Where I Sew :: My Sewing Studio Tour

Hey, today seems like a good day for a sewing studio tour!  Want to see where I sew? I personally love snooping around creative spaces so my stylish, sewing friend Kelley and I decided to give a tour of where the magic happens for us.

Remember six months ago when we moved? Well, we have been slowly but surely settling in and that, of course, means I have a new sewing studio space. In truth, it was one of the first spaces I established in the new house (yes, it still feels new, very new).   Truth be told, this lovely house we moved into is over a hundred years old and it came complete with creaky windows that rattle in the wind and holes in the hardwood floors big enough to let lights on in the basement shine right through.  It came decorated with musty lace curtains and dust-filled doilies and old brass fixtures and the feeling of holding onto a stuffy, long-ago past.  We were eager to open windows and let in as much clean, pure light as possible.  This desire has translated into longing for a playful, fresh, but minimalist aesthetic.  That feeling has definitely translated into my sewing studio.  If you remember my old sewing studio (discussed here) you know that I had a room to myself and I filled it with color and art prints.  Well, the new sewing studio is a corner of our (rather large) bedroom.  Partially because the house is crying out for light, open spaces and because I have look at my sewing space while I’m nodding off to sleep, my new sewing studio is clean, mostly uncluttered and bare.  I love it!

I’m so excited to show you my sewing studio! Ready to see where I sew? It’s time for the official sewing studio tour!

As I mentioned, the sewing studio is really a souped-up corner of our bedroom.  I know, it sounds kind of sad but it actually means that I can drape fabric over the bed and really use the whole room when I’m working.  Overall, It’s definitely modest and far more tranquil than my old sewing room.  Let’s start with a general overview from left to right: I have a bookshelf next to a cutting table with two cutting mats and lots of spacious storage underneath.  Beside the cutting table and under the window is my sewing table with both my primary machine and my serger (my pattern tracing paper is underneath the table there).  To the far right is a chest of drawers full of organized cuts of fabric.  I keep my patterns in file cabinets in the finished attic and excess fabric and notions in the linen closet down the hall. I would rather have to walk to get some supplies than clutter up the sewing space.

The bookshelf at the end is from IKEA, it’s called Trofast and I’m using every inch of this sucker. I stood it upright and painted one side with chalkboard paint so I can keep track of my deadlines.

And tucked away behind the bookshelf and cutting table is my ironing board, I love being able to put it away so easily.  On the back of the bookshelf are my collections of magazines and a bucket of patterns on my “to-make” list.  On the front of the bookshelf are my books. I’m a complete sucker for beautiful sewing and crafting books so I have quite a few.

The cutting table is a basic table top with these adjustable table legs (which don’t work very well, by the way) and it’s held up with a toy organizer from Pottery Barn (similar to this one) that the boys never used.  Of course, the blogger standard the Raskog utility cart from Ikea is also there. I use that to hold sewing essentials so that I can reach for it from my seat at the sewing table and don’t even have to get up! Huzzah! A win for lazy!

I have to highlight my tracing paper because it is what I consider the sewists best kept secret.  This roll of 900 yards of partially translucent paper is butcher paper from Costco! I have yet to meet a better and cheaper tracing paper.  Go bribe a Costco member and get yourself some!

Next to my sewing table is this chest of drawers. I inherited this lovely wooden chest of drawers when a neighbor of ours passed away.  He was a mysterious recluse but a really lovely guy and I love that I was able to reuse this sturdy piece of furniture.  The boys and I fixed it up a while ago and used it to hold art supplies.  So, it is technically on it’s third life.  And what a glorious life it is! I keep my precious fabric in here, away from the sunlight and folded kon-mari style so I can glance at what I have quickly.  It’s yummy in here.

 On top of the cabinet is also delicious.  In addition to rulers, thread and rotary cutters the top of this bookshelf also holds inspiring books and other precious items like my Uppercase magazine collection.  The bunny is my super-important sewing companion.  She was made by my friend Emma and I often stroke her soft nani iro-filled ears.

Beside the wooden chest is a full length mirror,  a handy addition to any sewing space. Especially given how often I have to shimmy out of my clothes and quickly try something on.  I’m glad I don’t have to walk around the house with half-sewn items on.

And that’s it! The walls are pretty bare, which makes it easy for me to tape things up and take photos.  But, I am considering putting up a picture hanging rail because I miss having art prints up. Be sure to check out Kelley’s sewing room in her new house, it’s very inspiring!

Bye!