Hi Evelyn, it is so lovely to see you back and looking so well, I have missed your sewing tutorials. After seeing your earlier podcast, you have obviously been through a tough couple of years. I am sure that what your body has gone through, it is going to take time to get back feeling truly normal, and we all feel we can do more than we actually can. I wish you well and very glad to see you back on UA-cam. Take care and don’t overdo it. Xx
Me too, definitely! I had always thought a Rowenta would be the best all round iron. I finally got one and I’m disappointed as it leaks water when you start it up and makes such a mess that I have to keep a hand sized terry towel at my ironing board continuously. Please do a review.
I've come to the realization I am NOT a garment sewer. I just live vicariously through your videos! I do quilt, so some of your info holds true for that, as well. Your beauty just keeps shining on and as others have commented, love your gorgeous presence (especially the cute, cute, cute hair!). My comfy spot in my sewing room has been taken over by a long arm 😂.
Thank you for this! You gave me some great tips for my room. My wild card would be my non-sewing creativity supplies, because I dabble in too many other hobbies 😬 Painting, fiber arts, etc. Some are in a storage room but the basics are in my sewing room closet. The keys to my sanity are containers and I love all your little drawers. -Addie
Thank you, I never considered these things. My wild card area is somewhere for my pets to sit to keep me company, and a section for works in progress, while I wait for notions to arrive, as I order on a job by job basis
It's so nice seeing you! I have started sewing again after many years because a wardrobe with fast fashion no longer appeals to me. I used to sew ALL my clothes in school, and even made my wedding dress. When my FAVORITE T-shirt started to fray at the seam and hem a few months ago, I realized how cheaply made more than HALF of my wardrobe is! I am sewing on my dining room table, with my ironing board next to me, and loving it.
This is me except never sewing before I have been noticing how quickly all my clothing falls apart it's insane! Wearing even "brand name" items they've dropped in quality so much! I literally paid 100 dollars for a pair of Nike air force onew and they split by the little toe after Like 6 or 9 months!
@@heritagehooks24 I learned how to sew in Home Economics and made an apron and a skirt. The rest is all self-taught and what the pattern directions have said. Of course, I JUST couldn't figure out WHY my interfacing never laid nice and flat until I figured out that clipping around the curve was a must! I am so pleased that UA-cam is a wealth of knowledge for techniques and short cuts from other sewists. Good luck to you!
Welcome back Evelyn ❤ My wild card extra area is my relaxation /mental well-being area. I have a rocking chair and my favourite things around. The lovely music on my play list is playing and this is my happy place to hand sew create and plan my next project ideas. It is truly ny happy place
I have similar areas in my sewing room. Additionally I also have a seating area in front of the window with two armchairs and a coffee table which is a perfect place for knitting, crocheting or handstitching. I also plan to make a video of my retro sewing room. 😊
Wha a pleasure to see you again Evelyn ! With your new hair cut you look 10 years younger ! Your new sewing space is very cosy and i love the corner dedicated to your sewing books. I am very lucky to have a sewing space too, made by my husband in our attic, and I also have a space for books for sewing, knitting and embroidery , some of them dating back to the time my mother was learning sewing. I love your videos
It’s so wonderful seeing you so perky and refreshed. You look absolutely beautiful, Evelyn! Like you, I do have stations that have evolved over time. Your comment about how we start out in sewing made me laugh out loud. Flash back over 4 decades ago when I had a newborn and a toddler. We had just purchased our very first formal dining room furniture and that room was easily gated off from the rest of our home to keep little fingers away from pins and scissors. My husband used to tease me about our gorgeous dining room table being covered with fabric, thread, scraps, and my sewing machine. Now my dedicated sewing room is my happy place. We still have the same dining room furniture but now we actually use that space to entertain and eat.
You remind me of the little fingers that used to love to play with my colored thread spools! Sometimes I had to throw them out after they were drooled upon too much. Ick. But a happy time for all.
Hello. I'm a big fan and actually had a cancer experience at pretty much the same time as yours. I am doing very well and so happy that you are too. My wildcard item in my sewing room is an accommodation that I use because I have low vision. I am well past legally blind and so when I need to see something really small, like the eye of a needle or some tiny stitches I need to remove, I put my phone on a mount and use the very powerful zoom app. I just figured this out a few years ago and I'm so thrilled I no longer have to call for help when I want to change my thread! I also have my machine up on a custom made box so I don't have to lean down to get my eyes close to the action. My hubby made it and it also has a drawer and a slide out for extra surface. Thank you for your informative and always very positive videos - the world needs more people like you!
My extra personalized space that is essential for my sewing is places for my pups! They are an integral part of my creativity! Plus Im certain dog hair is a must-be-included part of garment making 😂
I’ve always said: “Are you even dressed without dog hair?” 😂😂😂 *I miss my doggy, I lost my 13.5yo baby just over a month ago and it’s devastating, but I love watching doggy and sewing videos to make me smile again!
You just helped me realise that a designated "dumping ground" - away from sewing table and ironing station - is a thing and I need to make one, instead thinking I will be good and do better and not dumping everything all over my small sewing table.
Yes, I love this! Creating spaces for the way we actually work rather than for an ideal, yet unrealistic workflow. We all need a "dumping ground", and crafting one that helps us stay organised can be so helpful!
This is so helpful to think about! I (mostly) have these spaces, although my fabric and haberdashery is jumbled together. But I need to re-organize and it's been overwhelming to think about, so your video is well-timed for me. I would LOVE to see videos on new irons, and seeing you go through each of your spaces organizing/re-organizing (it'll be motivational for me)!
My bonus space: I have two small ones. First, an area for my speaker and phone/ music and podcasts, and then second, a designated cat bed (otherwise he'll sit on whatever I'm sewing!)
I have a large dining table, that I use, when I draw and cut my designs, and a hole room in the house, as my hobby room. I sew, knit, and a lot of other crafty things. I must say, that hearing your voice and seeing your beautiful smile, brings back a longing to go back to Australia. A huge part of my heart, still lives in Australia ❤
What a wonderful and timely video! My sewing space needs to share space with my crochet/knitting space. It's a bit chaotic at the moment, so I need to come up with a plan to establish a harmonious coexistence for them. Additionally, I would LOVE a video going over your explorations of different ironing set-ups. I've been contemplating getting a new iron, but it may be more practical to simply add one of those mini irons to my repertoire, rather than chucking my quite serviceable full size one. The smaller one would be especially helpful for quilting, I believe.
