2 of 39)
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I just finished setting mine up! I would think about what you do in your room first (lots of quilting, or apparel sewing, or embroidery, whatever) and write down all of the things that you would have to have. I would try to have things do double-duty if you can. (Like I have a cutting counter that I just pop my ironing pad on top of when I need it. When I'm done I hang the ironing pad on the end). I also used an online program at www.furniture.com to set up a virtual room. You can have the dimensions of the room, and put in pieces of furniture that are the exact size to see if everything will fit and how you like it. I also recommend pegboard. Love it! Here's my room: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/GreenDragonDesigns/Sewing%20Room/sewroom1.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/GreenDragonDesigns/Sewing%20Room/sewroom2.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/GreenDragonDesigns/Sewing%20Room/sewroom3.jpg photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-04-2005, 08:36 PM (3 of 39)
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I wanna come sew in your sewing room!!! Love the view out those windows..do you have any wildlife out there?? Great room!! mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-04-2005, 08:42 PM (4 of 39)
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Come on up! We've had moose, bear and deer. Plus a bunch of turkeys that go back and forth every morning and evening. Lots of little birds too. It's been great to set up my room from start to finish. Before I just had a bunch of cast-off furniture and haphazard things. I really thought about it this time. (Plus all my fabric is in a closet with doors so I can hide it from my hubby!!!) photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: Debby215
Date: 05-04-2005, 09:20 PM (5 of 39)
WOW, I want to come to your sewing room too!! I have to wait for my DS who is 25 to decide when he is going to get married, so I CAN HAVE the largest bedroom in the house for my sewing room. I wouldn't have thought about pegboard, what a great idea. Thanks for sharing. 
Debby
So much fabric....... So little time!! |
User: Debby215
Member since: 11-14-2001 Total posts: 611 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-04-2005, 10:43 PM (6 of 39)
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Great sewing room. I miss mine :(. An idea that I used in mine was I had kitchen cabinets I no longer needed. They were still in good shape so I used those as my base for a couple of tables. Stack them 2 high, makes a nice height for a table. They were great for storing all kinds of stuff in. A few of them I took the front off and it would store the fabric bolts of muslin or interfacting. You can make the top of the table out of old doors or new ones(flat ones).I had one that was 3 doors wide. Was great for doing the costumes that required lots of space for laying it all out. I had thought one day it would be good for laying out a quilt, but life changes made that have to wait. Another idea is to use file cabinets which can store a variety of things too. They come in different heights, I used those for a long sewing table. Make the table as big as you want or can. I was lucky in that I had the whole upstairs to use as my sewing room. The front bedroom was the width of the front of the house and half the width of the side of the house. Peg boards are great to hang things from. Mine for now has been dismantled and stored away but when I can go back home it will be up and running again. My mom sewing room is long banquet tables on 3 sides of the room. One has her sewing machines on it, one all her cutting mats and rulers and the other has the clear plastic drawers that she stored everything else in. This is what I am using now and it works nice, but must be kept picked up all the time. Not much room to leave something out. Her cat loves to lay on my fabric and projects and I have to wash them again to get the car fur off. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-04-2005, 11:19 PM (7 of 39)
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One word of warning: The light from the windows may yellow your machines. When I was sewing professionally, and living at our farm, I had my serger in the big double window getting direct sunlight. It is very yellow now (almost embarrassing). It didn't do anything to the machine except yellow the color. My 1530 sewing machine that was at the elbow of the table did not yellow, same company, exact same age. My sewing room is very narrow and small 14 feet by 7.3 feet. At the bottom right corner are a few pics from it. In about 6 months I hope to move into a much larger space where I'll have room to move in my pattern fileing cabinet and put my computer next to the 200e. http://kensphotos.smugmug.com/ pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-04-2005, 11:32 PM (8 of 39)
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Another great sewing room!! Oklahoma is on the way to New Hampshire~Can I stop in a sew at your place for a few days as well?? Y'all are so lucky to have your own place to sew!! mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: paroper
Date: 05-04-2005, 11:44 PM (9 of 39)
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Sure! I'm not that far from I-35! If you time it just right, you can help me with the wedding dress, brides' maids dresses, flower girls' dresses, the men and boy's ties and vest and my dress...then I'll head to New Hampshire (lovely state) with you before I get caught up doing band stuff for next year!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: blanken6
