How to Set Up a Sewing Room: 10 Steps

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How to Set Up a Sewing Room: 10 Steps
How to Set Up a Sewing Room: 10 Steps
Anonim

For professional seamstresses and tailors it is important to have a studio where they can sew in peace, store work materials and seek inspiration for new projects. The number one rule of a good sewing room is to keep it organized and tidy. This involves a good deal of space planning right from the staging phase.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Organizing the Room

Set Up a Sewing Room Step 1
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 1

Step 1. Choose the right room

Offices or guest rooms are perfect for converting into sewing workshops. There is no need for very large spaces, the important thing is that the environment is large enough to contain a work table and serve as a warehouse.

  • If you can't afford to dedicate an entire room to sewing, cut out some space from a room used for another use. For example, the bedroom, an office, the living room, the study or - why not? - even a wardrobe could be large enough to accommodate a sewing corner.
  • If you decide to set up a sewing corner in an already occupied room, consider whether it is appropriate to keep an open space environment or create a room divider of any kind.
  • It is very important to make sure that the identified space has easy and ample access to electrical sockets, to which you will connect your work tools, lamps and computers.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 2
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 2

Step 2. Choose work tools and sewing workshop furnishings

An old computer desk can easily be converted into a sewing table. A chest of drawers can hold everything you need. Carefully consider the position of the most bulky pieces of furniture, for example the ironing board or the sofa.

  • If you want to place a cutting table, you need to keep in mind that you will need easy access to all four sides and it will need to be large enough to accommodate the fabric for your every project. In addition, the table must be of sufficient height to allow you to work standing up without causing back pain.
  • If you have a small space available, think of furnishing solutions that optimize storage. For example, a desk with drawers can, at the same time, house the sewing machine and contain all the other tools, figures and fabric scraps.
  • Don't forget the trash corner!
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 3
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 3

Step 3. Draw the floor plan of the room

Include the equipment and furnishings established in step 2. The minimum equipment could be: a desk for the sewing machine, a cutting table, a small sofa, an ironing board, a small storage area and shelves.

  • Remember to arrange bookcases and shelves as well. Many furniture stores sell wardrobe organizers; you can have one installed, or buy and install it yourself.
  • Set up an area for cutting, one for sewing and one for ironing. Organize the three areas in a triangle to optimize movements during the work phases.
  • If you have a very large room, placing the work surfaces in the center will allow you to work smoothly on all sides.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 4
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 4

Step 4. Arrange the furniture and equipment as predetermined on the plan

Start with the storage furniture, proceed with a desk or sewing table, finish with the smallest and lightest tools.

  • The position of the power sockets is essential for the arrangement of machinery and lamps. By limiting the use of extension cords, you will reduce the risk of tripping. Also, if you have to use power strips or multiple sockets, first make sure they have pre-installed surge arresters to protect your equipment.
  • The room should be well lit. Access of natural light is important, but you will still need many sources of artificial light. The ideal would be to have as many arm lamps as there are work surfaces in the room.

Part 2 of 3: Organizing the Material

Set Up a Sewing Room Step 5
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 5

Step 1. Start by arranging the bulkier items

For example, the rolls of fabric, the ironing board, a full-length mirror. Frequently used objects must always be close at hand, while less used tools will have a dedicated space, where they will be stored and inventoried, so that they can be easily found as needed.

  • Hanging the ironing board on the door is a great way to save space in a very small sewing room.
  • The full length mirror can also be installed on a door, in case there is not enough space on the walls.
  • Arrange the fabrics carefully. Make sure they are away from sunlight, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade the colors. The fabric can be hung, folded on a shelf, rolled up in a box or placed in a closet.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 6
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 6

Step 2. Determine what materials to put away, such as less-used tools or ones you prefer to store out of sight

For example, you may have a bunch of small accessories that you rarely use but like to keep; store them in a toolbox to then store in a closet.

  • Cabinets are one of the best solutions for storing materials. The shelves can accommodate rolls of cloth or boxes containing tools and clippings. The fabric can also be hung on the rods inside the wardrobe.
  • Pull-out shelves keep things out of sight, but close at hand. Consider mounting them in a closet or under the desk.
  • Filing cabinets are useful for storing and organizing sketches. If a filing cabinet clashes with the rest of the furniture, you could always put it in the wardrobe and place other objects on top of it.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 7
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 7

Step 3. Choose what to keep in sight

This way you will quickly find what is most useful to you. For example, you can keep spools, needles, tape measure and pins on your desk all the time.

  • If you are worried about clutter, organize objects by type, using the same management method for all. For example, put the buttons in transparent jars that are all the same, dividing them by color. So you will know immediately which buttons you have available.
  • Perforated panels are another good way to arrange, organize and visually order the most used tools. Spools of ribbon or thread can also be hung on it. Perforated panels can function as an alternative to drawers for materials to be found on the fly.

Part 3 of 3: Decorating the Room

Set Up a Sewing Room Step 8
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 8

Step 1. Paint the wall or apply wallpaper

Remember that cool colors (blue, green, purple) have a relaxing effect on the mind, while warm colors (red, pink, orange) have an exciting effect.

  • Determine what character your room will have. For a relaxing environment, go green. The yellow-orange contributes to an inviting atmosphere. Blue-green helps with concentration. Red-orange stimulates creativity.
  • The overall brightness of the room also affects the choice of color for the walls. If the room doesn't get a lot of natural light, avoid dark colors. Light colors make rooms seem larger and brighter.
  • If you don't want to paint the walls or put wallpaper but would still like to add some color, you could decorate the room by hanging drapes and curtains, or paint the shelves with different colors.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 9
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 9

Step 2. Add some "softness" to your studio

Do not skimp on comfort: working will thus become a pleasure. Pillows, cushions, comfortable seats and soft plaids will make the environment welcoming and inviting. Plus, you'll add color to the room and highlight the textiles you create.

  • The use of textile furniture has several practical aspects. Carpets soften floors and absorb noise. Cushions make chairs and sofas more comfortable. You can use the cushions to adjust the height of the work chair and not suffer from back pain.
  • Textiles allow you to redecorate the room whenever you want: just change carpets, curtains or cushions to renew the look of your studio in the blink of an eye - and with little money.
  • Think vertically when customizing the room. An uncluttered wall can become a great place to hang a freshly finished quilt. The bookcases are practical accommodations for pillows and linens, they allow you to have everything at hand and can be transformed into explosions of color.
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 10
Set Up a Sewing Room Step 10

Step 3. Show off your work and your sources of inspiration

Use a chalkboard or section of the wall to hang ideas for new projects - magazine clippings, fabric pieces, pantone sections, whatever it takes to motivate you.

  • Blackboards can be made with cork panels, with fabric or choose magnetic ones.
  • Place craft magazines, books and samples on a bookshelf. Place a comfortable seat nearby so you can relax and get inspired for new projects.
  • You can also set up a sort of bulletin board, where you can exhibit all the projects you have made. Or transforms sewing objects into works of art. Arrange them on shelves, or frame them and hang them around the room. To display small items, such as spools or thimbles, place them individually in the spaces of a vertically placed printer's binder.

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