Small Sewing Room Makeover - Using Ikea to Hack My Tiny Sewing Space
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 січ 2024
- Join me on Patreon - / thecatbirdquilts990
Projects I'm working on:
/ thecatbird
Products in this video (and in my sewing space!)
Walnut Quilting Ruler Holder - www.etsy.com/listing/15877538...
IKEA adjustable height desk (now "Trotten," formerly "Skarsta"): www.ikea.com/us/en/p/trotten-...
Drawer Storage: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/alex-dra...
Stool: amzn.to/3NYwKZn
Laundry Basket on wheels (for projects on-the-go): www.athome.com/woven-band-lau...
Rotary Cutter - amzn.to/3Sf4Evi
Fluorescent yellow 2.5"x 8" ruler: amzn.to/3NZccQh
O'Lipfa Lip Edge ruler: www.joann.com/o-lipfa-ruler-w...
Guggenhein 11" tailor shears: www.guggenhein.com/products/g...
Guggenhein 5" professional fabric scissors: www.guggenhein.com/products/p...
Command hooks for T-square and cutting mat: www.lowes.com/pd/Command-3-Pa...
Clear command hooks for rulers: amzn.to/3TWoHjC
Pantone note cards: amzn.to/47wCEYD
Curved safety pins: amzn.to/3TRSuKd
Tomato pin cushion: amzn.to/3HjjWZT
Butterfly quilting pins: amzn.to/41SIT7Z
Baker's Twine: amzn.to/47usJTj
Lint Brush: amzn.to/42bLUR3
Curved snips on ironing board: amzn.to/48N5Jjw
Scrap bins underneath ironing board: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/pudda-ba...
Phone holder: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/yuppiena...
My Favorite Tools:
CUTTING
Spring Loaded Scissors - amzn.to/3yP2WWx
Rotary Cutter - amzn.to/3zduqGP
Self-Healing Mat - amzn.to/3IY7TRW
Embroidery Scissors - amzn.to/3cnW76L
RULERS
Grid Ruler 5" - amzn.to/3RzFQvI
Non-slip Quilters Ruler - amzn.to/3PeivhN
Biased Binding Ruler - amzn.to/3yQ4lMC
Measuring Tape - amzn.to/3uVACk9
Tailor's Chalk - amzn.to/3zcJ1SQ
PRESSING
Iron - amzn.to/3uYMBxt
Wool Mat - amzn.to/3zcXfTL
Tailor's Clapper - amzn.to/3Pst00I
Quilters Clips (for Binding) - amzn.to/3Od3QBR
Quilting Gloves - amzn.to/48Kug9v
Sewing Machine - amzn.to/3zaWZVw
Beginner Sewing Machine - amzn.to/3zeFQdi
PENS
amzn.to/3BAPWH0 - Навчання та стиль
Links to products used in my sewing space are in the description box! We receive a small percentage of the products purchased though links to Amazon for affiliate marketing. No items/products/tools of any kind in my sewing space were provided or sponsored by their companies.
Hi Cathy,
The shallow drawer storage cabinet is not in the description. Can you let us know where you got it? Thx.
Looks great. I'm so glad that your space is more efficient for you. What is your paint brand and color? Thanks
@@GrandmaP10 it is also IKEA! “Alex” is the drawer unit. Sorry I missed that one!
@@amydement. thanks, Amy! It is “Intellectual gray” by Sherwin-Williams; bought at Lowe’s. 🤓👍🏻
Do you have links for your lights? Great space!
It’s just perfect Cathy. 😊 I have my grandparents eyeglasses on my shelf so they can “watch” me work.
Thank you, Connie! ❤️ And I LOVE that! 👓🤓
I love that Connie, your grandparents eyeglasses. In my sewing room I have my mothers wooden sewing chair that fit underneath her sewing table and I have that sitting beside mine. Such comfort.
Goodness, I read glass eyes instead of eyeglasses! I thought that was very avant-garde, which is no bad thing, but I imagine the eyeglasses have a cosier effect 😊
@@eclecticcode 😂
. lol😂
Congrats on your “new” room. I couldn’t agree with you more that thoughtful planning is the key! My husband and I moved two years ago. I was planning on moving my entire sewing room into the new location. My hubby offered me the option of a completely new room using some of the proceeds from the sale of the house. “This is your once in a lifetime chance to plan your dream quilting room, so plan carefully”. OMG! Yes, my hubby is INCREDIBLE and I am so blessed! I spent MONTHS using the IKEA kitchen planner to set up my ideas. I went onto UA-cam and viewed every studio I could. I talked to my husband about my ideas. I talked to my son (who is incredible with design) and my daughter in law who studied design in school. We tweaked and tweaked. Then I explained the use of each area to the cabinet people and asked for their input. They had one suggestion that we hadn’t thought of and it was a great one. I have been using my room for two years and wouldn’t change a thing, well except for a spot for a design wall (my room is a sunroom with lots of light, but only two wall areas being used for more important essentials). For now I have a portable wall that I assemble if i am making a large quilt, but am still thinking about the problem and possible solutions! Right now I am in the middle of quilting a king size denim quilt for my son and D-I-L so the room is a bit messy, but it is still my favorite room in the house!
