I’ve partnered with HP and Intel to show off my sewing room today as a part of their #workfromhappyplace campaign.
I’m SO excited to show you my sewing space! I spend a lot of time in here and it is truly my “happy place”! I spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on this room, making sure everything has a place. I have been working in here for over a year, but it just now feels “done”. These photos will probably shock you if you follow me on instagram. I often post photos while I’m working on projects and I am not very organized when I’m in the middle of a project! Stuff goes everywhere. I feel like I have finally had a chance to stop working and really get this room in order. So I’m hoping it will stay sparkly and clean(er) from now on.
So, come on in!
This is my little sewing nook, tucked in between two closets. It’s nice and bright with a window above. I have my Babylock Melody on this desk with a little floral box full of sewing stuff. I like to keep all my notions and thread handy so I put a pegboard one wall to hold just about everything. There is also a thread rack on the left side, along with my iron. I have a lot of thread, hah! I keep inspiration photos, pictures of my family and sewing notes/measurements on my cork board above the sewing desk. I didn’t “stage” that part of the room, that’s how it always looks.
Underneath I have spray painted rubbermaid bins full of patterns, zippers, notions and things. I have a whole drawer dedicated to zippers! That should tell you how much I like zippers!
It is so handy to have every thread color at your fingertips! Babylock sent me a whole lot of Madiera thread last summer and I had to upgrade my thread rack (and then get another one) to have room for all the spools. I hang up my tape at the top of my pegboard. I use tape often when I’m printing patterns, so I like to keep a lot handy. And doublestick tape, too. My rulers hang on the left, along with huge spools of 1/4″ and 1/2″ elastic. I also keep my rotary cutter way up high. My kids are always supervised if they are in this room, but still, it’s super high and locked. I actually don’t like using the rotary cutter much, so I also have all my scissors handy.
Below my thread rack I have 3 IKEA magnetic knife holders. They are AWESOME for the sewing room. The top one is completely covered in every type of needle in the plastic case. The magnet is really strong, so the needles stick even through the plastic. And it’s just right next to my machine so switching out needles is a breeze.
The second magnetic knife holder has machine feet: a ruffler, a walking foot and other various attachments for the machine. I also keep sewing machine screwdrivers here and my cake froster.
The third rack has IKEA spice holders full of various items. The one shown is full of binder clips. I have two more of these holders but I can’t find them anywhere! My son likes to play with them, so I’m guessing he took them. I also have sewing machine tweezer and nippers here. Scissors also stick to them so I often have my sewing scissors right here. So handy! I recommend these knife racks so much!
I keep my ironing board right next to my machine. The board just fit right into that little space and I also need it handy all the time. Pressing is so important to sewing! So the iron is on the wall (mostly for safety) but also so it’s nice and handy. I have my pressing ham ready on top, too.
Pan over to the middle of the room where I keep a supersized table for patternmaking and cutting. I also keep my Diana, the Babylock serger and coverstitch machine over here. I like sewing at this table because I have a view into the room.
My big metal drawer unit used to be my grandfathers. I carted it to college and then across the country and back. I really love this thing. It’s very nostalgic to me, and still has little labels written by my grandpa. He kept it in his office and was full of things like ink, glue, envelopes, etc. It is SO useful to have a unit like this in my sewing room. Since there are so elements to creativity! I keep most of my “craft” stuff in here: glue guns, paint, glitter, yarn, string, etc etc etc. So much stuff in this thing. It’s also VERY heavy. But adorable, right?
On top of it I have a desk organizer for “important” documents. And I made an oilcloth planter with Dana’s tutorial. I put a jade plant it in, so I’m taking bets on how long it will last. I’m not very good at indoor plants.
My work desk is over to the right. I’m still collecting things for my big frame wall, so some of the frames are empty. I like to keep inspiring and motivating things on my sewing room walls. The big print is one I made with lyrics from one of my favorite songs. The rubbermaid bins under this desk are just full of junk that doesn’t have a better place. (hahaha)
I try to keep this desk simple and clean with only a few essentials on it! And of course, all my gadgets. I probably spend the most time at this desk when I’m in my sewing room. It’s where I brainstorm, plan and dream. The HP Stream 7 is my new favorite tool! HP Stream is a new kind of tablet with Intel Inside®. It comes with 1TB of Cloud Storage and Office 365 are also included for a year, and lightening fast performance thanks to the built-in Intel processor.
This sweet little tablet accompanies me in my sewing room and for working on the go. The processor from Intel is lightning fast so you really can work from your happy place, wherever that might be! I use it most for organizing my tasks with the calendar and responding to emails. It’s also handy for streaming music and movies, which is a must when you spend hours sewing. I can bring the tablet over to my sewing nook and stream as I sew.
You can also personalize the whole thing, starting with a color! I chose bright pink to match the pencil holder on my desk.
