Monday, March 8

New work space and a hot tip!

I mentioned recently that I have been moving stuff around in my sewing room and think I finally came up with a better arrangement for my sewing machine workspace. I am a messy project person with fabric all over the place and I have oodles of "projects in progress". I like to have them nearby so I can grab a project and work on it, if the mood for that project "hits me". :-)
I used one of my 4 x 8 utility tables and I made a cover for it. I wanted something utilitarian but also something pretty. :-) The "rose hearts" were the symbol I used to use on my business cards so I added them just because I like them. :-) This is the table before I put my sewing machine on it.............

and here it is when the table is all set up for sewing. And what's underneath? ....... lots of "projects in progress" and my supply of rick rack, bias tape, and a bin full of zippers. I really like this arrangement.

I have tried several tables and desk set-ups for my sewing machine but none worked as well as this one does. :-) Before I rearranged and set up the table, you can see my cluttered work area behind this clothesrack in the photo below. Yes, it's a good thing I rearranged. That's not what I want to focus on, though. Take a look at the rack..............
I have never seen a rack like this one but it's one my dad bought at an auction. The only time I use it is for displaying quilts at our library quilt shows. I decided it needed "new life" in my sewing room! One of the things I realized as I rearranged my room, was that I really needed some way to keep fabrics handy for projects that I am currently working on. Otherwise, I seem to be pulling fabrics for a backing or something and making a mess. This way, I can place pieces on the rack and see them at a glance!!!
Before I brought the clothesrack up to my sewing room, I cleaned it really well, and then........ I added the trick that will keep those rods from leaving marks on my fabric. I covered the wooden rods with heavy duty aluminum foil! That's right. The foil is a barrier to the acids in the wood!! I also cover wooden closet shelves with heavy duty foil. It's a tip I learned at our local historical society from then Curator, Megan Schaack. Several months ago, I asked her to verify the info for me again which she did and even double-verified it by asking Bob Herskovitz of the Minnesota Historical Society if "aluminum foil really is a barrier for wood". He replied......."Yes, it's absolutely OK. The foil is impenetrable for acid fumes/vapors from the wood. " So there you have it...............the best tip I can offer you to protect some of your favorite linens, quilts, etc. I've even used the foil to line baskets and boxes that will hold quilts and blocks in progress. :-) I know it works as I have used it for several years now. Prior to using the foil, I placed cotton flannel on my wood shelves but that doesn't work. I have discolored linens from the wood oils that seeped through the cotton and/or the tissue. I also wrap my really old vintage needlework magazines and patterns in foil before placing them in my dresser drawers. I just put a label on the package so that I know what is in it. I figure if it works to preserve linens, it can't hurt and might protect the fragile pattern pieces and pages. :-)
You will see in the photo above, that Kaiser the Wonder Beagle has found another use for my "fabulous fabric rack". He likes to sleep with his head under something and decided this was like a tent so he laid down to take a nap under the fabric. His nap only lasted as long as it took me take this picture and then I shooed him back to my sewing chair. :-)
Good Monday to you and hope this is the start of a great week!
Sandi

21 comments:

Kaye said...

Gee Sandi, great minds must work alike! I re arranged my sewing are also today. Must be all the adrenelin left over from Friday nite. LOL

Barb said...

What a great tip.....your sewing table looks wonderful. I am a very messy sower.

luv2quilt2 said...

My sewing room is my grandson's room, so when he was coming to visit on Saturday, it gave me the kick I needed to do some cleaning and arranging. I didn't get it all done, but at least it was good enough for him to be able to sleep there.

Crispy said...

Thanks for the wonderful tip!! I love your table cover, what a great idea!!

Crispy

Pat said...

My sewing room is way too small...probably only about 8 by 10...and it is the grandkids' bedroom when they visit. I share the space with a trundle bed and two chests of drawers. My sewing table is in there and a couple of plastic rollaway carts and when my ironing board is opened in there, I have hardly any room...but it's better than no sewing space! I have to do my cutting in the kitchen. I used to have a cutting table that was very nice but I gave it to a friend as I wasn't using it any longer. Hubby felt bad that I gave it away since he'd bought it for me, but...it was taking up space and I couldn't justify keeping it any longer, although somedays I think it would be nice to have it. LOL

Diane H said...

Sandi, your sewing room looks great. Many of us use those tables that certainly need one of your beautiful covers. Today it will be a joy for you to sew in your lovely room.

Sweet P said...

I love the table cover. It's a great way to make your space look pretty all the time.

CreativeHands said...

Ha! I use a rack similar to yours for drying my fabric after hand washing. I don't have enough space to leave it up all the time, otherwise I know it would hold fabric more often....what a great find and a great tool!

quiltingnana said...

love the table cover ...so clever. Also thanks for the hint about the foil. I always worry about that and have tried a lot of things.
I have seen clothes racks like that - it's a very old design - but I haven't seen one in years. You are a lucky person to have one...

Beth said...

Love the table cover. Your sewing room looks good. I liked the idea of the works in progress being close at hand.I tend to have a bunch of stuff going at once.
I like the clothes rack you set up too. I guess a regular clothes rack could be used to put fabric on as well. Good idea.
Happy sewing

Joanne Lendaro said...

Great idea!! Love the cover, I'm thinking it's a great way to hide things...

Needled Mom said...

It looks like a perfect place to be creative. I like how the table cover can hid all the other stuff.

Anonymous said...

Very nice! You are a wonder of organization, something I'm always struggling to achieve. I do pretty well, but yours is also so pretty! I also love your sunflower. :)

Cath's Pennies Designs said...

It just so happens that I'm cleaning out my own sewing room today. I can certainly use the idea for the covered table AND I have an antique broomhandle hanging on the wall that holds my finished things. I will definitely use your foil idea on it now. I'm so glad you found me! Thank you!
Cathy

quiltygirl1 said...

I love your new space and it looks very inviting! Love the tips, too.

Dora, the Quilter said...

I love your rearranged sewing table--but I really, really love that drying rack and your idea of using it for fabric yardage for current projects. (Liked the sleeping dog, too!;-D)

Patricia said...

What a beautiful and useful idea, think I may have to do up a cover for one of my utility tables. It looks great! That rack is a wonderful idea as well and thanks for the tip about the aluminum foil!
Hugs,
Pat
Patricia Rose-A Potpourri of Fabric, Fragrance and Findings
www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com
www.patriciarose-apotpourriof.blogspot.com

Cindy said...

Wow Sandi, I like what you've done and what a remarkable tip about the aluminum foil! I've rearranged my whole "craft room" after my husband put up shelves and built a spot for my sewing machine. It's really turned out nicely.

Kathy said...

Your sewing table turned out really well. That table covering is beautifully made! Every detail is done so well. I could use something like that to cover up the mess under my sewing table.

Nanette Merrill said...

Wonderful ideas. I like what you did with this.

Judy C said...

Sandi, thanks for the foil tip I will be using this one.
Love the table cover, and I really like the rack, I was just saying the other day, I need to buy a drying rack. I have a color wash quilt that needs finishing and this would be the perfect thing for holding all those strips.

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