Norm's Sewing Studio

To the observer looking in, this looks like an unorganized mess.  However, this is the place where music fills the air, the daylight lights brightly discern the true colors for the fabrics, the family pictures, statues and photos hang, the sewing machines hum, the creative thoughts flow, and Norman spends his sewing time and spare time with every pile and box having a significant part of the whole.

     I have sewn as long as I can remember.  In a rural county school in Iowa, I learned to do embroidery, spool knit, crochet, and knit. So in this room currently there are five quilts, three shirts, and a blouse in progress with several other project and quilts lying in wait for maturity.  There are also three sweaters, a pair of socks and a scarf in various stages of completion in knitting with others awaiting a beginning date.

     Some of the big projects of my life time in addition to quilts are, the making of my daughter-in-laws wedding dress, a tuxedo for my son, several brides maid dresses, prom dresses, shirts, dress pants and suits.  Also I have exhibited some of my work at the Alaska State Fair.  Since the year 2000, it has been my goal to read 20 books a year and I have exceeded that goal each year.  Oh, by the way my cutting table and ironing board are in the hall. 

     My ambition is to do good work.  I like to do the best I can possibly do, thus I do not hurry and my sewing room is always relaxed.  Happy Sewing!  Norman

Janis' Sewing Studio

Hi, this is Janis' Sewing Space.

  It is not very big, but it has a great view. I love to watch the snow fall out this window or watch the wild life in the summer, although I don't sew as much in the summer. 

  I love sewing on my Bernina 730, and have a hard time deciding whether to embroider or sew these days. :)  

  On the right of the picture is my stack of plastic containers which hold my stash of fabrics. I have been collecting for years. Also one of them contain pieced quilts, that just need the finishing touches. I always have such a choice as to which one I would like to work on. Not counting the new projects I find to do.

  Above my sewing station on the top shelf , is my collection of quilt books. And to the left,  some projects yet to be started,  hanging in very large ziplock bags.  Under the machine are some containers that hold my buttons, and notions. 

  The fall kitty quilt I made a few years ago, just adding a little machine quilting too.

  I share this space with a lot of other things like my food pantry, my husbands bullet loading station and winter gear . As you can see it is quite full. But I do take up this whole side of the room.

 I do most of my cutting in my kitchen, where we have a large counter that works quite well and is very well lit.

 Thanks for looking!
 Janis

Karens Sewing Studio

HEADS WILL ROLL!

I am lucky to have a wonderful and light filled “laboratory” right downstairs next to my family room.  Entry is through pocket doors that can be closed to hide chaos and keep my “dogmonsters” out.  (One “monster” has a penchant for knocking over my Holly Hobby trash can!)  Needless to say, it’s not your typical sewing room.  In my space you’ll find a “manicure and pedicure” attached and drying on the ironing board (I don’t want to smudge the nails!), a head propped up with “makeup setting” and a body waiting for these parts!

   

I try to keep some plan of organization so I have labels on most drawers and containers  - hair - purses  & shoes – dyes – snowflakes - vintage jewelry (by color)  and on and on  – including the inevitable “spare body parts”  bin. (Dolls are “high maintenance”)   I have a fantastic younger sister who finds me so many beautiful trims, jewelry, buttons, lace and everything a doll maker would love to have (and the fashionable doll “needs”).  So I have wrapped all these wonderful “frou frou’s” on old spools, created containers of jewelry and laces, and THE “tower” of button drawers (by color).   In “payment” I send her dolls whether she likes or not!  (I think she likes them.)

However, in some ways, my sewing room is very similar to others.  I do have the drawers of thread, notions, pins, needles, scissors, rulers (and so on) and THE “STASH.”  My “stash”is organized (by color) and I have the “novelty” stack.   I also have a small closet under the stairs (aka “The Black Hole”) where I put things I don’t want to give up (“because I may want them someday”) and I think I still remember what’s in there?   I just ignore this closet most of the time!

My sewing room is my “ahhh” room (unless I need to use my seam ripper) and I love to be in there creating or planning a new project.  It’s a place to relax and just “have fun” (my mantra) and watch a Jane Austen movie while I sew away the day.  I hope you have enjoyed me sharing one of my favorite passions.    

Karen

Welcome!

Oh the possibilities!

The "stash" & iron board accessories!

Sara's Sewing Studio

Happy Monday everyone! This is Sara, and this is a little peek into my sewing room. I am lucky enough to have a whole bedroom dedicated to my sewing space and I don’t have to share with anyone. Even my husband is pretty much not allowed in this room because he seems to “borrow” my Gingher scissors for things they shouldn’t be used for!

I tend to sew all types of things and I do everything from dresses, skirts, hand bags, home dec projects, quilts, machine embroidery and even hand embroidery. I feel that I am confident enough to take on new things by dabbling in many different types of sewing as I love picking up a new type of sewing by simply teaching myself.

In my room I have an ironing station right next to where my sewing machines are, so it’s very convenient to sew and set my pieces on the ironing board to press them later. I have had only TV trays to put my sewing machines on until recently, and I was able to repurpose a table that housed a rabbit cage. This little black table is the perfect height and is super stable so I can be embroidering on my Bernina 630 and sewing on my Bernina 210 (now called the Bernina 215 model) at the same time on the same table. I love to multi-task while sewing so it’s great to have my two machines in the same place. Right next to my sewing machines I have a little end table with a draw that houses all the odds and ends I need while sewing, like quilting gloves, safety pins, and my super useful Bernina Walking foot! And on top of the table is awesome Bernina accessory case that keeps all of my sewing machine feet, accessories, needles and bobbins organized.

Another section of my sewing room is my amazing cutting table. I have always hated cutting on tables that are tradition sitting height as I have to bend down and that never feels good, especially if you have a lot of cutting to do! I think we all know what I’m talking about so I was lucky to find a gathering height table at a closeout furniture store for a great deal and it has made the perfect cutting table! It’s high enough that I don’t have to bend over at all and it leaves tons of space below the table for storage. Below the table I have a bin of interfacing, a bin of batting and a whole tub of projects and kits.

The rest of my sewing room is all about storage and it’s somewhat organized. I have a few lovely little cabinets that just have large floor tiles glued to the top that make good hiding spots for gifts and surprises for my husband as well as storage my knitting, crocheting, yarn, batting and other projects.

In the closet in my sewing room I have two bookshelves that weren’t nice enough to be out in the rest of my house but they are perfect to be filled with gorgeous fabric! The shelf on the left is just fabrics that are to be used. This includes fabrics that are given to me, fabrics I have fallen in love with at first sight, and fabrics that seem perfect for the people in my life but I have no idea what I’m going to do with them. The shelf on the right is my project shelf. Everything there has already been set aside to be used in projects and some of the projects are even cut out and some are in different stages of being put together. It’s nice to have this project shelf as I can grab things depending on my desire to cut, sew or quilt!

Activa 210 (Now called the B215)

This is my space, it’s not much but to me it’s wonderful!  If I ever move or have children soon I hope I don’t have to give up this amazing space but I would deal. Then I would just be making a mess all over the dining room able! Thanks for looking!

Say hi the next time you’re in the store!
Sara Carmen