When my husband needed the guest/sewing room for Zoom teaching when the pandemic hit. I needed to decommission my sewing area. Now I take out my machine and all the gear when I sew, and I actually prefer it. I sew in spurts so it works well for me. Sometimes I sew at the kitchen table, sometimes on a table in the TV room and in spring I love to sew out on the patio. The only issue with this arrangement is thread and fabric bits in the dining room/TV room/patio area. 😜
Designing a sewing room reminds me of designing a kitchen. You have a work triangle that needs to be thought through. Cutting table, ironing and sewing machine = fridge, stove and sink. Just started organizing my space! Perfect timing for the video :)
One thing I have to contend with is a large white Maine Coon cat that loves to clear the flat surfaces as a form of entertainment and attention getting. Hence, I have been working on storing as little as possible on flat surfaces, lol. I solved one of my storage issues with fabric and yarn by putting a lot of it into IP67 plastic tubs. They are clear and gasketed so I can store them in our sometimes wet basement without fear of harm. I keep them on wheeled wire racks, so when I need to get something, I can see what I'm looking for. That freed up so much room in the sewing area, and made everything a lot easier to find. I keep some of my haberdashery in vintage Wil-hold sewing boxes, and some in plastic bins and drawers in the closet in the sewing area. Everything is clearly labeled, which I find is essential, otherwise I'm opening every container trying to find stuff. Last year, after a two years of waiting, I finally got new wall-mounted shelves and Ikea peg boards installed. They allow me to keep all my tools covenient to my sewing, but kept up and away from the cat. I'd like to say how wonderful it is to see you! Welcome back!!!!
For me, my "bonus space" is a comfy sewing chair and stool by the window. I do a lot of sewing by hand (by choice) so that means a space to do this for long hours in comfort. With a lamp behind me for evening, somewhere to prop my computer to watch UA-cam, and somewhere to put my tools and general requirements like pins (currently the top of one of my fabric crates), I am very comfortable. In addition, I also use one of those mini irons and I love it! I keep all my pressing tools in one of those three-layer Ikea trolleys, with my large steam station/generator iron on the top shelf (allowing for easy movement when regular home ironing is done elsewhere). The advantage of the mini-iron is that it is very quick to heat up when I just have a small seam to press, but also its small size is sometimes better when I need to be very careful and precise with a press and want to get my fingers close without risking steam burns.
I used to have a desk, packed up sewing machine and one laundry basket with my fabrics haphazardly thrown in there. That was when I was 13. I’m 15, brought in an old picnic table with a table cloth, giant ironing board, 2 large shelves with my fabric nicely organized, shelving on and under my desk for my extra fabrics and different trinkets, and my pc nearby for sewing tutorials. My room has been taken over by my love for sewing!
So well put! I absolutely need a charging station/area for my phone, headphones and ipod where i'm watching videos, listening to music or looking up references as I'm sewing. Or when I'm on Reddit taking a break. I'm lucky enough to have (now) a separate sewing room and I had to think of all of this when I moved - from the loungeroom corner to my own beautiful room! Picking a cutting table has been the hardest thing so far.
I use a small bedroom upstairs in the fall and winter into early spring when it’s not hot. We don’t have AC. All the heat rises upstairs. In the hot months I’m at the dining table downstairs, where we have a portable AC. In the cooler months, I love my sewing space, ample storage. I use a dining table ( which takes up one wall of the room) for cutting with a large cutting mat. Under the dining table is most of my fabric storage in bins, and a place to put rolls of tracing paper, and regular paper, and whatever else rolls. I also have storage in the closet, and also a large rolling cart with so many large and small drawers, which hold all my different interfacings and different sized and types of elastics, ribbons, sewing machine needles, hand sewing needles, buttons, zippers, thread, snaps and grommets etc. My sewing space is on the end length of the dining table, where I put an ironing board which is lowered so I can turn my chair and iron. Downstairs isn’t as comfortable to use a sewing space. It’s cooler because of AC, but I’m left handed but the placement of the power plugins are too far away, so I use power strips, which also barely reach. The problem is, I have a golden retriever who has tripped on the power strip cord while I was sewing and caused my sewing desk lamp to crash on the wood floor, breaking it, and the plugin on my sewing machine came out. Because where she walks to drink and eat has a plugin which I use. So I now I put a kitchen towel over the cord so she doesn’t trip. I have my sewing machine on the large cutting mat with some cutting room, then and the wool ironing mat and mini iron on my left of the sewing machine. In the last 6 months, I have started quilting instead of making clothes. For the notions I need, I repurposed a Costco food platter, which was for vegetables. Tall carrots and celery in the tall section in the middle, with small veg in the smaller but 4” high corners. It holds ALL my notions I need when sewing. I use 2 frixion pens, one pencil, bodkin, seam gauge, scissors and rotary cutter in the tall section, different sized sewing needles, chalk, eraser, pre wound bobbins, spools of thread I’m using, and a lot more I can’t remember right now, I’m on vacation. But it’s perfect for my needs.
It's so wonderful to see you so well Evelyn and gracing us with new video's! Thanks for all you do and for your sewing room tour, it was really helpful to see. Hugs from a fellow Aussie sewist! 😄🌷
You asked for sewing room suggestions - here’s what I have added to mine only this week. I purchased a custom size, electric height adjustable desk online. It came this week and I am quite excited and in love. Yes you need to do some assembly but it comes with very clear UA-cam videos. It’s 1800 x 900 mm. I have topped this with a new 5 ply cutting mat of the same size, hence my custom size desk top. Sitting at the desk at its lowest height (60 cms) I will do my pattern work & adjustments. For fabric cutting I will raise it to MY comfortable height. No more aching back. The desk is on lockable wheels, so I can move it, to cut fabric from any side. My desk also comes with a drawer which stores my marking & cutting tools. I did sacrifice some under desk storage in the form of cubby holes etc. but over the years I have made up for it with my IKEA Kallex shelves on the wall for my library and some sewing & ironing tools. I have also installed an IKEA pegboard on the wall above my iron which with various baskets, shelves and hooks now houses my fusible stabilisers, seam roll, clapper etc. From my ironing station, is my sewing machine & overlocker, also on an electric height adjustable desk ( from approximately 3 years ago) which is 1500 x 750 mm. I love it as I can adjust to for height of the sewing decks of my machines. Next to this I have an IKEA set I’d drawers for all the usual stuff one collects and then this adjacent to the wardrobe which holds my steadily reducing fabric stash - I have been purposely whittling this down as I realised for me it’s money sitting on a shelves. Inside the wardrobe, I have a stock, standard two drawer filing cabinet which is my pattern storage. You’ll need more than me! What I love about this, it’s organised! I also use a flexible, Daylight LED bar lamp above my sewing machine, despite the fact it comes with LED lights. This clamps onto the desk. You can get floor models. This works for me. The other thing I did was rip out the carpet and replaced it with hard flooring, so much easier to keep tidy - well you know what I mean 😆 As you can see, over time, my space now works very well for me. It has taken several years. My space is a spare bedroom which is 3 x 3.7 metres. Good luck with your studio space, look forward to seeing what you come up with. Happy to supply photos and suppliers name for desk & mat if this interests you. Finally so happy that you back and well ❤
I finally got a wonderful flow to my sewing room. I think there will always be things we want and things to improve the flow. However right now mine works for me and is enjoyable to be in.
Your opening statement is my living history. Funny now we have a spare bedroom that has become my sewing room...I still sew in the family room, in front of the tv! My cutting table is my island kitchen island bench - very large and helps my back. Tables are too low. So why i have a huge sewing room and dont sew there is a point my husband digs at occasionally - but only because he wants it for his train set!!! LOL and i ADORE that yellow dress!!!
This is great! My wife designed her sewing space much in the same way. Less steps was the vintage way of designing any room to make workflow easier. Everything in its place and purposefully thought out spaces make for a more enjoyable experience!
