Hi! Last week I talked about maintenance of your sewing room tools like cutting mats, rulers and your sewing machine. I was asked if I would show my studio to you. You’ve seen those photos of designer’s studios in the quilt magazine features. They look clean, bright and beautiful. Funny thing is, my studio is definitely not glamorous like those. But it is very functional. I’m going to show it to you in photos and in a brief video. Since I am prepared and packed for a weekend show as I write this, my studio is actually fairly clean! So here we go…
First, I want to show you my design wall. I managed to claim a space on the wall that is about 6 feet wide and over 6 feet high. I covered some home insulation boards (found at the local home improvement store) with some felt and then bolted those to the wall. Great way to build a quilt, block by block! They stick up on the felt and I can move them around until I get the setting I like.
And these little homemade labeling pins come in handy to mark blocks and rows so I do not mix them up while piecing a quilt.
I just wrapped a piece of washi tape around the top of several pins and then numbered them. These are just 1 through 6. I have more.
Now we move to my cutting table/ironing board. My husband and I took standard lower kitchen cabinets (again from the home improvement store), positioned them back to back and topped them with a piece of counter top. We chose a large enough area so that on one side, I have my cutting area, with my rulers hung on the wall and on the other side, I have a big board ironing surface.
The pictures I’m taking conveniently cut off the cluttered areas… LOL!
Next on to my sewing table. Once again, I created it from cabinets and a countertop purchased from a home improvement store.
One of my ergonomic tricks is to tilt my sewing machine with door stops found at the local hardware store. This saves my neck. My project is tilted towards me while I am stitching to keep me sitting comfortably in my chair. I also attached a shower soap dish to the edge of the table with removable Command strips to put my little tools I use often within easy reach!
Fabric storage is a challenge in my small space. Once again those home improvement store cabinets came in handy (lots of tubs of fabric in there!), plus a few antique cupboards. If you have followed by blog awhile, you know I love to use antiques in my studio.
Looks like I need to do more shopping?
Now to where the pattern writing happens. Since I sit a lot while sewing, I decided to turn my pattern writing area into a standing desk by using an antique box to set my computer on. My set-up includes 2 computers, one for writing the pattern and one that contains my quilt design program. I also have 3 printers that keep the pattern inventory supplied!
I do have a high stool I use sometimes when I need to sit. There are days …. LOL!
As you can see, not too glamorous! I did make sure to have a heated floor installed since my studio is in the basement. Trust me, that is needed even in the summer and definitely in the dead of winter! So here is my little video tour of the studio.
That’s it for this week. After I return from my quilt show, I the blog will return to postings of quilting tips and more.
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
I bought closet baskets units & put them all across one wall for fabric storage. Then added a counter top across the top for cutting area. Always dream of having a large room with organized room arrangement with more room than I have now.
I just had to downsize! Now my husband and I share a room half and half (I think my half is just a little bigger ;o)) There were 2 closets, so we each have one and got shelves in both. We got the drawers and cupboards on wheels for storage from Amazon and can move them easily as needed. My cutting table I share but can use as needed for cutting and ironing, I use a felt ironing surface over the end of the cutting table, that I just roll up and store when not needed. It works well for both of us. My sewing area is really nice and my son set up a monitor that clamps to the edge of my sewing cabinet that can be turned to many directions, leaving room for sewing and I use a laptop that rests on the floor beside the cabinet when not in use. Our printer has always been on my husbands side of the room. Thanks for sharing and your great use of space!