{"id":47595,"date":"2019-10-26T07:02:32","date_gmt":"2019-10-26T14:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artquiltmaker.com\/blog\/?p=47595"},"modified":"2019-10-23T17:47:14","modified_gmt":"2019-10-24T00:47:14","slug":"sewing-room-organization-tips-and-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artquiltmaker.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/sewing-room-organization-tips-and-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing Room Organization Tips and Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was originally posted<\/a> on the Redfin site on August 21, 2019 by Jennifer Karami<\/a>. It was updated on October 13, 2019. I have permission to repost it here.<\/p>\n

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  <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\"fabric<\/picture>\n

A sewing room is a space where you can concentrate and indulge in your passion \u2013 whether that be sewing<\/a>, knitting, quilting, or another form of crafting. It\u2019s the perfect place to keep your supplies organized, plan projects, and concentrate without interruption. For those who take clients professionally, the sewing room may be your show space for completed projects or a private spot for fittings and consultations. If you have small children<\/a>, it\u2019s also the best way to ensure that curious fingers aren\u2019t hurt! Regardless, a dedicated area is a must if you\u2019re serious about crafting. These sewing room organization tips will give you guidelines for what you need in your sew zone, what you don\u2019t, and how to create the sewing room of your dreams.<\/p>\n

What you need in a sewing room<\/b><\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t need a ton of space to establish your sewing area. If your square footage is limited, like in a smaller home or apartment<\/a>, your sewing room could simply be a corner with a table and some storage shelves. Your particular needs will depend on the specific type of work that you\u2019ll be doing, but there are a few universal basics all crafters should know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe highly recommend a full-body mirror or three-way mirror in your sewing space. This is extremely helpful if you\u2019re planning to tailor clothing for yourself or others. If you know you are going to be working on a lot of formal gowns and dresses, make sure you purchase a small step stool to have your clients stand on during fittings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Aladdin Hussein, Owner of Artful Tailoring <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\"sewing<\/picture>\n

Sewing machine<\/h3>\n

Obviously, you\u2019ll need a good sewing machine. You may also wish to have a serger or industrial-strength machinery for leatherwork. If your sewing projects include embroidery or beadwork, then you\u2019ll need an embroidery machine and specialty equipment, while quilters may find a long-arm machine useful.<\/p>\n

Electrical outlets<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re able, have a few extra electrical outlets installed in the space. You\u2019ll be surprised how many things you\u2019ll need to plug in! If that\u2019s not an option, invest in some industrial-strength surge protection power strips, and make sure that they can accommodate a three-pronged plug.<\/p>\n

Sewing table<\/h3>\n

Cutting and sewing projects can damage a regular table, so a sewing table is a worthwhile investment. The surface should be sturdy and able to handle the movement of the equipment without shaking. You can buy one or make a DIY sewing table<\/a> relatively affordably. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe worktable in my sewing area is at desk height, but I also have a large work table at a counter height that is perfect for fabric cutting. The height saves my back and makes pattern layout a breeze. Can\u2019t invest in a counter height table? Just put some bed risers under any table to bring the top up to a comfortable level. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u2013 Alice Smith-Goeke, Owner of Fabric Ninja<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Opt for a folding table with wheels \u2013 that way, you can expand all the leaves into your space when you need it, then fold them up and roll it away when not in use. This prevents you from having to use your dining room table, where you may either damage the wood or get your fabric dirty. Invest in a high-quality rolling office chair \u2013 preferably one without arms \u2013 for maximum mobility at your sewing table.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure to select a stable table that isn\u2019t going to bounce around as you sew or work. If possible, have tables with adjustable legs so you can find the most comfortable height.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Michelle Stoffel, Co-Owner of Style Maker Fabrics<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\"antique<\/picture>\n

