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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: MissTaraTara
Date: 05-26-2006, 03:51 PM (1 of 18)
It has been over 3 years since I have had a room dedicated to sewing. Once we moved my sewing room morphed into a corner in my bedroom. I don't have room for my cutting table to be up at all times and constantly clearing off the dining table gets old fast  . I am sure I would sew more if I could just trace and cut whenever I have the urge rather than waiting until after dinner or for the gaming system in the livingroom to be moved or put away. Well, my husband cleaned part of the garage and took away a lot of stuff that was only robbing us of space. He told me I can have the whole clean half of the garage for my "stuff". The garage is used for storage only. At first I thought..."Oh no that's okay but thanks." Then I thought..."Wait a minute, I can set up my cutting table out there, buy a couple of gorilla racks, use my plastic tubs of this and that to section off the area...... okay, I'll take it." It is an unfinshed garage, so of course the clean half would be closest to where the door goes up, and anything brought in or taken out of the garage (bikes and such) will have to go through my area  Well, I've got all these plans in my mind now. Other than freezing in the winter and baking while dodging mosquitos in summer, I think I can make this garage thing work!Wish me luck. 
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User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: esrun3
Date: 05-26-2006, 04:20 PM (2 of 18)
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Good for you! I'd jump at a garage just for a decent cutting table!! While I have a sewing room, it is a small bedroom and loaded to the gills and I still ahve to clear off the dining room table in order to cut stuff out and then it isn't high enough really anyway. So.....I do love being able to just sit and sew whenever I want though and I know you will put that garage space to really good use!! Congrats!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 05-26-2006, 04:33 PM (3 of 18)
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How exciting! The way I look at it is some space is better than no space! Maybe you could get a small space heater for the winter? I remember when I took over a very small corner of our very small basement a couple of years ago. I realized it was just full of junk, so I cleaned it out and put up two small desks in an L shape and the ironing board on the other side to create a U. Of course I can't cut down there, but at least if I take something out of the wash that needs mending I can whip it up. It's great to have part of my sewing stuff set up always. I would love to have a cutting area set-up instead of waiting until the kitchen table was empty! Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-26-2006, 07:04 PM (4 of 18)
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When we moved to my mom's house the only place I had large enough for my cutting table was the unfinished shop portion of the garage. It was huge and I could easily put my fabrics, file cabinet and cutting table out there along with a rug for the concrete floor. I couldn't take it...too hot in the summer and unbelievably hot in the summer. Oklahoma can go from the teens in the winter to top 110 in the summer. I could manage the heat because I could raise the garage door and cut in the early morning (at least most mornings) but I couldn't bundle up enough to stay warm and manage to cut at the same time in the winter. I hope your climate is more agreeable. Now that we have finished that potion the WHOLE THING is my sewing room 26X14, but I still have some comfort problems, for some reason I don't get very hot or cold air out here, but I can manage with fans and a little space heater to be fairly comfortable. 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: DorothyL
Date: 05-26-2006, 08:08 PM (5 of 18)
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After my kids moved out I took the largest, best lit room in the house for a sewing room -- when they were younger it was the family room and full of teenagers. My husband doesn't care. He took half the dining room for his office and I don't complain about the mess in there. I bought a screen so I don't have to look at it. Now we are looking to move to a small apartment. I have to have a sewing room or I won't go!! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 05-28-2006, 09:56 AM (6 of 18)
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I too have a small bedroom as my sewing machine - when I say small, I mean 7 x 10 - more or less a closet. In this room I have a 3 foot table for my sewing machine, a cutting table 6 ft long, a dresser filled with sewing notions, and a small shelf for binders and such. Oh, and a huge lamp, lol. I actually kicked the cat out last week - was tired of sharing space with her litterbox and lounger - !!!!!! Take the garage and run! Get a portable heater for the winter - and a fan for the summer. Soon you will be sewing up a bigger storm than before! The little bedroom I am in has no heat or air conditioning (was an add-on from previous people) - so I will be baking and freezing right there with you! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: MartySews
Date: 05-28-2006, 10:35 PM (7 of 18)
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Since I don't have a sewing room or space to have one, I either cut on the end of my bed or go elsewhere to cut garments even though I have a lovely cutting table. The manager of the nearest Hancock Fabric store told me last week that I was welcome to come to the store and use one of the back tables to cut my fabric. Otherwise, I could go over to my church and use one of the empty classrooms during the week. Where there is a will, there is a way to get things done. I keep hoping one day to have a sewing room again. What used to be my sewing room for 17 years is now my DD's bedroom. We were married 18 years before she was born. Now, she is 17 (almost 18) and has said that she doesn't plan to move out. Unless we build an addition to the house, I'll just continue sewing in the living/family room around whatever is going on. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 05-30-2006, 01:39 PM (8 of 18)
| I don't even know what that is..... I have all wood flooring so I admit to cutting on the floor. Our dining table is not big enough to properly spread patterns out. How funny! |
