The Sewing Place
Tools of the Trade => Sewing Spaces and Furniture => Topic started by: justpottering on July 21, 2021, 14:08:47 PM
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from all you amazing folk
My sewing room has a door and window close together. I sew in the corner opposite to both. I would like to sew nearer the window, and buy a L-shaped desk so that I can have sewing machine on one part and my overlocker on the other (I get fed up of moving one to pull forward the other)
Anyhoo, DH has offered to get a man in to change the wall so that the door is on the opposite end (this is how the room opposite my sewing room is laid out, not sure why this one isn't) my question is:
What is your experience of sewing near/in front of windows, does the light have an impact? The room gets shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon and evening.
I like the idea of looking out at the garden and beyond, but am I just being a misty eyed romantic when the reality is that it will be too bright/dark/hot/cold etc...Thought I would ask before getting a man in and spending some dosh on the wall alterations.
TIA
JP
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My machines are end on to the windows. This is good for light (
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Good Questions JP ... Anybody have any experience ??????
I too would like to sew in anything but under the gloaming lights of my dining room, North Facing set back from a narrow yard which means you come down in the morning and turn the lights on.
Ive had experience if sewing under a skylight which rendered me incompetent because of the angle and brightness of the light .. I suppose you get used to the conditions you have !
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I sew in a small bedroom with a North facing window. My machine directly between the window and the corner of the room.
It is dark and I always have to have a light on. Were the machine in front of the window it would block out all the light
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I have a daylight lamp on my sewing desk which I must say is wonderful so light not really a problem it’s more about using the space better a bigger desk etc and like @fajita i like the idea of
spyingwatching the happenings in the garden and beyond
I think I saw someone mention once about light from the window made it difficult to see properly I also wonder about light damage to the casing of the machine although I cover it when not in use
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When I first set up my sewing room, I had a long worktop under the window - big mistake, had to take it all apart and move it to a side wall. I just couldn't see what I was sewing with the light at the back.
So, no, don't put a machine in front of a window!
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I sewing in the dining room with the window behind me. My eyes are not as good as they might be so good daylight really helps.
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Pick a room with a window facing the same direction and put a chair in it simulating where the sewing chair would be. Sit in in morning, noon and evening. That'll give you your answer regarding light during high summer. Mentally do the needed adjustments for other seasons.
Sewing with a back-lit machine is like anything else. If it's really bright you can't see details unless you have equally bright lights turned on behind you. Heat and cold can be a real concern depending on your local weather, time of year, insulation in the room and if you have double pane windows. Since it's new construction (right?) you likely have double glazed windows which will help.
The spot I'm working on setting up is directly in front of a west facing window. It's single pane glass and in winter that spot is colder than the proverbial witch's anatomy. In summer it's reminiscent of Hades. My bedroom has 3 exterior walls due to design with this large window and a large sliding glass door on an adjacent wall. I know it's hotter or colder seasonally then the rest of the house but now I have an instant read thermometer that measures surfaces and space I learned just how much. Our recent heat wave it was 111 outside, thermostat at 78 but struggling to keep the house at 80. In my room it was 89-90. By the window in the afternoon it was 94. My bed was still 89 at midnight. It was almost impossible to sleep in there and I can't imagine sewing with an iron plugged in.
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My machine is in front of a window (north facing) however I never open the curtains. The window faces the street so it's not exactly a compelling view. And with it being Arizona opening them would end up being too bright. Since my eyes are sensitive to light I tend to keep my house pretty dim most of the time. Aside from that I don't like people being able to see into my house so I never open the window coverings on the north side.
My sewing room curtains aren't sheer but they are relatively light weight so some light does come through. My feelings are neutral about it. I didn't put the sewing machine there because of the window but rather because it's the longer part of my L shaped table and it made more sense to have that extra space for sewing.
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Light will discolor the casing. My overlocker is hideous now from being exposed in a west facing window. It was partially covered. Also light exposure damaged the thread cones that were on it. They are crumbling which surprised me.
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I too would not place my sewing space infront of any window, but rather at 90° to one preferably with a window/door at the other side to allow for a current of air to waft past you.
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I'm in a North facing room with two five foot windows @justpottering . I have always sewn facing the wall on the opposite side. Admittedly the windows are not at eye level but even if they were I wouldn't go for that side of the room. It's probably how you feel best but with having a decent daylight lamp I always have a good light. The straight stitch machine I have is also facing a wall. For me it's probably for concentration and not being distracted.
Furniture, I prefer collapsible, easy to shift if I have to (decorating made easier). I do have a corner desk on the other end of the room with one piece cutting out and the other computer stuff. That is going next year, too cumbersome, can't get behind it easily. Being replaced with a proper foldable cutting out table.
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It's good ergonomics to have the long axis of your workstation perpendicular to the window. If you are facing the window you get glare and if your back is to it you're working in your own shadow.
I agree with all the comments about sun damage to plastics. If you want to keep your machine on the table permanently make a lightproof cover (something as simple as a blackout lining, case-shaped sleeve will do it) and throw that over the machine before you walk away.
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All being well with our move, the window of my sewing room should face north north west so it should get good light and not have the sun shining in. As I have a Horn cabinet so I will be able to move it to find the best place for the light. Artists like north facing windows to paint so I'm hoping that it should be good. I also have a good standing daylight lamp that I currently use as my cabinet is against a wall.