Thank you, Linda! And your room sounds AMAZING!
Maybe you could put it on the inside of a curtain and use velcro or something in the corners 😄 🤷♀️
You are so funny when you describe your sewing room! I know you appreciate it though! When our 4 kids were home I also sewed and cut out fabric at my dining room table. Now that we are empty nesters I’m fortunate to have a bedroom upstairs as my sewing room. Another bedroom is where our grands sleep when they stay over. I Bible journal with the grands at the dining room table now. Our supplies are in a cart that I can put away. I also have a scrapbooking room downstairs in our finished basement. There’s also a guest bedroom, a rec room and a bathroom downstairs. Our house is old but we’ve done a lot to it. Last year our project was the back yard which turned out beautiful! I feel so blessed!
Cathy, you are so blessed! ❤️ What a wonderful gift to have the space that you want/need to do what makes you happy!
When my kids were little, I used the floor for layouts and a card table in the porch for sewing machine. Interesting how things change at various stages of our lives.
Oh this is perfect!!! My sewing space is 5’x6’. I live in an RV and I removed the dining room booth/table and re-did the small space with a 2x4 fold table for cutting (also store things under it); my small sewing table; a 6 cubby Ikea shelf for fabric storage. I use scrapbooking storage boxes to store my projects in, stacking them 4 deep on top of the ikea shelf. I use a pegboard that leans against the wall for rulers, scissors, rotary cutters, etc. And I have a very small nightstand that’s forever in my way for thread, notions, etc. I have no design board persay, but pin my blocks to the sliding door black out drape to get some idea of what’s happening in my brain 😅. I dream of more space (no dedicated iron space to be found ANYWHERE 😢), but I’ve created (and free motion quilted 😵💫) I’m guessing about 30? Twin, queen and even king sized projects in this space since 2020.
Oh and how could I forget…the cat blanket under the window ON the table space since both of them insist on laying there! 😵💫
Susan, I found the description of your crafting space so interesting. As I near retirement age I have been watching lots of RV and van-life channels. I very much enjoy crafting, so I have been wondering how I would find space for that in an RV or van. I’m encouraged that it sounds like you have been successful in doing that!
@@rmlrhonda yes, I think if you have a craft that you can tuck into a corner, it’s so valuable for your mental health. The space I use is tucked into the slide out and is pretty convenient.
Thank you, Susan! And what the description of your sewing space tells me is this: where there's a will, there's a way!!
@@TheCatBirdQuilts that’s the truth!
Your joy is palpable and makes me happy too.Your husband really gets you!! I have used sheets many times for backings and no probs.Enjoy😊😊😊😊
Thank you, Giselle! ❤️ And yes, he does!! 🥰
I'm so happy for you🎉. My sewing space is in the process of reorganizing, too! I also want to say that it is so heartwarming to know that your husband is so supportive of your creative endeavors. You are blessed (and i'm sure you already know that) 😊
Thank you, Joni! How fun that you are redoing your sewing space as well! And yes, I'm very blessed and fortunate to have Paul! I wish everyone had that same fortune!
Wow! So many sewing room makeovers look more like a shopping haul or evidence of multiple shopping hauls. This was so refreshing and helpful. I feel you were able to analyze the problems and solve them. I only wish you had kept the photos of the areas on screen long enough for me to study them.
Wow! I love your "new" space. The wall color is so calming. Sometimes small is better, especially when it is well thought out.
Thank you, Kim! ❤️ And I agree--there is such a thing as "too much space" in my opinion!
Thanks for the tour of your updated space! It’s lovely and very calming. I hope you enjoyed your break, it’s so nice to have you both back on Fridays in my notifications! 🎉
Aww, thank you so much! ❤️ I'm glad to be back!
