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My Sewing Studio Tour-The Reveal!

| Filed Under: Fabric, Sewing Studio, Tutorials

OMG.  I finally am posting pictures of my new sewing studio.  It’s about time, right?  I only moved into it 5 months ago.  So just to forewarn you, this post is long.  And I mean LONG.  Aaaand picture heavy….very picture heavy.  But I wanted to try to give you the best tour possible since this is my new favorite place to be…my happy place, yes ma’am, that is what this is 🙂 And I am over the moon to share it with you…finally!

Okay, so when I first started sewing (3 years ago…dang, that seems so long ago!) I started off in our kitchen at our trusty kitchen table.  Over time, I moved to the rarely used formal dining room and took that baby over.  Then, last spring in my nesting frenzy in that last trimester before Oliver was born I asked my husband if I could take over our formal living room and make it over into my sewing studio since my business had really taken off like crazy this last year and it was getting so overwhelming to create in such a cramped space.  He didn’t even hesitate and said yes right away like the awesome guy he is and so we started mapping the room out for my big move 🙂

Honestly, our living room was such an useless space.  We never used this room for anything but opening presents on Christmas day.  I often wonder why they still offer “living rooms” when they build new homes.  We entertain a lot and never once do we ever hang out in the living room, family room yes, but living room, no!  And with four kids and our bedrooms maxed out, it seemed silly to have such a huge room in our house going unused, what a waste!  So maybe that is an option for you? Maybe?

The first thing we did was move my Billy bookcases from Ikea (on the left in the picture) into the new room and bolt them to the wall.  We have little kids, so this is an absolute must!  Then Mr. Smashed Peas offered to build me a shelving unit just for my ever growing collection of large bolts I use in my shop.  He cranked that baby out in two days…he is so awesome, isn’t he!  This unit is built so well and can hold so many bolts, I love it!   Whenever I look at it I feel like I am in a fabric store 🙂
This corner of the room is my workspace.  Oh, I love it!  The space to cut fabric, figure out fabric placement, and just plain create is amazing. 
We bought one of these desks from Ikea years ago when we first were married although I looked online and they don’t sell this particular model anymore (the Malm). And then as if the stars were aligned when I was moving into my new space, I found a second one on Craigslist only 25 minutes from my house and for only $30!  Score and yay!  I love the depth of the desk, it fits my 24 x 36″ cutting mat with lots of room to spare and is the perfect size for cutting right off the bolt.  I jutted one against the other in the corner and use the extra space for extra bolts 🙂 Yay space!
Ok, so back to my fabric storage.  Let’s see…ok, the Billy bookcases (I talked more about those here when I first bought them) are filled with all my mini fabric bolts which are just smaller cuts of fabric that I folded around archival quality comic book boards (see this post for more on that!) 
Oooh, pretty!
I also have little baskets full of fat quarters and vintage linens.  I bought a few glass jars to display my vintage lace finds from random flea market trips.  And I have some woven CD storage baskets for holding paper patterns.
I also bought a whole bunch of Kassett CD and DVD storage boxes at Ikea (I changed the green out for white ones as I love the clean look of them) for my sewing notions that I don’t use all the time.  My stash of velcro, elastics, zippers, etc. etc. as well as my stash of charm packs. Yes, these CD storage boxes fit charm packs perfectly!
I love these worn metal letters, they are the perfect bookcase decor 🙂 I found them at Hobby Lobby when they were on sale for 40% off!
I had Mr. Smashed Peas bolt a few mason jars to the side of my custom built shelving unit just cause I love me some extra storage.  I keep bias tape scraps in one, cause you never know what project or gift wrapping might need a little something, something.  The far upper one holds glues that I don’t want the kids to reach easily.  Pretty pens for sketching in another. And the last has cute handmade flowers the Noah and Penelope made for me last Mother’s Day.
Alright, ready for more?  
Above my workspace I refabbed an old picture frame into an inspiration/list/organization board complete with some of my favorite Amy Butler fabrics. 
And I hung up a bunch of my favorite fabrics in embroidery hoops cause I think they look so pretty that way, they just get my creative juices flowing.
I also hung a mini pennant inside an empty yellow frame for more color pop and I found the mirror on clearance at Hobby Lobby and spray painted it a pretty blue. The McCall’s Easy Sewing Guide was just asking to be hung in my studio too, I love the vintage-y feel of it.
I searched high and low under-the-desk storage and finally decided on the Helmer from Ikea.  The drawers are super deep and I love the amount of goodies they hold.  I still remember my friend Amy and I doing a girl’s trip to Ikea this summer when I was 8 months pregnant.  She helped big ‘ol pregnant me haul two of these units plus shelving home 🙂  I put both of them together that night when I came home and in less than two hours!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I found this awesome chair at a garage sale for $4 this past summer.  I was going to spray paint it but decided that I loved the old scuffed up look too much to hide it. 
Against the far wall are my machines.  I use a Brother CS6000i and a Singer 14SH654 serger.  They are both workhorses and it’s so nice having them right next to each other as opposed to opposite ends of my dining room table like before.  I feel like I can get twice the amount of sewing done with this set up.

