right now

right now

Nov 29, 2011

Sewing/Crafting Space - when you have NO space!

Just one year ago on Halloween, I sat down to an old, broken sewing machine, and decided to learn to sew...

This was my setup then, kids' old computer desk with a folding table and the rolling cart the kids used to keep their Legos in!  It "worked" but, was very shaky, and nobody could get to the back door!  Oh and let's talk about the fact that the "cart" was missing a wheel, so it would randomly just decide to flip over and spew it's contents all over the floor :)


Most of you seasoned sewers/crafters will understand and be nodding your heads furiously when I say that my newfound love of "sewing" quickly morphed into the desire for organization!  Things started reproducing at an alarming rate: thread, fabric, grid rulers, miscellaneous paraphernalia strewn about like beer bottles in a frat house.  By now most of you know the horror that strikes in me - now over the past 8 months add all my knitting and now scrapbooking junk into the equation... this was definitely one of the worst hobbies a Type A/OCD girl could take up in a home with 950 sq ft!  Hubby would get home from work, trip over a sewing machine cord strewn across the living room right in front of the door, be forced to sleep on the couch because I have quilt pieces laid out on the bed for placement (don't move those!), he even started using my ironing board as a kitchen island it had been there so long!  

What's a guy to do?  Well for starters, I had a cart that had an open top used to store appliances.  He made me a wooden top for it and I made panels to hang on it and cover up.... all my fabric storage!  Yep, this thing actually looks like a kitchen island now -


Below is a peek behind the curtain:  I have yet another old Lego bin I stole from the boys and labeled it for different size precuts and scraps, I buy those big 12x12 clear scrapbook page storage envelopes (with the 50% off coupons, of course) and use them to store fabric in, a repurposed open bin for stuff I'm currently working on, and an old box full of, eeeek - old sewing machine parts.  Yes, I am amassing quite a little collection of estate/thrift machines, it's a sickness I will write about another day :)


Nowadays, however, it parks conveniently between a door and my desk and I topped it with my favorite inspirational things and instead of looking at stacks of fabric all over (remember I have no closets in our open plan house!), now I have a cool little retro groovy fabric corner that rolls anywhere I need it to! Well, I like it anyways :)


But this little gem below is what makes it ALL work... enter the "Go-Go-Gadget, Craftroom"!

A very small footprint with a big storage shelf, huge and deep drawers, and wheels!  We all know how much this house needs wheels!  Here she is folded down and parked just about anywhere:


And here she is all folded out - takes only about 20 seconds to fold it out, and if you were so inclined, there's room for 4 crafty people to set up!  You can even store 1 or 2 machines on the bottom so it's always there.  It's awesome for cutting patterns on and don't even get me started on how handy this is to serve a buffet on...  


I really wanted to see how it held up to abuse before recommending it, but I've been using it since February and just love it.  It sees lots of abuse here too, since I can't leave it set up so it gets rolled around the house and folded and unfolded every time I sew - no problems.  It fits one of those big folding cardboard grid things on the top, so that helps with pinning and cutting so I don't mark up the table.


I won't bore some of you with repeat photos, so check out my post on the "Crafty Hallway" to see how I got a ton of storage out of my hallway, great as long as you aren't 5 feet wide, I guess, because then it would cease to function as a hallway :)

Anyway, that hallway is there by the blue curtain covering up my washer/dryer, so it's easy to grab the supplies I need.


 Besides the actual folding table, the only things I have purchased for the "space" were the carousel I mentioned the other day I got for 80% off, and this light below.  I saved a TON by buying this adjustable light for $19.99 the last time I was at IKEA, when I saw how much those crafting lights were I almost fell over and after using this cheap one for 8 months now, I can't imagine that there's anything the spendy ones could do for me that this can't, I love this light.

So here it is today - it's pouring outside so I set it up and am going to sew.  If hubby needs to get into the bedroom though, he's going to have to crawl under the table, he's used to it!  Just kidding, there's another door to the bedroom off the hallway :)


So in the span of less than a year, I'm basically a lost cause.

And oh, yeah... Santa can find this table here.  If you watch you might find a sale, I got mine in Feb for $179.99 with 10% off that price with a coupon code and free shipping. No, I'm not getting anything for the review, I just like to help others with the same lack of space issue as I have!  

So now show me yours!  I'm still jealous as can be of those of you that have a room for crafting (we know who I'm talking about!) but that sure doesn't stop me from wanting to see!  Someday, someday... :)

*note - it's BIG, measuring 36" x 76" and if you have carpet, you would probably need to leave this in one spot because I'm pretty sure it won't roll on that! - Also note that it is a counter height table (which I happen to love), so you will need to find a bar stool/chair that has a nice place to rest your feet so it's comfortable.






20 comments:

  1. That fold out table is awesome and so is your storage cart. My crafting supplies are fairly organized, but nothing compared to yours. Also, mine are sort of all over the place... One day I WILL have a craft room for all my stuff. :-)

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  2. Erin-you're amazing. How you find this stuff........