How tall should your sewing or cutting table be?<\/h4>\n

The \u201cstandard\u201d table height is between 24 and 28 inches for sewing (sitting) tables and 36 to 40 inches for cutting (standing) tables. However, these measurements are based on a person who is 5\u20193?, so you may need to adjust if you\u2019re taller or shorter. Your ideal table height is based on a.) your height, b.) the height of your sewing machine, c.) the type of work you\u2019re doing \u2013 i.e whether you\u2019ll be sitting or standing. The most important thing is that you are comfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe table height should make cutting and pinning easy to do without stretching up to your tippy-toes or leaning down super far. You should make sure that you aren\u2019t hunching over while sewing too. You don\u2019t want your crafting to be a painful endeavor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Megan Boesen of Knit & Bolt<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Storage bins<\/h3>\n

Storage is essential to sewing room organization. Choose clear bins that allow you to view the items inside. Bins that are stackable and square, instead of round, help maximize the area in your storage space. If you don\u2019t have a designated closet at all for your fabric, consider pre-shrinking it and storing it under your bed in opaque containers.<\/p>\n

Shelves and cabinets<\/h3>\n

Make use of vertical space! Instead of simply stacking tubs one on top of one another, invest in some shelves. This will make it easy to grab what you need without having to pull down and restack containers each time. You can purchase plastic storage shelves from your local hardware store, or you can DIY your own shelves.<\/a> You may go a step further and install some cheap kitchen cabinets along the walls of the room to hold your fabric and supplies. <\/p>\n

\u201cLook for lots of natural sunlight and storage. Closed cupboards with glass panels will let you show off your fabric collection, and wood panels will hide any clutter. Make sure everything in your space has a home, and inspiration will continue to strike as you sew!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Amy Ellis, Author at  AmysCreativeSide.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pro tip:<\/strong> Install a garage bicycle holder into the ceiling to keep a dress form, cushion forms, or rolls of batting out of the way when not in use.<\/p>\n

Labels<\/h3>\n

Buy some clear sign holders and write the contents on index cards \u2013 for example, the number of buttons, or the yards of each piece of fabric. This makes it easy to find what you need for a project and to see what supplies you need to restock.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo display and store thread, buy a sheet of MDF Hole board and use pegboard hooks to rest your spools on. You can paint the board in any color to liven up your space and show off your creativity! This frees up floor space and makes it easy to see your supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Aladdin H.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\"thread<\/picture>\n

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What to avoid in a sewing room<\/b><\/h2>\n

Clutter<\/h3>\n

Avoid overcrowding your workspaces. Make sure that each piece of equipment has room behind it for the sewn fabric to fall without damage, and that you have enough space to navigate the room comfortably. If you\u2019re creating a corner sewing nook, be sure to reinforce the surface with weight-bearing table legs or something similar.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about the flow of your activity. Arrange your workspace so it\u2019s easy to move from one station to the next. If you do this, your project will come together more quickly and with less frustration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Penny Lai, Owner of Gala Fabrics<\/a>, Victoria, BC<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Darkness<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever threaded a needle, you know how important lighting is! Be kind to your eyes and incorporate plenty of bright light into your workspace so you can see what you\u2019re doing. Natural light is a great option. You may also want to install wall lights with long, moveable arms to position over different spaces for close detail work.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood light is essential for color matching and close design work. Try to pick a spot by a window that has lots of natural light. Incandescent lights can add a yellow or blue cast to your projects, which can taint the color of your projects. Full-spectrum light bulbs are a good substitute but can be expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Penny L.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sunlight<\/h3>\n

While natural light is a great way to brighten a space, direct sunlight can actually damage your fabrics. For this reason, it\u2019s best to store fabric in a clean, dry, space like a closet \u2013 away from direct sunlight. <\/p>\n

\u201cDisplay your yarn in a way you can see it. It can be easy to have an overwhelming stash, but even easier to lose those special skeins when you can\u2019t see them. You can display them in a bookshelf or glass case, or even see-through boxes if you\u2019re tackling humidity or critter (moths!) problems. That way your yarn is stunning AND safe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Chantal Miyagishima, Owner & Designer at Knitatude<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\"colorful<\/picture>\n

Quick organization tips<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your sewing room should be a space where you can readily access everything you need, or see if you need to restock anything. Here are some tips to organize your space quickly:<\/p>\n