I found this really cool tiered wire basket at a flea market and thought it would be perfect to hold my fabric scraps in while I cut patterns out.

I made this bobbin holder (for less than a dollar, woot!) for a functional yet pretty way to access the thread colors I use most often. That way I’m not having to dig in my drawers for the bobbins I need.  Tutorial here!
And you might remember my Vintage Crib Makeover from this post here.  I have it placed right next to my workspace so I can keep an eye on Oliver while he plays or naps.  In a few months when he outgrows it, it will probably become more fabric storage…yay for a second life!

Mr. Smashed Peas helped me put up my shelving from my 8 months pregnant Ikea trip and I went to town decorating it with lots of pretty things 🙂

This is my very cherished drawing from Heather Ross 🙂  I was so excited to finally have a place to showcase it!  She is by far one of my most favorite fabric designers and artists out there and her book, Weekend Sewing, was the very first sewing book I ever purchased.
My life word is “Joy”…and I love the mantra, “Choose Joy”.  There is nothing better in life than to look at it with joy-filled eyes.  I wrote this word on a chalkboard in my studio to keep me looking forward to all the wonderful things God has planned for me.  
I love vintage mason jars and use them throughout my studio for storage of empty bobbins, buttons, twine, etc.
I found these galvanized buckets at the dollar spot at Target a year or so ago and figured they would serve a purpose one day.  So now they hold many of my spools of ribbon. 
I use a funky metal bread box for more storage, sorry I didn’t lift the lid!  Inside is my stash of ric rac and various other vintage trims.  I’m in love with vintage little people and found a a whole set to represent my family…all 6 of us plus the dog!  When I first bought them Noah asked why his figure looked mean, ha!  I told him that he was just being a tough sporty guy since he had a baseball cap on! Can you believe I found a “dad” little people with reddish hair? If Mr. Smashed Peas gave a hoot he would be so excited!
Here is my glass jar of ric rac that I shared with you in this post here.  And my favorite little people find of all, the sewing machine momma!
I spray painted a few hat boxes a pretty blue and hot glued some red ribbon on the edge of the lids to add some fun pops of color on my shelving.  I heart aqua and red, big time.  I store my snaps in these.  

And if y’all follow me on Facebook (here) you’ll remember when I got this cool lego sewing machine and dress forms from a dear sweet friend…how awesome that it came with interchangeable lego threads!

I love sewing cuteness and all things mini so I had to get this teeny tiny sewing machine and dress form that I found at Hobby Lobby one day!  Ah gah, the cuteness of it all!  