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The window on my sewing room faces NNE so gets sun in the morning and has gone round by 11 am. I don't usually sew before then. I have tables at 90degrees on both walls and prefer the needle end of the machine to be nearer the window. I find this way when I sew later in the day the light is still good. I always close the curtains every night so not a problem with the machines which are always covered when not in use.
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My room is SSW facing. Used to have one on the opposite side of the house which was darker, colder and not so pleasant to sew in. I have my bench at right angles to the window. Can’t sew and look out anyway as it’s too high for that. I can when I'm stood at my cutting table. I have 2 lights over the bench for when the light is bad.
I had a white roller blind put in right from the start. It keeps the room light when it’s down and stops the machines from going discoloured as it’s only ever up when I’m in there.
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The back of my sewing room/office faces east, and is cool in the morning, the other end faces west and gets very hot.
I have corner desks at both ends, east for the office, and west for sewing. I have voiles at the office end which I draw if the sun is too bright, and vertical blinds at the other end, which are easily adjusted.
At the sewing end, I have two corner tables butted together along the window, and it works perfectly for me. I have my O/L and Pfaff sewing machine to one side, and the Pfaff combi on the other. This gives me the opportunity to swap from O/L to SM without leaving my seat.
The lovely light is an advantage to me as my eyes aren't great. I also have a couple of other machines I can use on the side wall.
I have to say, I find a corner desk/table far more useful for me, than a straight one, as they are deeper at the back.
Jessie
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I agree with others that the window should be to the side of your machines, not in front of or behind them. Artists (in the northern hemisphere) like north facing windows because the sun won't shine in directly and cause harsh shadows. The same applies to anything else, so if you have the luxury of choosing window direction go for north facing, but if not ...
My sewing room upstairs has a north west facing window but it's wide and high up so it's not a problem, but the study, which also has a sewing machine in it, is directly underneath and that window comes lower down and sometimes in late afternoon I need to draw one of the curtains to stop the glare.
No textiles should be stored in direct sunlight - and that includes reels of thread.
This is my lockdown rainbow which was in another SW facing window from April-November and I think you can see just how much it faded in that time, but worse, the fibres will have been weakened.
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Quite a difference in the colour @BrendaP. I made the error of leaving a piece of silk on my table once for a week. No sun, just daylight hitting it. Big mistake I won’t make again!
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I agree about the fading, it's significant.
The sun is the reason I'm having to replace the carpet downstairs. The dining room which is in the shade, is perfect, even though it's old, but in the snug next door - same carpet, it is threadbare. Carpet man said this often happens with natural fibres (wool), and advised something with a bit of acrylic. Can't wait.
Jessie
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White/cream Vertical Blinds?
Vertical Blinds would solve the problems of harsh, direct sunlight.
You could adjust them as the day/seasons change.
Allow air to circulate with the window open.
Turn them to let just the right amount of daylight in, where and when you want it, without having continuous glare from the sun.
When vertical blinds are fully closed, sunlight is completely diffused. Your machine and fabrics will be protected from fading/damage, but the room will not be completely dark.
You can draw blinds fully open to one side, so they're unobtrusive when not required.
In the winter, they're an additional thermal barrier behind your top curtains.
If you turn them to 45°, you have air coming in during warm summer evenings, and complete privacy, when your main light/lamps are on.
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I'm a big fan of day and night blinds. The bathroom is downstairs on the east side of the house, and sun first thing is extremely bright, worse in winter, it is a real pleasure to be able to cut most of it out.
The sewing room is north so curtains on both windows is fine although as kitty now uses it as his bedroom one curtain is shut on either side so the sun doesn't warm the room up too much in a morning and and in the evening when the sun goes down.
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@b15erk I'm not sure what you guys have available, but for decades most carpeting, wall-to-wall type, sold here has been 100% nylon. No mildew/insect damage like wool. Doesn't wear down quickly like polyester and acrylic and though I'm certain it can fade, I've never lived anywhere that was an issue.
Here in the U.S., it has unfortunately been a rather common practice for less-than-honest carpet salespeople to suggest polyester and acrylics as a "superior" product. They look vivid in color and of course "feel soft" under foot - and they tend to be significantly less expensive than nylon. But the fibers compress quickly and do not have the resilience of nylon. Acrylic can be spun to be a superior hardy product, but it can also be produced to perform just the opposite.
All of that said, I haven't carpet shopped in a while. There may have been some advances in acrylics, I'd pay very close attention to written warranties and do some extra internet research.
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Fascinating thread, I am paying close attention for my new room.
Have to echo on the fading, when I removed the furniture from the front bedroom of the old house, the wallpaper was faded and the backs of the blackout curtains were discoloured where they had faced the sun.
That room got strong morning sun, and I kept the curtains shut in the summer.
Think I'd better make some covers for my machines!
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My window faces west. Late afternoon sun glare can be blinding. So my primary machine is perpendicular to the window. My embroidery machine faces it, but it isn't used as often, so I can just avoid using it around sunset. I made a nice, opaque cover for it. If the cover fades badly, I suppose I can always make another one.
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I have velux windows in my attic sewing room, I chose blackout blinds and that has really helped, keeps things cooler too.