I bought an IKEA metal trolley, the smaller one that rolls away under a table. I added small hanging bins and one shelf has a wooden top, all from IKEA. Everything I need to hand is in it from wonderclips, one of magnetic pin keep, snips etc., scissors, markers. As it is magnetic I also bought big clips from IKEA (again!) that hold gloves, lint rollers. Curved hooks that hold small rulers with holes. It has changed my workspace and I can move it around. Yeah.
Sounds great! I wish you could attach a picture because just yesterday i was thinking i need something like this.
MiDo, I thought the same thing!
I love that idea, Sue!! 🤩
If you can’t attach a picture, can you tell us the ikea name of the product?
This video gives me the "feel goodies". I'm SO about organization and tidy workspaces, and it does induce the same feelings (I imagine) as a relaxation spa. My workspace is a small 3rd bedroom and though a little larger than yours, not by a lot. Thoughtful consideration and planning can turn any space into a functional yet peaceful experience. So while I have much larger spaces in my home, my workroom is my sanctuary and where I spend most of my days. I start my day here in calm meditation with coffee and catch-up on the latest UA-cam videos. And sometimes, when I need a lift, just sitting here in the quiet and looking at all of my special "things" makes me so happy. I'm so happy you have this newly organized space and I hope it brings you those same good feelings!
Oh JB, I'm so glad that it made you feel good too!! Starting the day in an organized, happy sewing workspace with calm meditation and coffee (and YT videos) sounds like a delightful way to begin your day! I'm so glad to have you with me, and me with you in that space! ❤️
As a viewer, I am pleased with the lighting change. It's much easier to watch your videos because the light is properly balanced.
I love your new space. I also have a small sewing space located in my den with my family! They have learned to watch TV with the sound of the sewing machine. It helps that my 77 year old parents are pretty hard of hearing (they live with me and my husband). My husband knows it brings me joy and just tolerates it since he knows as a firefighter with a second job that he’d rather have me in the same room spending time with him while watching a football game than in another part of the house far away:). I just found & love your channel & have been binge watching! As a new quilter, I’m more of a crafter - a crocheter, knitter and my fav cross stitcher, I’ve only been a quilter for 5 months or so with only really 3 quilts under my belt but I’m addicted!! Quilting has helped me a ton, I’m disabled & I use all my crafts for pain control & to keep my mind sharp but quilting has really helped me with the sharpness the last year. My husband has been surprised at how much math he has had to sit down & go over with me & I was a bookkeeper for 20 years but with pain meds and pain 24/7 plus I had to leave my job in 2014 after the pain just got to be to much & your mind kinda crumbles on you so it is nice to get it back working again🤩. I do have a plan to make a quilt out of dress shirts, the only problem is I live in Wyoming and not many guys in Wyoming wear dress shirts so there are not many at the thrift store, my own husband only owns 1 and he only wears it for weddings, funerals or promotion interviews!! My Sister lives in Seattle so I may have to send her thrift shopping for me or wait til I visit this Summer. Sadly I’m not sure my sister even knows what a sewing machine is🤩
Love this video and showing us real life. My 'sewing room, where no sewing occurs' 🙄is just about the same size.I relate to your comment that disorganization can suck the inspiration out of you. Thanks for the helpful tips and suggestions as this will serve us well.
Thank you, MaryBeth! You know I'm all about the real life! But YES, when it gets too messy it's almost impossible to make progress sewing! ❤️
You make me smile! Why have I not seen you before? I see you’ve been on UA-cam since 2013 and I’m annoyed that I’m only now seeing you. But, like my hubs and I always say, “nothing happens before it’s time” and “when it’s time, it will happen”! Thank you for making me smile. You’ve inspired me! I’ve been using my bedroom double as sewing room and the bed is so tempting! Now I’m going to carve out a corner for my “small sewing space”
Aww, thank you, Jeanne! ❤️ I've only been making videos since 2022, so you're really not late to the party! 😉 There would be no way I could sew in my bedroom (besides lack of space)---I would succumb to the temptation to lie down and then never get any sewing done! 😂😱 So glad I made you smile! Thanks for watching and commenting and I'm looking forward to seeing your name in the comment section on future videos!
Very thoughtfully arranged and organized sewing space. Enjoy sewing 🧵
Thank you so much! ❤️
Hahahahaha! Way more scissory than scissors! I love this.
Emi, right?!? My husband's captioning is hilarious and makes me laugh every time! 😂 Thanks for watching and commenting!❤️
Congratulations on your makeover. Looks great. I never had a designate sewing until about 10 years ago. It is a guestroom, office, and mostly sewroom now. I have a Murphy bed where I have command hooks for my design wall. Drop leaf table for cutting and built-in desk for sewing. All of it folds up and rolls out of the way for guests. Works great.
