The Sewing Place

Tools of the Trade => Sewing Spaces and Furniture => Topic started by: Ann on May 19, 2019, 21:43:31 PM

Title: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on May 19, 2019, 21:43:31 PM
We moved across Canada from BC to Nova Scotia 18 months ago. We bought a newer home that had a huge bedroom in the basement. That room became my sewing room. I had plenty of room to set up the sewing room as it is 17'x25'. One year into sewing in the room, we took it apart and painted it a pale grey. The brown color on the walls were too dark and sucking all the light out of the room. It brightened up the room and we were ready to start painting the trim and put it on. We arrived home on Apr. 3 to a flooded basement. Plans thwarted as we had to make an insurance claim and live with our possession taking up all our space in the house and garage.

Yesterday, I cleaned the sewing room, put on the door handles, light switch covers and washed the floor. Other than needing the plug-ins put back in, I'm waiting for a crew to put everything back into the room. I did dig around in the garage and under the guest bed for bins that I could put into the closet.

The sewing room has been painted light grey and it has white trim. We kept it simple so it will be easy to clean. The flooring is long plank vinyl with cork backing. We paid extra to have that put in and love it. I'm thinking that will all the white furniture I own, my splash of color will be blue.

The closet with the doors closed and before I put the handles on.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5P21iAlWb8/XN08YmffAkI/AAAAAAAAngE/F2RhjFkZvhMuuUohjG_9PNisjnvTPMsaACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4671.jpeg)

Closet with shelf full of bins.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8fxGELEJAA/XOFzd4x-NwI/AAAAAAAAnhg/XqlNxm9mhBQ1j-Qhae1yKX3Ru29ol0bjwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4678.jpeg)

I am putting a cube on legs in the closet for more storage. The top can hold trays of projects to be sewn.

The nook in the room where I will have two desks. One is an antique that is for display. The other desk (new as the one I had was water damaged) is where I do jewelry, pattern drafting, and internet searches.

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIy2H_5vHac/XN08jyyG7ZI/AAAAAAAAngI/4o7HSmwLA-09kiov2BpmKrIL0BpMxS6yQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4672.jpeg)

I will add more pictures once the room has been set up. I'm looking forward to sewing once again in my domain.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Acorn on May 20, 2019, 08:28:15 AM
It's going to be fantastic!
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Efemera on May 20, 2019, 08:39:45 AM
What a great space.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on May 21, 2019, 11:19:14 AM
Thank you for the kind words. DH and I got a small table that holds pressing supplies and a plastic drawer into the room yesterday. Just put in as the electrician needs to put the plugs back into the walls. Today I am going to set up a box in the closet and put items that have been stored in our bedroom in it. I'm slowly trying to claim our bedroom back again. Actually, I'm trying to claim upstairs back again.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: snoozi soozi on May 21, 2019, 11:23:54 AM
I'm jealous, what a fab personal space that will be for you @Ann
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Nevis5 on May 21, 2019, 12:02:31 PM
Wow, that's going to be beautiful!  How lovely xx
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Manuela on May 21, 2019, 12:17:49 PM
I do remember when you set it up back then and all the planning involved...
This is going to be a wonderful space  :)
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on May 26, 2019, 10:59:32 AM
I'm sewing again in the sewing room and got the sewing machines set up along with the ironing board and cutting table. The rest of the room is stacked with tubs, boxes, and bins that need to be sorted and organized. I think I will be all summer getting it done.

I need to get another cube and legs for the closet so I can organized items in there. The yarn bins need to be cleaned up which is an easy task to do. I can do it on an off day and if all goes well, wind some skeins at the same time. The notions I use on a regular basis that need to be found and organized along with the books in the library that need to be organized and put away that I will focusing on after I do the yarn. After that, I will have another look and decide.

Everything on the sewing cabinet is on the fabric rack so I can sew.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vefncfqx8K8/XOfQRpZQpqI/AAAAAAAAnkc/bISxb1OEkBc-VYhdEa-Gj0iXGzvlfCW_gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4699.jpeg)

This all needs to be organized and sewn down.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMGJaGr0lSA/XOfQRgChVFI/AAAAAAAAnkU/obLAWMbXRccnIoXbj0niDnGbVMf1c_tsQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4698.jpeg)

I'm trying to reduce what I have so I can buy new fabric one or two projects at a time. This rack will be gone and in its place I would love a dresser.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Km9XS_dEWtw/XOfQS_ZMwjI/AAAAAAAAnks/g1NYCmECbMYCxtmbrw_H7etn9Pk7eKp1QCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4701.jpeg)

Wish me luck as I have a lot to do. Thank goodness I am retired and can putter at it.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Gernella on May 26, 2019, 11:00:16 AM
Fantastic @Ann, my sewing room is 17ft long but only around 9ft wide :(   Your 25ft must make it humongous  and I'm drooling.

