This week I slowly pulled out my cameras and sewing machine again, but I still need to find the right set-up. At the moment we are both out of workspace, which in our life also equals creative space. Up till a year ago, we both shared studio rooms in a coop and after that I was able to spread out most of my sewing over a spare bedroom in our rental. So a big part of this move has been paring things down to the bare, bare essentials!
The second bedroom is an all-purpose office and cat hangout. It looks pink and it is pink! This was also taken in the dead of afternoon, when the bright Texas light was blinging everything out. I dreamed about watermelon walls with white linen curtains for something like, oh, five years.
At the moment I’ve squeezed an old drafting table in the corner next to my writing desk, to double as a cutting and machine-sewing area. It’s not feng shui but will have to do till we get the rest of the boxes unpacked, and it is the perfect cutting height for now. Cutting on the floor back in the day just killed my back and my wrists. And I do love to cut! Probably more than sewing…
Then I had to narrow down my machines. My sewing machine was a birthday present for my big 4-0 a couple of years ago. It’s a Juki F600, which I chose after much research and review-reading. I love this machine so much so that I sold off two of my old machines in the move, including the halfway disassembled 1987 Brother on which I made half my college wardrobe. Moving involves so much sentimental sorting, and I’m a terribly sentimental keeper.
Sewing in a small space is quite okay at the moment since I’m doing a lot of pattern work, mostly on the computer. In the meantime, I’ve been trawling Apartment Therapy and Ikea for ideas on small space organization. What I really need is a way to get my thread high and away from kitties.
This is T-Bone. We’ll see how long the curtains survive the claws… I once caught him swinging halfway up a curtain after an hour of parkour with his brothers. I have hours of free entertainment with them, to say the least!
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Is T-bone a tabby point siamese? I used to have two of those and your picture just took me back. To the destruction they could create together! Sounds like T-bone may have the same genes.
Hi Kim – yes he is a flame point! I wish you could see his eyes; when he’s staring out the window like that his deep eyes look so very siamese. He has a twin, Charlie, and they are totally cuckoo together.
What a bright and cheery sewing space!
Love the pink and white! It’s so cheerful and fun! Have you seen the wall-mounted spool racks you can get a Jo-Ann’s? I have one of those hung on the wall, and if you could get it up high enough, your thread would be kitty-proof!
Looks good, definitely a cheerful space! I’m about to move into an apartment with a 7×7′ sewing room so I’m right there with you on small storage. If you find any genius ideas let me know! As for the thread, I had this problem with my last cat and I had to buy one of those plastic thread cases (like this http://www.joann.com/sulkyslimline-empty-storage-box/prd17165/) to keep mine in. It works but it’s sort of a pain in the ass.
Might have to go with one of these. For now, my spools are jumbled in a big drawer, which is a nightmare to fish out of. I need a serger holder too. I wish I had time to make a big peg board thingy. My mom has one of those–and hangs everything from thread to scissors on it–it’s genius.
I love my Juki F600 as well and I did the same as you….read all of the reviews before buying it. I also sew in a small space or rather several. Sewing is done in my bedroom and overlocking in my internal garage. I have a commercial over locker.
Looks like you have great light for sewing. One of my problems at the moment is that my house is so dark and the artificial lighting so poor that it really limits my sewing. I have to go outside to unpick things.
I see that you also have a desk lamp and lights for your photography. I would love to hear more about these.
Also, I only recently heard about Juki (when I was looking for coverstitch parts), so would love to know more about this machine.
Hope the move went smoothly…enjoy working out your new spaces!
Hi Katherine, I completely understand the need for light. I have poor vision even with correction, so I really need all I can get. This room is very bright–it faces south. I’m so thankful because the home we just lived faced north, was dark most of the day. The desk light is amazing–I shopped all over office stores to find something bright and finally found this at Joann’s/our big chain fabric store. The two studio lights are Derek’s; he uses them for video. I’ve never used them but I hope someday he teaches me how ;).
