For my friends and readers who have been with me for a while, saw my studio photos about a year ago, however, there have been some changes, additions, and new organizational methods since then. My studio started out as a guest bedroom, and it still can be because there is a Murphy bed cleverly tucked into the shelving unit directly behind my project table. The room can be turned into the guest room in about ten minutes. Now when my daughter comes to visit, she has a comfy room to sleep in! I love the fabric storage. As you can see in the photo above, my wonderful and talented husband created two complete walls of built-in shelving. I told him how high I needed the shelving to accommodate my fabric and supplies, and we drew up the plans. Not long after the studio was complete, we added new lighting. The room could not possibly be any brighter!
In this photo you can see the wall opposite the shelving units. I love to use my file folder wall hanging to store patterns in the various stages of design, as well as patterns in line from other designers that I plan to make soon for gifts, or for myself. The curtains were the first things I made for the room. I wanted them to really fit into a sewing studio, so I attached the valance to the curtains with great, big buttons. Love the look, especially since the deer like to hang out under my crab apple tree that is right outside that window.
I love this desk! When it's not being used for sewing, it's a perfect place to work on my books, my graphics programs, or creating my patterns. I love the way there is space underneath to store the containers that hold my smaller scrap fabrics.
The final wall doesn't have a lot of storage space, but it is the wall that leads to the big walk-in closet so it does have it's storage purpose. It has just enough wall space to keep my glass door cabinet. I bought this cabinet about twenty years ago and during that time it has served many purposes, but this is the best so far. I'll be able to store lots more larger fabric scraps. I'm thinking about adding another shelf inside.
Since my window is on the north wall it really doesn't get a lot of sunlight shining through. That makes the adjacent wall just perfect for open fabric storage. I use the comic book backing boards (purchased at Amazon.com) to wrap the fabric around. I love that it's all there in plain sight. The felt squares and felt by the yard are stored flat on the other wall of shelves.
My work table is simply a nice and sturdy six foot, collapsible party table. I glued some velcro to the edges to attach the skirt. Since it wasn't really a good height to work at, I purchased some bed risers from a local store and put one under each leg. Perfect height, and you never see it with the skirt covering it. The best part of this table is that I can take it down quickly when I want to pull the bed down, and it just stores underneath.
MY FAVORITE STORAGE SOLUTIONS:
I think I paid twelve bucks for this over the door shoe storage pocket hanger. It holds all my ribbon beautifully. I've also known people to use these for storing items in their bathrooms. What a fabulous invention!
These clear containers can be found in the scrapbooking department. I got lucky because they were on sale for 50% off when I found them. They are actually for scrapbooking paper but I found them perfect for my smaller fabric scraps, felt scraps, and for storing my 12 inch mini quilts. Look at how they fit nicely under my desk.
Glass jars are perfect for storing pretty and colorful items like zippers, beads, embroidery floss, and buttons! I think they make a big creative statement in my studio!
There is also the obvious storage containers like the thread boxes, baskets, big mugs, and yes, little flowerpots.
Above is my favorite way to store things! I've used these zipper bags for years and it works beautifully. I have these bags in all sizes. It's how I store my notions, beads, embroidery floss, snaps, even acrylic paints. It's just a great system because you can see everything at a glance and you don't have to be neat! It just works! You just throw all the bags in a box, and sort through them until you find what you need. Back before I had my own studio, I stored almost everything, other than fabric, this way. I used drawers, wicker baskets, covered boxes, canvas boxes, and I knew where everything was. The best part, my living room, dining room and bedroom didn't look like a bunch of craft storage. I just hate clutter!
Every studio needs a trusty assistant, and here is mine, Punkie! She's been with me for a long time. I just love Punkie!
My studio always seems to be a work in progress. I hope you have enjoyed the tour and got some new storage ideas for your own space!