Patterns By Jen: Setting up Your Quilting Space

Setting up a quilting space, big or small, can be a bit intimidating. How do you know what will work best? How do you know what you need?

Many times the best answer is to just start. You won't always know what you need (especially if you are just starting out), plan for what you have now, and change as you grow.

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Where will you be setting up your space? Do you have a whole room to work with? Will you be relegated to one corner of a specific room because of space or will you have to pack up every time you are done sewing for the day? Here are a couple of posts that show some ideas for set up. I can't find photos of my corner set ups, because those are actual pictures you hold in your hand. 😂

Studio Reboot 1 2019

Studio Set Up 2021

Studio Set Up 2022

Pack it up each day

If you have to pack it up each day than storage is going to be your first concern. You may have to get creative, but you're a quilter, you've got this.

1) Sewing machine. Not all machines come with a case. I recommend finding a good sturdy case with wheels. They can be a bit more spendy, and they aren't necessary if you are on a budget, but they will make packing up each day easier. If you can't get one yet, think outside the box; a wagon can hold your machine (throw a pillowcase over the machine as a dust cover). Having something on wheels helps with the heavy lifting, and it's a great way to move your supplies to their storage spot.

2) Sewing supplies. I love the shoe box sized containers for storing all the things. The size is big enough to be able to hold a lot of supplies, but not too big that it gets heavy. One box can hold your rotary cutter, scissors, pins and seam rippers. Mark it as "Sharp" and keep all of those supplies together. It keeps them organized and you won't risk cutting yourself when searching for something. Another box can hold your marking utensils and stilettos, those items that get used a lot, but aren't going to cut you. 😉

3) Cutting mats and rulers. This one can be tough because of the different sizes. You want your mat to stay flat, so it needs to lay flat. Under the bed is a great place to store it. Keep your rulers together and store them under the bed, too. Under the couch is another idea for keeping these items stored, flat and out of the way.

4) Fabric. This is a tough one. Fabric takes up space, and it can get heavy. I still love a shoe box sized container for fabric, especially pre-cuts like fat quarters. They are also great for storing projects that are in progress, you can fit a lot in them. As I cut out squares/rectangles, etc for a pattern I will put them in a shoe box container. When I make Half Square Triangles (HST) or Flying Geese (FG), etc they go right into the project bin as well.

An empty dresser drawer if you have one is a good place to store fabric as well. Just don't forget to go through it every now and then to see what you have. Bins that fit under your bed are another option or if you have closet space, yardage can be hung.

Corner in a specific room

Many of the above ideas will be beneficial if you have a small space. The bonus to being able to be set up in a space is not having to to pack up that sewing machine.

1) Sewing machine. If you get to keep your sewing machine out make sure to take the time to cover it when you are done. Confession: I am *terrible* at this, but it's important, especially if your set up is out in the main living area. We're dusty beings, protect your machine. 😀

2) Sewing Supplies. I still like the idea of separate bins for your supplies. Your supplies should be kept safe from busy hands, and keeping them organized keeps your small area ready to use. Nothing kills creativity more than having to search all the areas just to find your rotary cutter.

3) Cutting Mat and Rulers. In this instance I'm assuming that you don't have a designated cutting area, just a sewing machine area. If so, you will want to make sure that your mat and rulers are stored like above, flat and under something that will protect them. If you have a dresser type piece of furniture included in your sewing corner, storing the mat on top would be ok, too, as long as it's not hanging off the edge.

4) Fabric. Have I mentioned this is the hard one? It's made a little harder for me, because I don't really keep a fabric stash. I use the shoebox bins to hold what I have for fabrics. I also use project bags and I have two small Sterlite bins (link is to something similar, I couldn't find what I have) that hold fabrics for larger projects. All my fabrics have planned uses except my flamingo, Steelers and panels. Those are just for fun. Ha!

Quilting room

Having a room that is just for quilting is very nice. Not necessary, but nice. Keeping it organized is the key to staying creative. That's not to say my space is perfect, there are definitely stages of craziness, but I know if I take 10 mins to straighten up, my time will be more productive.

1) Sewing machine. As stated above, cover that machine. Humans are dusty, but so is fabric.

2) Sewing Supplies. Now that you have space to spread out, don't be tempted to spread out too much. Keep like supplies together. Having said that, I do have pins in two different places. One magnetic pin minder at the cutting table and a pin cushion at my machine.

As you quilt, pay attention to where you tend to put your supplies down, or where you tend to lose them. Can you figure out how to use that to your best organizational ability? I found that I liked to pin units together at my cutting table, but moving the pincushion there meant I had pins floating around my sewing station when I took them out as I was stitching. Having two areas for them meant a better workflow.

3) Cutting Mat and Rulers. Now that you have space you can have some fun choosing ruler storage. My favorite is a peg board. I love the convenience of having them right there ready to use, as well as the ability to put them up and out of the way in between cuts. There are a lot of ruler storage ideas out there for you to explore. It may take some time (it took me about 15 years to really find the system I liked, but I also didn't have the designated space for a long time), but once you hit on it, you will know it and you will love to be in your quilting space.

4) Fabric. If you like to have a fabric stash on hand, and you now have the space to truly have it, finding a system to keep your fabric organized will do wonders for your creativity, as well as make it easier to actually use the beautiful fabric you have. Are you a pen and paper quilter? Love a good Excel form? Do you tend to buy fabrics because of color, or designer, or pattern (hello flamingos)? Do you prefer yardage over pre-cuts, or vice versa?

Taking time to discover these things about yourself before starting in on the task of organizing your fabric will help you stay focused and on top of it as you go. Choosing a system that doesn't work for your brain doesn't bode well for future use. I keep my fabrics together by project. I want to be able to find them easily and start when I'm ready. Plus, I don't want to accidently use a fabric I already had a plan for because I forgot. This includes fabric planned for the binding.

All Spaces

If you walk into my quilting space (at least before we moved, now it's still a lot of boxes) you will immediately know I love Flamingos, Steelers and Anne of Green Gables. Just because my room is for quilting doesn't mean that's all it holds. It holds the things I love. There are flamingos everywhere, three Terrible Towels, and Anne of Green Gables quotes. Oh, and possibly a lot of coffee quotes and mugs. Hahahaha

Photo of my coffee corner in my old studio.

Even if you have a space you have to pack up when done sewing you can add little touches to make the space be you. Do you have a favorite scent you can put in a warmer? What about that favorite picture of your favorite people? Set it up right next to your machine after you pull it out of it's case. Little things that bring joy can add to your feeling of contentment and joy in your creative space.

What size is your quilting space? Do you have a problem that you are having trouble solving within that space? Comment below and let the quilting community help. Or head over to Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen on Facebook to post your question.

Your space is your quilting sanctuary, whether big or small. Getting it organized will keep it that way.

Go make something extraordinary.