An old dresser, especially on wheels, can make an awesome ironing station for small spaces.
Congrats on your new space! Met you for the first time in this video. 🥰 I’m a new empty nester & in the process of rediscover the joy from all my art projects & sewing. Since I was a teen I dreamed of a big open space for my project and I’m blessed with a huge Steelcase desk for sewing and the pool table for cutting. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for the little things like colored pencils & heavy scizzors! My daughter is starting to see but needs to stay consolidated so I’m excited to help her set up. God bless you & your family!
Thank you, Sonja! It's nice to meet you and I'm glad you found me! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Thanks for passing along your reasoning for your arrangement of your sewing room!
So happy for you💕. To have any sewing area is a blessing.
Thank you, Donna! And that is SO true---I've had times with no sewing area and I am very lucky to have the space I have now!❤️
Just found this video and I am so excited , you often see videos about these large sewing studio makeover but this is just real life !We have been married 43 years and I have never had a dedicated sewing space ! We have six children and all rooms were full , they’re all married now but 4 live away so still need bedrooms for when they come home! We have an enclosed porch off our living room that I dearly want to convert to my sewing space and you have given me a push to get it done , thanks !
Hooray! So glad this could be an inspiration for you! So many of us don't have the big studio space that we see in so many quilters/quilt pattern designers/fabric designers---and yet we still need to be able to do all those quilting tasks that give us joy! ❤️
Love the excitement for the new arrangements. So cute.
Thank you, Kimberly! ❤️
I'm sooo excited for you! Organization is a MUST in my world- especially in my creative world. I LOVE your new space. It's obvious that you put a lot of thought in to it and hubby put a lot of physical work into it. How wonderful to have a person in your life that supports your endeavors. Enjoy, my friend!
Aww, thank you, Betty!! I am VERY fortunate to have Paul supporting my creative pursuits for sure!!
I do believe the universe sent you to me today! 🙂As I've gone into this new year with hope for many things, one hope is to make my sewing room work for me instead of being in its usual state of disorganization and chaos! I truly dislike going into the room anymore, which you also related about your prior space = anxiety.😵💫 I have already formulated a plan just by listening to your video. I've set a goal by my birthday next month, 3 1/2 weeks to make a difference in my space! I know I will be much happier and perhaps even more productive as a result. Cheers to a new sewing year!🥂🪡🧵
Oh my goodness, thank you, anilovesmeemee! ❤️ What a great comment and compliment! I wish you all the success in tackling your sewing room--may it be such a blessing and restore your environment to a place that you want to be in and create in! 🤞🏻Thanks for watching and commenting! 🤓😊
lovely space so calming you are so lucky to have a Paul ! xx
Thank you, Marlene! ❤️ And yes, SO lucky to have Paul!
A lovely makeover. So functional!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰
Thank you, Charity! ❤️ It is VERY functional now---and of course that makes me realize how DYSfunctional it was before!! 😱
Your joy just shines ! Hope you continue to enjoy your space!
Aww, thank you, Angela! ❤️
Good morning Cathy, I love your sewing space make over. You are so right the new color is very relaxing. Love your new cutting table, and cabinet for storage, great job! I also have a small space, it was my oldest sons room, which was my office when we were working from home, exercise room and now also my sewing room, it is a little busy, but when I am sewing all of those things are behind me, so I can pretend it’s only my sewing room 🥰 thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you, Debbie! I relate to turning away from the mess---at my sewing table I face my kitchen! 😱 I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I often choose sewing over cleaning! 😂
I used to cut my fabrics out in the backyard on a cardboard folded quilt board. We are enclosing my very small, very tiny side porch, but it’ll be my room a real sewing room, a real creative room FINALLY my artistic crafty room.
Oh wow! I guess we all do what we have to do--and if that's cutting fabric in the backyard, then so be it! But CONGRATS on getting a room just for you for your quilting and crafts!!🤩 You will have a heart full of appreciation when you get your stuff in that space!!❤️
I. LOVE. YOUR. SEWING. SPACE! It's organized, efficient and inviting! What a boost to your Sew -Jo!
Awww, thank you, Bonnie! ❤️ And I think it IS a boost to my sew-jo, and I didn't even know it needed a boost!
Wow, great minds think alike. (lol) I am redoing my sewing space as well. Very slowly, but putting a lot of thought about what I want close, and what I can store elsewhere, what kind of storage works best, drawers, shelves, whatever. At this point it is the storm before the calm. I still have so much to go through and organize. Sometimes I sit in my chair and daydream, and then try to decide if it makes sense. Good thing I am the only one to use my space. Breathe deeply!