I'll just settle for your crew, I could do with a sort out and move around ;)
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on May 26, 2019, 12:48:28 PM
Fantastic @Ann, my sewing room is 17ft long but only around 9ft wide :(   Your 25ft must make it humongous  and I'm drooling.

I'll just settle for your crew, I could do with a sort out and move around ;)

@Gernella, the room is humongous. I do love it as I have some zones. The main thing is it doesn't look cluttered but will look empty when I sew down the stash and that rack is gone. But I'm fine with that.

The crew did a great job of stacking everything back into the room. I didn't want them touching what is in everything as I'm fussy how items are handled. Having it in the room is a huge help.

Today's clean up will be the yarn. After it is done, I can sew. I think if I do a bit daily, I will have it under control before I know it.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: CCL on May 26, 2019, 13:38:14 PM
Wonderful sewing space Ann, can't wait to see what amazing creations your tremendous skills will produce from such a great space!
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on June 11, 2019, 11:22:45 AM
I've been trying to clean up the sewing room. Oh my!! I'm over my stress threshold and there are days I hit the brick wall. But I keep telling myself it will look fabulous when done and I'll be calm and inspired.

I got one green cloth container of yarn wound and organized. I need to move on to the next container and do it. I have 4 skeins to wind in that weight of wool and it is the least full container. It wouldn't take long to do.

I have also been sorting through small containers and putting items away or into a basket as they need a home. Got the two basket that fit in the cutting table back in and four baskets done. Then I looked at the pile of tubs and quit.

I'm hoping to have an hour to sort and tidy up today before I sew. I need to continue working on the room so I will have to do a bit every day. I do need a trip to Ikea for a cube and some peg boards.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on September 14, 2019, 12:51:23 PM
I've been sewing in the room for quite a while and got one big mess going. I was stacking stuff up everywhere. I was stressed and not wanting to sew. Yesterday I tackled the clean up.

I started with the doll's and got it organized in an hour. Several items had the buttons removed and put into the trash. It is well sorted now and I am happy with that.

I started cleaning up as I moved to the other end of the room. Everything was handled and put away into its right spot. I did dust as I went. The cutting table was a disaster.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aEi5eXC6AQ/XXy1eW5JGNI/AAAAAAAApDQ/tOs6UuJQs7IhTpbgnkKxKCXtbgwUw0EQACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5667.jpg)

It had weeks of pile up on it. I worked through the mess and got it cleaned up. I do have my cutting tools and a project on the table. I'm thrilled with it. I didn't work in the desk area as I need to replace the desk I lost. I will be doing that this coming week. DDIL gave me a 6 bin cube and I put it beside the fabric shelf. It has 3 tubs in it and I am not sure where it will go in the end. But it is not sitting in the middle of the room.

When done, I wanted to sew immediately.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yimifZ54ovQ/XXy1xT71UiI/AAAAAAAApDc/w4ZqITSTd1cfFrdbKjdDYaHfbbMK2swBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5671.jpeg)

I am going to be sewing down the stash with very few purchases over the next 15 months.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LG9bJsmnMn8/XXy16EAckyI/AAAAAAAApDg/_k3hkdXRdYc_7D0Wr2wes4GJJRAqQJ7hQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5670.jpeg)

Once the desk arrives, I can set up that corner for jewelry making and course work. I can't wait to get this room back to where I want it to be. But, for now, I'm happy and inspired to sew. I have pushed my stress threshold back to where I am not feeling tense when I go into the room.

Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on January 18, 2020, 12:22:24 PM
I spent some time in the sewing room over Christmas cleaning it up. It was a lot of work.

The reading area is where I sit to look at books, DH sits to visit with me, and cat sleeps when he needs to be consoled when over tired. The cube has yarn in it and is quite full except one bin. It is quite empty as I've knit a lot of test patterns using that wool.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_Zkd6iCvA8/XgXzGmc-uqI/AAAAAAAAp5E/ogX1mJ8N4dMSpmAEczB2wrdIgS_KPJEoACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6374.jpeg)

The area under the window is the doll's corner. Two more dolls have been added since I took this picture. I test a lot of patterns and the bins hold the outfits I've made, along with their shoes.

