If you do not have an entire room to devote to sewing, set aside an area in a room that is used for other things. A bedroom, office, family room, den, or even a closet could have a sewing space in it. If sharing space within another room, determine if you want to keep it open or divide the space for separate uses. Make sure whatever space you choose has easy access to electrical outlets for your equipment, lamps, or computer. [1] X Research source
If you’d like to include a cutting table, it needs to be accessible from multiple sides and be large enough to fit the fabric for whatever projects you’ll be working on. You should also make sure the table is high enough for you to stand without back pain. [2] X Research source If you have a small space, try to use things that will double up your storage. For example, you can set your sewing machine on a desk and use the drawers for storage. Don’t forget to include a way to store trash, recycle, and project scraps.
Remember to include bookcases or wall-mounted shelves. Closet companies can help install custom storage, or you can buy closet organizer kits and install them yourself. Make a cutting area, sewing area, and pressing area. Place these areas in a work triangle to maximize efficiency when moving around the room. [3] X Research source If you have a large room, placing your workstation in the center of the room allows you to work on all sides.
Keep electricity outlets in mind when setting up machinery and lamps. Make sure you won’t have to use electrical cords, which could be tripping hazards. [4] X Research source If you use power strips, use a surge protector to prevent any damage to your machinery. Make sure the room has good general light. This could come from windows. You’ll also need lots of localized light for projects. You’ll require several task-specific lamps that allow you to direct light.
Ironing board caddies that hang on the door are a great way to save space in a smaller sewing room. A large mirror can be placed on the back of a door if you can’t fit a full-length mirror in the room. Care should be taken when storing fabric. Make sure it’s out of direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure could cause it to fade. Fabric can be hung, stored folded on shelves, rolled and stored in boxes, or filed in a cabinet. [5] X Research source
Closets are one of the best ways to store materials. The shelves are good for storing bolts of fabric, or boxes of equipment and scraps. You can also hang fabric from the clothing rod in the closet. [6] X Research source Pull-out storage keeps items hidden, but easy to access. Consider using a pull-out shelf in a cabinet or desk. [7] X Research source A file cabinet is useful for keeping patterns organized. [8] X Research source If you don’t want to see a file cabinet in your room, you can always place it in the closet and store items on top of it, for added storage.
Some of the materials you’ll need to keep close at hand include a measuring tape, scissors, chalk, thimble, pins, a seam ripper, basting thread, machine needles, and hand sewing needles. [9] X Expert Source Alessio IadiciccoApparel Manufacturing Specialist Expert Interview. 20 May 2021. If you’re worried about your space looking cluttered, make sure the items are organized by type, but displayed similarly. For instance, arranging all your buttons, regardless of color, in several similar clear jars quickly shows you what colors you have while keeping them uniform. Pegboard is also a good option for visibly displaying and storing frequently used materials. Rods can be attached to display spools of ribbon or thread. Pegboard is a good alternative to drawer storage when it comes to ease of use.
Consider what mood you want to evoke in your room. For example, if you want a relaxing room, consider using green. Yellow-orange creates an inviting atmosphere. To help you focus on projects, consider blue-green. Red-orange can encourage creativity. [10] X Research source Keep lighting in mind when choosing colors for the walls. If your room doesn’t have much natural light, you might not want to choose a darker color. Lighter colors can make the room feel brighter and larger. [11] X Research source If you don’t want to paint or wallpaper the room, but would still like to change the color, you can display quilts, hang curtains, or paint shelving units in your chosen color.
Soft furnishings have practical uses. Rugs are great for adding comfort to hard flooring and absorbing noise. Pillows and cushions can make your chairs or couch more comfortable. [12] X Research source A cushioned chair on wheels can also prevent back pain when working long hours at your workspace. [13] X Research source If you’d like to redecorate your sewing room as the seasons change, swap out rugs, cushions, or curtains for a quick and inexpensive room update. [14] X Research source Think vertically when personalizing your room. A large wall is a great place to hang a finished quilt. Bookshelves are handy places to store blankets or cushions for easy use while displaying pops of color.
Popular inspiration boards can be made of cork, covered with coordinating fabric, or magnetized. [15] X Research source Place crafting magazines, books, and patterns on shelves where you can quickly get ideas. Have comfy seating nearby so you can relax and consider new projects. You can also make a space to display completed projects or sewing collections. Arrange them on floating shelves or frames and hang them around the room. To display small items, such as bobbins or thimbles, arrange them individually in a typesetter’s tray.