What a nice transformation. I have taken over the kitchen table. There is no other space for my sewing area. This video is timely. I’m trying to reorganize my little space and all the horizontal storage spaces. lol. That means the furniture in our living room. As an aside, I love the little block on your design wall. ❤🎉
I am so happy for you. What a good job you and your husband have done !!!
Thank you, Brenda!! ❤️
Looks great! Thank you for sharing your sweet space with us. Very inspirational. 😊
I started with a Skarsta table but upgraded to a Flexispot electronic adjustable height table, because it goes lower than the Skarsta to allow me to have my overlocker at the right height. If you want to move your Skarsta tables around you can swap the feet for castors that can be bought as an accessory for the Flexispot desks for around 30 dollars, that way you could put the desks together if you need a really large cutting space.
This is so very nice to see your space. I love your organization and explanation. Thank you for sharing this with us.😊🪡🧵✂️🦓
Thank you, Liz! ❤️
Thanks for sharing your space. We’d never have guessed how small it is. I know you are enjoying its revamp. Also, Paul does a great job with your videos.
Thank you, Dedra! And I know, right?! It looks SO much bigger on camera than it really is! 😱 I agree, Paul does a great job---his captions and photo inserts and general sense of humor make me seem SO much funnier than I really am! 🥰
So so happy for your “new” space . Well organized and more efficient!
It looks lovely and so easy to work in. Small spaces can be great: everything is close to hand.
I have found that Command hooks of all sizes and materials are a huge help. My snips hang on very small hooks just under the flywheel of my 2 sewing machines, always ready and they don’t fall off the table. I put up some pairs of larger one that hold fabric that I want to use but need to see it near the stash to let it play with other fabrics and my imagination. The picture hanging type hold up my design wall. And they won’t hurt your beautiful new paint.
Thanks so much for your videos - even though I have many, many wips, I’m going shopping for shirts and eyeing my grandmother’s white linen tablecloth that we never use.
Thank you, Barbara! ❤️ And yes, small spaces can be great if it's done thoughtfully! I love your idea command hooks for snips and fabric! So smart!!
Be warned: if you ever get started on shirts, you'll be hooked!😉
My first time watching one of your videos! I am very new to quilting. I smiled and laughed from the Guggenheim shears and scissors to IKEA furniture to thrifting sheets for quilt backs, and ziplocs. These things just make sense. Thank you for sharing a view of your sewing space with us.
Thank you, BlueSapphire! I'm so glad you found me and thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
❤️🥰What a wonderful gift for such a creative person-a place that works and inspires creativity! Your family hit a home run with their thoughtful gift. I’m glad they had your input and help since these spaces are best when personalized to the person using them. I know your heart is full and your sew-jo is working overtime! Love that! 👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you, Shannon! And yes, my heart is SO full!
Excellent video, many ideas and inspiration!
Good for you Cathy! You’re motivating me to go clean up my sewing room! I have a pair of those Guggenheim scissors and they are fabulous!! I also have a pair of their snips and I love them ❤ They have a lovely loop at the handle so they hang on a little command hook to my right just underneath the top of the sewing desk. Love it!
Thanks, Adrienne! And of course I’ve already got piles of fabric and scraps EVERYWHERE! 😂
Thank you for the video!
I have wanted to make a quilt for myself for years but have never done machine sewing. As a child I did plenty of hand sewing and cross stitch. As an adult I found the beautiful art of bead embroidery and bead weaving. I am very aware of working in a space in which you need to pack everything up when you are done. I used to do my beadwork on a TV tray... So two years ago I went to a local sewing shop, bought a machine and took some sewing classes. My sewing room is also my beading room and storage room at 9x9. I would love to some day be able to organize it in a clean smooth workable space.
Blessings, Erica
Thank you, Erica! ❤️ I think it is so challenging to have a small space and also multiple creative interests---it takes up so much space in our homes and in our brains, too! I hope you will get started on making that quilt for yourself---you won't regret it, so just jump in and do it! 🤓😘
Oh that's spacious compared to mine!!
Oooff, LadyGray! Those small spaces are a struggle, aren't they? And the smaller they are, the more thoughtfulness they require--at least that's been my experience!
@@TheCatBirdQuilts well, I HAD an actual sewing/crafts room, but then our son moved back home to live & work from home, so there went my sewing/crafts room AND our office! 🤷♀️
Wow! Great job on the make-over and making the most of the space you have. I can see and appreciate how wonderful it is to have it beautiful and functional. May this new year be a joyful and productive one for you!