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 05-31-2006, 10:39 AM (9 of 18)
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I used to use a small nook in the basement beside the washer and dryerm used the deep freeze lid for marking stuff and would lay my patterns out on the tile floor in the family room to cut stuff out, which was really hard on the knees and back. But it was nice having the machine right by the washer/dryer that's for sure. Now I have a huge room all to myself and I love it, and if my DH decides he wants to move he KNOWS I have to have a sewing room or I won't go. And I won't share anymore either. I figure if he can have his huge shop for his tools and his toys, I get a sewing room. It's only fair
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 05-31-2006, 11:39 AM (10 of 18)
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When I went back to sewing a few months ago, I went out and bought the first one on sale. I was lucky - I picked up one on clearance for $60 - and it's fantastic! It's a Jo Ann's Sew Essentials Table. A cutting table is three feet x six feet, most often. It stands higher than a normal table, so you don't have to bend over to cut, etc. I also have an ironing cover for it, with measurements on it - I love it. I was so happy with mine, I went out and bought the same one on sale for my Mom for Mothers Day! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: MissTaraTara
Date: 06-05-2006, 03:10 PM (11 of 18)
On Saturday (May 27th) my husband took me to Costco to purchase my two gorilla racks. I was still reading everyone's followup posts and decided to go for it. I scribbled my "floor plan" on the back of a piece of scrap paper. He didn't assemble the racks on Sunday like he said he would so there I was banging and knocking on Monday night. After I got the two racks together, I didn't want to break my momentum so I starting bringing my "stuff" out there. I lost track of time. I heard a thumping noise outside and went to go look because I thought it was our neighborhood thief stealing gasoline again. Sure enough....it was the newpaper man. What time is it anyway? 4 AM  . Well, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were more of the same. Every spare moment I had I was in the garage piddlin'. But.....by Friday night it was finally DONE! I can now say without any reservation that YES, I AM EXCITED  !I left a path for entering and exiting the garage and showed my husband where to move and place things when he needs access . I will be getting a fan for the summer. I live in the San Joaquin valley in California and the summers are very hot and very dry. Winters are becoming colder with each passing year so I'll invest in a portable heater when that time comes. The garage is only a one car garage so it won't be difficult to heat it up. My area is about 10' x 10-11'. There was already a cushioned surface on part of the floor from when my husband thought he was making his own "George Brown fitness gym" out there. I think this space (http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL388/2170133/9904999/153160120.jpg) is just the motivation I need to jumpstart my sewing . I haven't sewn anything since October or November of last year  and I miss it.
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User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
From: Patty22
Date: 06-05-2006, 03:23 PM (12 of 18)
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The clock on the wall has 1:50.....now is that am or pm? The space looks great and I love how your patterns are organized. Before the advent of cell phones, my husband made sure there was a phone hooked up to my sewing room in the basement. Not a good idea if you don't want to be pestered all the time, especially with calls from upstairs asking what's for dinner Enjoy your space! Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-05-2006, 08:23 PM (13 of 18)
The space is great - !!!!!!!!!! 
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
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From: paroper
Date: 06-05-2006, 08:34 PM (14 of 18)
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The space looks wonderful! It also looks much more doable that the space that I tried this in. I was looking at a space designed as a 3 car garage and shop with no finished timbers or walls and there was no way to make it more comfortable....just way too big. I think you'll be very happy in your space. If you find that you don't have enough cush on the floor you might look at those rubber files that are about 2 feet square you can get at Sam's. They are great for fighting fatigue. Hopefully your husband's mat will be all you need. Congratulations!!! Looks like the work is going to pay off well.
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: Bama
Date: 06-05-2006, 10:24 PM (15 of 18)
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Your new space looks great. Enjoy!
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 06-06-2006, 10:38 AM (16 of 18)
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It looks terrific!! I'm sure you will be sewing up a storm or two now!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Orc40k
Date: 06-06-2006, 12:27 PM (17 of 18)
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Wow! Do you want to come to Ohio and help me set up my space? I have half a basement and it is in total disarray! Could you describe that nifty pattern storage? I'd love to steal your idea. Happy Spacious Sewing! Barbara |
User: Orc40k
Member since: 06-29-2005 Total posts: 47 |
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 06-06-2006, 03:31 PM (18 of 18)
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Could you describe that nifty pattern storage? I'd love to steal your idea. Happy Spacious Sewing! Barbara Thanks Barbara My pattern storage (http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL388/2170133/9904999/153584205.jpg) is so much simpler the way I have it now. In the past I've used file boxes, plastic bins.....I had patterns stored here and patterns stored there. My most recent was using an under the bed storage box. It was larger but a hassle just the same. My gorilla rack is perfect. I have room to have all of my patterns in one location and I don't have to move other boxes to gain access to them. It's in the garage so I keep the entire rack covered to ward off dust. |
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006 Total posts: 227 |
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