I bought a new cutting table this week. It’s an adjustable workbench and I’m so happy. My 5ft self has been having a hard time with my current cutting table which is sooo tall, and then regular sized tables cause too much bending and is literally pain in the back. When my husband helped me bring it in though his first words were “… did you really need another table in here though?!” Yes. Yes I do 😂😅 This video makes me want to rearrange but I’m in the middle of costume making 😅
Oh, you are so right! I used to have a dining room but now it's a sewing room. Now I have taken over our enclosed porch with various sewing things. Fortunately, all my family and some of my friends are very far away. Those that don't about me are learning I am a compulsive shopper (all things sewing) they will have to get used to coffee in the kitchen. I love sewing STUFF. I hope you are still feeling great and you look beautiful. Bye
I don't like to be closeted away from the main living area while sewing, so for my new house I have planned an entire wall of 1 metre deep, 2 metre high 'nooks' - cabinets with swing out deep cabinet-doors on casters, with a swing out sewing table, pull out ironing board etc. next to my dining table (which will be my cutting table) so I can fold everything away by closing the doors, and it's tidy (and child proof in case of guests), but I can still sew in the heart of the home while watching TV. ;-) My extra zones would be a basket of necessaries for hand sewing to take to the couch, and embroidery supplies in an old Buffy lunch box. I keep all my haberdashery in an old fold out bar cabinet, and lace and ribbon each have a massive tub in my storeroom for now.
I'm 69 and have been sewing since I was a child. First experience at 6 - putting my mother's sewing machine needle through my thumb! I was not deterred and have been sewing ever since. I'm living in a small space now and I have found that organization is the key. I know where all my supplies are and how to set up for a sewing day. I think I'm a better sewist than I ever was. It's so good to see you Evelyn doing so well! You are a gift!
I remember when my mom sewed our clothes, she would only buy the amount of fabric that she needed to make the garment. The only time I saw the fabric was when it was spread out on the bed with the pattern pieces on top of it. After that, I only saw the finished garment. There was no fabric scraps, no cut thread, no pattern pieces or notions laying around. Now that I look back on that, it really amazes me how clean and simple she kept her sewing. I am aiming to be like that so that I do not become a hoarder. Yes, it is fun buying beautiful fabric but enough is enough. Currently, I have about 40 yards of different fabrics and my goal is to use it all up before purchasing anymore.
@@kristinasullivan8198 Thanks! I gathered a lot of fabric because I am transitioning my entire wardrobe (garments/undergarments) to undyed natural fibers. My main fabric is linen. I despise polyester.
I'm a musician and have a couple of shelves of sheet music iny sewing room. You have made me realize that I don't really need it to be in my sewing room. It's music that I rarely use and it would be so much nicer just to have only what I need for sewing in my sewing room!
The best advice I got was to study how the fabric stores do it. I use the cardboard flaps to use as bolt centres. I measure and wrap the fabrics on each and pin the measurements onto it, so I know if there’s enough for a clothing item. They stand up vertically in an ikea cupboard box that was mounted horizontally.
You have done it again. I've being modifying/refining my sewing space for a couple of years now, getting idea & tips from any source I can find, but mostly from you and one or two others UA-cam channels. It's getting better slowly but you may have just solved my serger problem. As I sit here watching you I can see a space right beside me where mine might work. It's cluttered with stuff I might use in my very small, U-shaped, computer and sewing machine workstation. I am going to contain my excitement and watch the rest of your presentation, but thanks so much for the very first one.
So happy to see you're back dear Evelyn ❤ Your sewing studio is an inspiration. The only thing I didn't see is a full mirror, so you can check what your garment looks on you as you go. Looking forward to more videos, and more advice from you.
My sewing areas are all packed into a very congested room that also doubles as an office and guest bedroom. Luckily it has a walk in closet which is storage for materials, fabric, and costumes. I don't have a table for cutting, so the hall or livingroom floor work for that and my ironing board is where I cut small projects. One area I have which I don't think you mentioned is my space for hand-work. I tend to go put projects into baskets and move them away from the sewing room and into the living room where I have a good light and comfy chair to work on hand sewing at a leisurely pace. It is great to have you back!
The stitch by stitch books are worth their weight in gold. In my crafting life I have lost or given volume one away 3 or 4 times but managed to get another second hand copy every time. Nice to see you back.
Thank you so much for this! Your kitchen table/floor setup description was spot on. As a beginner, I didn’t realize how much space sewing consumed until I found out that my best cutting so far was done by the washing machine 😂 I’ve been feeling a mess breaking down my station every night, the division of different spaces for different tasks is so helpful and encouraging!!
I get that, my best ironing station so far is between the washing machine and the washroom sink, not having to take down the ironing board every time is awesome. And I set up a cutting station on top of my rabbit's crate, which works beautifully till he comes over to help.
Happy to see that my sewing space is set up almost exactly like yours. My cutting table is next to my sewing machine, which is next to my fabric stash, and my ironing board is almost always set up in the middle of the room. These are all great tips!
I have an extra shelf for my laptop, so that it is easily visible from my machine. This is invaluable if I am watching tutorials while I am sewing, and I use it for upbeat, or very soothing, music as I work on my sewing. (The more stressful the work, the more soothing the music. lol) I also have wireless headphones (earpods are uncomfortable for me) since my husband and I share the room at times. I've moved my sewing space quite a bit in the past year, as we settled into our new home. It isn't entirely sorted out, but I'm very pleased to see this video and I think it will help me sort out a few areas that are still challenging. Great video!
I burst in laughter when you showed your fabric stock. It's been several days that I've wanted to organize mine, thinking it's a mess, but I don't have even half of your stock! 😅 By the way, I know you didn't really choose to cut your hair, but this pixie haircut really makes you look like a charming fairy. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
My sewing area is squeezed into my painting studio, sharing space with my easels, and set ups for three students. And some of my art furniture does double duty for sewing purposes. We had an old armoire style tv cabinet that I had my husband drag into the studio for me, about half of it holds yarn and the other half sewing supplies, keeping things hidden, safe from paint, but nearby when I need them. I picked up a couple items from Amazon that have been a big help for me. The first one is a rolling chest of drawers that just fits under my sewing table, it has six drawers I've filled with most to least used items I like to have handy. The most recent purchase is what I use for a cutting table, it has two leaves that fold down, with two shelves that are boxed in. It's about 57x 35 inches, a good fit for my cutting matt. It's 36 inches tall, the first time I've had a cutting table that didn't give me a backache! It's on casters so I can fold it up and roll it out of the way when I'm not sewing. In case anyone is interested I will put links to the table and drawer chest in the reply.
I agree with all the areas. I also agree that the cutting area is a clutter magnet. Lovely video. I moved into a space a third the size of my last sewing room so I’ve had to really decide how I wanted to use the room. It was interesting that you basically went to the same categories of organization. I’m very happy for your recovery.
