Monday, October 18, 2010

How I Spent My Weekend



Sewing room before move
Edited 10/19.  I removed the captions so that the photos would enlarge and lost some of the text in the process.  I added some photos and rewrote the text.  But, why blogger if you use the caption function do the photos no longer enlarge!?  PITA!!  Well this was only partly successful and I give up.  I will never use the caption feature again.
  
 Not sewing that's for sure.  Last week I moved everything in my studio and sewing room around on paper and this weekend we did it for real.  I switched places, sewing space/room  now all in the studio and studio all in  the sewing space.  I say space and not room because it's all connected in a loft that surrounds and overlooks my dining and living room.  This is what my spaces looked like before, also before I acquired two vintage machines to add to the  crowded feeling.  I moved the computer to the sewing room even though I use it for work but I was able to fit the printers on a bookcase at the back and free up space on my desk.  The eaves really restricted the height of anything that I put on the end of my desk before.
 

This was how the studio looked before.  I rarely  used the second drafting table, it just became a dumping ground for pattern pieces and my main work space,  Now it's the  base for my ironing station.  The drafting table on the left and my reference books behind made me feel like I was crowded into a tight space and the sewing room  felt the same way.  Considering how much room I actually have it was in serious need of rearranging.

 Studio after move


My sewing counter and ironing station to the right.
 
Looking from my sewing side towards the cutting table.  The ironing station and my gravity feed iron are in the foreground.  All of my pressing tools are now easily seen and right at hand.  I have had my pressing ham and seam roll for 30 years at least.


 Looking into the sewing room from my studio

You can see the flat files that I use for my work drawings and for storing paper on the far side.  Just visible to the right of them are the bank of file cabinets that I use to store my patterns and Burda magazine patterns sheets.  They are stored by year in folders and the magazines are on top in holders by year.  You can see it below.  Alex, see how organized I am. 
I display fabric I want to use in the current season on top of the bookcases next to my cutting table. Yeah, like I am really going to sew everything here this fall.  I can always dream.  But, seriously it's good to have it displayed so that I remember what I have that I'd like to use.  I am cutting out a black tweed cotton blend for pants and a cardigan and top next.  Easy sewing where I don't have to stand too long.  My foot is still bothering me unfortunately, but it is getting better.

There are still bits and pieces to put away but it's usable.  The sewing counter, ironing table and my cutting table all have clear surfaces.  I worked in my studio today and it's really a pleasure not to feel cramped.  I have lots of clear surfaces to lay out photographs and catalogs.  Heavenly to have so much space.

22 comments:

  1. It looks like a wonderful space to sew in.
    I like the sewing machines by the window. The light would be wonderful during the day.
    Your green and white cabinets look like map cabinets. How do you like these for your patterns.
    I had the chance to buy some once and didn't, I kind of wish I had,I think they would be a great storage option.

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  2. Love it! I wish I could move my sewing machine over to the window :o( and had 1% of your space.

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  3. What a wonderful space to have to sew in!

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  4. Its great to get a space working well like that. Have fun sewing in it!!!

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  5. Nancy, that is a fabulous space! I know you love working in it!

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  6. Wow, Nancy, I am blown away! The new layout looks so inviting. Enjoy your space. What are you going to sew next? I like your pile of fabrics to sew this fall :)

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  7. What a nice space. The new layout is even better!

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  8. the flat files are for work mostly. They hold large drawings flat. I have used some of the drawers for tnt patterns but they don't work well for that I haven't found. My husband used to go to machinery auctions and he bought most of them for very little money and almost all of them are the high quality.
    I use the bank of regular file cabinets for my patterns and for holding all the Burda patterns sheets once I take them out of the magazines. I put all my traced patterns except ones I am planning on using shortly in manila envelopes and they fit in regular file cabinets.

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  9. You are so lucky to have such a large space to sew in.

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  10. Outstanding. I want a cutting table with that much room!

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  11. It looks...magical! How nice to "have a room of one's own!"

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  12. The result is wonderful, and what an enormous amount of space and light. Jealous of the cutting table! Looks like a very comfortable place to work or sew in. And with even a chair for your husband to keep you company it's perfect.

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  13. Your studio looks so comfortable yet functional! I am really coveting my daughter's bedroom. It's much larger and has more windows that my current sewing room.

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  14. What a wonderful sewing space! I am absolutely pea green with envy. You have thought it through so carefully and I am very impressed with how you have organised everything. Enjoy!

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  15. Wow, what a fantastic space! Everything looks so organized and efficient!

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  16. AMAZING! I'm glad it turned out well. And yes, I see you have learned well from the organizational master. :-D

    My only qualm is having that much fabric out for a season. Won't it get dusty? I might consider putting swatches of them on the inspiration board(s) instead....

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  17. Man your studio and sewing rooms are just so insanely perfect that I can't really contain my jealousy :) It shows that you know your stuff when it comes to planning and interiors!

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  18. Hi I am really new to this. My mom sewed most of my sister"s and my clothes but never taught either of us to sew. I have recently purchased our home in Patchougue and was hoping to find someone to give me lessons (mentor if possible).
    I decorate cakes, create invitations and souveniers & am allaround crafty. I have so many ideas of the fashions I'd like to create. But need help learning the mechanics of physically producing that which I've imagined. I am comitted to my every endeavor so your time would not be wasted on me. Any reasonable fee you require will be tendered forthwith. I live in Patchogue (off Phylis Drive) and can be reached at BabyGirlr716@gmail.com. Thanks for your consideration,
    Kind Regards,
    Ronnie

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  19. Wonderful sewing space I can see how you can be inspired. I think I will convert my guest room into a sewing space thanks for the idea!!

    Thanks
    Barb

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  20. Nancy - love your sewing space! So nice and large and full of light and life! I am especially jeolous of your drafting table! I have one ina seperate room since I have no room for it in my sewing room.But because it is out of sight, well, you get the picture.

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  21. Well, I still can'[t enlarge the pictures, but your sewing space is enviable. It looks great

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  22. What a lovely workspace--I love the windows and the floors! How delightful. :)

    Rose in SV

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