“Organising your sewing space is a great way to find the motivation to get creative, so I would really recommend taking the time to sort your supplies”
JULIET LEARNS THE POWER OF A WELL-ORDERED WORKROOM
Setting up my new sewing space was a task that was living rent-free in my mind for over a month and I am so pleased to share that it is finally taking shape. The goal was to make my crafting corner as aesthetically pleasing as possible without sacrificing functionality and productivity. The area had to be an ideal place to stitch, write, film craft videos, edit clips, record my podcast and complete admin tasks. It was important to keep the room as clutter-free and minimalistic as possible, whilst giving my essential gadgets a permanent place to live. After using the dining room at our old home for years, I’d become accustomed to packing my sewing machine and overlocker away every time we sat down for a meal. To break the cycle, I knew I had to invest in a good quality cutting table. So, I selected a height-adjustable desk which now doubles up as my video-making space and cutting table. It allows me to vary the proximity of my projects to the camera for more dynamic shots. All of my other sewing materials had to be stored away in different areas of my new home.
Until I can afford a sewing studio, I will make do with what is essentially a small section in our open plan living space. I’m very much looking forward to having a dedicated sewing room one day. In the meantime, here are some top tips for setting up a productive sewing space; no matter how much or little space you are working with.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Good quality and properly-balanced lighting (it doesn’t necessarily have to be natural) is a vital part of ensuring you can focus on the projects at hand without straining your eyes. In order to achieve great results and avoid headaches, it is important to choose a spot as close as possible to a window. Another option is to invest in ‘daylight-looking’ lights, as warm lights are not suitable for sewing.
AIM FOR NEW HEIGHTS
After multiple years of cutting out projects on my old dining table (and occasionally on the kitchen floor), it came as no surprise when I started to suffer from backaches and knee pain. As soon as I started using my new table, I noticed the difference immediately. I’d recommend taking some time to consider an appropriate surface or raising its height using tools such as table or bed risers. You could also opt for a more permanent solution, such as attaching even-sized wood pieces to every table leg.
TAKE A SEAT
Considering how much sitting is involved in the sewing proc
