The Sewing Place
Tools of the Trade => Sewing Spaces and Furniture => Topic started by: Gernella on September 03, 2020, 10:19:20 AM
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I've had an email today from one of those Bloglovin digests that I must have signed up and which I usually delete straight away. But, there was one for Tilly and the Buttons and her sewing room, so of course being nosy I went looking.
Everything was in its place as expected but sewing space was limited as was room to the left of the machine, I like a lot. Fabrics rolled for storage and on show, I like mine away out of sight. Then we were offered to see the sewing spaces of her sewing friends.
What stood out was they all very similar, apart from machines, from cheap to expensive, even the colours looked the same and all had paid a visit to Ikea, all super tidy, all had chairs that wouldn't to me, would be very good for a couple of hours sewing. Also machines but I didn't see any cables.
Now I know in my aim for light in a north facing round, I've gone too bland, which I aim to change but even when I'm tidy I look as if I have work to do, stuff around the machine etc. These seemed to be just like something you would see in a magazine, nice to look but not very liveable for your average family with children.
So probably being catty but stuff their sewing spaces I've seen far better on here.
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My work area is industrial and at home I have a floor lamp, my alarm pad and a really ugly, old lady flower pot painting that was last popular in 1980 with all the mauve and baby blues...but still.
There is just no personality to it. Even at work in the back where no one is but me and my family (I can't kick them out, or I would) I still have stuff that is more "me".
It really misses that "something" doesn't it?
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These are show rooms. They've been styled and set up to make us go oh and awe and be super impressed by the Sewing Goddesses who they belong to. In actual use they don't look like this.
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For the nosey (https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/search/label/sewing%20space%20tours). Some of those rooms have far too much on display.
All my stuff is hidden hidden behind cupboard doors and so far all I have in my room is a massive cutting table and my Mother's old Singer which has been folded down into the cupboard. My own sewing machine is in it's carry bag in a corner of the cupboard.
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Oh heck. No my fabric is put away out of the light. And what is this idea of having threads on display? As much out of the way as possible. If I’m embroidering it gets messy with threads everywhere. But I tidy after. And like you @Gernella i have to have lots of room to the left of the machines.
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These are show rooms. They've been styled and set up to make us go oh and awe and be super impressed by the Sewing Goddesses who they belong to. In actual use they don't look like this.
Dead right @Renegade Sewist , all I thought was twee. Mind you I could nearly live with this top picture:
https://www.incolororder.com/2019/02/2019-sewing-room-tour.html
But I want wheels on the chair.
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I could definitely live with that space @Gernella
The Tilly ones? Nah, look designed for photographs not work.
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Aw, how cute :laughing:
When they are properly grown up, they may find out what a proper grown up sewing room looks like :laughing:
And just me cringing at the amount of dust that would be sitting on all those cones of wool in one of them??
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Lots of space and a nice long run of workspace in that photo. Don’t like the dark furniture but I could live with it if I had that much room. :)
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I like to have things in cupboards and drawers if I can, though I do hang rulers on the wall.
I have too much thread to wall mount it, plus doesn't it fade from the light?
I've gone for all white melamine furniture from multiple suppliers that way it sort of works together.
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I have to admit to not hating the general aesthetic, and to my sewing room being almost entirely kitted out from Ikea and Argos, but seriously: WHERE IS ALL HER STUFF???
Why would you keep your fabric out by the window to get faded? Is that all her thread? Are those all her sewing patterns? One tiny shelf for interfacing? Where does she cut out?
It doesn't look like a super-practical space to me, but I think my sewing room's primary function is a storage unit!
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Aw, how cute :laughing:
When they are properly grown up, they may find out what a proper grown up sewing room looks like :laughing:
And just me cringing at the amount of dust that would be sitting on all those cones of wool in one of them??
Tomorrow @Bodgeitandscarper I will have cleared the current project, a quickie, I might get the camera out to photograph a few choice spots of my leisure space. I promise, without any tidying up. :laughing:
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If everyone starts posting pics of their sewing area @Lowena will clean die over! :laughing:
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I was going to say that the last one with the cube storage was least twee and impractical with threads and fabrics exposed to sunlight;
but then I saw the vintage machine :vintage: displayed to show the back of it!
None of those are serious sewing spaces.