    No. I'm not learning to sew.
    Or knit.

    But I do love your setup!
    Clever!!

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  3. Oh, geez, great. Another thing to put on my wish list - along with my Makita 18V cordless drill set! That is such an amazing set up! I am using my dining room table - and have to schlep everything back and forth to my UNorganized craft closet. You are my ideal!

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  4. I don't know exactly how, Erin, but you should be getting paid for your extreme organizational skills! How you even find all this stuff that seems to make doing all you do in your small, little house possible is . . . well, slightly unbelievable. I guess you prove the old saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way." I applaud you over and over.

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  5. Erin, you are amazing! I love your spaces, and your organizational ability, and your furniture...but right at the moment I'm wondering how I missed the pic. of those pizzas your hubby made in the "crafty hallway" post. Yummy!! Could he be talked into sharing his crust recipe with us? :)
    Happy crafting, you amazing woman you!

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  6. You need to come to my house and organize all my craft & sewing stuff. It's in boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes in the attic! I just recently re-did and organized the finished part of the 3rd floor so I can really sew again and have my own space.

    Do you know what it is like combinig two houses and an architectural firm into one house?? I don't think this place will ever be organized! Every time I think I have it under control...someone brings more stuff (like an ex-wife or in-laws). You should see the basement!!

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  7. Anke, you and me both! I dream of the day where I have a space where I can SHUT the door LOL! Although I guess it won't matter because in order to get that space the kids have to leave home so it will be quiet anyways :)
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    Sue, it's best to avoid it all in the first place, really :)
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    Susan, the never ending wish list LOL... I still have a wheat grinder on mine!

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  8. Mama Pea, how cool would that be to get paid for being a neat freak? LOL, only problem is that most people in need of those services won't let you touch their stuff or throw it all away :)
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    Patty, he never uses a recipe so maybe next time I'll have him weigh his "hand scoops" of flour and stuff. Truth is, I don't even want to know because that's the one dinner that's all him, the kids never ask me to make pizza LOL
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    Robin, um, I couldn't get past "THIRD FLOOR"... jealous!!! :)

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  9. I've finally got a dedicated space- after only 20 years!! And with more space comes more disorganization. Of course, I threw a move in there and I'm STILL unpacking stuff.
    But I LOVE your table.
    Judy

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  10. Erin, It wasn't always like this. When I was raising my two plus my nephew, then my Mom moved in for awhile when my step-father passed. I had a house that was much smaller then I have now.

    I just got spoiled when I moved here and the entire house, first second and third floor was all mine!!!

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  11. Thank you for posting this and the link, too! I really appreciate it!

    Tina

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  12. Judy, you deserve your own space after all the work you have put in to that house, enjoy!
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    Robin, isn't that how it works? We don't have the space when we need it most then we have more than we need later LOL!
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    Tina, hope it helps! I still love getting ideas from everyone :)

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  13. Hm. Thought I'd commented this morning. I don't even have a hallway, because apparently some Victorians were allergic to them. When the kids move out, there will be more dedicated space! I love, love, love that cart/table thing. Must put it on my list.
    Yeah, because maybe then I'll get back into sewing. I'm reduced to hemming jeans these days.

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  14. That is an awesome table, perfect for sewing, crafting or even eating. Alas we still don't even have the space for that. Our house is all cut up into small rooms and believe me every inch is being used. I'd have to get rid of something to be able to have space for a craft table, even one that folds up so small.

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  15. that was very clever of you Erin,I stopped sewing along time ago when the kids would not even let the cord be plugged in long enough to sew a straight seem--lol and when I was not watching children [ cus I did daycare too] I wanted sleep. give Santa, a extra helping of.....I do NOT think like that anymore I did NOT say that--that was someone else!

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  16. Stefaneener, I used to live in a Victorian in Ferndale, CA years ago and I know exactly what you mean LOL! I hate hemming jeans :)
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    Sparkless, our house was all cut up into tiny rooms before we took the walls out LOL
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    Judy, I have to wait to sew until the kids are in school, they are always running off with my stuff otherwise!

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  17. For someone who just started sewing, not only are you great at it, but you organize it all so well too! (that was a given though!)

    I just moved my sewing area into an actual 'room' this weekend! SO nice!!! Wait, SEW nice! ;)

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  18. That is a CRAZY COOL sewing table. I am in awe of it's go-go-gadgetness.

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  19. Oh. My. Word. That folding table rocks! I had no idea something like that existed. I love that it is countertop height. I do most of my cutting on our dining room buffet we had built in because it doesn't hurt my back. I am 5'9" so when we had it built I had the contractor customize it for my height.

    Your organization skills are amazing.

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  20. That is fabulous! I have an old microwave cart that is counter height, and already on wheels...wonder if I can convert it to something like this and store in my bedroom?
    Thanks for the inspiration.

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