Aww, thank you Rozylass! ❤️
Just love spending time with you 💕
Oh my goodness, thank you, Lainie! ❤️ I'm thankful to have you here with me in this space!
I've not watched your channel before, but found this really helpful. I live in a small space: I am a knitter and spinner, and a would be sewer. I am in the process of de-cluttering, re-organising... this is helpful. Thank you.
I'm so glad this video was helpful for you, Nicola! ❤️ And welcome to my channel---I'm so glad you found me! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Love, love , love!! I am a kitchen table quilter but hoping that changes this year! It’s good to hear you like your new scissors, I ordered a pair the other day but haven’t had time to try them. Thank goodness your back!! ❤
Thank you, Veronica! ❤️ I'm so glad to be back!
Beautiful space! So happy for you! Enjoy! 💕
Thank you, Cassie!❤️
You are SO delightful! I am on the same wavelength as you regarding the tomato pin cushion. I have several of my mother's things that do not serve any purpose but bring me comfort and joy.
Aww, thank you!!
Thanks for sharing because I have a small room so I understand what you are talking about. Great Christmas 🎄 gift.
Thank you, Sharon! ❤️ I hope your small room gives you joy, too! 😘
Very inspiring to me! I am stuck in the hell hole of my sewing space and I'm not sure how to dig myself out, but perhaps I have a first step. For me it will be getting rid of a hand-me-down round table that I have used far too long as a cutting table. It's going out to the curb! At least then I can think about getting rectangle tables that may fit into a work triangle someday. I love that you have no music and speak clearly. May God Bless your channel and you💙
Love how you've arranged & improved your creative space. My sewing area is tiny like yours and stuffed to the gills! I recently got some shelving/bookcases which have helped but am really looking forward to summertime when I can take them outside to paint them to match the walls so that they don't visually clutter things up so much. Thanks for the inspiration and affirmation that it is worth spending time on one's environment.
Thank you, K! It really makes a difference removing that visual clutter---and I know exactly what you mean about painting shelves to match the walls! 🤓 Once that is done you'll be so relieved and enjoy your space so much more! ❤️ Thanks for watching and commenting!
So happy for you! I organized my studio recently and it certainly is liberating.
Liberating is really the word, isn't it?! Even in a mustard-colored room! 😘
Looks wonderful. I have a large custom- built studio in my retirement home and I still got a couple of ideas I can implement immediately that will improve things. It is so easy to get used to your original setup and stop seeing room for improvement. (I have my large and small rulers on one of those racks and have added some so they don’t all fit well and it’s a constant shuffle. And my basting pins are in multiple small boxes in a drawer instead of one big jar on a shelf.). Those are things I can fix this afternoon! 😊
Thank you, Lorraine! ❤️ And I'm thrilled that you got some tips to use in your own space!! 🤓
So glad I found you! I have been sewing/quilting since I was a child and all along the way I've been buying and using clothes made from beautiful fabric (like the Liberty of London blouse I just bought for $5) that I've bought in thrift stores, at tag sales etc! Love your channel and what you're doing 🥰😍
Aww, thank you, Jayne!! ($5 Liberty of London shirt---amazing find! 🤩) I'm so glad you found me!❤️
Loved this update! I look forward to everyone of your videos!
Thank you, Danielle! ❤️
Such fun to see your transformed space. Awesome work! A real quilt spirit cleanser I'm sure. Great to have you back on Fridays too! Happy New Year!😀
Thank you, Laura! ❤️ It's great to be back!
This is so nice following the way you are growing as a quilter!. This was me 30 years ago. Now I have California closets on one wall. And shelving you would have in you garage on another wall. And I need to arrange again. On the other wall. More shelves. Love it. But still needs cleaning up. Have a great day. Hugs from Tampa.
Aww, thank you, Laura! ❤️ It's funny how with every new stage (of our quilting journeys) new things are required: totes for fabric storage, shelves, a new table, etc! One day maybe I'll have a whole room of my own!
Oooo, I got the heavy scissors for Christmas. They are so good! I didn't realize how much of a difference it would make!
Lorna, me either!! Initially I was like, "well I already have scissors" and then I used them!! Whooo-eee---it is a delightful experience cutting those shirts now! ❤️
Inspirational Cathy! I love the idea of a triangle.
Thank you, Crystal! ❤️ I know, right?! Me too! It just helped me understand how I use my space.
Thank you for the wonderful video! I hadn't fully watched it and I was putting together a new sewing space! My space will be about the same size as yours. I loved everything about this video and will definitely put your suggestions to use. Stay blessed!