You are looking healthy and well now. Thankyou for sharing your space. I am in my 80s now and still sewing mainly small craft gifts etc. However as I live in a one bedroom apartment space is quite limited but my dining area is converted into. "workroom. with the objective of storing every thing. My mother who was a sewer and grandmother who was a tailor would still say that I have extra "clutter" but my tools and fabrics keep having offspring. LOL
I kitted out a little IKEA cart with a pegboard and storage boxes to hold my machine and everything else except fabric, patterns, and giant cutting mat. It's great having all my tools on display and to hand, and I can roll it all out to the dining table and roll it away when done. I was so proud of this, but the fabric itself...is a work in progress...
I have an extreme lack of space for my sewing, which is all packed inside my 10'x15' bedroom. I have a very small sewing table, a 4'x6' Cutting table, a few stacked boxes full of folded fabric, a small box, very similar to your lovingly made thread box, full of my tools, threads and notions, and no more cupboard or floor space for anything else. I do have a 4 poster bed on which I have created a rail grid to lay my tube bolted fabric on over my head😏.
Congratulations on your recovery! I'm glad to join you again and to celebrate your renewed good health. I loved this show, and appreciate your honesty in showing us corners that are not in pristine condition. I struggled to design my sewing room and found many beautiful photos of the studios of prolific designers, but they never addressed the biggest issue I have: lack of space for fabric storage. My sewing room is also crowded with my knitting machine and yarn bundles, a surprise addition when a dear friend died and left it to me in her will. I can use it, OR sew, and the cutting table that seemed so wonderful is almost always too cluttered to spread fabric on. I have made inroads on the fabric, however, as I take to heart the advice of a couturier who told me that a fabric hoard has to be regularly curated, to make space for working and for new ideas. She is right! When I look closely at fabrics that are too hideous to think about, or I can't remember why I have them, I can get rid of them with good conscience. I also have a TV and DVD player, for cable TV and for watching DVDs and listening to recorded books. I find it helpful when I have long dull tasks to finish. Another helpful detail is that when I had the sewing room remodeled from the wonky bedroom it had been before, I added electric outlets in clusters of four, at convenient heights: four or five feet from the floor. They are easily accessible even if they don't look fancy. I have a strip bulletin board that is magnetic, handy for hanging pattern instructions and frequently used tips and guides, and photos of planned projects and my late cat Molly, who used to curl up on my feet and purr (nine kilos/19 pounds of purr!) and insisted on test sleeping on quilts in progress. On the walls I have a large mirror, a technical drawing of my first sewing machine, a clock, and a poster depicting Our Lady of Knots, an obscure Celtic saint surrounded by a tangle of cords. Also a lovely photo of my husband taken on a special afternoon, looking sublimely happy. And finally, two large filing cabinets for patterns. I made dividers to coordinate with the sections in pattern books, but they are over full and also need to be "curated."
So happy to see you back. My space has to also include my computer and printer on a desk as it is my office and my sewing room. Unfortunately it is in the half story attic space so only about 10x12 feet and I have 3 sewing machines and a serger in here. My treadle machine is downstairs in the living room. I also store all my fabric and books in here so it is pretty tight but I think I am set up much as you are in zones.
Evelyn this is so helpful. So fun to see all the things and not in an Instagram kind of way. And by the way: I LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair this way! It’s so flattering !❤
1) I ❤ the dress you're wearing! 2) Sometimes I like to go through and reorganize my fabric to remind myself of what I've got (and to just enjoy my fabric 😆). 3) I can't stand visual clutter, but have to label bins, cabinets, and drawers because I tend to forget where I've stored things 🤦♀️. 4) my husband and I used a dining table top to build a custom cutting table at a height that doesn't murder my back (42" bc I'm tall). It has a shelf immediately below the top to quickly move stuff out of the way, and another shelf nearer the floor for my scrap bin and 2 quad Ikea units for storage. The whole thing is on locking wheels so I can move it anywhere I want.
Many quilters use the wool pads and small irons at their sewing machines when making blocks. The wool pad and small iron are very handy for blocks that are eight inches and smaller. And, yes, we quilters have fabric stashes too. Happy sewing and glad to see you well and bock on UA-cam.
Hi Evelyn, I loved this! Your sewing space is wonderful and I'm so happy for you that you are building your dream space. I'm an artist and my studio works in similar ways and I always get a kick out of seeing other creative people's work spaces. Lovely to see your happy face, you look adorable in your pixie ❤❤❤
The only other "space" I can think of is so obvious it goes without thinking about, is "garbage." This mini space is required in almost all the other spaces. Finding good solutions for those little snips and threads makes a world of difference. One big and multiple small ones. I am currently in a bit of a transition, taking back my sewing space, and this has been my biggest area of concern. I will find the right flow again because I know it worked before. Lol
Hello Evelyn!! You bring so much joy, happiness, knowledge, & encouragement -- thank you!! You look lovely & that alone brings on a huge smile - congratulations on many levels, but especially on your recovery👏🤗
I'm so happy that you're well!
I'd love to see a report on irons! Thanks for all the hints!
Bonus spaces: A soft cosy loungechair for handsewing. And space for a dressform.
Congratulations on your recovery!
You look great and that pixie hairstyle is super on you! Thank you for sharing your workspace with us.
Yes to the iron videos. I love them!
Hi Evelyn, it is so lovely to see you back and looking so well, I have missed your sewing tutorials. After seeing your earlier podcast, you have obviously been through a tough couple of years. I am sure that what your body has gone through, it is going to take time to get back feeling truly normal, and we all feel we can do more than we actually can. I wish you well and very glad to see you back on UA-cam. Take care and don’t overdo it. Xx
Only a few minutes in but yes, I'd love to see more on the irons!
Me too.
Me too, definitely! I had always thought a Rowenta would be the best all round iron. I finally got one and I’m disappointed as it leaks water when you start it up and makes such a mess that I have to keep a hand sized terry towel at my ironing board continuously. Please do a review.
“The cutting space….or, the dumping ground.” 😂 That is SO TRUE!
We all need one! 😅
Great to see you back, hope you’re well🎉
Seeing all your fabric, makes me feel better about mine. Lol.
I have my karaoke space in my sewing room. Who doesn't sing while sewing?
I'm in love with that dress.
And the earrings!!
❤❤ great to hear and see you again. Organized? Life long ambition.😂 Thank you for the advice!
hahhahaha for all of us and ever ongoing! 🤣
I've come to the realization I am NOT a garment sewer. I just live vicariously through your videos! I do quilt, so some of your info holds true for that, as well. Your beauty just keeps shining on and as others have commented, love your gorgeous presence (especially the cute, cute, cute hair!). My comfy spot in my sewing room has been taken over by a long arm 😂.
Thank you for this! You gave me some great tips for my room. My wild card would be my non-sewing creativity supplies, because I dabble in too many other hobbies 😬 Painting, fiber arts, etc. Some are in a storage room but the basics are in my sewing room closet. The keys to my sanity are containers and I love all your little drawers. -Addie
I can totally relate. Its too hard to stick to one thing! My sewing (etc) area is in no way as tidy as Evelyns!
So good to see you looking so well , miss watching your videos ❤
Agree
Thank you, I never considered these things. My wild card area is somewhere for my pets to sit to keep me company, and a section for works in progress, while I wait for notions to arrive, as I order on a job by job basis
I love that your pets have a special place! Mine too but I completely for got about my little Esmes space in my room!
