Hello friends! I hope you had a great weekend and that you are well and safe at home. I finished up a quilt late Friday and then took some time to straighten up my sewing room and get a couple of projects ready for this week. So I’ll be off and running on my next Balboa quilt this morning. As I was cleaning up, though, I realized it had been a while since I shared progress in my new sewing room. I hope you’ll enjoy today’s Sewing Room Tour as part of the A Quilting Life at Home series.
Sewing Room Tour
I last posted about my new sewing room on March 2nd…and oh, how the world was different then. Of course, I had no idea what would shortly be happening in our world. I just feel so very blessed that we were able to get moved in with the most important things finished up before everything shut down last month. I’m grateful that most of our shutters were installed, our laundry room cabinets got installed (we don’t have a counter top or sink in that room yet, but I’m happy to have storage at least), and our pantry shelves were finished.
But now I’ve finished up five quilts in the new sewing room and have made a few changes since I last posted about this room. For me, two of the most important updates were getting the shutters installed and getting my large cutting table in the sewing room. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get the table in, and we wouldn’t have if my husband hadn’t figured out he could remove the top so we could bring it up in three very heavy pieces. Then he re-assembled it in the room.
Shelving
I have five Billy bookcases from Ikea that I use for fabric storage. These shelves are easily adjustable and hold so many things. I love having the fabrics and items I use most often so readily accessible. This room is about 16′ x 16′–much larger than my sewing space in our last home. It’s definitely been nice to have the extra room to move around in. And I love that this room has two windows for amazing lighting during the day.
Cutting and Storage Table
My cutting and storage table really is the heart of my work room. I’ve had it for several years now, and it sure was a random lucky find! It has five drawers and two cupboards. There are two identical drawers and a cupboard right behind the one shown in the photo above. I store frequently used notions in the drawers and fabrics in the cupboards. On one end of the table there is a wide shallow drawer where I keep rulers. Below that are two open storage areas and two file drawers where I store patterns.
Worktable
I also have another worktable on the east side of my room. I’ve thought about making this an ironing station, but honestly, it’s been so nice to have another work surface that I may just keep it as it is now. I love that I can store many things on top so that my main cutting table isn’t cluttered. And the bins below keep fabric scraps and parts and pieces from current projects.
Storage
I also keep fabric and supplies in the cupboards in this Brusali Ikea cabinet. I love that the cabinet has two shelves both large enough to store larger rulers and plenty of fabric and notions.
More Storage
Along with storage in the bookshelves, cabinet, cutting table, and work table, I’m using the closet to store more fabrics and notions. The closet isn’t completely organized yet, so I’ll share that at a later date. But I do have my scrap bins by color stored in the closet along with my labeled woven baskets with a variety of notions.
- Get the storage baskets here.
- Find the bin clip labels here.
- And get the wire bins with wood handles here.
Sewing Space
I sew with a Janome Memory Craft 6600P that I’ve had for quite a few years now. It’s been a terrific machine. The table is actually one manufactured by Janome that was made for my model machine. I’ve recently added a terrific light (find my clamp-on Daylight light fixture here) that really gives great lighting when I sew in the evening or even on cloudy days. It’s been my favorite sewing table light to date since it takes up so little room on my table while giving wonderful bright light.
Future Projects
There is a nice niche in the wall right behind where I’m currently keeping my ironing board. We have a custom cupboard with shelves being built that will be going in that space. (Social distancing has slowed down a few of our projects)! I’m waiting to finalize the closet storage until I see how I’ll use this space.
I’m also waiting to hang my quilts and mini quilts until the cabinet is put in and I’m sure about the arrangement of everything. I may hang my clock this week, though, because I’m sure the space for it won’t be affected by the cabinet addition!
More on Setting Up a Sewing Space
Earlier this year I wrote a post on Sewing Room Organization Tips. While my room isn’t yet complete, I did follow the tips in that post while deciding how to arrange my new space. Read the Sewing Room Organization Tips post here.
I hope you enjoyed the Sewing Room Tour today! I’ll wait until the cabinet is installed and I’ve hung all of the quilts and minis to share again. Stay well, happy quilting, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Barbara S Snyder says
I’ve been hoping you’d post about your new sewing room. Thank you, It’s lovely.
Rita says
That’s wonderful!
gailss1 says
Your room is just a marvel and you must want to keep going in to see it and sew all the time. Love, love, love what you did and can tell that you gave great thought to where everything would go. Wonderful space and looks like you will have many hours of sewing in a “happy” spot. Thanks for the tour and enjoyed it!
Gail
Brenda Powers says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful space.
Jean Ridley says
Lovey and lots of Space
What is the room
Size???
sherri McConnell says
16′ x 16′ 🙂
Elaine says
I would be in heaven with a room like that. Beautiful!
You have never talked about labels for finished quilts. What do you like?
Elaine says
I would be in heaven with a room like that. Beautiful!
You have never talked about labels for a finished quilt. What do you like?
Julie Sopoci says
Beautiful bright room,! I am curious about your Janome sewing table. It doesn’t appear to be very deep – something I’ve read is important. My table is currently 36×60, but I’m moving within the next year and my space will be much smaller. Your smaller table makes me think I can downsize my table, but are their times when you wish your table was deeper, or some other size? Thank you!
sherri McConnell says
It is fairly narrow, but it works. If I were doing a lot of quilting on my machine I would probably put a table behind it for those times I needed the extra support.
