Welcome to the next post in our ongoing series! Today, we’re taking a look at Paige’s sewing space.
Tell us about your sewing space.
I used to have a sewing room. I loved being able to shut the door, and ignore any of my creative mess- and so did my partner. I’ve been blessed with a significant other who is super tidy, even when I’m not. He keeps me on my toes, and our house is normally reasonably picked up. My sewing/craft room used to be the spare room in my home. This past year we’ve been helping out a family relative to get back on their feet, and it’s been great having family closer to me. I’ve had to give up my sewing space though, and it’s been an interesting adjustment.
Remember when I said I have a very tidy partner? Well since I’ve had to move my sewing space into the bedroom I’ve also had to figure out a way to not drive him absolutely bonkers. So I’ve come up with a system that involves lots of casters, carts, and a closet. I took all the hanging clothing out of our closet in the bedroom, and put them on a clothing rack next to our dresser. When everything is in the closet, it looks relatively picked up. There’s still more clutter than I would like, and certainly more than my partner would, but I’m working on it!
Inside the closet, there’s three carts (one for fabric, one with my sewing machine, and one with the serger), a folding table, my large self healing cutting mat, and my iron and ironing board. While it’s not the prettiest closet, it gets the job done. It’s on my to renovate list, as is a lot of my house. I feel like we’re in a constant state of renovation, with my bedroom being the last thing on the list. In fact we haven’t done a thing to this room, hence the bandaid paint color on the walls. I promise the rest of my house is much cuter!
Everything comes out of the closet, and fits in the space rather cozily. I roll out what I need to work, and get to sewing! The casters make everything very easy to roll in and out, so I don’t have to break a sweat dragging machine boxes and the likes around. The fabric cart is a discontinued style from ikea, but they offer something similar with the anglot. I keep all the entirety of my fabric stash there. Everything is pre washed and ironed, so it’s ready to go. I try not to buy any fabric unless I have it in mind for a project, but sometimes sales happen. When you don’t have a lot of space to work with, stashing isn’t the best idea.
My sewing machine is a Janome Memory Craft 3500, it belonged to my Mother. It’s what she used to sew when we were growing up. It’s a great little machine, and I need to remember to schedule it for a tune up. My serger is the ever popular Brother 1034d. I have no complaints on either. The second shelf of my sewing machine carts is for notions and my sewing basket. The third I keep open to put projects I’m working on should I have to clean up before I’m done. Sometimes I use the machines in the cart if I’m feeling extra lazy! They have brakes on the casters so they don’t go anywhere under the vibration of the machines.
I do keep some sewing stuff out all the time. My thread holders and tracing paper are on an Ikea Bygel rail. Eventually I’d like to get a better back of the door system for the closet and just keep them there. I’ve only just had to move my sewing room, so I’m still figuring out the specifics. I also keep my patterns in these bookcases, along with some of my scrapbooking stuff. I’ve already halved my pattern collection, and am trying to do so even more. I’m also looking for more clean and minimal boxes to put them in. My TV is great for marathoning Drag Race while sewing.
In my sewing box I keep almost everything tool wise I would need to complete any project. I have a variety of scissors, punches, needles, waxes, seam rippers, tape, french curves, pattern masters, machine feet and needles, marking tools, measuring tools, ect. Is my sewing box well organized? No, but I know almost everything I need to sew with be in there, it’s got a place at least! It also fits PERFECTLY into an ikea Raskog cart. The white Serger cart is from target.
While I can’t say this is my dream sewing space, I can say it’s functional. It also forces me to be very clean during my sewing, and to pick up anytime I leave it. There’s something nice about starting fresh every time I start to sew.
Check out Paige’s blog — Very Paige — to see what she creates in her marvelous sewing space!
I’m a new sewist to garments and am also from Nor Cal. I also love drag race! Fun fact: I work at the place that makes and sells the back drop used on Drag Race on the runway! They are ceiling tiles!
Oops look like Tanya is from Nor Cal and Paige like Drag Rage!
Drag Race! I promise I’m not day drinking!
how does the white cart compare to the ikea cart?
This is so inspiring, because I have just a room that I rent in a home. Its a nice large room, but since I had to downsize to my new circumstances, it’s been frustrating to find a way to keep up with my sewing/craft habits. Seeing your actual room makes me realize I can do it! And blessings on you and your partner for helping your family member. It’s worth it!
An amazing use of the space available given the challenge of being in the bedroom. I’m especially impressed with the use of the Raskog/rolling carts to keep everything together and portable. I did a major Konmari/declutter a year ago and part of the process was donating the bulk of my stash and patterns, but you’re right, there are still a lot of tools and gear we sewists need. A cart like a Raskog would get my sewing machine off the floor of the closet as well! And thanks for the nod to to the Brother serger with model number, I’m in the market currently for a serger, and if it’s still available, I’ll check it out. Thanks so much for letting us into your sewing life!
Wow, I’m super impressed with how you’ve made that space work and how organized you are!! We recently moved and my bedroom also has that band-aid color on the walls! :o) Unfortunately the master bedroom (and my studio) are always the last to get worked on here as well.
Paige,
Thanks for letting us in—you are inspiring with your on the go sewing studio. It makes it all the more lovely because you are sacrificing for another person, and also that your fiance is sacrificing for you. That’s a lot of Love going around. 🙂
Lori In Calif.
What struck me about your sewing space was how organized it truly is – carts, storage units and portability! But your true generous nature Paige really shines in your willingness to relinquish your own sewing room to help someone out in a time of need 🙂 That was a very loving act indeed!