Friday, December 20, 2013

the studio reveal

When Vicki decided to do the Real Studio Tour, I got up from the computer, entered the studio and started photographing; no cleaning up at all.
My room is about 13 x 18 and dominated by my huge padded work table which measures 60" x 90". I used to sew home dec which is why I have such a large table. I can iron on it and pin into it. It was constructed to be comfortable for my height. All sides underneath have built in shelving holding my extra machines and all my laundry baskets of fabric. This room was a family room with a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. DH put hooks on the ceiling to drape my ironing cords to come from above so I could stop tripping on the cord and causing the iron to leap off the table. The back counter space seems always to have stuff on it no matter how hard I try to keep it uncluttered. Currently it has pieces and fabrics from the needle turn applique project I am doing. The piece on the padded table is a hand dyed fabric I did not like and used it for a practice piece for FMQ. That lump of white batting is draped over my fashion fitting double waiting for a sandwich to happen.


The design wall is build on the closed in fireplace space and holding a UFO that just got its borders added and is now ready to sandwich. 


As we continue to move clockwise around the room is the door to the living room, the shelving built into the wall (which we moved back to make this storage deeper) and the curtained entrance to the room from the kitchen hallway.


Next we are looking at my machine desks along the window wall. I recovered my sewing chair and eventually will make dresses to match for my machines. That contraption you see hanging in front of my sewing machine is two clamps suspended on bungy cords to hold the weight of the quilt while I'm quilting on my domestic machine. (they are clamped to each other here to be more out of the way) When we first put these up, every time I entered the room, it looked like some S&M equipment!!  Alas, I don't have any room for a long arm.


Last year, DH, very generously, gave up a corner of his shop to build me a wet/dye area. As it IS in the shop, I have to keep it really neat or be forced  to dust and wash off everything every time I wanted to do anything here. Normally I keep it covered in old sheets. Ain't it pretty, I am so thrilled to have this space to be messy in and dye sure is messy.



Thanks Vicki for hosting this, it was fun to tour everyone's studios. The internet has certainly made a solitary passion much more sociable. 



9 comments:

Vicki W said...

What great spaces! Those clamps hanging from the ceiling are brilliant. How nice to have a dedicated dye space too although I can't imagine keeping it so neat. :)

Mary said...

Thanks for sharing the great idea about hanging cords from the ceiling. You are making great use of your space.

elle said...

A great space. Cords are a problem and you solved it wonderfully. Dresses! Why not!!! :)

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your hubby had a brilliant idea to hang the cords from the ceiling...definitely genius on his part!

Kats Studio said...

Great idea using the clamps. Love your space. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Love your studio! The high ceilings must be wonderful. Love that huge table!

Sharon said...

So nice! Love the wet-dry area too!

LA Paylor said...

The clamps are one of the ideas I've been thinking of trying. The handy husband is nice, no??
LeeAnna Paylor
lapaylor.blogspot.com

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

What a beautiful space to create in! I'm so jealous of the dye spot...so jealous!!!