Over the lockdown I started to reorganise my sewing room, I had a move round about 18 months ago but somehow it never quite felt right. The layout just didn’t quite work. This time I took everything out and started again! I hoped to show you photos of a picture perfect sewing room, you know, the sort you see on instagram, however I realised this was never going to happen – this is as tidy as it gets!!
The room is about 9′ by 14′ from memory, it has a slanting roof at one end and east facing windows. It was these windows that gave me a bit of a light bulb moment with the layout…
I’d always instictively put my sewing machine in front of the window for maximum daylight. I realised however that as it was east facing, I got very little direct sunlight, I invariably have the main light on if I’m sewing so potentially I could get just as much natural light through the door to the landing where there is a large south-facing velux window.
Moving my sewing table to the opposite wall meant I could have a long stretch of storage with a big cutting out table, it also meant the radiator wasn’t blocked by storage!!
I love my long storage wall, I already had two Kallax units from Ikea, I ordered two drawer inserts (I put in a big order to Ikea!!) which gave me four drawers, two are full of lace, two have even weave fabric in – a drawer for 32 count and a drawer for 28 count.
The two wooden drawer units are made to order by Creations by Rod, I ordered the floss drawers first with it’s five drawers compartmentalised for floss bobbins. The second unit is a custom built one, it’s the size designed for knitting needles (deeper- it’s the full depth of the Kallax unit) without any inserts, so just eight shallow drawers. I use it for dies, quilting rulers etc. The central drawer unit is also from Ikea but I’ve had it about 20 years,it needs repainting and labelling now. Usefully it’s on wheels, so I can easily pull it out to access the extra storage of rarely used or bulky things behind the Kallax units.
The cutting out table is topped with two wide Limmamon desk tops from Ikea, I need to get my son to attach some supporting wood to the wall at the back as they are much wider than the Kallax. For Christmas last year I got the wool pressing mat which I love, and for my birthday I got the A2 cutting mat- I like practical presents! The cutting table is about 32″ tall, which I find a comfortable height for cutting out.
The other end of my cutting table has a large cupboard with my fabric stash in – well, my dress-making stash anyway – I’m quite proud of being able to fit it in one cupboard!! I just need my son to screw the doors back on.
At the far end of the long wall is my computer desk, tucked out of the way of the early morning sunlight, with the ubiquitous mug of tea ever present! The lovely yew wheelback chair was my mum’s, it’s very heavy and doesn’t move easily, but I love it.
For my sewing table I ordered two Alex drawer units and another limammon top, these tops are 150 cm by 75cm so they give decent working station. Ten more drawers for storage too…
It’s also handy for the pegboard behind. I made this several years ago and I still love it – not sure how I ended up with quite so many embroidery hoops though…
…and my scissor collection is every growing too!
My quilting stash is now in the tall chest of drawers…
…on top of which are two Ikea mini drawer units I’ve had for many years, these also need repainting and labelling again as I keep different stuff in them now.
My final storage is on a set of shelves, patterns in baskets are vaguely sorted into dress, tops, bottoms – vaguely! Over the years I’ve collected lots of these strong cardboard storage boxes from TK Maxx, lots of shapes and sizes, different designs but they’ve all got peacocks on to give a bit of a theme, they’ve got all sorts in – the insides of my sewing room will have to wait for another post!!
So now you know where I hide most of the time.
thecraftycreek 
As one quilter to another: Where and how on earth did we accumulate all this stuff? I reckon I use only a small fraction of mine on a regular basis, but I can’t let any of it go. Glad to see I’m not alone, and that you have your working space working more smoothly for you.
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You are very organised. I’m willing to bet that those picture perfect sewing rooms you see on IG aren’t put to as much use as we put ours (that’s my excuse anyway).
I also have the Ikea cubes and am hoping to take a set of 10 with me when I move as these also have my sewing table attached (also Ikea). My cutting table is central at the moment but I don’t think I’ll have room to do that in the new place. Here is my opportunity to get everything better organised for once and for all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those drawers that go in the cubes. I must go and have a look immediately as the fabric covered boxes that slot in are useful but not for smaller things.
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I’m jealous , it looks fabulous.
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Loved being invited into your sanctuary, Margaret! I have two slanted walls in my studio. Another wall is all window, and the 4th wall has the doorway. In other words, there is no wall space for a designing wall. I didn’t see one in your studio, either, but you still manage to create beautiful projects! Well done! š
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Thanks Laura, I have one wall free for a design wall – behind the door! It’s not a perfect spot but it’s all that’s available!!
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Nice sewing space – the Ikea stuff is great for organizing!
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Snap – I think it’s ‘post your studio day’ today, I also finally got around to sharing my also not Instagram levels of tidy space. (How do people do it? Do they actually craft?) Loving your scissor collection and I am very jealous of your peg board (and cutting area at a normal height). It looks like such a nice space to hide in!
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What a super room and as I don’t do instagram this looks picture perfect to me.
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Though not into sewing (as opposed to stitching) I still have a big craft room for that and my card making things. However I often feel envious when I first look at these picture perfect craft rooms, but then I do wonder how much they are actually used. If you are getting things in and out all day almost everyday then its really hard to keep any room in picture perfect condition.
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My mum used to say you can’t be creative and tidy š
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Hello Margaret, your studio is beautiful. I would love a space like that. As it is I have a tiny corner in the lounge that leaves me looking for things at the bottom of a huge pile aaaarg. Happy stitching Love Mandy xx
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I’ve been there Mandy, having to clear sewing away all the time. My first ‘sewing room’ was a walk in cupboard, tiny but I didn’t care, once the kids moved out I claimed a bedroom š
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I love a peek into other’s work spaces, and yours is great. And organised just for you. Isn’t it funny how we keep doing the same thing, and then suddenly realise that there is another, better way to do it. I am thinking of how you moved your sewing machine and freed up the wall under the window. By the way, does your window look out onto you beautiful garden? That would be a distraction!
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Thanks Anne, luckily it doesn’t look over the garden – otherwise I’d be spending all my time watching the birds!!
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I love interesting boxes, whether they match or not. Yours are lovely!
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What a fun peek into your world Margaret!
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Your sewing room looks amazing! I love how organised you are
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It’s a facade!! It’ll never be this tidy again š
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Very organized and looks like a wonderful place to create!
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This room looks amazing! I am in the highlands of Scotland and will be starting sewing in the New Year as this is something that I would love to go back to. You room gives me great ideas on how to create mine. Will be following you and your adventures! š
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