I keep my printer on top of an ALEX unit from IKEA. I’m always printing patterns and things so it’s handy. The drawers are full of paper, patterns, envelopes and other flatish things.
So that is where I spend the most time “working”. The rest of my job is more like playing. Here’s my styling wall.
My “styling wall” might be my favorite part of this room. I have never had the space to have a styling wall in any of my previous sewing spaces, but when we moved here I knew I needed a wall dedicated to it. Fashion is all about outfits and the mood you’re trying to project so it’s important for me to have lots of things at my disposal including shoes, accessories, bags and hats. I used the Algot system from IKEA for the shelves, bins and clothes racks. It’s totally perfect.
I have recently finished makes hanging on the left, paper patterns hanging in the middle and kid clothes hanging on the right.
I keep my handmade clothes hanging here until they’ve been properly photographed and blogged. Then I can move them into regular rotation in my bedroom closet. My room is the only place they are safe from peanut butter fingers until then.
I also keep my merchandise here, handy and ready to ship. You can see the tshirts at the bottom, the totes in the middle and patterns on top. I also keep shipping envelopes and accessories (for styling outfits) in the drawers.
And lots of bags in the corner! Never enough bags.
This little spot is my mirror corner where I take all of my sewing room selfies. Having a mirror in my sewing space has been a game changer. It’s just nice to try things on as you are sewing. My little dressform hangs out here, too. And there are some hats on the well.
I have two large closets in this room, which is great. One is chock full of, you guessed it: FABRIC! It’s a mess in there, so I’m not showing you just yet. It’s just a little embarrassing. And the other one packed with craft supplies, silkscreens, my silhouette cutter, and more. It’s just full of things that I need but don’t use every day.
Thank you HP & Intel for giving me a reason to share my Happy Place!
Polka dot shirt and black hat c/o OASAP
Perfect sewing space!
Thanks Faye!
I LOVE your work aera, it so well organized.
Thank you!
Beautiful! I love your grandfather’s cabinet. I would love to update my sewing room and think painting those rubbermaid storage containers would be a great place to start. What type of paint did you use? Did you have to prep them before painting?
Thanks Jessica! I used Design Master Spray paint in Gold Metal. No prep!
This is the most creative and organized sewing room I`ve seen! Love it ! Love the simplicity of your room. :)
Thanks NIckia!
Kate it’s lovely to see where others work and so inspiring. Definitely going to get some of those ikea knife magnets!
You will love them!
So bright and comfortable space! Very lovely.
Ooh! You have a styling wall. That is FANTASTIC! Your sewing space is adorable. Love the metal drawers (Love your hair color, too :) )
I LOVE your sewing area~wish I had one! That’s genius with the magnetic knife strips! Might have to try that!
Love it!! I love that you have a styling wall. Some day. :)
‘TS TOOOOO TIDY, LIKE YOU DON’T USE IT, MESS IT UP A BIT OK NOW I WLL GET TO LEARNING TO THREAD MY 3 NEW SEWING MACHINES, RUTHIE “
Your work space is wonderful!! I do love how organized it is.
I have peg board in mine too….one of the best things we’ve hung!
The white is so nice looking. I painted mine 2 years ago, a nostalgic color for me, and sometimes I wonder if I should have kept it white.
I do love your metal drawers from your GF. how sweet to use it in your sewing room, see it every day, and think of him <3.
We go through so much tape… Wish you lived next door :)
I really like your “styling wall”! It’s so organized and visually appealing. If I had an area like that in my room, I think I’d be sewing a lot more than I do now.
Love it! Just dragged my husband over to see and I’ve been promised an upgrade :)
Awesome!! :) :)
Love seeing your sewing room. I don’t think I can get enough of peeking inside creative people’s work spaces!
I LOVE your space and wish you could come over and help with mine. I have a more of a buy it and dump it in my sewing room kind of space. It’s a mess, but I can usually find what I need. Like you, I have some treasures in my room, like quilts from my grammas, buttons from my niece, a stuffed animal from my sister and drawings from my little boy (who is now 25).
I really enjoy your blog and have several things I can’t wait to start; the faux fur coat is at the top of the list. If I’d actually finish something, it’d be a miracle. I think I have project ADD.
Thank you for talking about your new tablet. As an Intel employee, it makes me really proud to see you so happy with it. Is it ok to share your blog with my co-workers? I can’t wait to show them how what we help make is used in so many different ways.
Thanks for all that you do!
Merry Christmas
Thanks Peggy for the nice comment! Go ahead and share my blog, I appreciate it!
Love love love your sewing space!! Did you paint those plastic drawers gold???
Yep! I just spray painted them with Gold Metal by Design Master (from Michaels)
I Love your space. Very nice. But one question. Why do you keep your cake frosted there? And what do you use it for in sewing?
