Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Small improvements - big difference!!


Here's my studio before - I have loved it, but a light bulb moment hit me and Clint last week - that meant using my space better which will make my life easier here in my office/studio. As you can see, my computer desk is by the wall on the left and the very end of the opening in my office, the sewing table and ironing table are on an angle - trying to fit nicely and then I have the quilting machine to the right. My ironing board has been turned the opposite way then I would normally use it because of the space issue.
I have been wanting to fit a cutting table in here, but I haven't really thought about how to make it fit. As Clint and I were talking the other night about ways to make this work better we came up with an ingenious plan - I so wish we would have done this months ago. It's much more organized and it utilizes the space much better.


We moved my desk to the first bay window - the ironing board is in the middle and turned the right way, my sewing table is against the wall to the right and we moved the quilting machine into Clint's part of the office about 2 feet. That gives me room to sit at my sewing machine and to the side of the table.

I can sit at my desk and roll on over on my new mat to my sewing table. So convenient!


Here's my new cutting table - isn't she a beauty? She is 36 inches tall and it doesn't kill my back to bend over cutting out projects anymore.

This table is also good for pinning my quilts together. Forever I have been laying my quilt tops on the floor as I put them together and I have to bend over and pin the seams together. Now I can stand at my table and do the same thing without bending over. Wow - I can't believe I haven't done that until now. I pinned my black white and red quilt together and I couldn't believe the difference. Seriously - awesome.

Here's my sewing table, also new - with "Dahlia" staring down at me! Clint went and bought my 36" table and brought it home, put it together and realized they gave us the dining table instead of the counter height table. I was so bummed! But, as I was thinking about it I realized that it would be much more fun to have matching tables. Now - I just had to convince Clint of the same thing. I rolled it over and over in my head how I would ask and made sure not to ruin it by being demanding at all and found out that a sugar coated "Hey Honey - don't you think it would be great to have matching tables in here?" worked perfectly. I am so spoiled. Clint called the company and bought the other table - but because of their first mix up, they delivered and set it up for free. Yay!

That was a long story! Well - if you got through it - head on over to Rachel's for a giveaway. I am giving away a Modern Workshop FQB over on her blog.

22 comments:

Needled Mom said...

I am sure that that setup will be much more efficient. Isn't it funny how small changes make such a huge difference?

Jake, Ashlee, and Jaxon Gardner said...

It looks great! I love love your dahlia quilt, and oh what I would do for that much space to lay out all my stuff and still have it look as organized as you do! You are so talented, and yet here I am thinking I'm so proud of myself for finishing a knitted washcloth!

Jen said...

Looks good! I bet having that cutting table is a dream! I have my own sewing room but often find myself dragging everything out to the living room to hang with my husband. That's great you can share office space! great new tables!

Gerri said...

What an awesome room. You are one lucky lady. I hope the new layout works good for you.

Sarah Craig said...

Your new set-up looks great!!!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Your room looks great Judi. I would love to have your windows here....and
your longarm..hahaha!!

My fingers are geting sore....lol
enjoy your new space set up

Anonymous said...

Judi that looks perfect. Happy stitching

Christine

Shannon said...

Love the new look. It is so nice in there. So much natural light. Good thinking!!

Char said...

It looks great. I'm having that same problem now. I need a new cutting table.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Glad your not breaking your back anymore bending over to cut. I have made suggestions to many many friends about using bed risers under their table legs to raise their table to counter height, and they thank me dearly for the suggestion all the time. Love your room with the tall ceilings and the big bay windows.

Mary Ann said...

Your studio looks inviting and fun to work in - great job! I signed up for your giveaway at p.s. i quilt - thank you for providing such a generous giveaway! I've also made improvements to my sewing studio. Please visit http://www.rocknquilts.blogspot.com to see!

Deborah said...

What a cozy looking studio! I love the dahlia wall hanging. Very cheery.
Thanks again for the giveaway!
Deborah

Barb said...

I am so envious of your awesome sewing/work room....I love it!!!

Leeanne said...

What a wonderful space, I call them 'playstations'.
I look forward to the day I will have one too.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Fabulous working space. Love it!

californiacheryl said...

great work studio!
found you through ps i quilt
you're my newest favorite bookmark!
love your ideas!!

Jan Marie said...

What awesome windows. Glad it is more convenient now. Don't you love it when it all works out?

Kate said...

Love your "new" space- especially the windows.
I signed up over on ps I quilt for the giveaway- thank you!

Anna @FreshDewDrops said...

Love your new tables. Where did you find them?

Unknown said...

Wow! In two accounts! You have an amazing set-up and your doing this quilting with little one in tow. I have 3 little ones under 3 and u have to admit... Sewing has gone by the way side.

Average Quilter said...

Looks like you use the front room for your sewing room. I do too. I've been thinking about taking the wall down between that room and the next so i sould spread out more. My house would be perfect if it just had a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and the rest sewing space.
http://averagequilter.blogspot.com/

KVL said...

Thank you for sharing. I'm confined to about a 6'x8' room