Sewing workspace concerns--thoughts?

[gem]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my sewing machine from the $85 after-Thanksgiving-sale Brother special I've been using for the last ten years.  I may be upgrading to something nice, or to something very nice, and one of the issues affecting which direction I go involves my sewing space.

I currently sew at my 8-foot-long kitchen table, which is absolutely ideal for me--but may not be ideal for an expensive machine.  I like being in the center of the house, where the light is good, and so I can sew and still hang out with the family.  Now, the family includes big dogs--all of whom shed, and one of whom seems to think her place is under my feet (or on my lap), wherever I'm sitting. 

I used to have the sewing machine in my office, but I found I really don't like being cloistered up there.  And since I sew pretty much every day from May through October, this is a significant issue.

So.  Talk to me, gentles!  Can a pricey machine coexist with a boisterous family, or must it be tucked away where it won't ever get jostled or dusty?

[Baroness Doune]

Got ya thinking about the very nice, didn't I?

Here is a picture of Brother William and Sergio when they lived in the upstairs bedroom.  I think the Singer is behind the door holding up the leaf to the left.


About a year and a half ago, I moved my sewing machine cabinet and machines to a corner of the family room because I didn't like being isolated.

Now, sometimes the fabric won't move through the machine because there is a cat laying on the fabric.  Tuffs of gray and white fluff are everywhere.  See my furry pattern weight?


And Otis would be right up there too if he could.  As it is, he is always laying near my feet.  Thank goodness there is not enough room in the kneehole of the cabinet for my legs AND a basset.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

[mollymishap]

Well, I'd me more concerned about the pooches and your fabric, not the pooches and your machine.  I'd say get what you want, and just make sure to get a hard case for the thing, unless it comes with one already.  Then you can just pop the case on and the machine is protected.

I have an old workhorse Kenmore sewing machine that I use for the grunt work, and then a fancy-schmancy Husqvarna-Viking that I got for a song on eBay.  I wouldn't think twice about leaving either of them out, but they both have hard cases for them. 

Of course, I don't have the big dog issue to contend with (I have shedding cats instead), but like I said, I'd be more fearful of the fabric than of the 4-legged denizens of the house.

EDIT: LOL!  I just posted and saw your reply, BD...that's about the extent of it at my place, too, only I have either an orange tabby or a calico colored paperweight when I try to sew!

[LadyElizabeth]

I wish I had a picture of my sewing area.. I think most of you would laugh and then possibly think it quite inventive.  I have two tall side tables pushed together and stuck between 3 couches on the side of my livingroom.  I can usually "hide" most of my sewing stuff when I have company, but it makes for a small working area.  These tables are only about a foot and a half square each...  and like the rest of you, I have a very fluffy flame point persian paperweight also "trying" to sit on this table with me and whatever I'm working on...  Needless to say, I end up with NO room...  But it's worth it to be in the main living area!

Also, I have a fairly expensive Elna which usually sits on these precarious tables in between them... so I'd be the last to start lecturing others on "taking care" of nice sewing machines...  haha... but it works for me!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I for one need to reorganize my sewing area.

Now having two workers with me, I need more work space, storage facilities, shelveing, lighting, etc. I am not wealthy enough as of yet to lease a store. That is in the future however.

[Cilean]

When we went hunting for a new home this past year it was paramount we had space for my hobbies as well as my husbands office (he works from home).


So we picked a home that has 3 garages and what they term as 3 living rooms.  1 of the garages is a single and is mine  and 1 of the living rooms is my hubby's office.  However, I get interupted constantly being away from the family when I am sewing, and when hubby is working at this desk the same thing so I think we are going to change so that I am in side and he is outside and see if that works out.

I have not gotten aall of my stuff put away yet, I am thinking of getting a closet unit type thing to hold my stuff.....who knows.

Cilean

[Lady Anne Clare]

My machines sit on a 4 foot square table.  I have my sewing machine one one side, the serger on the other and any other thing I might need for my current project on the other with the fourth side against the wall.  I have an 8 year old and 5 cats and it all holds up well.   

My kitties are afraid of the machines when I'm using them so I don't have to worry about them around it all when I'm sewing but afterwards, they love to lay next to my machines.  I always keep a can of air to blow out the machines before I use them.  I have a vinyl cover for the serger but the sewing machine is uncovered.  I have a singer sewing machine and a huskylock serger.

I think sewing machines and sergers are a lot hardier then most give them credit for.  My cats can't even budge them by leaning directly against either of mine.