As someone dealing with their own medical issues to see you, thriving gives me sooo much hope!!! #wererootingForYou
🥰🥰🥰 Sending you all my healing love!
@@Evelyn__Wood Thank you Teacher!
A place to put my cup / glass. Iced tea in summer, hot tea or chocolate in winter.
So lovely to see you back. Take care of yourself.
It's so nice seeing you! I have started sewing again after many years because a wardrobe with fast fashion no longer appeals to me. I used to sew ALL my clothes in school, and even made my wedding dress. When my FAVORITE T-shirt started to fray at the seam and hem a few months ago, I realized how cheaply made more than HALF of my wardrobe is! I am sewing on my dining room table, with my ironing board next to me, and loving it.
Yes!!! I love that you've come back to sewing, and prioritize your ironing board beside you! Makes all the difference when it close right!
This is me except never sewing before I have been noticing how quickly all my clothing falls apart it's insane! Wearing even "brand name" items they've dropped in quality so much! I literally paid 100 dollars for a pair of Nike air force onew and they split by the little toe after Like 6 or 9 months!
@@heritagehooks24 I learned how to sew in Home Economics and made an apron and a skirt. The rest is all self-taught and what the pattern directions have said. Of course, I JUST couldn't figure out WHY my interfacing never laid nice and flat until I figured out that clipping around the curve was a must! I am so pleased that UA-cam is a wealth of knowledge for techniques and short cuts from other sewists. Good luck to you!
@@connie6545 I still have the apron from my Home Ec class in grade 8 (in Canada). 😊
Welcome back Evelyn ❤ My wild card extra area is my relaxation /mental well-being area. I have a rocking chair and my favourite things around. The lovely music on my play list is playing and this is my happy place to hand sew create and plan my next project ideas. It is truly ny happy place
Well being, yes, Photos and things from my best friend, Mom (made all our clothes). Helps me everyday, in every way.
Hi Evelyn, this is a beautiful dress. It looks like it came from a high end boutique, but I assume you made it yourself - lovely.
I have similar areas in my sewing room. Additionally I also have a seating area in front of the window with two armchairs and a coffee table which is a perfect place for knitting, crocheting or handstitching. I also plan to make a video of my retro sewing room. 😊
Wha a pleasure to see you again Evelyn ! With your new hair cut you look 10 years younger ! Your new sewing space is very cosy and i love the corner dedicated to your sewing books. I am very lucky to have a sewing space too, made by my husband in our attic, and I also have a space for books for sewing, knitting and embroidery , some of them dating back to the time my mother was learning sewing. I love your videos
It’s so wonderful seeing you so perky and refreshed. You look absolutely beautiful, Evelyn! Like you, I do have stations that have evolved over time. Your comment about how we start out in sewing made me laugh out loud. Flash back over 4 decades ago when I had a newborn and a toddler. We had just purchased our very first formal dining room furniture and that room was easily gated off from the rest of our home to keep little fingers away from pins and scissors. My husband used to tease me about our gorgeous dining room table being covered with fabric, thread, scraps, and my sewing machine. Now my dedicated sewing room is my happy place. We still have the same dining room furniture but now we actually use that space to entertain and eat.
hahaha It's a good motivator to get a sewing room right, you actually then get to have guests over to entertain! 😆
You remind me of the little fingers that used to love to play with my colored thread spools! Sometimes I had to throw them out after they were drooled upon too much. Ick. But a happy time for all.
Hello. I'm a big fan and actually had a cancer experience at pretty much the same time as yours. I am doing very well and so happy that you are too. My wildcard item in my sewing room is an accommodation that I use because I have low vision. I am well past legally blind and so when I need to see something really small, like the eye of a needle or some tiny stitches I need to remove, I put my phone on a mount and use the very powerful zoom app. I just figured this out a few years ago and I'm so thrilled I no longer have to call for help when I want to change my thread! I also have my machine up on a custom made box so I don't have to lean down to get my eyes close to the action. My hubby made it and it also has a drawer and a slide out for extra surface. Thank you for your informative and always very positive videos - the world needs more people like you!
My extra personalized space that is essential for my sewing is places for my pups! They are an integral part of my creativity! Plus Im certain dog hair is a must-be-included part of garment making 😂
Oh right!! How could I forget my little Esmes specially made cushion and spot on the floor!
I’ve always said: “Are you even dressed without dog hair?” 😂😂😂
*I miss my doggy, I lost my 13.5yo baby just over a month ago and it’s devastating, but I love watching doggy and sewing videos to make me smile again!
I quilt and I too have a four legged site supervisor. Each of my quilts have a little bit of dog fur somewhere in them!!
You just helped me realise that a designated "dumping ground" - away from sewing table and ironing station - is a thing and I need to make one, instead thinking I will be good and do better and not dumping everything all over my small sewing table.
Yes, I love this! Creating spaces for the way we actually work rather than for an ideal, yet unrealistic workflow. We all need a "dumping ground", and crafting one that helps us stay organised can be so helpful!
This is so helpful to think about! I (mostly) have these spaces, although my fabric and haberdashery is jumbled together. But I need to re-organize and it's been overwhelming to think about, so your video is well-timed for me.
I would LOVE to see videos on new irons, and seeing you go through each of your spaces organizing/re-organizing (it'll be motivational for me)!
😄 Having you say that would be motivating for you, actually makes it motivating for me to make that video!
If anyone deserves a dream sewing studio, it's you. Crossing my fingers and toes for you.
My bonus space: I have two small ones. First, an area for my speaker and phone/ music and podcasts, and then second, a designated cat bed (otherwise he'll sit on whatever I'm sewing!)
My bonus area contains yarns, knitting needles & crochet hooks, my ball winder and my yarn swift. So nice to see you looking rested and healthier!
L.O.V.E your haircut, SUPER cuteness!!!🥰
Sorry completely of topic but had to let you know!
Yes it is
Yes! She looks adorable in short hair! ❤️
I have a large dining table, that I use, when I draw and cut my designs, and a hole room in the house, as my hobby room. I sew, knit, and a lot of other crafty things.
I must say, that hearing your voice and seeing your beautiful smile, brings back a longing to go back to Australia. A huge part of my heart, still lives in Australia ❤
What a wonderful and timely video! My sewing space needs to share space with my crochet/knitting space. It's a bit chaotic at the moment, so I need to come up with a plan to establish a harmonious coexistence for them. Additionally, I would LOVE a video going over your explorations of different ironing set-ups. I've been contemplating getting a new iron, but it may be more practical to simply add one of those mini irons to my repertoire, rather than chucking my quite serviceable full size one. The smaller one would be especially helpful for quilting, I believe.
Iron videos: yes please!
When my husband needed the guest/sewing room for Zoom teaching when the pandemic hit. I needed to decommission my sewing area.
Now I take out my machine and all the gear when I sew, and I actually prefer it. I sew in spurts so it works well for me. Sometimes I sew at the kitchen table, sometimes on a table in the TV room and in spring I love to sew out on the patio. The only issue with this arrangement is thread and fabric bits in the dining room/TV room/patio area. 😜
The dress you're wearing is adorable. Love the trim on it. And great info about sewing space.