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Well mine should be tidy and organised with a designated place for everything to live, but it's not, most of the time it's like a tip. I go in there with the sole intention of putting things back where they belong and succeed so it looks lovely, however a day or two later I decide to go sew something but instead of getting what I want out (which is usually under other stuff) of its draw or cupboard I pull everything out and drop it on the floor intending to put it back when I've finished but it never works that way
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My fabric and thread are all in bins/shelves/drawers and out of the light. Most of those are way to frilly for my taste. Some day my sewing room will be neat again and I'll post some photos. It's pretty much a disaster area at the moment and has been for the last couple of years. Too much stuff.
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Down and dirty.
Workspace:
(https://i.imgur.com/s1zpFeom.jpg)
Storage racks: That's carpet cleaner in case the cat pukes up, when he was small he would chew anything. Long bag on the floor is full of knitting needles, not been in use since 2008 but I daren't give away.
(https://i.imgur.com/U6Q1fGIm.jpg?1)
Understorage:
(https://i.imgur.com/2SNucAZm.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/MBX2VRnm.jpg?1)
Mini ironing board, stored out of the way:
(https://i.imgur.com/LrpmJ6Nm.jpg?1)
Iron: Left out, usually goes under
(https://i.imgur.com/vRyFNsbm.jpg)
Drawer storage:
(https://i.imgur.com/ssagVOim.jpg)
Same all the way down apart from this:
(https://i.imgur.com/NyrogD2m.jpg)
Extra storage:
(https://i.imgur.com/NBmWDd7m.jpg)
Space I've had to give up, cat's bed: Machine put in front so he does't pinch more space
(https://i.imgur.com/3hbtww2m.jpg)
Extra storage on landing: That end bag is upside down, I was going to use the machine again.
(https://i.imgur.com/3ekz8yqm.jpg)
As you can see functional but not pretty and the carpet is clean as well.
Oh forgot one, view from my desk <3
(https://i.imgur.com/hsjsz0dm.jpg)
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@Gernella that last shot is the best. A nice little dose of reality. :dance:
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I am one of those annoying people, that tend to have a tidy and organised sewing room ..... well usually. Like others, I find the colour coded and well curated spaces that are on show, just a bit annoying. I don't believe in having thread on show, dust is a major issue in australia ..... the same goes for fabric. We have really strong sunlight, and your clothes fade while you are wearing them, let alone being rolled up on show.
I have been working from home for the last 6 months, so the work desk has had to slot into my sewing room. On the whole its an ok setup, although being surrounded by your hobby, when you should be working is tough. And conversely, having my work space in the sewing room, has had a fairly significant impact on my sew-jo. At the moment, my cutting table is a bit of a mess, and I really need to get in and sew up the myriad of projects I have cut out ready to go.
The photos show my weekend set-up. The folder stand, mousemat and keyboard get moved to the left slightly, so they don't interfere with the embroidery machine. I probably should set up in a different room, but meh! too lazy.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50306613571_b2ed57d180_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jDqxyp)Sewing room 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2jDqxyp) by Dani (https://www.flickr.com/photos/datcat/), on Flickr
I really need to clear this table ..... its getting out of hand.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50305927378_48e6966e1b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jDn2zu)Sewing room 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2jDn2zu) by Dani (https://www.flickr.com/photos/datcat/), on Flickr
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Each on their own. Due to lack of space for cupboards and drawers, I have all my tools out on pegboard within arm’s reach from my machine, very convenient. Most used threads are on display, thread in colours I use less are on thread holders in 2 drawers. The few cupboards I have are used for fabric storage, and I roll the fabric up the way Tilly does, so when I open the cupboard I see exactly what I have.
I do tidy up my space after each project (in Hong Kong) or after a day of sewing (in Thailand) and have small car vacuum cleaners in both spaces. My sewing room in Hong Kong also has a chandelier and I have turned the bay window into a window seat for my working space. Pictures of both spaces are posted here somewhere - again, what works for me might not work for others.....
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When I'm actually sewing something my space becomes increasingly chaotic but I make myself clean my machines, clear up and put everything away after each sewing project even if I'm going to get things out again immediately. If I didn't do that it would become impossible to work and I wouldn't be able to find anything.
Currently, with the building work, my sewing space is squashed into one small corner as the small room is doubling up as the office as well as storing stuff.
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I'm with you @Ploshkin on the increasing chaos but not so much on the tidying up after.
Every now and again I will gather everything into small heaps over two tables, an island bench and an ironing board in the kitchen but eventually it all spreads out to one layer thick again. :S Although the mess seems constant it isn't. It's always moving and the keen observer will notice a change in colours. Thankfully there aren't many keen observers so I can just carry on...