On the corner of my workspace I have all my washi tape organized and looking pretty.  You can find the tutorial for how to prettify your standard boring tape dispensers here!  The shelving is a vintage soda crate turned on it’s side.

I also put an old Kerr jar full of vintage wooden thread spools on top cause well, I love vintage wooden thread spools 🙂

Mr. Smashed Peas hung up my thread rack so I have easy access to all my thread plus it keeps it off my work space. Isn’t it like looking at a rainbow?  So pretty and colorful…love!
Ok, so that is it folks.  What did you think?  I hope you enjoyed the tour of my new sewing studio.  It’s fun to look into the creative space of others isn’t it?  I have another nook of the room I want to show you but I figured this was enough for one day.

I tried to list and link to most of the stuff I talked about but please leave me a comment if there is anything I left out or that you need to clarify, I am happy to share!

Thanks for stopping by today…the world’s longest post ever 🙂

XOXO,

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Comments

  1. denise says

    Maggie,
    I love your studio. I know exactly where that sock monkey fabric is. I do wonder how you keep it so clean. Do you clean as you go. I feel like a tornado hits when I do a project in my craft room.

  2. Ramona says

    Incredible. I love how you walk us through your finds and where to find them or create them. I wish you a lot of joy in your new space!

  8. TiffanyB says

    LOVE IT! I am totally jealous. I am getting a brother CS6000i for Christmas. A total upgrade from my old school JcPenney machine. I would kill for a space like this. Excellent job on the studio!!

  9. rehobothranch says

    Thanks so much for taking time to post this!! So much inspiration in one place!! I especcially love the Fisher Price sewing mama. I have one of those two that my Mum gave me from when she was little. Yours is in way better shape though!
    Thanks again!
    Amy

  10. Entwined Essentials says

    This is so beautiful. I love everything about it and would love to have a space just like it. I’m still pretty new to sewing and to see that you’ve only been doing this for 3 years gives me inspiration. I still don’t know how you find the time for it all and keep it so neat and clean. Gorgeousness, congrats!!!

  13. Emily says

    Love your space!!!! I wish I had a living room to take over and an ikea close by. That sewing momma little people person is awesome. I’ve never seen it though my parents still have tons. Oh and I’m interested in that Heather Bailey nicey jane picnic in lagoon if you’re ever selling it. . . . 🙂

  15. The Good Doctor's wife says

    Wow! this is beautiful! Did you really start sewing just 3 years ago? I would love to learn, but I don’t even know where to start! My mother-in-law is very good, but she lives very far away 🙁 Any suggestions on how to get started? I would love to be able to create baby clothes, blankets, bedding, basically anything baby, before I have one!

  16. Grandma G says

    What a lovely place to work! You must get inspired to create every time you step in the door. So organized, down to the last detail! Way to go!!

  18. Charity says

    Oh, my goodness, I’m so jealous of your beautiful studio… I sew on our crowded dining table in the middle of our single-wide trailer… sigh. Someday.
    I love all the beautiful little details you added, and having those bolts of fabric right at hand must be a dream come true. Just beautiful. =)

  21. AbigailShim Frog in my pocket :P says

    I wish i had a space like this. Currently all my home schooling stuff, my husbands gaming area (comp games) and all my sewing stuff are in one corner of our only living room. All the stuff piled up around it and the mess make me not want to sew anymore. Looking at this was a joy to me though! You did some really wonderful organizing things that make it look so pretty. I love your space and I hope I can make my own so lovely someday! Great Job Mrs smashed peas! It is truly beautiful.

  22. Amy M says

    Oh Maggie, this is soooo beautiful!! I’ve been looking at every detail, ooohing & ahhing 🙂 You will have many wonderfuls days in that room! Thanks for sharing!

  23. Steph Zerbe says

    What an amazingly beautiful studio! I can’t stop thinking about those letters atop the cabinets. SEW! I gotta get me some of those! And all this IKEA stuff!! I love the abundance of pics. Props to the husband and his skills! I am looking fwd to seeing how you reuse the cradle. I have one just like it. Thanks for sharing.