Oh thank you, Deborah! ❤️ I'm glad it was helpful and good luck and congrats on YOUR new sewing space!! Thank you for the blessing and right back to you! 😘
I was just wondering when you would put up another video. 👍🏼
Love your new space. Very well thought out and a lovely, calming color.
Thank you, Terri!❤️ Thanks for watching and commenting!
Adorable and well thought out! Enjoy!
Thank you, Sissie!! Small but mighty! 😘
Loved your video and your improvements to your sewing area. Especially loved how excited you were about your space. I have a TINY bedroom for my sewing room and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I need to use some of your solutions to better organize my space. Thanks so much.
Thank you, Judy! I do think that small sewing rooms rock---once organized well, they are just so efficient and easy to work in!
I love your space! My space is always in flux. But, like you, I have things in my space that just make me smile. Congratulations!
Thank you, Deborah! ❤️ Mine really is too, as the things in my life changes, my space has to change with it!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Love your humour and the advice.
Happy New Year! I love the new wall colour. To me, it has a warm, pink undertone, very flattering. I am a little jealous of the new space organization. I can see it sparks joy! Beautiful organization and beautiful tools are so inspiring.
Happy New Year to you, too, Diane!❤️ It's easy to feel envious, but I promise you, it still has it's challenges--like, for example, sitting at my sewing machine looking into the kitchen and wondering why I didn't clean it up when I messed it up!! 😉😱😂
@@TheCatBirdQuilts LOL. Don't I know that. Sometimes you gotta shut it out and do what you want. Soon enough our hands become arthritic and our eyesight dims. So, play while you can. Have fun. Be balanced.
You are truly blessed and it was delightful to watch. Enjoy your beautiful space!
Thank you, Lisa! ❤️
Love love love this Cathy❤️ what a great idea!
I must confess to having a little bit of a scissors fetish too. I have my grandma's pinking shears, my mum's dress making scissors which I treasure. Then there's the other scissors and snips I've gotten over the years... And I totally get the sound of sharp scissors cutting through fabric 😂
Happy stitching in your new cosy quilting space xxx
Thank you, Kim!! I can totally see how your grandma's pinking shears and your mum's dress-making scissors would be SUCH a treasure! And THANK YOU for "getting" the scissors sound--I feel seen! ;)
Ditto to you both! @@TheCatBirdQuilts
My area is just inside the front door in a small alcove, 6’ by 9’ with my sewing cabinet facing a large window to the front yard. It’s small but I’ve made it work for almost 11 years now. Thank you for your additional tips.
Happy New Year! Love the new "peaceful neutral" wall color and your fun inspirational items (art and clothes pin doll) on your new shelf placement! ❤ 🙂
Thank you, Giselle! ❤️ And a Happy New Year to you, too!!
Really enjoyed how you explained the transformation of your workspace. I live in the Netherlands in a small townhouse. I have one spare bedroom for dressing myself, having the granddaughters sleep in and do my sewing. It’s about 8 x 10 feet wide. Thank goodness we have IKEA too 😀. I love my happy place, and you make work what’s possible. The quilts are just as pretty when made with pleasure and love 😊.
Thank you, Marie! ❤️ And yes, I think we are all grateful for IKEA! "You make work what's possible"--yes yes yes!! I couldn't agree more. Here we say, "Where there's a will, there's a way!" Thanks for watching and for commenting and I agree wholeheartedly: quilts made with pleasure and love are so very beautiful!
I completely understand the small workspace. I use a lot of pegboards and literally wall to wall built in desks. My sewing room is just over 5ft by 8ft (so the shorter length of your room is the longer side, and the shorter is just a bit longer than your wingspan). Utilizing vertical wall space has really been the key to optimizing my space. I have built in desks on 3 of the walls with an office chair in the center that I can just turn to use the different surfaces. I had other desks in here previously, but like you I had to start over from the ground up. I have a lot of plastic drawer storage with labels, and shelving that they sit on. anything that I need regularly is within arms reach of my chair, so there are some major benefits to such a small space, but the down side is if I have very large pieces I need to cut, I still have to take them to the dining room table. I do love the neutral of your room. I went with more on the grey side, but still very neutral. I think it's really nice to have your calm color in your work space.
Looks great! I put a command strip hook on the right end of my sewing machine for my snips.
Thanks, Cathy - enjoyed your video immensely! This was my first time watching and I've subscribed as I anticipate additional time spent with CatBird Quilts! You have definitely made this space your own and it's lovely. Excited to see what you will be working on this new year.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Marti! ❤️ I look forward to having you with me along my quilting and YT journey! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very inspirational!!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Soraya! ❤️ I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You are fun to watch, I learn things, and get ideas. I have the same color of paint in my living room, the paint brand calls it putty!