Designing a sewing room reminds me of designing a kitchen. You have a work triangle that needs to be thought through. Cutting table, ironing and sewing machine = fridge, stove and sink.
Just started organizing my space! Perfect timing for the video :)
Fortunately I’m able to commit an extra bedroom to my sewing room. MY SANCTUARY!
You look great, I’m so glad you’re back and I hope you’re feeling better!
One thing I have to contend with is a large white Maine Coon cat that loves to clear the flat surfaces as a form of entertainment and attention getting. Hence, I have been working on storing as little as possible on flat surfaces, lol. I solved one of my storage issues with fabric and yarn by putting a lot of it into IP67 plastic tubs. They are clear and gasketed so I can store them in our sometimes wet basement without fear of harm. I keep them on wheeled wire racks, so when I need to get something, I can see what I'm looking for. That freed up so much room in the sewing area, and made everything a lot easier to find. I keep some of my haberdashery in vintage Wil-hold sewing boxes, and some in plastic bins and drawers in the closet in the sewing area. Everything is clearly labeled, which I find is essential, otherwise I'm opening every container trying to find stuff. Last year, after a two years of waiting, I finally got new wall-mounted shelves and Ikea peg boards installed. They allow me to keep all my tools covenient to my sewing, but kept up and away from the cat. I'd like to say how wonderful it is to see you! Welcome back!!!!
So nice to see you back and well Evelyn. Very necessary video. We all need ao sewing space that flows and works well. Thank you!
There is good reason for a sewing room.
For me, my "bonus space" is a comfy sewing chair and stool by the window. I do a lot of sewing by hand (by choice) so that means a space to do this for long hours in comfort. With a lamp behind me for evening, somewhere to prop my computer to watch UA-cam, and somewhere to put my tools and general requirements like pins (currently the top of one of my fabric crates), I am very comfortable.
In addition, I also use one of those mini irons and I love it! I keep all my pressing tools in one of those three-layer Ikea trolleys, with my large steam station/generator iron on the top shelf (allowing for easy movement when regular home ironing is done elsewhere). The advantage of the mini-iron is that it is very quick to heat up when I just have a small seam to press, but also its small size is sometimes better when I need to be very careful and precise with a press and want to get my fingers close without risking steam burns.
I used to have a desk, packed up sewing machine and one laundry basket with my fabrics haphazardly thrown in there. That was when I was 13. I’m 15, brought in an old picnic table with a table cloth, giant ironing board, 2 large shelves with my fabric nicely organized, shelving on and under my desk for my extra fabrics and different trinkets, and my pc nearby for sewing tutorials. My room has been taken over by my love for sewing!
So well put! I absolutely need a charging station/area for my phone, headphones and ipod where i'm watching videos, listening to music or looking up references as I'm sewing. Or when I'm on Reddit taking a break. I'm lucky enough to have (now) a separate sewing room and I had to think of all of this when I moved - from the loungeroom corner to my own beautiful room! Picking a cutting table has been the hardest thing so far.
I use a small bedroom upstairs in the fall and winter into early spring when it’s not hot. We don’t have AC. All the heat rises upstairs. In the hot months I’m at the dining table downstairs, where we have a portable AC.
In the cooler months, I love my sewing space, ample storage. I use a dining table ( which takes up one wall of the room) for cutting with a large cutting mat. Under the dining table is most of my fabric storage in bins, and a place to put rolls of tracing paper, and regular paper, and whatever else rolls. I also have storage in the closet, and also a large rolling cart with so many large and small drawers, which hold all my different interfacings and different sized and types of elastics, ribbons, sewing machine needles, hand sewing needles, buttons, zippers, thread, snaps and grommets etc.
My sewing space is on the end length of the dining table, where I put an ironing board which is lowered so I can turn my chair and iron.
Downstairs isn’t as comfortable to use a sewing space. It’s cooler because of AC, but I’m left handed but the placement of the power plugins are too far away, so I use power strips, which also barely reach. The problem is, I have a golden retriever who has tripped on the power strip cord while I was sewing and caused my sewing desk lamp to crash on the wood floor, breaking it, and the plugin on my sewing machine came out. Because where she walks to drink and eat has a plugin which I use. So I now I put a kitchen towel over the cord so she doesn’t trip. I have my sewing machine on the large cutting mat with some cutting room, then and the wool ironing mat and mini iron on my left of the sewing machine.
In the last 6 months, I have started quilting instead of making clothes.
For the notions I need, I repurposed a Costco food platter, which was for vegetables. Tall carrots and celery in the tall section in the middle, with small veg in the smaller but 4” high corners. It holds ALL my notions I need when sewing. I use 2 frixion pens, one pencil, bodkin, seam gauge, scissors and rotary cutter in the tall section, different sized sewing needles, chalk, eraser, pre wound bobbins, spools of thread I’m using, and a lot more I can’t remember right now, I’m on vacation. But it’s perfect for my needs.
It's so wonderful to see you so well Evelyn and gracing us with new video's! Thanks for all you do and for your sewing room tour, it was really helpful to see. Hugs from a fellow Aussie sewist! 😄🌷
You asked for sewing room suggestions - here’s what I have added to mine only this week.
I purchased a custom size, electric height adjustable desk online. It came this week and I am quite excited and in love. Yes you need to do some assembly but it comes with very clear UA-cam videos. It’s 1800 x 900 mm. I have topped this with a new 5 ply cutting mat of the same size, hence my custom size desk top. Sitting at the desk at its lowest height (60 cms) I will do my pattern work & adjustments. For fabric cutting I will raise it to MY comfortable height. No more aching back. The desk is on lockable wheels, so I can move it, to cut fabric from any side. My desk also comes with a drawer which stores my marking & cutting tools.
I did sacrifice some under desk storage in the form of cubby holes etc. but over the years I have made up for it with my IKEA Kallex shelves on the wall for my library and some sewing & ironing tools.
I have also installed an IKEA pegboard on the wall above my iron which with various baskets, shelves and hooks now houses my fusible stabilisers, seam roll, clapper etc.
From my ironing station, is my sewing machine & overlocker, also on an electric height adjustable desk ( from approximately 3 years ago) which is 1500 x 750 mm. I love it as I can adjust to for height of the sewing decks of my machines. Next to this I have an IKEA set I’d drawers for all the usual stuff one collects and then this adjacent to the wardrobe which holds my steadily reducing fabric stash - I have been purposely whittling this down as I realised for me it’s money sitting on a shelves. Inside the wardrobe, I have a stock, standard two drawer filing cabinet which is my pattern storage. You’ll need more than me! What I love about this, it’s organised!
I also use a flexible, Daylight LED bar lamp above my sewing machine, despite the fact it comes with LED lights. This clamps onto the desk. You can get floor models. This works for me.
The other thing I did was rip out the carpet and replaced it with hard flooring, so much easier to keep tidy - well you know what I mean 😆
As you can see, over time, my space now works very well for me. It has taken several years.
My space is a spare bedroom which is 3 x 3.7 metres.
Good luck with your studio space, look forward to seeing what you come up with. Happy to supply photos and suppliers name for desk & mat if this interests you.