[gypsylakat]

work station... riiiight... I sit the sewing machine on the coffee table and a kitchen chair next to that, hunch over the coffee table and stick the pedal so i can rest the ball of my foot on the bar under the table and hit it with my heel... work station. lol

Although I may be able to convince my boyfriends mother to clear of her sewing table since she just got a singer for a "deal" a rep was at hancock and tried to sell her the "previously 800 dollar machine for only almost 400!" I talked her down to the one that was like 299 and middle quality... there is no time she is ever going to need the professional quality machine that sews through 10 ounces of leather, she says "but that one will let me do quilting!" SO will the middle one! I ask the guy, ok so she'll probably be quilting with cotton, how many layers of cotton will that one do? Apparently he'd never been asked that and falls back on... 5 ounces of leather???  I told my MIL that the middle machine will do everything she ever needs to do and should go with that one and buy the accessory thing that she wouldn't get if she bought the more expensive one...

[nliedel]

I got a clearance craft table at JoAnn's this weekend. It's in my living room, which is only used for Christmas/Yule anyway, so it's not like I'm intruding. It also has my CD player with my Italian stuff in there and some drawers I'm using in the bookshelf for stash and current projects, to keep it neat. The table folds down, but even folded down holds my serger, and my new sewing machine (WOOHOO). Everything has a place, but I still managed to lose the dang tassel to my cloak hood in there somewhere. I suspect a cat has something to do with that. The most important thing is my thread holder. It had to be able to slide into the cabinet, so munchkins can't take it everywhere. It's just perfect.

[Baroness Doune]

Here is a picture of my current sewing space.

I took the picture yesterday.  Cleo, the treadle, is just off the picture to the right.

I attempted to get the critters in picture, but they are not interested in hanging around if I am not sitting in front of the machines.

Notice how easy it is for Ren Ren to just slip between the spindles of the railing and make herself at home on the fabric.  Otis sometimes likes to watch from the upper level but he prefers to be near my feet.

[CaraGreenleaf]

So, I have a question. Up till now, I've done all my sewing by hand....literally. Only needle and thread. But a friend of mine just gave me a sewing machine and now I'm having to re-arrange my work area. My work area consists of the "living room".

Let me explain.

I have a one-bedroom apartment that is set up horribly. The living room, dining room, entryway all kind of blend together into an L-shape that isn't too condusive to sewing, but thus-far I've made due. Now the big problem is, I don't have a table at which I can sit with my feet comfortably even on the floor in which to use the pedal. I actually don't have any chairs other than a couple of barstools and a piano stool that spins. The piano stool would work, but then I run into the trouble of the only table I have stands about 2.5 feet off the floor.

Any suggestions???

[Luciana]

Cara my only suggestion is to go to a thrift store for a table and a stool. Or maybe you can buy a folding table and a folding chair. The Home Depot folding tables are 6 feet ling and very sturdy.

[LadyStitch]

My sewing area is the "dinning" area of our apartment.  I got a very sturdy double leafed wooden table from Ikea.  it's got 6 draws and can fold down to a 8 inch wide by 5 foot space.  After being stuck in such a small space with 6 other seamstresses I found that I need to put away my toys after each time I sew.  Since I need to be able to clear the table in less than 5 minutes I have to keep my area organized,  Yes I have my 3 tubs of stuff, but i make myself put it away.

We had to spend a year sharing a house with my sister in law and her two kids.  Little fingers and expensive sewing machines don't mix.   Unless my tool box was locked, and my machine was locked in it's case I had kids getting into it.  (Mom felt that it was their right to get into anything they liked so they could 'express themselves')   They also had 3 cats.  I only had one that was intrested in my sewing.  He just liked my ironing board.  I kept having to take a lint roller to it before I used it.  No matter where I put it , he had to lay on it. 

Oh and I agree with you.  I like having some things going on around me but I don't want anyone in my sewing space.  Don't know what to tell you about if it is a good idea or not.  All i can say is have a way to lock it to keep people/critters out of it.

[Sorcha]

I second Molly's comment about having a hard case.
I too don't like to be in the other room, away from family and isolated.  So I work at the dining room table.  Dog at my feet.
I just put the hard case over the machine when it's not in use.  If we want to actually eat the the table....  The case has a handle and I just pick it up and move it to the floor for a bit.

I am also lucky enough to be married to a man that considers the huge mess I make there as "making the house look homey".   

[Baroness Doune]

CaraGreenleaf,

Standard dining table or desk height is 30 inches.  If the top of your organ stool will reach anywhere from 17-20 inches off the floor, you can use the organ stool at the table.

Otherwise, supplement what you don't have with thrift store or garage sale finds.  Make sure to take a tape measure with you when shopping.

