I love this one even more than the chalkboard paint!
I recently took up sewing as a hobby, but I didn't have a dedicated space for my sewing machine, much less all the fabric, thread, ribbons, bobbins, scissors, elastic, etc. that go along with sewing. I would set up my sewing machine on the breakfast room table when I was working on a project. We don't use the table to eat on (it's too small for our family of 5 so we eat all our meals in the dining room), but the table gets tons of other activity in the form of homework, snacks, playdough, kid crafts, etc., so I could never leave the sewing machine up for long and with it right in the middle of family life, my kids were always messing with it. The fabric was stacked in a corner of my bedroom and the thread and ribbons tucked into random drawers.It became obvious that I needed to create a sewing area.
I first began looking into Ikea shelves and desks, but I really hated to buy anything because we are trying to get rid of things, clean out, not continue to cram things into our already stuffed house.
Then inspiration hit! In a corner of our master bedroom, we have a china cabinet passed down from my grandmother. I have another china cabinet from a different side of my family to house dishes in the dining room, so this one has sat in our bedroom filled with books. I consolidated the books from the bedroom china cabinet (even got rid of some of them -- gasp!) into our family room bookshelves, leaving AN ENTIRE EMPTY CHINA CABINET!
We moved a rarely-used desk downstairs from upstairs and I was ready to move into my sewing corner!
On the top shelf I put glass jars and vases I already had and filled them with various small items, like extra bobbins, buttons, safety pins, hair clips, and ribbons. The 2nd shelf down has clear plastic boxes that house elastic, thread, sewing machine parts, and small piece crafts. It also has ribbon on spools and little pink buckets to hold scissors, rotary cutter, seam ripper, etc. The 3rd shelf down has stacks of poorly folded fabric. And there are 2 shelves in the bottom cabinet without glass window doors where I can hide the uglier plastic bins of fabric scraps, tracing paper and steam-a-seam.
I love the results of this project so much because now I can work on projects in pieces, 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there and before you know it, you have a new skirt! I'm a mom to 3, so free time doesn't usually come in large chunks of time! Also, I can create things so much quicker when all my supplies are in the same spot! Best of all, this sewing corner cost me $0.00 -- all things we already had that just were not being used effectively!
This post is part of the Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge.
Great job! I can sew buttons and fix a whole here and there with needle and thread, but I don't know how to use a sewing machine. Someday...when I find more time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! :0)
I agree! Free reorganization is the best! And having everything together makes it so easy. Enjoy your new nook!
ReplyDeleteYou will love sewing as a hobby. It is very relaxing at the end of a day to sit at the machine and just sew...I love to work on pretty quilts. It is like doing a beautiful puzzle.
ReplyDeleteYour new sewing corner is great. For years I had just a small table in our bed room..when my sons grew up and moved out I got a whole room for my sewing...delight...
Good for you, we all deserve our own little space. I have a scrapbook room that I don't utilize nearly as much as I should but it makes me feel guilty so I am seriously trying to use my stash..... I can do it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Unlike CherylB, I do NOT have a scrapbook room...I just pull it all out after the kids are in bed and put it all back away an hour or so later, when it's time for ME to go to bed. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect space solution - looks very pretty in that cabinet. I've been doing exactly the same sort of thing around here - was sewing in the kitchen, and having the same issues with having to either leave it out all the time (stress) or tidy it up all the time (impractical). Recently re-organized things to clear out a closet for fabric and notions storage, and am winterizing the front porch to have a dedicated sewing area (no finished basement here, just a cellar, so main floor space comes at a premium)! And...consolidating and saying farewell to books pains me, so I can really appreciate your efforts in that department (I'm always looking for more book space, and at the same time trying to clear out bookshelf space)!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. Wanna come organize my craft room?
ReplyDeleteGreat job, congrats!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Great idea for a sewing cabinet!
ReplyDeleteOh well done!!! I love organizing!!! I find it so true - if my sewing machine isn't out then I never use it...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I have been thinking of placing my sewing machine on the table where our desktop used to sit in our guest room. I think I am going to give it a try, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCan you come find a nook for me in my home like that? Love it! You're so right. It's much easier to get something finished if you have it all organized and within reach.
ReplyDeleteI love your new space! This is inspiring me to to set up a simpler version in my laundry room. Thanks for sharing what you did.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I started sewing recently, too. And am trying to figure out how to declutter my house, too. Maybe the promise of a dedicated sewing spot will urge me on in the decluttering department. I love any idea that costs $0!
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