Date: 05-05-2005, 02:05 AM (10 of 39)
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My whole sewing "room" and business is in a sturdi-craft large closet in my living room. I have a desk in there and my chair fits up in there. I have hooks on the doors to hold hanging things and the hanging bar above my head holds current projects. I have 3M hooks that hold my patterns during sewing on the back wall. I have to take things in and out when I sew, but it keeps my living room picked up. I have few wicker box's that hold extra fabric. Some waffle file folders to hold my patterns behind a chair. I was a little worried about not looking very professional but so far I have only had a positive response. A bonus I hadn't thought about either; because it's out of my house, if they bring there children they can use our playroom while we are busy. This set up is also very useful when we move. Just move the whole cabinet! Someday I will have a nice, big room! Proverbs 31:10-31
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User: blanken6
Member since: 08-11-2004 Total posts: 41 
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From: Selene
Date: 05-05-2005, 07:45 AM (11 of 39)
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Does anyone know of a site that provides information and advice for setting up a sewing room? I am planning to design my sewing room and have no idea as to where to begin. Thanks in advance! Sonja Maybe this could help... http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/g-412.html I really envy all you who have that much space for sewing. Our flat is very small and I have to make do with a little corner for my sewing... Wish I could have a whole room, even if it's small! Selene 
Selene
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User: Selene
Member since: 03-03-2004 Total posts: 71 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-05-2005, 08:16 AM (12 of 39)
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Honestly, it is not the size of the house, it has to do with how it is arranged. When we lived in at the farm our house was half the size (really it was) of the house we are in now. All five of us lived in a 2 bedroom house. The girls shared a room, we had one, ds lived in a long narrow room that had been a kitchen but we had remodeled into a crowded library room, there was a hall, bath, small utility space, breakfast nook, kitchen and a perfectly square living room that had a wood buring stove, huge double windows, and five doors randomly leading from it. I crowded my sewing and cutting tables, computer "desk", two sewing machines, two sergers, and misc accessories into this crowded space, the only family living space we had. I did fittings and the customers changed in the small front hall because I could lock the doors going into it for privacy and it was small enough that I could create the effect of a three way mirror by hanging a mirror in three places. Many times I entertained large wedding parties and their mothers, boyfriends and other family members while taking measurments and doing fittings. By being in the main living space, I was always at the heart of the family action and could watch my three small children. The fact is, the old house was MUCH more suitable for professional sewing than this one because of the shape. I don't even have a decent fitting area right now.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Selene
Date: 05-05-2005, 09:30 AM (13 of 39)
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I suppose you're right Pam... it's just that I always have to think about getting in a "big one" wherever I move to - I am a pianist and have a grand piano which takes up A LOT of space! But I'm sure that we'll somehow figure it out! Selene
Selene
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User: Selene
Member since: 03-03-2004 Total posts: 71
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From: paroper
Date: 05-05-2005, 09:41 AM (14 of 39)
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I play too and have always wanted a "baby". That's a cool and expensive piece of furniture to worry about. It must cost a FORTUNE to move it!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: toadusew
Date: 05-05-2005, 10:14 AM (15 of 39)
Those are great sewing rooms!  I think I'll come sew, too! I have a sewing room, but it isn't organized at all--lots of stuff dumped all over the place. Some of that is my own lack of organizational skills, some pure laziness, and some lack of proper storage/tools for storage. Maybe when our daughter goes to college in the fall, I can give my sewing area/room serious attention. Hubby has wanted to my sewing room to the back bedroom, which is a bit larger than the current sewing room. However, the current sewing room has a built in ironing board with sleeve board attached, which is nice. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Sheri
Date: 05-05-2005, 11:51 AM (16 of 39)
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Selene, what a great link. I'll print that out for future reference. My sewing room is set up in a guest bedroom. We have 2 "guest bedrooms." We have 2 daughters living in another state, and when they come to visit, they each have their own room. They hardly ever come together, but when one comes, she usually brings a friend. So, for 1 or 2 weeks a year, our guest bedrooms are actually used as bedrooms. The rest of the time I'm really upset that I don't have a room just for my sewing.  Lately, I've made a few comments to DH, and will continue to do so. One daughter is coming out early August with a friend for 2 weeks. Hopefully, after that we'll turn one room into a full-time sewing room.