  24. Laura @ ON{thelaundry}LINE says

    I love it! When are you coming to my house to help me organize and decorate mine better? 😉 My fav line from the whole post is probably that Mr Smashed would be so excited if he cared. BAHAHAHA. That happens in my house a lot. Everyone would be so excited if they cared as much as I do about ridiculous things! haha.

  31. Pretty Woman says

    Very pretty, You give me ideas to organize my sewing/patchwork space… Yours is very very lovely and I would like to have the same. I have my own room to sew and make patchwork, so I just have to organize it as well as yours…
    Thanks for this longer post, very interesting.

    Loves from France,

  32. Sew Much Ado says

    Wow Maggie!!! This is amazing! I am now on the hunt for a Little People sewing machine, that is so adorable :). You did such a great job of making the room both functional and pretty!

  34. Dani says

    I LOVE your style and organization. I am in the middle of trying to organize my home sewing room/office and appreciate you sharing your creativeness with us. Mahalo from Hawaii!

  35. Gingham Skies says

    What a beautiful space! Just starting my second mat leave and remaking the disaster basement with a space for me included! Thanks for the inspiration!

  37. Kathy Vanacoro says

    I started to redo my studio in December DSM area and LongArm and now I know what I want….I want you to come to my house and help me…..Beautiful, simply beautiful…thank you

  39. DECAFinNW says

    Maggie, you are an inspiration to me! I was blessed by my family totally cleaning and organizing my sewing room while I was away visiting my 80 yr. old mom – never imagined they would do that for me! I know how you feel, almost I feel like a kid in a candy shop! I would love any info you might have on finding one of those darling little people mom and sewing machine. I also adore all things mini. So glad that you take JOY in waiting upon the Lord for His plans for you! God bless you <3

  40. Louise Marie says

    Wow! Unbelievably beautiful. i love everything especially your bookcases with the doors, the cutting/working tables, the little people especially momma and sewing machine, the coke bottle case repurposed to tape holder, the bolts of fabric, the sewing machine/serger together, the distressed chair which you did not distress, the case that Mr Smashed built for your bolts of fabric, your JOY sign and referral of gratitude to Jesus, the Doxie in the bicycle basket in the drawing by Heather, the little bobbin holder that you made, and the little lego sewing machine with the different threads. i could go on and on. i just love every part of your sewing room. Thank you so much for sharing with me. i want to get to know you and all you do. God bless you and your precious family.

  41. Charmente says

    Hi Maggie, I stumbled on your site and find your sewing space to be quite charming! i also love the idea for organizing the fabric into mini-bolts – never heard that one before! Ordered 300 (gives you an idea of the size of my stash!). I love to view other people’s sewing spaces because I always see something I can incorporate into my own space. I taught myself to sew over 25 yrs ago and even today still am in love with crafts and sewing! I discovered many yrs ago that if my space isnt organized, my thoughts aren’t either and it can inhibit my creativity. I’ve moved my space all over my home finally landing in a spare bedroom (for the 2nd time!), and after all these years, I am redecorating the space. The great thing about a sewing space is that you can pull in alot of totally unrelated furniture pieces and ‘found’objects and make them useful and somehow they all seem to work. I will continue to follow your blog because you have ‘wowed’ me with the fabric storage idea, maybe one day I will be able to ‘wow’ you with one of mine! God Bless! Brenda

  42. Anonymous says

    Hello, I recently discovered your blog and absolutely love it! Thanks so much for sharing your studio space – it has given me the motivation I need to reorganize and personalize my own sewing room! I noticed a small yellow bag to the right of your sewing machine that hangs off the ledge of your table and was wondering what it was used for? Is that to collect scraps as you sew, or threads?

    Also, browsing through your tutorials – very excited to try my hand at some of these! Thanks!

