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Thursday 2 July 2009

Sewing in Small Spaces

We've been in our new place for a couple of weeks now and I have finally got my sewing room set up.  This room also doubles as a guest room and office and although small has been cleverly designed so it can meet all these needs (though not at the same time!).  The room is too small to be able to take useful pictures of the whole thing, but has a few nifty design ideas that I will share here;

I have a cutting table built into one wall, to use it I just flip out two horizontal supports and pull down the table.  I can also store all my fabric inside the cupboards behind the table surface.  


There is a sofa bed underneath that pulls out when we have guests staying - currently being made hairy by cats!  I also purchased a small tabletop ironing board from Ikea which is just right for pressing seams etc. and I can hang it up on a hook on the back of the door.

On the other windowless wall are more storage cupboards and a desk.  The back wall of the desk is a magnetic whiteboard which will be useful for scribbling and posting notes and ideas.  The left hand desk drawer is not a drawer at all, but a small pull out surface for my serger and I have an office chair on wheels so I can swivel between the two machines easily.


I have windows on the other 2 walls so lighting in the day is great.  For night sewing there are lots of ceiling spotlights and also a fluorescent tube above the desk surface.

So I am loving my little sewing space and am currently working on a top from the June issue of Burda in a brown and cream printed linen from my last post, you can just see it in the photos above - it's nearly there so more details on that next post.

17 comments:

  1. Wow! Your new space seems really kewl AND if it works for you and allows you to continue to create...it is a resounding success!

    Can't wait to see the new top!

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  2. What a great use of space. Love the fold down cutting table.

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  3. Fabulous use of space! I love the way you have everything set up.

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  4. You are inspiring with your great use of such a small space. I live in a small one bedroom with my son and my sewing area is my dining room table (to the exclusion of being able to eat dinner there!). I long for the day when I can have a dedicated space in which to sew.

    Can't wait to see your new top.

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  5. I'm totally digging your sewing space!

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  6. Nice sewing space...I love how it's set up!

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  7. This is so nice! I sew in a teeny spot, smaller than this. Forces you to be very organized.

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  8. Your set-up is really nice. Way to maximize the space. If only I had somewhere outside the living room to work with...

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  9. This room should be featured in a magazine. Very modern and functional.

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  10. Very clever space - you must be super organized!

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  11. This is a beautiful example of what one can do with limited space. Enjoy your sewing area!

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  12. Great use of space. Your fabric looks so well-organized in the cupboards and I love how your machines are next to the windows --- nothing beats sewing with a view.

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  13. Fantastic! Love how efficiently you've used the space. You'll get a lot of sewing done in there without the feeling that your sewing space is eating up the whole apartment. It still functions as a guest room. Love too how you've been good to yourself and splurged on such fabulous and necessary built-ins! Nice!

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  14. What a nice, compact, efficient, attractive, functional space. I love it!

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  15. You've certainly taken the most out of your space! It looks great!

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  16. feeling somewhat envious.

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  17. I absolutely love your sewing space. It is so perfect! Thanks so much for sharing. I love to see how others have set up their space.

    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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