[gem]

a couple of barstools and a piano stool that spins

Is it safe to assume that this means you also have a bar to sit at*?  In a pinch, until you get that garage sale find, you could stand at the bar to sew, and operate the foot pedal that way.  Or, in a big pinch, at the counter.



*Don't worry--it would make perfect sense to me if you didn't; DH brought home some beautiful barstools from work, and we *don't* have the accompanying bar to sit at!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Ideal for sitting at the breakfast bar.  I thought about getting some for the breakfast bar in the conservatory, but we just use the office chairs we have - a couple of old drawing office chairs, so gas lift and all but extra high.   

My sewing space comes in two parts: The downstairs cutting area in the conservatory: part fixed breakfast bar and part old dining table on adjustable tressel legs, which gets moved round to make long space or wide space, depending on what I need, and which gets put away when not in use.





Upstairs, the actual sewing room doubles as guest bedroom and library!  It's a mess at the moment and I'm trying to sort it out, but this will show you what I have...







I'm in the process of sorting my thread storage problem and hoisting unnecessary stuff and lesser used items into the loft.  I'll take more pix to show how it ends up.

I prefer to keep the customer sewing away from possible damage (teenage boy in house - nuff said!), cats, and stray fingers.  I sometimes drag hand sewing down to the living room.

[gypsylakat]

a couple of barstools and a piano stool that spins

Is it safe to assume that this means you also have a bar to sit at*?  In a pinch, until you get that garage sale find, you could stand at the bar to sew, and operate the foot pedal that way.  Or, in a big pinch, at the counter.

Instead of standing, what about taking like an apple crate or a plastic storage box type thing and putting the pedal on that and then sitting in the bar stool? They should be about at foot height...

[Adriana Rose]

I am like Cara but I cut, sew and pin on my coffee table! its 2ft off the ground so it works. Not that nice on the back but it works!

My hard case for my sewing machine is a life saver! It has held up to my 3 year old nephew using it as a car and my 11month old trying to climb it!

[silverstah]

My sewing area is in the finished portion of my basement.  It's usually entirely too messy for me to EVER take photos of it, so you'll never see it.  *hee*

I have two 'stations' set up - the serger is set up on a big heavy oak desk that belonged to my dad - I think he'd have a coronary if he knew what it was being used for now.  *lol*

My standard machine (a fairly nice Viking - not top of the line, but pretty nice!) is set up on one of those super-heavy duty folding banquet tables you get at office supply stores.  It's nice and sturdy while still being portable. 

Gem - I, personally, wouldn't worry about having the new machine in your usual spot.  I'd take a couple of safety precautions, though - put some of that non-slip matting (like this underneath it to keep it in place, and make sure that you get a hard cover for it and cover it up when you're not using it. 

Enjoy the new machine - you deserve it!

[Charlotte Rowan]

So, I have a question. Up till now, I've done all my sewing by hand....literally. Only needle and thread. But a friend of mine just gave me a sewing machine and now I'm having to re-arrange my work area. My work area consists of the "living room".

Let me explain.

I have a one-bedroom apartment that is set up horribly. The living room, dining room, entryway all kind of blend together into an L-shape that isn't too condusive to sewing, but thus-far I've made due. Now the big problem is, I don't have a table at which I can sit with my feet comfortably even on the floor in which to use the pedal. I actually don't have any chairs other than a couple of barstools and a piano stool that spins. The piano stool would work, but then I run into the trouble of the only table I have stands about 2.5 feet off the floor.

Any suggestions???

I use a folding card table. It's kinda small and not that sturdy, but it works. And it sure beats sewing everything by hand!

[Orphena]

So, I'm late in replying, but I didn't see a deadline, so here goes:

First, I think it's quite neat how resourceful everyone is! No matter how small our space, we have found a way to make our hobbies part of our homes!

I sew on what is supposed to be my kitchen table - it's in the living roomish area of the aparment - that being the little part of the apartment that is right near the front door. Thankfully, I dont entertain often. My fiancee recently made an addition to the area - I now have a LARGE table made out of a sliding closet door and some 4 x 4s. He made it so I would have a "mermaid bench", and we decided to put it to use (well, that and no one else wanted to store it for me!) Of course, it's not really being USED for much but storage at the moment - I have some of my more popular fabric bins under it.

My cutting area is the living room floor, which is carpeted (yuck!), but my big green cutting mat helps by providing a hard surface. The couch is where I do my pinning - so careful when you sit down - and if you run out of pins, you have only to lift a cushion to find an entire supply!

My fluffy sewing helper despises the ironing board, so that is the safe storage area for cut fabric. She is actually quite good about not walking on fabric - but tissue patterns are another battle - they just make the BEST sounds in the world!