Hildy says
I love your new sewing room thanks for sharing it with us!
T Holzer says
Just wow, Sherri! I’m excited to see your finished room with the cabinet and your minis arranged and hung. You could’ve been an interior decorator or a professional organizer, that’s for sure!! Are those stairs behind that door? But it seems odd that a set of stairs end up in a room!! Thanks for sharing!!
sherri McConnell says
not stairs…a little area with a sink…and outside in the hallway is a closet…with quilts in it of course!
JustGail says
Your room is wonderful, and I envy how light it is.
Kimberley Rose says
You mentioned your new quilting space, Sherri, but what was the size of your last quilting room? I have my quilting room set up in what used to be a baby’s nursery room, so I’m sure it’s much smaller than your new digs.
sherri McConnell says
My previous room was just 10′ x 11′. But it was a great space with good lighting. It held everything I needed…just not as much space to walk around 🙂
Debbie S says
This looks wonderful! Do you remember where you purchased your quilt ladder? Thank you again for sharing!
Christine Rudy says
Hi Sherri:)
I am “officially drooling”!! I have been keeping an eye out , with great anticipation to see your new sewing space. It is absolutely beautiful, for a beautiful and very hard working little lady. I couldn’t be happier for you:) Are you exhausted? So much going on in your world. I know you are very organized and I do so appreciate your efforts to help all of us stay on track:) Thank You.
It’s Chris up here in Canby, OR, wanting to say I spent the weekend, celebrating Easter, cooking and then got to sew, and sew, and sew!!! I have been having fun playing with my Harper’s Garden Honey Bun and the It’s So Emma 6″ Pineapple foundation Paper Pattern pack. Love to totally play with the fabrics for so many different looks. I will try to send along a picture or two so you can see how amazing this collection lends it’s self to this pattern. Running out of space, to better end this. . .Love Balboa and all patterns!! Fondly and Blessings, Chris R
Brenda Hotinger says
Beautiful room, Sherri! It’s so well organized and I’m sure you’ll have many happy sewing years in it.
Karen says
Your sewing studio is beautiful and thoughtfully laid out.
I noticed your steam iron and now I NEED that but I am wondering what your opinion is on an ironing board?! Please put in a recommendation. I currently have a Polder with an iron rest.
sherri McConnell says
My ironing board is from Costco. It’s okay, but I’m also looking for another option for an ironing board!
Patricia Simon says
This is my second comment. I can’t stop looking at your new sewing room. I LOVE it!!!!!! The furniture and all! I have a whole room with furniture but it is not as big and I want your furniture!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I reall, really love it? Those pictures brought me such joy. I can really use joy now. I was in the hospital four months and now in rehab for six months, leading to walk (up to 100 steps, but problem is no knee in one leg so it does not bent and other ones is shot so it is really hard to push up. When I can push up I can go home. Oh well I can keep dreaming by looking at you pictures! God bless, Patty S
Catherine says
I love how bright your room is. Can’t wait to see it totally completed. My only question is: don’t you worry about light affecting your fabrics? Or maybe you just it too fast for that! ? Your productivity is amazing!
June M. Bielli says
Just a lovely, sunny, fun room to quilt in! You did a great job. Enjoy
Elizabeth E. says
Lovely room–I enjoyed the tour immensely. I imagine much more is behind the closets–the backstage area, where lots of non-photogenic stuff is hidden. But as always, you inspire us with your design and esthetic. Glad you are all moved in!
Kelly says
You should invest in a good office chair. That folding chair must get very uncomfortable. After years of working with an old office chair that the height adjustment function didn’t work, I finally bought myself a good office chair. No more backaches! I can adjust the height for my cutting (folding) table and my sewing table.
Dolores Vinson says
I love it every part, enjoy the time you have to spend in it.
Kay Welch says
WoW!!!! What a gorgeous and well laid out sewing room. Thanks for sharing
Mary Brooks says
Thanks Sherri ,your New sewing room looks so good. I ordered your Bloomtopia quilt kit and i cant wait to get it get it syarted.Mary Brooks
Gayla B. says
What an inspiration this is!! It looks very neat and well organized. God bless you as you keep sewing and making good use of this challenging time. Stay well!!
The Joyful Quilter says
Your space is SEW beautiful!!!
Debbie Amundson says
How much was your cutting table that you use the most?
sherri McConnell says
I’ve had it for several years and bought it at a small independent shop. But I’ve heard it might be available on Wayfair for a reasonable price 🙂
Linda Jennings says
I love your sewing room, it is goregous and big. I have a bedroom for mine and my longarm is in the basement.
I agree with you about your sewing machine, I think they are the best. I have the 6500 and I wouldn’t part with it.
Bobbi says
Sherri, so glad I found you on the internet, really love the layout of your new sewing room and how you have utilized the furniture.
I have large bedroom with double window , my sewing machine/cutting table is in front of the windows and know what you mean about having good lighting to sew by. I keep my fabrics stowed in large plastic sew thru bins, but they are heavy and hard to get to
ones I want at times. Since I live in the south, I worry about the fabrics fading from all the bright light if I put them on shelves.
I’ll try to put some of your great ideas to work in my room and rearrange some things. Looking forward to seeing the finished room!
Bobbi
Jan K says
Your sewing room is to die for. Can I ask what brand is your sewing table?
sherri McConnell says
Yes, it’s from the maker of my machine, Janome.
Kary Pepper says
Love your flooring. Would you mind sharing what it is ?