Finally so happy that you back and well ❤
I finally got a wonderful flow to my sewing room. I think there will always be things we want and things to improve the flow. However right now mine works for me and is enjoyable to be in.
Your opening statement is my living history. Funny now we have a spare bedroom that has become my sewing room...I still sew in the family room, in front of the tv! My cutting table is my island kitchen island bench - very large and helps my back. Tables are too low. So why i have a huge sewing room and dont sew there is a point my husband digs at occasionally - but only because he wants it for his train set!!! LOL and i ADORE that yellow dress!!!
This is great! My wife designed her sewing space much in the same way. Less steps was the vintage way of designing any room to make workflow easier. Everything in its place and purposefully thought out spaces make for a more enjoyable experience!
I bought a new cutting table this week. It’s an adjustable workbench and I’m so happy. My 5ft self has been having a hard time with my current cutting table which is sooo tall, and then regular sized tables cause too much bending and is literally pain in the back.
When my husband helped me bring it in though his first words were “… did you really need another table in here though?!”
Yes. Yes I do 😂😅
This video makes me want to rearrange but I’m in the middle of costume making 😅
Oh, you are so right! I used to have a dining room but now it's a sewing room. Now I have taken over our enclosed porch with various sewing things. Fortunately, all my family and some of my friends are very far away. Those that don't about me are learning I am a compulsive shopper (all things sewing) they will have to get used to coffee in the kitchen. I love sewing STUFF. I hope you are still feeling great and you look beautiful. Bye
I don't like to be closeted away from the main living area while sewing, so for my new house I have planned an entire wall of 1 metre deep, 2 metre high 'nooks' - cabinets with swing out deep cabinet-doors on casters, with a swing out sewing table, pull out ironing board etc. next to my dining table (which will be my cutting table) so I can fold everything away by closing the doors, and it's tidy (and child proof in case of guests), but I can still sew in the heart of the home while watching TV. ;-)
My extra zones would be a basket of necessaries for hand sewing to take to the couch, and embroidery supplies in an old Buffy lunch box. I keep all my haberdashery in an old fold out bar cabinet, and lace and ribbon each have a massive tub in my storeroom for now.
I'm 69 and have been sewing since I was a child. First experience at 6 - putting my mother's sewing machine needle through my thumb! I was not deterred and have been sewing ever since. I'm living in a small space now and I have found that organization is the key. I know where all my supplies are and how to set up for a sewing day. I think I'm a better sewist than I ever was.
It's so good to see you Evelyn doing so well! You are a gift!
I remember when my mom sewed our clothes, she would only buy the amount of fabric that she needed to make the garment. The only time I saw the fabric was when it was spread out on the bed with the pattern pieces on top of it. After that, I only saw the finished garment. There was no fabric scraps, no cut thread, no pattern pieces or notions laying around. Now that I look back on that, it really amazes me how clean and simple she kept her sewing. I am aiming to be like that so that I do not become a hoarder. Yes, it is fun buying beautiful fabric but enough is enough. Currently, I have about 40 yards of different fabrics and my goal is to use it all up before purchasing anymore.
Only 40 yards?! You are doing very well. It is not intentional hoarding, it just happens...
@@kristinasullivan8198 Thanks! I gathered a lot of fabric because I am transitioning my entire wardrobe (garments/undergarments) to undyed natural fibers. My main fabric is linen. I despise polyester.
I'm a musician and have a couple of shelves of sheet music iny sewing room. You have made me realize that I don't really need it to be in my sewing room. It's music that I rarely use and it would be so much nicer just to have only what I need for sewing in my sewing room!
I'm so glad you're back. I miss your videos.
The best advice I got was to study how the fabric stores do it. I use the cardboard flaps to use as bolt centres. I measure and wrap the fabrics on each and pin the measurements onto it, so I know if there’s enough for a clothing item. They stand up vertically in an ikea cupboard box that was mounted horizontally.
I am so happy to see you back at it!!! Congratulations!!
You have done it again. I've being modifying/refining my sewing space for a couple of years now, getting idea & tips from any source I can find, but mostly from you and one or two others UA-cam channels. It's getting better slowly but you may have just solved my serger problem. As I sit here watching you I can see a space right beside me where mine might work. It's cluttered with stuff I might use in my very small, U-shaped, computer and sewing machine workstation. I am going to contain my excitement and watch the rest of your presentation, but thanks so much for the very first one.
So happy to see you're back dear Evelyn ❤
Your sewing studio is an inspiration. The only thing I didn't see is a full mirror, so you can check what your garment looks on you as you go.
Looking forward to more videos, and more advice from you.
You look so beautiful in your yellow dress and those pockets are amazing!
My sewing areas are all packed into a very congested room that also doubles as an office and guest bedroom. Luckily it has a walk in closet which is storage for materials, fabric, and costumes. I don't have a table for cutting, so the hall or livingroom floor work for that and my ironing board is where I cut small projects.
One area I have which I don't think you mentioned is my space for hand-work. I tend to go put projects into baskets and move them away from the sewing room and into the living room where I have a good light and comfy chair to work on hand sewing at a leisurely pace.
It is great to have you back!
The stitch by stitch books are worth their weight in gold. In my crafting life I have lost or given volume one away 3 or 4 times but managed to get another second hand copy every time. Nice to see you back.
Ah yes my wish also. I also hoard yarn for knitting. Small apartment, big dreams. Always hunting.
Miss Evelyn it's nice to see you feeling so well but could you make a video about pinning which way is right vertical or horizontally
Thank you so much for this! Your kitchen table/floor setup description was spot on. As a beginner, I didn’t realize how much space sewing consumed until I found out that my best cutting so far was done by the washing machine 😂 I’ve been feeling a mess breaking down my station every night, the division of different spaces for different tasks is so helpful and encouraging!!
I get that, my best ironing station so far is between the washing machine and the washroom sink, not having to take down the ironing board every time is awesome. And I set up a cutting station on top of my rabbit's crate, which works beautifully till he comes over to help.
Wonderful that you are doing so well and so lovely to have you back making videos for us.
Happy to see that my sewing space is set up almost exactly like yours. My cutting table is next to my sewing machine, which is next to my fabric stash, and my ironing board is almost always set up in the middle of the room. These are all great tips!
Great to have your intelligence and wisdom back.
I have an extra shelf for my laptop, so that it is easily visible from my machine. This is invaluable if I am watching tutorials while I am sewing, and I use it for upbeat, or very soothing, music as I work on my sewing. (The more stressful the work, the more soothing the music. lol) I also have wireless headphones (earpods are uncomfortable for me) since my husband and I share the room at times. I've moved my sewing space quite a bit in the past year, as we settled into our new home. It isn't entirely sorted out, but I'm very pleased to see this video and I think it will help me sort out a few areas that are still challenging. Great video!
You are such a ray of sunshine. I’m so happy that you are well and back with us. God bless you Evelyn!