  43. Anonymous says

    I sent the “anonymous” post above and realized that I didn’t include my email address. It’s rlgc2002@yahoo.com. Looking forward to hearing back from you – thanks!

  44. Robin says

    Your sewing room is amazing! I need to “copy” a few things if you don’t mind: The comic book bolts, the paint stirrers for trim, more glass jars to store stuff in…….and prob a few more things I just can’t think of right now 🙂

  45. Jan says

    Love your studio. I am in the process of getting my studio organized and I see a few things
    I can use in mine.

  46. Diane Zybrands says

    Love your room and all your ideas. This has been a great help to me. I’ve decided to take charge of all my crafting supplies here, and there, all over the house. I’ve got spring fever bad, and I’m cleaning and organizing everything! It’s been a long winter in New England. There are so many tutorials out there that it is just overwhelming. You are spot on. Yes just perfect! So many great ideas, and not to much info. to put me off. I’m really so excited to start on my new projects. I can find everything in a quick fashion. I wish I had a whole room to myself like you. Well maybe in a couple more years, when I’m an empty nester. Until then, it all looks great thanks to you! You rock!

  47. Danni says

    I have no idea how I’m just now seeing this post – oy! I’m loving the soda bottle box turned on its side. I have two family hand-me-down Coke boxes that are just sitting pretty in my living room right now, but it looks like they’re going to have a new home in my studio upstairs now. 🙂 Great job, Maggie! Your new “happy place” is a beauty!

  48. Karen M says

    You have given me inspiration! I have a sewing room, but it is so crammed packed with “stuff” that I still am sewing in my dining room. My daughter, age 22, says she doesn’t remember me ever sewing in the “sewing room”. Needless to say, she is very disgusted with me at this point in her life. I am determined to make a dent in this room this weekend. Thank you very much, you have made my day!

  50. Sarah says

    I love how you have stored everything in such a lovely way. This is what I’d like to do but I keep moving. I like your fabric mini bolt idea, I may try and find some boards to do that with.

  51. Kim Hake says

    Of all the searching I have done for sewing room storage ideas yours is the one I had visioned. Perfect.

    • Maggie says

      Yes, they will but you may want to be careful as the shelves might start buckling under the weight of that much fabric!

  53. carolynn scoffield says

    Maggie, if you previously answered this question, I missed your answer! i echo the following question!
    RE:
    Heartmade Creations says

    November 7, 2012 at 9:05 am

    I didn’t notice doors on the bookcases on the IKEA website… did yours come with them or did you add them yourself?
    If you or hubby added the glass doors, please give some helpful info on this process!
    Thanks
    Carolynn Scoffield

    • Maggie says

      Hi Carolynn,
      You purchase the doors separately at Ikea, so the bookcase can be open or with doors. I believe they have frosted glass too and maybe one other option.

      Love,
      Maggie

  55. Becky says

    D-R-E-A-M-Y!!!!!! Jealous? sigh… maybe a smidge 😉 I have the room and am quite capable of doing, just haven’t yet. (hangs head) I am quite inspired now and will be checking out those IKEA shelves.

    My sewing machine and serger are crammed on a little fold up craft table I got many years ago from QVC because the beautiful, cream-colored, ginormous, Kathy Ireland desk I bought for them is covered in supplies that need to be moved! I can only find the desk online here now and highly recommend it for it’s size and color: http://www.bostoninteriors.com/furniture/home_office/desks/tribeca-loft-writing-desk—linen-white.cfm
    Must be retired. :/

  56. Judy Lamarche says

    What an inspirational craft room! Thanks for all the pictures! Many ideas for my craft room – just a little elbow grease and planning needed!

  57. Janet McG says

    Wow, what an awesome space! One of these years i’m going to have acraft/ sewing room. I will save some of your ideas to inspire me. I have seen things that I thought would. Look great buthesitate buying them. Maybe i should so i’ll have a start.

