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Thursday, July 23, 2015

Studio Five :: Sewing & Cutting Surface

A week ago, hubby and I were talking about some home-improvement projects that needed done, and somehow, a discussion on what kind of new couch we wanted turned into an exchange about my studio space and a subsequent trip to Ikea. Yay me!

The major problem area in said studio was my sewing surface. As sentimental as it was, working with my modern machine on top of my grandma's vintage sewing cabinet wasn't the best ergonomically, nor for quilting. With nothing for a quilt to rest on, the weight hanging off the edges caused issues, as you can expect.
 

There weren't a lot of space layout options that would work in our shared studio/computer room, so what we finally settled on was to combine my sewing surface and my cutting surface, which was a second-hand drafting table. At Ikea, we purchased 2 KALLAX shelving units, and just to enhance their usability, 2 sets of drawer inserts (4 drawers total), and a set of SKUBB boxes. On the way home, we stopped by the local plywood store, where we happened to know the owner. Lucky us, he had a variety of random sheets of plywood that he was willing to cut to size, and we chose one 3/4" thick with birch laminate. Our original idea had been to use a hollow-core door (they measure 32"x80"), but we decided we liked the plywood option better, and had it cut to the same size.

You've probably guessed where I'm going with this . . . the Ikea units became 'legs' for the long table. A roll of veneer edging finished off the edges nicely, and super-strength double-stick tape keeps things aligned. Time will tell if a couple of metal angle brackets are needed, but whatever, I've moved on in. A new chair is in order, but otherwise, I'm more than pleased with my new set up. And there's some storage space at each end - bonus!

On a side note, without grandma's sewing cabinet, I lost my drawers that had held my immediate sewing supplies - bobbins, machine needles, etc. So I joined the RÅSKOG club and will use this utility cart to keep those items and more at easy reach.

It's been a year since I posted Where I Sew and since then there's been several studio updates:
We actually accomplished one more improvement yesterday, so I'll post about that soon. But meanwhile, I'll keep testing out my new space. And so far, definitely so good!

16 comments:

  1. You will like quilting on this space so much better!

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  2. fantastic! gotta love IKEA. And those carts! I love mine...

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  3. This looks awesome! I'm struggling with having a nice long antique farm table that's way too high and has a slightly uneven surface which makes cutting a challenge. I love how old it is but I've been thinking of hacking an IKEA table so I could drop my machine down into the surface without spending $$$ on it.

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  4. Great idea, enjoy your new gorgeously large desk. I'm sure it will make quilting so much more enjoyable.

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  5. You've accomplished amazing things on your grandmother's cabinet I hope it finds a new place elsewhere in your home. There's something to be said for ergonomics - enjoy

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  6. I love that you accomplished something perfect yet achievable by mere mortals like myself. I NEED to get myself to IKEA and look at other things besides the fabric!

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  7. Looks like you found a beautiful solution that will make quilting much easier (and more enjoyable), Debbie. Love your grandmother's vintage sewing cabinet and hope you find a new use for it (maybe as a desk?). Happy sewing in your new set-up!

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  8. Fabulous and innovative! Looks beautiful and loving that basket under your table too!

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  9. Looks fabulous....I'm in the middle of moving things around AGAIN!!!! I love those turquoise carts...I have two.

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  10. Your sewing space looks so much more efficient. I know you must be enjoying the larger sewing surface!

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  11. Oh hooray!! Looks like this will be a super nice cutting and seeing surface for you :) Did your grandmother's cabinet find a new location?

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  12. I'm sure this is so much better than your previous sewing arrangement. Next thing you'll be cutting a hole in that surface and building a support tray for your sewing machine, so you can have a surface that's flush with the table. Now that would truly be ideal!

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  13. That looks heaps better! You won't know yourself!

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  14. Your sewing space is beautiful!

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  15. Nice, functional updates, Debbie. I think you will especially love the fact that you don't have to wrestle with the quilt falling off the edge of your sewing machine. I adore the window with all of the natural light flowing into the space. About the extra storage...you can never have too much of it, right?

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  16. Looks great! Ikea does come in handy for some sewing room furniture. I love the cart!! I dont have one, but I love them!

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