Do You Have A Quilting Space? A Studio?

Tip of the Month from Machine Quilting Unlimited April E-News Setting Up Your Quilting Space ©2011 Vicki Anderson If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated sewing room, or better yet, your own studio space, but cannot face the finances required to install custom cabinetry, here are a few ideas for work areas and storage. Purchase a used wooden desk or old wooden dining table to use as a sewing machine cabinet. (Garage sale finds are great!)  Be sure the desk/table is solid wood and sturdy. Cut a rectangular hole in the top slightly larger than the footprint of the sewing machine you will use. The hole should be about 2 inches in from the front edge. If you are converting a desk, you may have to remove the front center drawer for the next step. Attach a lower shelf with angle brackets, at a depth that allows your machine flatbed to be level with the desktop.  You can also cut a lightweight plastic insert to fit around the sewing machine to create a flat, smooth sewing surface. You can build a pressing surface with a solid board of your chosen size. ¾ inch plywood works well, but for a larger surface, use an inexpensive hollow-core door from the lumber supply store. Cover the wood with several layers of cotton batting, wrapping it around the sides and stapling or taping it to the underside.  Be sure that you have pulled and smoothed out all wrinkles and tucks before stapling. Cover this with a layer of strong muslin or lightweight canvas (called 'duck' or 'ticking' at the fabric store), again smoothing and stapling it into place. Place the surface atop two file cabinets or old kitchen cabinets, making a great storage area for your iron and other tools. If the cabinets are not tall enough for comfortable pressing, place 2 x 4 blocks under the front and back of each cabinet to raise it to the desired height. If you cover only half the door's length for pressing, the other half can accommodate a cutting mat. Use Peg-Board on the walls nearby for hanging rulers, rotary cutters, scissors, stencils and more. A medicine or bathroom cabinet mounted on the wall will hold large cones of thread and keep them out of the sunlight and away from dust. Be creative! Look around the house for unused bookshelves, dressers and tables and in no time you will have a working studio.