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I need a bin
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I need some kind of order...which means everything is stuffed behind closed doors!
My room doubles as a craft room so there’s all kinds of stuff.
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It is so much fun seeing all these sewing rooms.
Mine is really messy at the moment, but I may do some photos if/when I tidy it up a bit.
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Same here!
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I really need to clear this table ..... its getting out of hand.
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Yep, I could move into this room @datcat23 and I'll have that chair as well I've shifted my bum that much on the edge of mine it has worn away down to the foam now. I think that will be my Christmas present, a new chair.
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I need some kind of order...which means everything is stuffed behind closed doors!
My room doubles as a craft room so there’s all kinds of stuff.
I want that view, I'm sure I'd sew better with a good view. 0_0
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@Efemera some serious drooling going on here. The view is delightful. I'd like a closer look into those 2 glass fronted cupboards. I have a fair amount of that sort of stuff and love to see what others have. Any chance you could do a couple photos for moi with the doors open? Pretty please?..... :D
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I want that view, I'm sure I'd sew better with a good view. 0_0
Yeah. Me too. I'd sew so much better with a breathtaking expansive view. :laughing:
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My sewing room is still not finished, but it is small and dominated by a big cutting table. All my fabrics, scraps, patterns and notions are in tubs or boxes behind cupboard doors.
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Yes and that's a table to die for @UttaRetch
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@Efemera some serious drooling going on here. The view is delightful. I'd like a closer look into those 2 glass fronted cupboards. I have a fair amount of that sort of stuff and love to see what others have. Any chance you could do a couple photos for moi with the doors open? Pretty please?..... :D
Here you go @Renegade Sewist .. most of the stuff is me made.
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For all those that think their sewing room is untidy, this may make you feel better 0_0
In my defence, my room is only 7'6" x 7'6".
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I have managed to capture some of my sewing room, but the table is the dominating feature. I need a small bookcase since the walls are not supporting. Ironing will be done on the landing and the board kept in the boiler cupboard.
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Where did you get that glorious table from @UttaRetch?!
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The table is made up of two lengths of 60.96 cm x 182.88 cm 'boards' (can't remember exactly what) joined together and then mounted on my Brother's old drawing board. The table is also waist high in the hope that it will be kinder on my back.
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For all those that think their sewing room is untidy, this may make you feel better 0_0
In my defence, my room is only 7'6" x 7'6".
That is a good defence @Bodgeitandscarper I don't know how you manage with all the stuff you have. To me it looks extremely tidy.
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@UttaRetch I spotted the mid-century sideboard - or is it?
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@UttaRetch I have exactly the same sewing cabinet, do you still have the original machine inside?
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@Sewingsue, it's a sewing machine cupboard and @Ellabella, yes it contains my Mother's old Singer 401.
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UttaRetch you have the beginnings of a lovely sewing space, something I know you have hankered after for many years. I think we all have 'cutting out table' envy, perhaps we should all come round to you to use it!!!! Seriously though what is stopping you now with regards to sewing? Look forward to seeing your makes, you are far better than you think - I remember well that beautiful grey coloured coat, the one where you did something a bit different at the back waist, and then there was your gorgeous 'tapestry' type coat.
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Thank you. I still have both coats, but both weren't terribly well thought through and the plan has been for several years to improve my coat making. I will get around to making something eventually, but don't hold your breath waiting. :D
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@Sewingsue, it's a sewing machine cupboard and @Ellabella, yes it contains my Mother's old Singer 401.
I was right :)
I had no idea cabinets like that ever existed. It would go perfectly with my sideboard and desk.
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It is a nice piece of furniture in and of itself. If you ever come across just the cabinet, you can be sure that the seller knows its worth. ;)
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Yep, I could move into this room @datcat23 and I'll have that chair as well I've shifted my bum that much on the edge of mine it has worn away down to the foam now. I think that will be my Christmas present, a new chair.
@Gernella my new chair is bought and in the box waiting for a sewing nook to settle down in. :thumbsup:
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Hopefully this makes everyone feel better about messy spaces. Instead of having this whole room I'm squished in this bit, with dodgy tables and parkour to get to anything :laughing:
It will hopefully come together, but I'm managing at the moment. Please note my smal victory of stealing the inside iron and board because no one is using it today so it's all miiiinnnnnne mwahahahahaaaaa.
I can't stand all those threads out in unlight unnecessarily, same with fabric. Most of mine are boxed under the table. A fair few on the table as you can see but those are currently being used or will be.
