From my small table in a corner to setting up a wide hallway, I now own a real room, a fully equipped workshop just for me. A waking dream because my workshop is my retreat, my den, my relaxation space but also where I transform 🐛🦋... Switching from my caregiver day 👩‍⚕️ to my seamstress day 🧚‍♀️

To create this space just for me, I used my November week off because it takes time to rethink this space...

After some thought and plans made throughout October, we got started in several stages ;-)

First step, since my workshop took over my closet space, I sorted through my clothes and shoes to free up room. I put some items up for sale on Vinted, here’s the link here if you want to take a look ;-)

Second step, making plans based on the available space and needs.

Indeed, I knew I wanted to fix some flaws in my setup in the hallway, so I wanted a few new things like:

- a cutting/pattern table (at a good height to stop working on the floor)

- at least 3 sewing stations to set up my sewing machine, serger, and my new coverstitch machine.
-  an "ironing area" so I wouldn’t have to constantly fold and unfold my ironing board.

Finally, I wanted to gather my sewing books and magazines in one place, as they were a bit scattered between the workshop and the bookshelf. 

Third step, visiting a large furniture store well known by its blue and yellow sign.
I wanted my sewing stations to be at least 80cm wide to have enough space and not too deep (50 to 60cm). I didn’t want them too deep because I noticed I wasn’t using the space behind the machines even when sewing large pieces, and that space just collects dust and is hard to reach for cleaning.
I also wanted my sewing tables to have drawers underneath to store my small tools like needles, pins, measuring tape, spools... everything you need for sewing should be quickly accessible.

I also wanted cabinets that would allow me to store my fabric rolls on at least 2 levels (so two times 1.40m + a few cm).

So we placed the furniture order accordingly ;-)

And meanwhile, we emptied the room to repaint a wall and create my cozy atmosphere. I chose a pink-orange to paint the wall that holds my machines and my spool holder board. 

I finally chose:

• To reclaim a shelf I used as a vanity and order its little sister from the same collection, which allows me to have a work surface to set up 4 machines.
• Billy cabinets
• A height-adjustable table that lets me work standing when I draft patterns and cut; and sitting when I work on the computer or draw.
• I recovered a chair from the dining room and a second one that I use for my vanity.

Last step, sorting my sewing stuff and a big tidy-up before moving everything to the new workshop.

I used the drawers under the machines to store all my everyday sewing tools.

I also treated myself by sewing a new cover for the ironing board, a tailor’s cushion, and a matching ironing pig in a pretty floral sakura fabric, a symbol of renewal. And then, I brought forward all my collections of souvenirs that remind me of my trips to Japan 🇯🇵 my heart country ❤.

There you go, my workshop is my favorite room... and it’s really my cozy space ☺️...

Rethinking it also allowed me to better plan the spaces and thus maintain tidiness more easily over time, which is a great step forward!