Combined Longarm and Sewing Studio

I only recently completed setting up things into what was one of the teens' bedroom, he had moved out and I need the space.   We have other sleeping arrangements for short term visits so we were all OK with taking that room over.  Then he made the decision that he should be home.  After thinking through all options for our home, we decided the most comfortable arrangement was to re-set up that room as his bedroom again and put all my stuff back into one room.  I had finally emptied all my boxes after almost 3 years!  Now I had no space for all that stuff.    I'm crowded but it's workable.   We see photos of all these wonderful studios but I know there are many like me, wishing for more space.  So, I thought I would share my limited and not so pretty workspace.

 
My design wall on one side of the window and  I took my TV down from the right side to add a free standing closet.
 

 
I changed the configuration and have my sewing machine table fully opened.  The design wall  (there are 2  4' panels) can be pulled over and slide in front of the window for short term work area.  I also use my longarm table as a cutting table.  Works great!

 
The new closet for keeping client quilts.   Purchased on sale @ The Container Store.  One disadvantage to being in a loft.  No walls!  One advantage  - no walls!   I use those ledges, wonderful to stack rulers or my pin cushion, my iron when pressing those long seams along the bar on my longarm.   I can drape the batting over the edge while I'm loading the back.   Also it is not as confining as a room that size would be with full walls.  

 
I love it, very sturdy wire frame, 2 sections for hanging and 2 shelves.   I tag everything that comes in and record  it in a log.   If you bring batting, it gets a tag with a number that corresponds to your top, my work order is attached to the hanger or bag.  Everything is crossed documented in my log.  Often if a panto or thread is chosen, I keep it in a bag that is tagged with your top # as well.  It's already been pulled once, I may as well keep it all together if I can.
 
This is a little crowded.  Travel supplies for my "bees" and classes, sewing machine thread boxes, but I know where it all is.  The basket is now by the crate also.  He can't be loose because he delights in shredding the rolled batting but he is very used to the crate now and happily naps while I work.

My sewing machine table is fully extended; however, it becomes a dumping ground for projects.  2 rolls of my most used batting are stored on the bars on the longarm.   Other less frequently used rolls or bags of batting are stored to the right of the machine.


I left my desk, it has my bobbin winding area and also a cutting mat.  Floor storage is utilized everywhere!

 
Awful.  Fabric and UFO storage UNDER the longarm table.   I've got to get these projects moved on and free up space in my life.
 
 
The worst area.   I wasn't fully set up when I took this picture.   I have drawers with small cuts of fabric, the book case houses tubs of color coded longarm thread.  I've since taken the real cutting table to the garage.  Gizmo's crate and Kricket's basket  sit there now as well as the vacuum and my floor fan.   I get hot upstairs working but the movement from the fan is all I need.
 
That's it, my crowded longarm AND sewing studio.    But, I can walk on all sides of my longarm, I have a space to do most everything.   I sold my big studio Accuquilt Cutter and my Brother Scan N Cut.  If I get my fabric and projects downsized, it really isn't so bad being all in one space.   All my tools are close at hand!  
 
 
 
 

Comments

Nancy said…
Space and stuff, stuff and space- the lament of all of us with our work areas! You're making it work! Nice lighting over the longarm, too. And light in general.
Lynette said…
I just want a longarm to get to figure out how to fit into my work area. ;D We've got what seems to be a constantly-evolving house, too . . . people moving away, moving back, an unofficial "foster" older teen moving in. . . Never boring, that's for sure!!!