What a great space! I love the pink walls.
I’m excited to see what organizational tools you use in there. My sewing room is actually slightly bigger since moving, but I still am trying to get rid of clutter and my excessive stash.
I love the pink too though I’m sorry to hear your sewing space has downsized a lot. I bet the cats are enjoying being more under foot? So very cattish that is :).
Good luck with sorting out the new space and here’s to plenty of cutting (and sewing) in your near future to really get the studio working efficiently.
Your space looks so happy!! Even in spite of its cramped quarters. I have no doubt that you will get it working neatly and efficiently in no time!
I love the new sewing place, especially the color! Whoa is it bright. I can imagine you whipping up bra after bra like some Parisian women. So tres chic and not tres Texas 🙂
You LIKE cutting?! Weirdo. It’s my least favourite thing. I always thought someone could make a living doing mail order pattern cutting… you mail them everything and get perfectly cut and notched pieces back…..
Love the new space. Lots of lovely natural light.
How is your pal when you’re working? I hate my cat when I’m sewing. He is SUCH AN ASSHOLE. Knocks things off my table while making aggressive eye contact and I am constantly pulling thread put of his mouth. Yesterday he knocked over a box of pins. He loves lying on tissue paper. He is a devil.
Oh man, I’d probably love pattern cutting for someone else. I don’t know why, I just love to cut. And trace. It’s very tactile and yet precise. I’d probably dig origami.
The cats have already taken to my newly re-upholstered chair. I’m now moving on to spray bottles. I wish I could just install a tree in the house! Have you tried the laser toy? When they start going after my stuff, I pull that out and it really poops them out.
Oh man, I know what you mean. I just moved to a new place and I am trying to figure out my spacing space. Looks like I have to split everything up between the bedroom and living room.
You honestly like cutting? I wish I could hire someone to do my cutting (and marking) for me.
I’d definitely come over and help!
Hello
Ive been reading your posts on bra making, something I love to do. I do have a question for you, how do I turn my pattern into a seamless cup? Without a seam for a dart or gathering at the lower cup. Is this possible.
Thanks alot!
Valerie
Hi Valerie, I honestly don’t know. I’ve seen dartless cups only in very lightweight stretchy bras or seamless foam cups that are covered in 4-way stretch lycras or lace. And I think those fabrics are sometimes heat-set into their form. You could always try and drape it? To see how smooth and tight it needs to be…
You may be short on space, but I can’t imagine you’re at any lack for inspiration in a room so bold, bright and beautiful. Good luck getting settled in and finding your groove.
I have a suggestion for thread. I use a type drawer, the kind that was in a huge chest that held printers type for old style printing press. The type is impossible to find any more, but the drawers are still around at most flea markets and vintage shops. Mine has a beautiful patina and hanging on the wall with spools of thread arranged this way and that…well it’s a work if art and useful all at once 🙂
Oh, wow, you don’t know how much I love this idea! I worked for a small press for a while and got to witness an old letterpress at work. I even made a book of my own. I’ll have to look around…
Your new sewing space is as adorable as you are Amy! love the funky bright wall colour, and white curtain? you’re a girl after my own heart!
In answer to Valerie above; I’ve tried making bras with no darts or joining seams in the cup . You can use a stretch fabric stretched over foam cups, which must fit you really well since there is no shaping in the (fabric) cup at all. A nice smooth finish is only really achievable if the cups are relatively flat too.
Another way to do it is to cut triangles and have gentle gathering along underneath the breasts into the bra band, something like the old string bikinis. I used to make lots of these very simple style of bras when I was in my teens. There is not much support, but it works fine if one is not very busty ( I am not)
Actually, either way only really works for relatively flat-chested women.
What a cute little sewing room you have! I’m envious, all I’ve got is a bookshelf/desk thing in the corner of my bedroom!
I love how the cat bed is right by your sewing machine, my cat sleeps on my bed while I sew.