Create A Home Sewing Center
Setting up an area for home sewing is easy if you have the latest and greatest tools and products. With the right equipment you can make an efficient area in the corner of a bedroom, inside a closet or at a table in the family room.
Table Talk
The first item to consider is a 40 by 72 in. long cutting table that shrinks to l8 by 40 in. for compact storage. It's called "Cut-Above" and is 35 in. tall. It's made of a natural wood finish and comes with a storage drawer and castor wheel. If this isn't in the budget, a hollow core door or sheet of plywood on attached legs, saw horses or file cabinets will give you ample cutting and sewing space. The file cabinets will provide the sturdiest support and you can use the drawers for storing fabric and other supplies.
Easy Sitting
A comfortable, swivel, office chair is good for sewing. This will enable you to adjust the height as well as give proper back support. The swivel aspect allows you to swing from the sewing machine to ironing board with ease. It's also on rollers so you can get up and down easily between steps.
Lighting
A Luxo desk lamp with a mountable base is ideal for mounting on the side of a desk or to the wall. The swing arm gives you lighting exactly where needed.
Bulletin Board
Place a good size bulletin board on the wall in front of the sewing machine or on a side wall. This will enable you to pin pattern pieces, fabric swatches and notes within easy reach.
On The Wall
Place hooks on the wall to hold cutting and snipping scissors and other often used items right where you need them when you need them. No hunting around. Make a spool holder on the wall as well so you can easily pick the color thread you need for the project. A sewing area can be quite compact if you plan carefully so every inch of space is used.
Storing Fabric
Shelves above the work surface will hold stacks of fabric within sight and will add to the visual interest of your sewing area if it's exposed. An inexpensive floor-to-ceiling storage unit of 9-in. squares and 13 in. deep (often sold through mail order) is excellent for storing fabric and other supplies and doesn't take up much room.
Pinning It Down
"Iris Pins" are super fine and perfect for holding patchwork pieces together.
Getting It Straight
An adjustable seam guide is essential. It's an attachment for your machine that enables you to make professional quilt blocks and perfectly straight seams every time. It pivots to 3 positions on a single slot.
Applique With Ease
Press-On Fleece is a product worth knowing about for making appliques. It bonds to fabric for easy handling. It eliminates the step of basting or pinning fleece to fabric. If you're making gifts for the holidays, another product to know about is Woolly Nylon, a yarn-like thread that creates a very soft, but strong edge or seam. It's ideal for serging napkins, tablecloths, sweat shirts and comes in Christmas green and red.
Sewing Box
A well-stocked sewing box should hold different colored spools of thread, pre-wound bobbins, a good pair of scissors, pinking shears, pins, needles, a thimble and pin cushion. This is a nice gift to give a home hobbyist. Add a few yards of pretty fabric and a pattern for making a pretty, home accessory.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.