@WendyW How fun is this! And something to exercise my brain. Thank you!
Ooh! I get to pick a professional brain! Fun! I'll try to answer your questions, and I've added pics of the space plan.
- The closet at the end of the room:
*Pic below of my bins for yardage. These will be the primary thing inside the closet. I've been using this system for several years and it works well for me. Smaller fabric pieces such as precuts have separate storage in plastic drawer carts, which aren't ideal but work well enough that those are waaaay down on list of projects for the future.
*I have access to full rolls of batting- for FREE!- so planning to put that in for ease of access.
hanging fabric by
CraftymamaMN, on Flickr
boxes by
CraftymamaMN, on Flickr
The shelving:
*Planning for 12in deep. Too-deep storage is a major problem in my current house (not just sewing space) and I am definitely eliminating that issue.
*Space below the shelves for rolling carts to be pulled out as needed. My Silhouette cutter and supplies will have a cart, as will lots of other paper-crafting supplies. Plastic drawer units on castors for precuts and scraps.
Ironing:
*Currently have a vintage dresser with an ironing surface on top. Lots of storage in the drawers for supplies and can put additional irons there. Can easily set up a regular ironing board elsewhere in the room. That's something else I'll have to plan a storage space for. I also have a sleeve board, ham, etc, which can be used on top of the large board as needed, and those store inside the dresser.
Cutting table:
*Plan is for one large table. Hubs will be building it for me, so I can do whatever I want with that. One that comes apart in two pieces is an intriguing idea. I was planning on castors anyway, so that could work.
*A drop-leaf table mounted for additional cutting space is an possibility if it proves necessary. Maybe against the stair wall near the soft seating.....
*Already planning to make the cutting table useable with stools. Might have to reconsider how many seats.
-separate 2'x4' tables for each student:
*Hmm. Hadn't considered vibration. Planning a large table so I will have the table space to support quilts and formal dresses when I'm sewing those. I'll put vibration pads on my shopping list and watch for issues.
-daylight bulbs for color matching in all lamps/light fixtures:
*Already the plan! Learned that lesson re: paint colors in our family room. Also, those nice big windows face south.
- Be very careful with the electrical.
*Whoa! LOTS to consider there. I'll pass that on to my husband and discuss it with the electrician.
- Space heater:
*Better not need that! We're paying for in-floor heat, and the sewing room is upstairs. I don't expect heat to be an issue, despite out local climate. I guess time will tell though. HAS to be better than my current basement space.
-a coffee/tea station for the adults....
*Not planning anything more than a fridge for bottled water. At this time, all-day events are not in the plans, and I really don't know where I could put a kitchenette space. I think if that became a need, I'd just make my normal kitchen available.
- a wall mounted TV:
*already in the plans
-easy access to cleaning supplies....
*Ugh. Hadn't even thought of that. Which is stupid of me since all my stairs in my current house, with my supplies always being on the wrong floor, is a current issue. Probably will make use of the guest room closet, and under the bathroom sink.
-quick access to tools:
*always have those near now, and will be included in my storage.
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I hadn't thought about retreats, and thinking about it now, I don't think I'd go that route. There are NO other accommodations nearby. We'll be 5 miles from the nearest gas station, and 15 from the nearest hotels. Retreats also open the door to all kinds of other regulations regarding overnight guests and food service, and I do NOT want to go there.
Friends are always welcome though! The guest room is always open. The plan overall also includes a couple other guest rooms over Hub's woodshop. We want to be able to host the grown kids and their families over holidays without having to put people to bed on the floor. Go ahead and bring a planeload!
Room layout. Planning to buy several "alex" units from IKEA, which are noted on the plan. There will also be storage under the cutting table, which doesn't show.
floor plan by
CraftymamaMN, on Flickr
Storage plan for the large wall.
storage plan by
CraftymamaMN, on Flickr