Okay. Much to my dismay. I give up. My sewing room is now permanently in my former dining room. It is just not feasible to go up and down those 14 steps 10 times a day. Unfortunately I am moving from a space that was double where I had plenty of space for all my tools and fabric. (sad face)

As far as losing the dining room, I have to admit that we seldom used the dining room–for dining. Even if we have company, dinner is at the kitchen island or in the screen room where we have a six-seat table. Now the former dining room is being used every day.

And secretly I have to admit it’s kind of nice being downstairs and knowing what’s going on. Yes. I can hear every phone conversation! Every time the door opens and closes. See every car that drives by the house!

I’m going to make the best of it. Terry already moved most of my sewing tools into this room. The room is right by the front door so I have to keep my projects organized–no sewing clutter! (Not that we have had any company for the past year!)

I had to sacrifice my large cutting mat and pressing table. Just too big. Those are still in the second guest bedroom up those 14 steep steps. That room will also need cleaned out–one of my projects for 2021 will be putting it into some type of order. Hopefully before March when my two granddaughters and their parents are scheduled to visit.

Then I started considering what I really needed. Of course my Baby Lock Unity sewing machine and all of my sewing tools had to be in the room and fabric storage had to be nearby. I had to have a place to cut fabric. I moved a smaller table into the corner and treated myself to a nice new 36″ x 24″ mat. Fortunately all my cabinets fit under the sewing and cutting tables along with my storage carts.

I HAD SO MUCH STUFF!

While I think I only have STUFF that I use, when I started going through spaces to find room for my fabric, I discovered that I was very wrong. STUFF everywhere. And never used. I pulled everything out of the closet under the stairs (that was a hot mess of junk) the closet in the laundry room (not quite as bad) the china cabinet (full of antique glasses and lovely dishes) and all the storage spaces in my music room/office (not too bad cause I’m in there every day). I donated a lot of STUFF, gave STUFF to friends and relatives, and tossed STUFF.

And then I had room for my many fabrics and supplies for all of my numerous projects!

After all the cleaning, I started “shopping” in my own house for furniture for my first floor area. I moved a bookcase from the 2nd guest bedroom to the closet under the staircase. The closet in the laundry room is now another storage area with wicker basets and plastic storage containers. I had an unused bulletin board in the laundry room that I moved into my sewing room along with a shelf that was formerly in my music room/office. (I love bulletin boards!) Then. The most exciting. I realized that one of the bookcases from my office could be moved into the perfect spot in my new sewing room. Have to say that I did a little happy dance.

This is where I am now. Very basic. Clean. And uncluttered. I have storage for my quilting fabric nearby, my tools are handy, and I have plenty of work space.

Next step–make it pretty. Add some flair. Personality!

I had already updated my sewing chair. What a difference!

I used this beautiful Rifle Paper Company fabric and wanted to stick with this color scheme.

Rifle Paper Co. fabric goes out of stock quickly and when I was ready to do the rest of the room, the Wildflower Field was no longer available. (sad face)

Fortunately I was able to get this lovely which is pretty close to the original that I used on the chair.

It is also from Rifle Paper Co. and is already out of stock. I think I bought enough, though!

I also purchased this half yard bundle from SoJo Fabrics of Rifle Paper Co. Basics that coordinate with the Strawberry Fields Collection.

I have so many ideas! Looking forward to sharing all the projects. Come back next Tuesday to check out the progress!