Thanks! I use the cake froster for ironing. I wrote a post about it here: https://seekatesew.com/uncommon-sewing-supplies-cake-froster/
Love your room, the tips about peg board and Ikea knife racks, such a great idea. I’m hoping to get a shed made for me so that I too have a space for my sewing at the moment I’m using kitchen table which .Evans clearing everything away all the time lol
Hi, your sewing room is great! Isn’t it nice to have a space just
for you…. one where you can close the door on a project if you
need to. I was just wondering where you found your iron holder/
hanger? Seems to be just the thing I need. Thanks
LOVE LOVE LOVE your space! What did you use to connect the magnetic strips to the peg board?? such a great idea!
I just screwed them into the wall, through the pegboard.
Love your sewing space. You obviously don’t have a kitty! I have to keep everything in containers, as my sewing space is in my bedroom.
Hah! I do actually, but she is not allowed in here :)
Thank you so much for the tour! I love seeing how other people arrange their spaces! I sew, but also do tons of other crafts! I sectioned off 1/4 of my new husband’s finished basement for ‘Susan’s Space’! Not only does it have my craft supplies, but I also included my chaise, round oak table, and other shabby chic/victorian items from my previous apartment! I invite friends over and we use my antique wine glasses, depression era luncheon sets, and complete silver tea set (Downton Abbey style)! It’s so much fun! I have a complete mannequin that I dress to fit the season or the occasion! She is very Victorian looking! I found her in Georgia and had a car full already, so she road to NYS with her feet sticking out the side window (boy did I get looks)! Thanks again for sharing and I look forward to following you in the future! :-)
Brilliant! THanks for sharing!
Beautiful organized functional place. If I take one hing from this, it would be the machine needles on the magnet strip.Its very clever.
It’s so useful! Thanks Jereena!
Lovely space. I have an ikea knife rack for my metal bobbins, I think I could use about 4 more now! IKEA Alex chests are super useful too. I would like a big mirror for my space too. Thanks for the tour :-)
Thanks Aileen!
i love your idea’s I want to let you know about one other idea I found to be so helpful. With material pieces note the size of compartment you want to add the items too, once measured cut several pieces of paper, preferably card stock or as I did old folders, fold your material to that size. Which in turn means every piece of material is exactly the same size and fold, and you gain so much space. I actually was able to condense all my fabric from two cases into one..so helpful. thanks for sharing your pictures etc. with me.
Brenda
Willow Breze (etsy)
Great idea!! Thanks Brenda!
Thats how I hang my patterns. Love it. Thanks for the tour.
Awesome! It’s a great system for me!
Love your sewing/craft space. Where did you get your pegboard from please?
It’s just from Home Depot :)
Also just tracked back the post about the cake froster. You are a genius! Also I wonder if you wanted to push out a corner from inside you could use a filler knife (the sort of thing you use to put plaster in cracks on a wall) in the same way?
Oooh, great idea Paula!! I need to get one!
You have some great ideas: the wall-mounted iron, cork panels for pix or notes, pegboard for thread racks and tools. One note of caution, though, magnets and electronic/programmable sewing machines are not good bedfellows. Magnets need to be kept two feet from electronic components, and the needles can become magnetized by being in such close proximity to a strong magnet. Anyone using a less electronic machine would not need to be concerned.
I also love the ironing board adjacent to your sewing table. Mine is arranged similarly but, being lazy, I have set the ironing board to the same height as the sewing table and have a swivel rolling office chair so I can easily move from one surface to the other.
Great job! So bright and cheerful!
Thanks Debi! Thanks for the caution about the magnets!
Nice sewing room !! I don’t have my own apartment or house yet but I planned a trip to the nearest Ikea this month to buy a table and a work lamp for my very small sewing space I will create in my bedroom.
And while I’m at it, I may as well get one magnetic holder to hang my metallic stuff instead of cluttering the table with it, thanks to you :)
Is your table from Ikea too, with adjustable height feet ? This is the type of table I have chosen for my sewing space, but if it the same as yours can you tell me if it is any good ?
I am not tall at all (under 5ft) so choosing a table and a chair with a suitable height to avoid hurting my back and neck while sewing is not an easy task ! But I managed to find this adjustable heights table feet and I bought the cutest AND comfortable AND practical chair in a furniture store ! My sewing space will be soon complete !
Thanks Charlie! Yes, the tables are all from IKEA. I love them! I used to sew on a card table, but these are much sturdier :) I hope you find a good one!
Love your room! I’ve just traded my Audrey for a Symphony, and am learning from watching you with Melody. I opted for the two separate machines, Imagine and Cover Stitch, but am also learning by watching you with yours! I’ve got a Jane too, which I highly recommend.
I’m wondering what table that is you are using for your pattern making? It looks like an Ikea top and legs. How high is it?
Love your blog, so stylish!
Thanks Rain! It’s from IKEA. This is the tabletop: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80251141/ And then I just put the standard legs on it.