(https://i.imgur.com/3HnccPgl.jpg)
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Mines not too bad at the moment.
I do appreciate having a space that’s just mine :loveit:
Mind you I’m going to have a go at bag making once my hardware arrives so that will mean bits everywhere :laughing: [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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Oh that sewing table with plastic slidey is wonderful!
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Aha! That's who has the thank you beam. @Ellabella when I was clearing my workspace I was packing all my cards and trying to remember who it was that has their cards up. I need to make a thing now to display them. A memory corner.
I'm loving all these sewing spaces. :loveit:
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I don't think I dare show you my sewing room - I have my machine embroidery threads on racks on the wall, and my fabrics are either hanging from a rail or folded on shelves. -<
The room gets no direct sunlight other than early in the mornings in winter when the sun is low, and even then it doesn't get beyond the window reveal. There are two very large sycamore trees 25 feet away, and beyond that the mountain rises up - a lovely view, but not bright.
I have never had anything fade, and they have been like this in this room for 7 years, and were in a far sunnier room at our previous house. They give me so much inspiration and pleasure that I would not think of having them any other way while I am lucky enough to have the space to store them like this.
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@Syrinx if you mean my table it’s just a desk that cost £30 on eBay. My very useful DH cut the hole for my machine and suspended a shelf underneath. The extension table was a freebie with my machine.
It’s the best thing in my sewing room and makes life so much easier. I’ve just been making some fairly large curtains and cleared the area to the left of the machine to support the fabric and it was much easier that way.
Bless him he has his uses 0_0
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Bless him he has his uses 0_0
And hasn't he got some, hang onto him
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My cutting table is too high for a chair, although I bar stool might work, and I have decided to sew standing up since it means that large pieces of fabric won't be spilling over onto the floor.
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This where we are going wrong friends:
" Is this your primary machine? My primary cover stitch machine! I do have an Evolution at my lake house but this lives at my Virginia house so it's the only one there."
Spread your craft across a couple of properties or maybe three.
Nearest I'll get to spreading is a shed in the back garden.
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Lake house Annie as she is known in my snarky WhatsApp group. :laughing:
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I could get a bit jealous because you read some of the comments and they all seem to be buying very expensive machines like they were tuppence and Faceache groups are just as bad.
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This where we are going wrong friends:
" Is this your primary machine? My primary cover stitch machine! I do have an Evolution at my lake house but this lives at my Virginia house so it's the only one there."
Spread your craft across a couple of properties or maybe three.
Nearest I'll get to spreading is a shed in the back garden.
@Gernella I read "at my lake house" and knew who said that before I got to the rest. :dance:
Funny thing, you all would have loved the annual 10 day sewing retreats at my sewing friends lakeside "cabin" that slept 15 in beds and another 10 to 15 in other accommodations. Only went twice. I haven't heard if it survived the fire. A lot of places were destroyed in that area.
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@Gernella in the monthly machine embroidery group I used to attend everyone else had TOL machines in the $9000-$12000 range. Mostly Brother machines. There I come in with my $300 Brother. No snobbish from them. Instead they would give me suggestions on how to maximize it's potential.
Now the sewing guild and quilt guilds are a whole nother story....
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Heh, then you have me...I use a 1927 Singer 66 treadle I paid 50 bucks for (most of my machines, including my industrual over lock were $50 or less). My most expensive machine is $400...and it's my industrial.
If you can afford the TOL machines and it's what you want, more power to you. I'll be happy for you. I just don't need one or want one.
Besides, who is going to be impressed with what I have? I share about my shop because I sew there and it's the only space that is pretty much all mine and I've wanted a studio since I was a kid, but everything else I've got is like why, though?
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Now the sewing guild and quilt guilds are a whole nother story....
Oh come on @Renegade Sewist do tell, we've only got virtual gossip now to entertain us. How they heck do they lug those big embroidery machines around, they look like the weight a ton.
Well if you want long lasting @Kwaaked, the oldies are the best and still getting good prices. I can understand people getting fabulous machines if they are really into embroidery or work that needs embellishment. From my point of view I would think that I never used more than 12 stitches. Not only that, I've never even tried the other stitches to see what they look like so really I'm on overkill but I like the machine itself, it feels sturdy, it's easy to select stitches and in its 11th year I'm not swapping until it dies and maybe if the best man on the production line put it together, it could see me out. :P
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@Gernella I read "at my lake house" and knew who said that before I got to the rest. :dance:
So did I @Renegade Sewist ;)