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User: Sheri
Member since: 12-04-2000 Total posts: 126 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-05-2005, 12:17 PM (17 of 39)
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I saw on one of the decorating shows a murphy bed that pulled down from the wall, and when it wasn't in use it had bookcases that slid in front of it. I thought it was the coolest thing. Maybe that could be an option for one of your guest rooms? That way it could still be used for sleeping if necessary.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: mamadus
Date: 05-05-2005, 12:38 PM (18 of 39)
toadusew.. re: pull down ironing boards.. my sewing room is also the guest room, which used to be my dd's room... I have one of those ironing boards that hangs over the door. I have it hung over the attached bathroom door in the sewing/guest room and it works great. When its not in use I just fold it up... I'm working onconvincing my son to move into the "guest" room so I can take over his room as my sewing room, not as good a view, but a slightly bigger room... and I can put a futon in there so that when we do have guests they could be in this "guest" room and ds could sleep in the sewing room. Right now my cutting board lays on the guest bed. on those rare occasions when we have guests, I move the cutting board under the bed. but it is rather low for cutting, even for me at 5 feet tall... One of these days... I'llhave a REAL sewing room... if ds EVER decides to move out that is!!  MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: toadusew
Date: 05-05-2005, 01:52 PM (19 of 39)
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Mamadus, My pull down ironing board came with the house so to speak. It's one of those that is in sort of a closet that can be put up, but I never do. It also has a sleeve board which is great. My sewing room also used to be the guest room and now we have another bedroom that we're using as the guest room, but since it is larger, DH wants me to turn that room into my sewing room and turn my current sewing room into the guest bedroom again. I want a sewing studio that is the size of a small store! The room that I really want for my sewing room is my daughter's room. It is upstairs, with great storage, and a bathoom, so I could happily spend hours up there! However, she is going off to college this fall and I know better than to do anything to her room for the first college year. That was my oldest daughter's room, too, and I didn't move into after she went to college either, but she rarely came home. About the time I was ready to turn it into a sewing room, the youngest wanted it for her room, and now I have to wait again. That's ok---I can be patient. 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Military_Mom
Date: 05-05-2005, 02:26 PM (20 of 39)
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Here's a site you can check out www.seworganized.com There are tips there for setting up and organizing your sewing room. I got some neat ideas there when we were setting up my space. My sewing space is about 12X20 with lots of oak cabinets that DH made..thankfully he's a carpenter! Lots of counter space and drawers. The only draw back was that there is only one small window at ceiling level (it's in the basement) so I finished one wall with cloud wallpaper and tatouaged a bird bath, birds, and flowers on it so it looks like I'm bringing some of the 'outside' IN. Love my space! ~Becky |
User: Military_Mom
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 109 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 05-05-2005, 07:38 PM (21 of 39)
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Selene, thanks for posting that site. Some useful pointers in there. I overhauled my sewing space this winter, but htere's always room for ergonomic tweaking!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: Selene
Date: 05-06-2005, 03:01 AM (22 of 39)
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I'm glad you've found that site useful. I've been searching around the internet to see how I can best use the little space I have and how I can organise it all and this is one of the best sites I've found. Apart from that, they also have some very useful and clear sewing advice. Selene
Selene
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User: Selene
Member since: 03-03-2004 Total posts: 71
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From: Sailorliz
Date: 05-06-2005, 07:59 AM (23 of 39)
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Here are a couple of sites that I used when creating my sewing space. http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/g-412.html http://organizedhome.com/index.html Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: Carol in ME
Date: 05-06-2005, 08:42 AM (24 of 39)
| ( it helps to share the actual domicile with your general contractor, I guess) Two things smart DH did for me: All the walls were covered with plywood before the sheet rock was put up. That way, a shelf can be mounted anywhere. Second, the outlet with the iron on it is controlled by a a switch next to the light switches at the door. Oh, and those lights are on dimmers. I get grumpy if the lights are too bright. |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-06-2005, 09:21 AM (25 of 39)
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What a cool idea to have plywood down first! I'll have to think of that next time we build a house! (or maybe when we finish off over the garage for me!) Thanks!