The sewing machines were in for servicing but that is where I sew. We hung up the hoops for the embroidery unit for my sewing machine. It's nice to have them out and ready to use. The embroidery component stands beside the doll's cube in a red carrying case.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--fIOO2RdHJc/XgXzcqtBkCI/AAAAAAAAp5Q/aYo0cb-la4ItnzzKn7SJ4pAM6oii9uBDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6373.jpeg)

The ironing board is close to the machines and the cutting table. The stash is close to the cutting table with the doll's stash in the closet. Right now the cutting table is full of fabric. Some needs to be put away, other pieces are ready to be sewn this month.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KzI1Uukolc/XgXzaPHk3FI/AAAAAAAAp5M/hrTEU9Scz_IncefWm2byks4asq1Ms-R3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6378.jpeg)

This corner needs a work desk, chair and filing cabinet. I need to get it at Ikea. With the weather being crappy, I've put off buying it. I will get there one day.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyl_xpL6Nuw/XgX0F6WiOdI/AAAAAAAAp5c/OH93bTcjOn4OldDHu3MWxyltSwV0MGLQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6381.jpeg)

My goal over the next two years is to sew down the stash and remove the shelving unit. I would love to have a dresser that will hold the stash. Yes, a tiny fabric stash is the order of the day. The same goes for the yarn. I keep working on it and try not to buy extra yarn unless it is for a "now" project.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Helen M on January 18, 2020, 12:47:33 PM
Your sewing space is so nice Ann, I'm envious!
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on January 18, 2020, 12:55:23 PM
Goodness me, that's about four times the size of my sewing room!
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ohsewsimple on January 18, 2020, 13:22:03 PM
Wow, I’d love a room that size!   I guess your houses are generally a lot bigger than ours over here! 
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Silver Rose on January 18, 2020, 16:08:12 PM
Lovely room Ann, lucky you.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on January 18, 2020, 22:09:22 PM
@Helen M, thank you. It is a huge room and almost too big for what I do. But, it was the only room available for me so I took it without complaining. I love the color and what we had done after the flood. It is actually a very calming room which I love to sew in.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: UttaRetch on January 19, 2020, 15:09:31 PM
You have twice as much space as my intended sewing room and I'm a little jealous.  However, I have never had a spare room until now, so will be making the best of it.  The best thing about my room is the cupboard that already has shelves which I have populated

(https://i.imgur.com/crkU3pQ.jpg)

I must remember to have a shelf put up for my sewing books.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Lollipop on January 19, 2020, 19:04:05 PM
Very late to the party but I love your sewing space @Ann .

I'm always a bit envious of North American basement spaces. My tutu making friend in Canada has a fabulous space.

My sewing room is a converted single garage and, though lovely, could do with being double the size. It didn't take me long to almost completely fill the space.
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on January 19, 2020, 21:22:41 PM
Thank you everyone for your kind words on my sewing space. I love the look of it as it is finished the way I wanted it to be. Having a flood in the basement was the reason it got done.

This the biggest space I've had. I've sewn in small spaces also. Small bedrooms and a den. I had one space in a basement that was 11x16' and it was a lovely space. Not too big and not too small. I made fancy gowns in that room. I had another room which had the closet full of fabric which was not good as it stressed me out. Too many pieces bought while in a stressful situation.

The closet in this room is a good size. It has a shelf and rod in it. I would like to put a couple of cubes in it but said no until I downsize the stash. I need to use up the notions and doll's fabric stored in the closet. I will need space for embroidery thread and a few notions but not like what I have right now.

Our house isn't huge. About 1100 sq feet but the basement was finished when we bought it. It had this huge room that was a bedroom, a bathroom, mechanical room, and a large family room. It is nice to have a finished basement. The main floor is open concept with a large bathroom, laundry closet and 2 bedrooms. Both levels have great light from lots of windows.

Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Renegade Sewist on January 19, 2020, 23:22:39 PM
@Ann , it's lovely. And big!!!. I've never had a sewing room of any size. To have one that's almost too big; what a delight. I attempt to sew on the desk, just putting the keyboard (wireless) aside and pushing the monitor back to the wall.

Looking at all your hoops out I have hoop envy.  0_0 My little machine is limited to 4" x 4". How big is your largest field?
Title: Re: Ann's Sewing Room (Third Try)
Post by: Ann on January 20, 2020, 10:29:59 AM
@Renegade Sewist, I've sewn on a sewing cabinet in the kitchen. I'd forgotten that one.  Fabric stash was 0 meters.

My largest hoop is 360x350. When I bought my machine, the cases and that hoop were included in the price. They were the extras. Two others were part of the machine. I've bought 2 hoops for the machine. I've used every hoop I own over the years. One only once.

I hung the hoops as I want to embroider once a month. I'm hoping to do a project starting today. I have it designed and need to print it to see if it will work.