:: my room, an overview ::

Thanks so much for all the comments!! They all give me something to think about!

I realize that it would probably help to see an overview of my entire room and give you a bit more information, so I tried to tidy it up a bit and took a few more pictures.  I thought about standing in the middle of the room and clicking pictures as I turned in a circle, but the room is too small for you to see much of anything unless you are physically standing here with me.  Seriously.  It is a bedroom that measures almost 11 feet by 13 feet. But, it's my own little space, so it works!

You already saw part of the wall with my sewing table, so here is the rest, moving around the room.

Right now, this dry sink holds my wool inside and my homemade ironing board on top.  The nice thing about it is that I can stick things in the space under the ironing board.  But really, it's too tall in front of the window.  It's a picky thing, I know, but from outside, when the blinds are open, you see the icky back of this, and it covers the heat register.  Also, being only 5 feet tall, I have a really hard time reaching over it to open the window!

To give me added space, I took the doors off the closet and built in a desk, which made sense 7 years ago when I did it.  But since then, I've realized that we put the desk too low and I can't even get a file cabinet to fit underneath, so right now, I have it stuffed with bolts of fabric that I'm trying to find a place for.  I've thought about converting it back into a closet so that I can put my fabric in there, but then I'd have to find a desk, which leads to more issues.....

And in case you are wondering about the wall shelf above my computer.... I had my brother make that for me and I love it, but there again, I need to figure out how to make better use of the space.  More about that at a later date.....

This is a little wider look where you can see the start of my own custom made design wall (complete with a cutout for the outlet!!)

And the rest of my design wall.  Notice that I had to take the door off of the room in order to use this wall, which works out okay until the basement (which is right down the hallway you see there) is filled with teenage boys and their music/video games.  Ahh..... what I wouldn't give for a door on those days!!  But, I only have 8 more months until he's off to college, and I know that I'll be missing it then, so don't even let me get started.....

And now, we're back to where we started, messy table and all.  See my sewing table there on the left? 

Now, before your jaw drops, thinking that this is all the fabric I have, understand that this is where I do most of my work, but not all.  In previous posts, I've given glimpses of the "oozing" effect that comes with having a business in the home, and you can tell that my dining room is used more for Whimsicals than it is for dining.  That is also where I lay out large quilts because it's the only room with a floor that's large enough.  The up side to that is the exercise I get running between the rooms and up and down the half flight of stairs when I'm working on something!

So, there you have it.  I can't believe that I actually am putting pictures of my sewing room here for everyone to see, and I'm hoping they don't end up on some weird website showcasing "what NOT to do", but I guess I took that risk when I first decided to ask for your suggestions!  I'll take some closer pictures of each area for the next few posts, so that you can get a better idea of what I'm trying to work out and accomplish. 

But in the meantime, I need to get to work.  Can't wait to see what kind of suggestions I get this time!

Comments

[Leisha Roberts]

Terri,
I say wait 8 months and then take the boys' spot! lol Some people think their space has to be perfect for them to be able to create, but you just show that you can create the most beautiful things in a modest area!!!!! I have the same problems with my space that ou do. I want it to be functional and hold everything somewhat neat and organized but still have some inspiring character. I will look at your pictures several times today and try to come up with some ideas for you!

Leisha

[Diane]

Terri,
I would like to know how you made your design board on the wall?
I am about ready to start your Tangled in Threads book different projects and sure could use a design wall like yours.
thanks
Diane

[Terri Degenkolb]

Diane-
My design wall is simply a sheet of 3/4" insulated sheathing, (like you see when a house is being built) with a layer of warm & natural batting and then a piece of flannel. I used spray adhesive to stick the batting to the sheathing and the flannel. I left the batting and flannel larger than the sheathing and attached it all to the wall by butting quarter round up next to the sheathing and pulling the batting & flannel tight, nailing it to the wall through the quarter round, batting and flannel.
I love it because the fabrics just stick to the flannel, or I can push pins into it if I want, and I can clean the threads off with one of those lint removers that have the sticky tape like stuff on them!

[Debbie St.Germain]

There are so many nice built in's for closets now, would love to be able to just buy one to make additional space for my room. I set up my room, so I have my tables and shelves on the outer walls and then I got a nice office chair, so I can roll from station to station when I work.

Debbie

[Stephanie in Michigan]

Can you install a pocket door in the doorway? That might help.

I am having trouble coming up with good solutions, because I am amazed with how well you've used the small space. I like it. I can see the issue with the ironing board in front of the window. Could you trade the drysink and the cutting table so the cutting table is in front of the window and would allow you to walk over and open the window? Just a thought.

I love how you did the built-in desk in the closet. Gives me a good idea for our guest room. Thanks so much.

I use a lateral file cabinet that I bet would fit under your cutting table. I wonder if you could put a file cabinet under your cutting able. Or instead of the dry sink, make a new ironing station that uses file cabinets to hold it up. Not as cute and primitive, but perhaps more functional?

[Carla]

So what does your Mother think of your space? Has she given her opinion yet? When Son #2 goes to college you should turn the basement into your new sewing space. My sewing room is the largest guest room we have and I still oozed into the guestroom next door and our formal dining room is sewing room part 3. (Got to have room for all things Whimsicals).

[Anne]

Looks pretty organised to me Terri - the only thing I can think of is can you move your ironing board along to under your spool quilt (either the same way, or swing it around under it), attach that lovely set of old spice drawers with your spools to the wall above where it is now, but then you will need to find a place for the displaced shelves - perhaps they could go under the window........layby'd a nice big lot of your Tangled Threads today - think I'll make a Spool quilt like yours from them. Anne :)

[Lisa]

What would happen if you moved your sewing machine in front of the window...placed the ironing board under the spool quilt and the files where your sewing machine is now. I have my work area in a U shape. I have my large ironing space on the left my machine then another table on the right with a little ironing space. Therefore I don't have to get up to iron each piece. Hope this might help. I too agree though. after 8 months take over the basement...yippee.

[Terri]

Hahaha! I love everyone saying that I should take over the basement! I had planned on doing just that several years ago, but opted to stay where I was so the kids had somewhere to get loud with their friends and not disturb the entire house.
However, there are a few other problems with the basement..... it has a really low ceiling (just a little over 7 feet), bad lighting, and it's FREEZING!! As it is, I wear long underwear and several layers of clothing, then turn on a space heater when it gets really unbearable in my room. The basement is still a possibility, and something I think about often, but it wouldn't be as easy as just moving my things down there...

[Kareng]

This all makes me laugh. When I started making quilts I had boxes stuffed into the hall closet. All work was at the dining room table. Understanding husband & tv trays. I now have a 10 x 12 spare room & I am also now bursting at the seams. Husband bought me a craft table, sewing table, cabinet & storage shelves to keep my things contained to the room. We need to create a room that works for our own personality. Happy & confortable makes for a creative result.

[Joy]

I just happened upon your site. I think you would enjoy having your sewing machine near the window. That's how I have mine set up and I love being able to glance out the window while sewing! Also, might look better from the outside to have your machine there instead of the back of your cupboard. Also, I have my machine set up so that my project isn't going into the wall as I sew, it is going out into the room. Just an idea for you.

[Rebecca]

I love your patterns and your fabrics. Your color palette is so calming but also very fun. I was wondering what you use to hang your quilts when you display them on your wall.

[curtain rods]

I have my large ironing space on the left my machine then another table on the right with a little ironing space.