Hello, friends! Today I’m sharing Tips for Small Sewing Spaces. My daughter Chelsi recently turned a little niche off of her master bedroom into a delightful small sewing space! I’ll be sharing today’s tips along with photos from her recent renovation. I hope you’ll enjoy the post and get ideas for your space regardless of the size of the space.
Tips for Small Sewing Spaces
I have spent a lot of time in small sewing spaces. I’ve set up my sewing space in a corner of our primary bedroom and on our dining room table. For a couple of years, I was able to sew in our small office which felt like a huge improvement because I was also able to store most of my fabric and notions in that room. My next sewing room was only about 10′ x 11′ but had wonderful lighting and a walk-in-closet. Today I’m really grateful to have a large sewing space that I feel really enables me to work even more efficiently. But it’s oh, so possible to function wonderfully in a small sewing space. Here are some tips:
1. Make a Plan.
You’ll want to really think about how you are going to utilize every part of your space. If you’re able to leave your sewing machine set up you’ll also need to consider where you can set up an ironing and cutting station and whether you’ll be able to store fabrics and notions close by. Rolling carts are a terrific option when storage and cutting needs to be in a separate area.
2. Utilize Vertical Space.
Using wall space, and shelving units if you have the room, is one of the best ways to make good use of a small space. Shelving units with adjustable shelves are perfect for creating personalized storage spaces. Choose simple wall décor in order to make the best use of space for storage.
3. Create Systems for Storage.
Along with the items already mentioned (rolling carts and shelves), here are some storage options for small spaces:
- Under bed storage for cutting mats and rulers (place rulers in a plastic bin that will slide under a bed).
- Use labeled plastic bins or baskets to keep everything organized even if it has to be stored in a different area.
- Keep a master list of where everything is stored.
Details on Chelsi’s Sewing Space Renovation
- First, they removed the carpeting, painted, and then installed luxury vinyl plank flooring.
- Three Billy Bookcases from Ikea were set up and spaced. Chelsi’s husband added trim and molding in order to make the unit look like a built-in.
- Finally, Chelsi was able to organize her plastic scrap bins (organized by color), works-in-progress bins, bolts, pre-cuts, stash fabrics and even books on the shelves.
- Chelsi uses an antique family desk for her sewing machine which gives her a nice work-space. She also utilizes the drawers of the desk for additional storage. She keeps her most-used notions in a Sew-Together Bag for easy access.
- You can find Chelsi’s blog here and her pattern shop here.
- And, Chelsi filmed a video tour just recently…watch it below, or go here to watch it on YouTube.
Watch Chelsi’s Sewing Space Video Tour Above
Links from Chelsi’s Studio Tour Video
Below you can find some of the things Chelsi shared in her studio tour:
- Chelsi’s Sewing Machine
- Similar Sewing Table
- Cutting Mat
- Project Boards
- Wool Pressing Mat
- Similar White Utility Cart & Similar Aqua Utility Cart
- 3-Section Tray
I hope you enjoyed this post with Tips for Small Sewing Spaces including a tour of my daughter’s new sewing area! Happy quilting, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Kathy in WV says
I surely did enjoy today’s post….thanks again for several great ideas. I totally thought Chelsi’s bookcase wall was a custom built-in. Unfortunately, there are no IKEA’s in West Virginia. Sigh! I love you blog posts and videos—they are very helpful and even though I generally don’t comment please know you are appreciated!
Lisa says
There is an IKEA in Cincinnati and North Columbus. This might be. Fun day trip. Don’t forget your Swedish meatballs.
sherri McConnell says
Thank you so much!
sherly giglio says
Great tips ! I so much enjoying reading your blog and implamenting some ideas all very helpful . Love those videos .
carol says
Refreshing to see small sewing areas …..
Crystal Drummond says
Beautiful room and excellent ideas
Sunny says
Thank you for the glimpse into yours and Chelsi’s sewing rooms. I always like to see how other people organize their spaces. I’m really wondering though, do you really only have the fabric that is in the pictures? Most quilters seem to have tons of fabric. If you don’t have more fabric than what is in the pictures – how do you do it? I only buy fabric for one project at a time. I never buy fabric on a whim or just because I like it. Yet I still have so much fabric. I’m just wondering how you have such little amounts of fabric? What’s the secret? 🙂 Thank you!
sherri McConnell says
Chelsi basically has what you see…but I have more in my closet 🙂 I’ll be sharing that organization as soon as I get it finished up from the move! Thank you!
Maryanne Richards says
I love reading your blogs and enjoyed the peak into your daughter’s small space. I am doing over my 9 x 9 sewing room and am also using an old family desk for sewing (mom received for her 18th birthday and she is 89). I have way more fabric and have to do a major edit to keep it tidy.
Kendall says
Hmmmm… small space, huh? That’s not a small space, that’s a whole room! haha. I quilt in a hallway. Yes, a hallway. Having a space that big is a dream, not an inconvenience. 🙂 Looks beautiful, though! Great job. Very jealous, here.
sherri McConnell says
It’s about 6 feet by 6 feet, and yes, she loves having it!
Gwyn says
This is how I am essentially set up in our torn apart dining room. We can’t eat there and the project has stalled for years (DYI), so it became my sewing space. Except for the fabric in my bedroom and my daughter’s bedroom. She’s home from college, so some of it migrated back into my bedroom. Poor hubby. At least I’m making a dent in the stash by making masks and quarantine quilt tops. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of low volume scraps…
Diana Manwarring says
Dear Sherri,
Hello from Australia.
I love reading your blog. Your ideas on all things quilting and organising same are brilliant. I’m a senior but still like to get into my sewing room for a while every afternoon. I look out onto a canal where I can see young folk going by on their stand up paddle boards or paddling their kayaks. The sun at this time of the year (we’re in Autumn) stream through the window after glinting on the water. The room is 3m x 3m but of all the sewing rooms I’ve had, I’m enjoying this one the most even though it is small by comparison with those In the past.I have a rocking chair in the room with its back to the window enabling me to hand sew with good light on my work.
My favourite type of quilts are scrap quilts. I just love your tips relating to them. I think I have worked some of those tips out over the years but it’s great to have them all there in one place to remind me.
Thank you again from an avid follower of your blog since I very recently discovered it. Keep up the good work, connecting with like minded people across this magnificent planet of ours. We certainly appreciate blogs such as yours more than ever in these trying times.
All the best Diana Manwarring