  58. Pam F says

    Love all the creative storage ideas, especially the mason jars. We are in the midst of converting our seldom-used-for-dining room (we usually eat dinner with Alex Trebec) into my quilting studio that we can dine in if we have the occasion to. I’m so excited about it! My husband’s a plumber, and I found a picture of a long work table that he’s planning to make for me out of pipe, so a little bit of him will be represented in my creative space.

  59. Chriss Blystone says

    I love love love this room! I was so inspired by your mini bolt storage that I purchased a Billy Bookcase from Ikea and I am in the process of filling it up!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    Chriss Blystone

  60. Carol R Clark says

    I just loved looking at all your beautiful things. The Lego sewing set and the Fisher Price people are such a cute addition. Those brought back fond memories of my now 29 year old son and 24 year old daughter and our play times together!

    I think I need some of those Ikea glass door bookcases!

    Happy Sewing to you!

    …Carol

  62. MommymawJudy says

    I would like for you to come to my home and do my space as well organized as your’s.

  63. MommymawJudy says

    I would like for you to come to my home and do my space as well organized as your’s. i WILL Love for you to set up an appointment to come. LOL
    i wish my Mr. were as helpful and your’s but I’ll keep him ’cause he does do the heavy stuff that he thinks I can’t. HA HA My idea juices are flowing thanks to your post w/ your pictures and place of purchases.

    Thank you for being a very inspirational to me on how to set up my room.

  64. Kelly G. says

    Thank you for taking the time to do such a detailed show and tell. If my craft room looked like this my husband would be very happy! You have given me new inspiration!! Thank you!!

  65. Barbara says

    You are so lucky to have both a family room and a living room! Lovely organization. I felt lucky when we purchased our home several years ago that I could have a dedicated ‘quilt’ studio just for me. Over the last 4 years however I have purchased LOTS of fabric and while most of it fits in the wall to wall closet (on mini bolts I made from fiber board on two inexpensive vinyl 4 shelf units (2), I’ve outgrown the fabric storage and now more fabric takes residence in a large bottom file drawer and a (horrors!) laundry basket for current quilting projects. In addtion to quilting I also crochet, cross stitch, painting projects and beading. Thankfully the wall to wall closet houses much of this, but I’m out of storage space. The room isn’t huge, the 3rd smallest bedroom of our four bedroom home and the smallest room is our home office. I have employed many of your ideas in the course of organizing and reorganizing the room and I have finally realized that I have to stop purchasing and start USING my stuff. I’m like hoarder who doesn’t want to put this or that ‘favorite’ fabric into a project until I’m sure I’ll love it! Thanks for the many tips, you are an inspiration to all of us who create.

    • Maggie says

      Ha! I am a hoarder when it comes to fabric and craft supplies too! It’s just so hard to cut into some of that pretty fabric, isn’t it?
      xo,
      Maggie

  66. Penny Schmidt says

    Your sewing room is awesome. I am having a room finished for sewing/quilting, and you have given me some great ideas. There is one thing you might not know and that is light and dust can cause your threads to deteriorate rapidly. I keep my threads in plastic containers in a closet so they will have an extended life.

    • Maggie says

      Thanks Kim! I am glad to hear I’m not the only rearranging my home for the sake of sewing! Better to use the space then to waste it is my motto!!! 🙂

  68. kofe says

    Hi Maggie ,

    Nice spot for a sewing/embroidery/quilting activity. I can almost remember how I first started the hobby. It’s always nice to have your own spot. Good decision for turning that cubbyhole into your own personal space.

    Regards,
    kofe

  69. Karen White says

    Love your room and all your IKEA things. I’m about to redo my rooms and am going to use the Billy bookcases. I’m really anxious to get started. Your post gave me some additional ideas, thanks for the tour.

  70. June pirie says

    So happy for you but a tad envious I have to admit. You and your husband have done a wonderful job. Happy sewing. ?