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: paroper
Date: 05-06-2005, 11:07 AM (26 of 39)
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The things that I enjoyed most in my sewing area when I was in the farm house was two very comfortable rocking barrel chairs and a light on the other side of my sewing table. I often had friends sit and talk to me while I was working...and when I just wanted to do hand stitching, I was close to my supplies and comfortable while I worked. I also had a place to share with my friend while I was hand-sewing.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: natred2
Date: 05-06-2005, 05:26 PM (27 of 39)
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Can I just say that I am green with envy!!! I love those rooms. I have a room dedicated to the computer and sewing but I do not have the space organized as nicely. Since our house is a rental, I am storing up ideas for when we finally have our own home and I am able to do what ever I want with my little space  Thanks for the great tips. Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.
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User: natred2
Member since: 04-09-2005 Total posts: 81 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 05-13-2005, 08:45 PM (28 of 39)
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how do you put pix in your post? I would love to show you my new porch/mudroom/sewing room I had built last summer, it is so nice to have a space designated for me and my machines!!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-13-2005, 09:56 PM (29 of 39)
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Well, mine are hosted on photobucket, so I just copy the URL, then click the little picture that looks like a mountain up above my post and paste the URL in between the two tags. You can also click "manage attachments" down below under additional options. I'm not sure if that puts it right in the post or if you have to click on it. I'll try it! (didn't work...said I could only post 1 byte. What's up with that?) photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: mommydionne
Date: 05-14-2005, 03:38 PM (30 of 39)
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ok, here goes http://photos.yahoo.com/jeanettedionne Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 05-14-2005, 04:21 PM (31 of 39)
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Very nice and bright! I love that tall window too! It looks like you can really get a lot done in there.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: mommydionne
Date: 05-14-2005, 06:17 PM (32 of 39)
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Thanks, there is always something on the go, we recycled the windows from the front of the house when we built on.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: paroper
Date: 05-14-2005, 06:56 PM (33 of 39)
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Lovely room! Great windows! Great view!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 05-15-2005, 08:40 AM (34 of 39)
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Jeanette, I like your sewing room and the windows. I seen an antique sewing machine in the room. Is it a singer treadle? Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386
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From: mommydionne
Date: 05-15-2005, 05:23 PM (35 of 39)
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yes, and it works too, it is the one with the long skinny bobbin and it takes me forever to get it going but the kids think it is pretty cool, I bought it for $100 about 12 years ago at a yard sale, my boyfriend (now hubby) and I were out walking and I made him run back to my apartment to get my car while I stood guard, about 3 people tried to buy it from me on the street
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: natred2
Date: 05-15-2005, 06:21 PM (36 of 39)
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That was a steal, you lucky girl!! I would give my eye teeth to find one for that price!
Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.
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User: natred2
Member since: 04-09-2005 Total posts: 81
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From: Sailorliz
Date: 05-16-2005, 11:11 AM (37 of 39)
Wow, that is a find! I have a couple of older sewing machines, but they both are electric. (They have the old cloth cords). I just have no room to display them in my sewing room. They both work also. I would love to have one like yours. 
Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386
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From: DorothyL
Date: 05-16-2005, 11:42 AM (38 of 39)
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I have a 1910 Singer treadle that is still in working order. It would probably need a good oiling and a new belt, but it was working last time I checked -- probably 10 years ago. I bought it at a yard sale about 25 years ago for $40. I used it for several years when the kids were little. All it did was a good straight stitch. An Amish woman tried very hard to talk me into selling it one time, but I wouldn't let it go. I really don't have anywhere to display it. I have three old electric machines that all date into the 40s or 50s. I don't think any of them work, I've never really tried them. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 05-16-2005, 08:38 PM (39 of 39)
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my mum has another old singer (she says I can have it but I have no where to put it right now) it is one of the old "portables" an electric model but the machine is the black body type with the big wooden case and weighs a ton!! It is the machine I learned to sew on! It only does a straight stitch and has some attachments we have never figured out, I should get it and do pix of the attachments to see if anyone knows what they are!!!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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