Thanks, T!
I found this so helpful and informative. Now to get my sewing space re-vamped! Thank you so much.
Oh yay! Thank you, Lin! And good look on reworking your space!
I think l followed most of the video, the room is small but you chose furnishings that fit the space and allows you to do the work of sewing and quilting the way you like. You approach your work with minimalist design and keep visual clutter to a minimum. Nice job.
Thank you, Angela! And thanks for watching and commenting! 😊
I love your "new" space. The Ikea stuff is actually made for this kind of project. I think I have "scissor envy". ✂️ ✂️ Thanks for sharing !!! ✌🏻♥️
Thanks, Dianne! ❤️
You’ve given me many ideas. Thanks
Oh yay, JV! I'm so glad the video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching and commenting! ❤️
I love to listen to you. You make me happy.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Deborah! ❤️
Your space is lovely and it is beautiful to see how happy you are!!!! I have used the same stick-um hooks on my sewing machine and ironing board to hang my snips/little scissors! XOX
Thank you, Anne! ❤️ Another viewer said they use the command hooks for snips on their machine--that is super smart! 🤓
Loved your makeover. Looks great. Loved some of your ideas. I am going to try some of them.
Thank you, Sharon! ❤️ I'm so glad it was helpful for you and gave you some ideas for your own space!
Thank you for this video, I appreciate your thoughts and find it inspiring. Especially, in the way you embraced and maximised the amount of space you have rather than trying to find or longing for a bigger one.
I have a perspective on small space sewing that might interest you.
Every three months, I rotate living on a 57ft long x 6ft wide narrowboat travelling the English canal system, with exploring Europe by road in a campervan.
Whilst travelling in the boat, I sew with a machine and in the van, I sew by hand.
There is something very empowering and freeing, sewing in such restricted spaces.
I take pleasure in the systems I have created and oddly, I find the required discipline brings me peace of mind.
So for me, not only is the space always small, but it is also only intermittently available. When it isn't I use this time to plan, work out patterns ( getting my husband to check the maths), play with colour, to look at quilt exhibitions online, and not least to watch UA-cam video about quilting.
Lastly and funnily, when I return to our tiny boat it feels enormous, like a palace - just proving our perception of space is all relative.
Thank you, Trish!❤️ And YES, I DID find your perspective interesting--and also inspiring! What a wonderful approach and perspective, and also a reminder that contentment is not dependent on external circumstances but internal gratitude and the meaning/purpose we assign to our lives.🤓😊❤️
Very nice…good job on the maximizing of your space! We love our spaces.
Thank you, Marianne! ❤️ We DO. 😊
This was incredibly inspiring, as my knitting/sewing/all-the-things room is exactly 8x9! I better get an Ikea list started. 😅
Great make over 🤩 You must be so pleased 🎉 No excuse for not creating LOTS of quilts now 👏👏🇬🇧
Glynis, I am so pleased.🥰 Paul definitely treated me right for this Christmas gift! ❤️ Oh me..."LOTS of quilts" that's a tall order!
Great thought provoking chat.
Congratulations. I’m sure this new design will bring you much joy in your work! What a treat to come home and have someone else have painted for you! PS - I have switched to sheets for backing and LOVE it!
Thank you, Caitlin! ❤️ It was SUCH a treat!
I’m set up in my front entrance hallway with a folding table and my new to me “Brother Dream machine”. This is where I’ve been sewing for the last 6 months. have a very large room upstairs that was supposed to be my sewing room. It is just a storage room for fabric & sewing supplies. I need to start emptying the room and make it truly my sewing room. Thanks for the inspiration.
Kathleen, let this be your inspiration to get that room cleared out and ready for use! The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can be truly settled in your happy sewing place! ❤️🤓 (I wish I had done mine earlier!!)
The triangle theory applies in the kitchen also:
fridge, sink & stove.
I too love using sheets for backing my quilts.
It is so nice to have an inspiring space to create.
Yes! And the better laid out BOTH sewing spaces and kitchen, the more enjoyable and better both function---which is the whole point, isn't it? 🤓 Thanks for watching and commenting, Renee! ❤️
First time watching you. Love your sewing room and organational skills! So clean and fresh also!
Thank you, Donna! ❤️ Thanks for watching and commenting!
Your video is very inspiring. Full of information and substance. I like your organization and clean space❤
Have fun !🎉
Thank you, Cori! ❤️