I burst in laughter when you showed your fabric stock. It's been several days that I've wanted to organize mine, thinking it's a mess, but I don't have even half of your stock! 😅
By the way, I know you didn't really choose to cut your hair, but this pixie haircut really makes you look like a charming fairy. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
That room is fantastic. I only have a tiny summer house 😊
My sewing area is squeezed into my painting studio, sharing space with my easels, and set ups for three students. And some of my art furniture does double duty for sewing purposes. We had an old armoire style tv cabinet that I had my husband drag into the studio for me, about half of it holds yarn and the other half sewing supplies, keeping things hidden, safe from paint, but nearby when I need them. I picked up a couple items from Amazon that have been a big help for me. The first one is a rolling chest of drawers that just fits under my sewing table, it has six drawers I've filled with most to least used items I like to have handy. The most recent purchase is what I use for a cutting table, it has two leaves that fold down, with two shelves that are boxed in. It's about 57x 35 inches, a good fit for my cutting matt. It's 36 inches tall, the first time I've had a cutting table that didn't give me a backache! It's on casters so I can fold it up and roll it out of the way when I'm not sewing. In case anyone is interested I will put links to the table and drawer chest in the reply.
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I agree with all the areas. I also agree that the cutting area is a clutter magnet. Lovely video. I moved into a space a third the size of my last sewing room so I’ve had to really decide how I wanted to use the room. It was interesting that you basically went to the same categories of organization. I’m very happy for your recovery.
This video says that Evelyn Wood is back. Focused, on track and kicking butt.
Nicely done.
This is Saturday Bliss for me! Thank-you!
You are looking healthy and well now. Thankyou for sharing your space. I am in my 80s now and still sewing mainly small craft gifts etc. However as I live in a one bedroom apartment space is quite limited but my dining area is converted into. "workroom. with the objective of storing every thing. My mother who was a sewer and grandmother who was a tailor would still say that I have extra "clutter" but my tools and fabrics keep having offspring. LOL
I kitted out a little IKEA cart with a pegboard and storage boxes to hold my machine and everything else except fabric, patterns, and giant cutting mat. It's great having all my tools on display and to hand, and I can roll it all out to the dining table and roll it away when done. I was so proud of this, but the fabric itself...is a work in progress...
Oooo, I would love to see the process of you creating your own personal sewing studio!
I have an extreme lack of space for my sewing, which is all packed inside my 10'x15' bedroom.
I have a very small sewing table, a 4'x6' Cutting table, a few stacked boxes full of folded fabric, a small box, very similar to your lovingly made thread box, full of my tools, threads and notions, and no more cupboard or floor space for anything else.
I do have a 4 poster bed on which I have created a
rail grid to lay my tube bolted fabric on over my head😏.
So good to see and hear from you- You look beautifully healthy! I’m always trying to find ways to make my little attic sewing space work better!
You look great and beautiful. Welcome back
Congratulations on your recovery! I'm glad to join you again and to celebrate your renewed good health.
I loved this show, and appreciate your honesty in showing us corners that are not in pristine condition. I struggled to design my sewing room and found many beautiful photos of the studios of prolific designers, but they never addressed the biggest issue I have: lack of space for fabric storage. My sewing room is also crowded with my knitting machine and yarn bundles, a surprise addition when a dear friend died and left it to me in her will. I can use it, OR sew, and the cutting table that seemed so wonderful is almost always too cluttered to spread fabric on. I have made inroads on the fabric, however, as I take to heart the advice of a couturier who told me that a fabric hoard has to be regularly curated, to make space for working and for new ideas. She is right! When I look closely at fabrics that are too hideous to think about, or I can't remember why I have them, I can get rid of them with good conscience.
I also have a TV and DVD player, for cable TV and for watching DVDs and listening to recorded books. I find it helpful when I have long dull tasks to finish. Another helpful detail is that when I had the sewing room remodeled from the wonky bedroom it had been before, I added electric outlets in clusters of four, at convenient heights: four or five feet from the floor. They are easily accessible even if they don't look fancy. I have a strip bulletin board that is magnetic, handy for hanging pattern instructions and frequently used tips and guides, and photos of planned projects and my late cat Molly, who used to curl up on my feet and purr (nine kilos/19 pounds of purr!) and insisted on test sleeping on quilts in progress. On the walls I have a large mirror, a technical drawing of my first sewing machine, a clock, and a poster depicting Our Lady of Knots, an obscure Celtic saint surrounded by a tangle of cords. Also a lovely photo of my husband taken on a special afternoon, looking sublimely happy. And finally, two large filing cabinets for patterns. I made dividers to coordinate with the sections in pattern books, but they are over full and also need to be "curated."
She's back! She posted!
I'm so happy you're here!
Very helpful video. Organizing is my jam, so loved this. Have to add you look healthy and lovely.
So good to see you again. We all want you to get your sewing studio and show us! : )
So happy to see you back. My space has to also include my computer and printer on a desk as it is my office and my sewing room. Unfortunately it is in the half story attic space so only about 10x12 feet and I have 3 sewing machines and a serger in here. My treadle machine is downstairs in the living room. I also store all my fabric and books in here so it is pretty tight but I think I am set up much as you are in zones.
I am so very happy you are well beautiful Evelyn ..
Thank you for sharing your love for sewing!!!🧵
Evelyn this is so helpful. So fun to see all the things and not in an Instagram kind of way. And by the way: I LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair this way! It’s so flattering !❤
I really need to organise my extremely messy sewing room and overflow storage area. You look fantastic Evelyn. ❤
As do I. I take my life in my hands whenever I try to walk in my sewing room.
1) I ❤ the dress you're wearing! 2) Sometimes I like to go through and reorganize my fabric to remind myself of what I've got (and to just enjoy my fabric 😆). 3) I can't stand visual clutter, but have to label bins, cabinets, and drawers because I tend to forget where I've stored things 🤦♀️. 4) my husband and I used a dining table top to build a custom cutting table at a height that doesn't murder my back (42" bc I'm tall). It has a shelf immediately below the top to quickly move stuff out of the way, and another shelf nearer the floor for my scrap bin and 2 quad Ikea units for storage. The whole thing is on locking wheels so I can move it anywhere I want.
It is such an immense pleasure to have you back making videos. You’re looking well and I am so pleased. Hello from Canada.
Many quilters use the wool pads and small irons at their sewing machines when making blocks. The wool pad and small iron are very handy for blocks that are eight inches and smaller. And, yes, we quilters have fabric stashes too.
Happy sewing and glad to see you well and bock on UA-cam.
Hi Evelyn, I loved this! Your sewing space is wonderful and I'm so happy for you that you are building your dream space. I'm an artist and my studio works in similar ways and I always get a kick out of seeing other creative people's work spaces. Lovely to see your happy face, you look adorable in your pixie ❤❤❤
The only other "space" I can think of is so obvious it goes without thinking about, is "garbage." This mini space is required in almost all the other spaces. Finding good solutions for those little snips and threads makes a world of difference. One big and multiple small ones. I am currently in a bit of a transition, taking back my sewing space, and this has been my biggest area of concern. I will find the right flow again because I know it worked before. Lol
Hello Evelyn!! You bring so much joy, happiness, knowledge, & encouragement -- thank you!!
You look lovely & that alone brings on a huge smile - congratulations on many levels, but especially on your recovery👏🤗
Thankyou so much ! 🥰