M'lord and I have dreams of makeing a garb room someday in our house, complete with bins and crates and everything you could ever want - but a house is quite a long way off - so, for now, we shall continue to plan the apartment versions that we all cope with!

[Naween]

I live in a cramped apartment with a boyfriend who also sews his on garb....so our sewing table is one of those old machines that is made to collapse into its own sewing table! THAT machine died last year, but we stuck a board over top of its hold, and stuck the new one on top of it....and it works! Not perfectly, but if i showed you all a pic of my apartment you'd either all suffocate, be impressed, or die laughing.....(think tetris, but with STUFF!)

[Angus]

I sew at a 8 ft by 4 ft table in my den area, with a Brother sewing machine. it allows for layout of fabric and cutting.

The same area converts to any and all of my "other" hobbies work areas when needed.

Leather working, sewing, Jewelry making, folding/repairing camping supplies, mechanical work, etc...

...generally I re-arrange the area into whatever I require at the moment, I am never at a point where I can devote the area to a certain activity semi-permanently.

...sometimes it acts as a "Table" for the likes of Thanksgiving and Christmas, weird huh?

[ladyecho]

     I had a sewing room for a long time. Sewing/craft table, sewing machine, bins of fabric, bins of patterns, you name it! Now that one of my nieces is practically living with me, the sewing room has now became her room. And my sewing is all over the house. But my favorite place to sew since losing my sewing room is the kitchen table. And I have always cut out my patterns on the living room floor, it's the only place big enough!

[tigerlilly]

My sewing room/office is in what is supposed to be the dining room of our house.  I have a rolltop desk in there, two chests of drawers and numerous plastic bins for storage, and a very small dining room table (it's about 3ft across) in the middle of the room for putting stuff on.  The ironing board is set up along one wall and the no-frills sewing machine is near the window on an old mirrorless vanity I picked up at a thrift store.  The height of the vanity top is perfect, but sometimes I have to take the middle drawer out because it keeps bumping my legs!  I'm really lucky to have such a nice place to sew.  I was willing to forgo having a dedicated sewing room, but when we were house hunting DH sweetly insisted I have my own space.  I think he was just tired of finding pins and needles the hard way. 

Sometimes I feel a bit cooped up in there and move the sewing machine out to the big table in the breakfast "nook", which is actually bigger than the official dining room.  That way I can keep a better eye on the kids, but if I step away form the machine for a minute I have to unplug it and put the cord and foot pedal on top of the table, for the protection of both the machine and the children.  Unfortunately I don't have any fuzzy helpers anymore, but we used to have a parakeet that would chew on loose threads and sing along to the machine.

Before we got this house my machine was on a card table in the computer room, with boxes of comic books stored underneath the table.  After our first baby was born that card table became a changing table and the baby got my half of the computer room, so my machine got moved out to our tiny dining room table (the same one that now lives in my sewing room).  It worked out fine since we always eat in front of the tv anyway.

[Muffin]

I second Molly's comment about having a hard case.
I too don't like to be in the other room, away from family and isolated.  So I work at the dining room table.  Dog at my feet.
I just put the hard case over the machine when it's not in use.  If we want to actually eat the the table....  The case has a handle and I just pick it up and move it to the floor for a bit.

I am also lucky enough to be married to a man that considers the huge mess I make there as "making the house look homey".   

I too sew at the dining room table... Unfortunately my table is small, so I end up laying the fabric on the floor to pin, etc... (picking up a few cat hairs along the way.. Hey they add character!!)

When we move, a sewing room for me, and a "geek" room for him is on the wish list!!!!! 

[Trillium]

I've been using the dining room table and the floor for my sewing needs but once we remodel the den in the new house I will have a space of my own.  The den is huge and we plan to make it into our living room but there will be plenty of room for a sewing space for me also. That way I can still be close to the family and keep an eye on the boy while I work on my sewing.

[Cilean]

Well I do want to ask you again, if I may? Which machine because the new Viking Husqvarna Designer Diamond, does need a lot more space than even the Designer Se does.  I would think the Pfaff 2170 I think is the most recent and lovely of their machines.  Babylock has an embroidery machine that is so kick butt fantastic? I am thinking about getting it, it only embroiders....but with 6 needles!!!!!! Astounding no?
Here is a link to it!  That one would not take more space than an average machine!  So I use a basic sewing table to house my Designer SE, I think the Diamond could in fact fit on an average sewing table.

http://www.babylock.com/embroidery/embroidery-professional/
.
However if you were getting something that was even larger in a sewing machine I think it would be something you would have to have something built out for you. 

I have one of those cutting tables now, next to my sewing table, with a cutting board on so that is pretty practical. 

I that helps you!!!

Cilean