Hand-drawn sketches of new sewing storage

My Sewing/Craft/Art room Makeover

My craft room is a little out of control. I need a storage solution, and I need it fast!

So I've planned a little remodel, "Little" loosely defined.

Although I'm eager to jump in and build, the foundational design phase can make or break a project. I know what items I need to store, how I want access to them, and what kind of crafting I do, so it makes design a lot easier. 

First, I made a list of the areas I wanted:

--sewing/serging/embroidery area

--computer/printer area for the embroidery program (which morphed into a mini-office area)

--scrapbook/art area

--hairbow/headband area

--fabric storage/ironing/cutting area

Then I listed the supplies I would need within reach at each station.

I measured my space and sketched a few cabinets, including how I want the shelves and drawers arranged. I sketched a corner table, some wall shelves, and a desk for sewing. The counter height on the ironing/cutting counter is 42" tall, customized to my height to minimize hunching, and 32" deep, to allow for folded fabric off the bolt to lay flat.

I found I could combine the hairbow, scrapbook, and office area with just a tabletop in the corner, accessible drawers for supplies, and wall shelves and cabinets. The shelves will have dowel rods hanging down to hold my ribbons. The table height on the corner art/scrapbook/hairbow area will be 28" with a 2-foot-wide knee drawer.

I sketched a long desk to go under the window, with drawer bases on each end and the middle, and 2 sections of leg room--one for the sewing machine and one for the serger. I had this setup as a kid, and it was perfect. No more switching out bulky machines! I'm also planning to use the wooden column in the center of the window as thread storage. 

I was giddy with anticipation.

Then, I nearly fainted at the prospect of undertaking this massive project. I'm handy with tools. I even know what a coping saw is. But I've never built custom cabinets...

So I texted my generous and talented brother, who immediately replied, "Ooh, I can't wait... but I'm going to." :-p

Walter did get excited about it, though. I could tell, because he mentioned SketchUp. It's a free and very useful design program available through Google.

I will admit that my original idea was to fashion this storage solution from items I already had on hand or could purchase used--entertainment centers, desks, extra dining tables, bookshelves, dressers, armoires--you get the idea. But with Walter on board, I may set aside those inhibitions and enjoy a NEW handmade, custom built, rockin' awesome storage solution to my craft/sewing/art room.