Finally – A Sewing Room To Use – And A Word Of Warning.
Posted on | September 7, 2019 | 12 Comments
If my blog posts are anything to go by, it looks like I have dropped off the face of the earth. And as far as sewing goes it is quite true. About the only stitching that has been done was at sewing groups and classes. All my time at home has been setting up the new room and unpacking all the boxes after the carpet was in. That was in four bedrooms as well as this room. I had forgotten how much work that involved. It has been worth it as we have had a huge clean out and a lot of charity groups have benefited from the numerous donations.
I am quite excited because this week I actuality sat in my room and sewed at the machine. Hooray! I was worried I may have forgotten how.
So here is the reveal.
This is looking into the room from the office There are double sliding glass doors to the right that open onto the patio/pergola area. Just behind where I am standing there is a bathroom. The wall to the left is the storeroom. It still looks rather bare with no pictures or quilts on the walls, but that will happen over the next few weeks.
Instead of buying one large table for the centre of the room I decided to get three smaller ones.Placed together they make a great work surface. As you can see in the pic, two are still a good size and they are light enough that each one can be easily moved to where it can be used when needed.
The big box poking out on the right of the photo is the last item that needs to be put together. It is a cutting table that can fold for storage. That should be done this weekend.
This photo is taken from the doorway of the store room. The window faces out to the garden where the citrus trees grow. Many of them are just about to blossom. I have continued to use the Ikea shelves with glass doors for storage. I like to be able to see the fabrics easily. I have set up a work station with my sewing table and desk facing each other. That gives me a large surface to spread out a quilt when sewing and I can easily add one of the white table to enlarge the space. The natural light coming in behind me is great during the day. I don’t like having my machine facing a wall when I sew, so it works for me.
This photo is looking back toward the office and store room. You can see the Ikea theme continuing. The shelf on the right has fabric and projects in it, but the other two that are together are purely for display – another job to be finished. The TV is resting on a stand but is going to be wall mounted some time. (Not a big priority.)
I just love this space. This store room holds so much! I am thrilled with how it has worked out. The best part is that the door slides across and it is all hidden away.
I feel like I have run a marathon with all that needed doing, but as you can see, it was well worth it.
Now, here is my word of warning. This new room of mine nearly went up in smoke. The frightening part is it could have been the whole house.
A week ago I was doing a tidy up in this room and put a few things up on the tables so I could vacuum the carpet. Once that was done I left everything where it was for a few days and worked on other rooms. I finally came back to do a few things in my sewing room on a lovely sunny afternoon. Everything was fine and I saw some items that needed to go to the bedroom. I took them out, did a bit more tidying then came back to the room about ten minutes later.When I walked in the door I saw wisps of smoke rising from one of the boxes. I quickly grabbed it and took the box outside to the patio. It didn’t take long to work out what had happened. Remember I said it was sunny. The sun was coming in the window at the perfect angle and was hitting the magnifier of my Ott-lite which I had lifted on to the table when I vacuumed. It was then hitting the cardboard box which had started to char and was glowing red when I picked it up. It was only a short time away from igniting.
Even though the light had been there for several days the weather had been overcast. This had been the first day of sunshine for a while. I am extremely thankful we were home and I went into the room at exactly the right time. We could have easily been out when this happened.
But the great part is all is well, and lesson has been learned and it will not be left like that again.
I am trying to tell this story to as many sewing friends as possible so it doesn’t happen to anyone else. Please check where you leave your lights if they do have a magnifier on them.
At least it is a story with a happy ending. I hope you have a great weekend planned. I am going to sew!!!!
Cheers, Karen
12 Responses to Finally – A Sewing Room To Use – And A Word Of Warning.
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I’m playing catch up here…your sewing room is gorgeous. What a wonderful place to create, but holy smokes (literally) I would have never thought about that magnifier starting a fire. I’m so glad you were there to catch it quick.
Your sewing space is beautiful! I am sure you will create even more gorgeous quilts and other goodies in the days to come. Enjoy!!!!
Having a catch up read Karen – lovely to see the photos from your holiday – it does sound like you had a great time with family, and it’s good to hear you didn’t succumb to hubby'[s flu. Your new room looks amazing. It looks like you’ve put a lot of time into the planning and that has paid off. Enjoy your sewing time!!
Oh no…..I would NEVER have thought about something like that happening!! I am so thankful that you were there to prevent it getting any worse!! BUT, you now have proof that your studio has plenty of light!! I know that you will enjoy many years of creative fun in there!!
Love your new studio and how well you have set it up. We have lights with magnifiers all around our home so I just reminded my husband you also leaves lots of paper near it particularly living in the tropics. A timely reminder as we get so used to these lights just being there. Enjoy your sewing space.
Your room is fantastic and so well thought out… the little store room just perfect too – I love having a place you can close the door. So much natural light and its so lovely and fresh. I am a fan of white walls and big windows.
What a scare with the light I would never have thought of that and so lucky you were there… first thing to do is make a cover for your magnifier???? well done for a magnificent sewing room – wish I lived closer so I could come and sit there too!( a bit presumptious aren’t I)
Hugz
What a beautiful space for sewing. And so much natural light. You will love it, I am sure.
So much glorious space, and I love your storage room. Thank goodness that the fire disaster was stopped in time. Probably not something you would have dreamed would happen.
We are still in Australia on holiday so I’m starting to get sewing withdrawal symptons! Didn’t take any hand sewing with me as I really didn’t think there would be any spare time.
I’ve been waiting (patiently) for you to write this post! It’s much better than I could have imagined. All the clean white tables and those sweet chairs and the shelving and that beautifully organized closet. I am thrilled for you and just wish I could come for a visit. I love seeing other people’s sewing rooms!
Thank goodness you got back in time to catch that almost disaster. Don’t think about the could-have-beens. Those are always too scary.
I am blown away with all the space you have Karen…white, light and bright! I could almost move in there and never come out…except to sleep I guess! And thanks for the word of warning about the light and the sun! I think someone was looking over you that day!
Omygoodness! That’s so scary! Thank goodness you saw it! Your new space is gorgeous and I am so jealous lol! I am sure lots of wonderful creativity is going to happen there Karen. Enjoy your beautiful new space xx
Hi Karen omg what a fright I was just telling my husband what had happened to you,I am so glad that you spotted it in time.
By the way your room looks awesome and gee I love your storage room what a great idea.
Good to see you back posting,hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend xx