First off, I want to say. To the quilters that have to take their sewing machine and sewing baskets out of some small linen closet and work on the dining room table? I've been there. To the ones that share their space with a guest bed and home "office". Been there. To the ones that have to go down to a dark, spooky basement. Yup. Been there. To the ones that have had to go to the room that was once an attic and is far away from the family? Been there!!
In the last 17 years of marriage, I have had to sew where ever I could. I even remember sitting on a floor with my leg awkwardly pushing the pedal when we were in a temporary apartment waiting.
I am so blessed to have this space now.
When we were about to move again, my only request to my husband that we found a layout where I could have my own space, close to the action.
The view off our kitchen, which happens to be an open floor concept to the family room.
First door bathroom. Second door, studio. Laundry room straight ahead.
Garage on the left side out to where my longarm "studio" is!
I have a load of pictures for this area...but for another day.
But back to my main area!!
I always get asked about the cabinets. They are not custom. We did not have someone build them. We went to Home Depot and Lowes and bought either pre-built or put them together ourselves from boxes. They were added over time...not all at once. It actually just started with a few of the lower ones in our last house.
On the right side when I walk in is what I call the work area.
Computer, files, printer, phone. Paper.
This side of the room are kitchen counter top height so I can sit on stools or just stand.
My cutting tools and current project file boxes are easy access for when I need to work.
And the TV.
I can't live without background noise while I am working. Especially when the boys go back to school. The silence is deafening and makes me miss them greatly.
I use the upper area to display some of my mini quilts and my American Girl Dolls.
When my husband's grandmother passed away, we were offered some items and both he and I agreed that I would keep her yellow sewing basket. It still has some great vintage scissors and notions inside.
My favorite area.
How could you not love fabric?!?!?
Yum. I have mini-bolts on the top shelves and then baskets filled with layer cakes, fat quarter bundles, and charms.
And more yum. Some jelly rolls anyone?
My new Lindstrom 1930s toy sewing machine under the sweet mini quilt from a
Name Game Swap.
It currently has no projects right now because I have more tops completed and the other projects are in "cut" stages.
But Button makes use of it every chance he gets.
The next area is my island.
This is, again, kitchen counter height.
Cutting. Ironing. Pretty Jars with ribbons and notions.
The island consists of cabinets that made an "L" in my old attic studio in the last house.
We reconfigured it to make the square.
I also wanted an overhang area so the boys can sit on stools and work at it for big art and school projects.
I hope that someday I can address the counters!
They, again, were just premade laminate counters we found at Home Depot.
They clean up well, but they are getting a bit "bleh". I also never got around to painting the island like I wanted to. Someday. Quilting gets in the way!
I call this side my sewing area.
We ordered file cabinets so that it would be lower than the rest of the counters.
My sewing machine stays permenantly on the countertop.
Fat quarters and more ribbon are up above in the cabinet!
I put my embroidery machine away in my closet when it is not in use.
I like to keep the counters as uncluttered as possible.
The main reason I have been quilting so much the past four years.
More jars. Can you tell I like jars? They are in the center to collect binding leftovers for my "someday" full scrappy quilt. I also store all the leftover triangles I have to use as leaders and enders.
The tall cabinet store some of my scrapbooking supplies. The other supplies are in my island.
But, generally, scrapbooking only happens on my
retreats.
Above is my birdhouse collection. Actually. It was my grandmothers. She gave them to me when she had to move into their retirement home. They didn't have room for them, so I told her I would keep them for her. I made the birdhouse quilt at the time, but lately, the traditional colors are just not working for me. I am pretty sure you will see something in the future take it's place.
We are just not going to talk about this very packed 10 foot high closet, are we?
I do love my
bin organization for projects though.
And to keep Button busy?
He has a basket of toys to play with!
But mostly, he gets into my stuff.
My sitting area.
The cover on the chair-and-a-half is for my pugs that keep me company. They love to set their heads on my shoulder while I do handwork.
And yes, more jars. My hexie templates, needles, and more buttons.
I like buttons.
And last but not least.
Lighting.
My dearest husband installed these because without them?
THE REALITY.
I wouldn't be able to sew at night without them. This is a shot of my honest craft room. Most of my sewing happens in the wee hours of the night when everyone else is sleeping.
I am going to hunt for ideas. I have been feeling like I need to make my room less "old fashioned" as someone recently said when they saw my room.
***UPDATE: The studio finally got a facelift. I couldn't be more thrilled!***
STUDIO MAKEOVER
