SpencerOgg

Sewing Studio Tour

SO….Finally it is complete. My new sewing studio. It seems to have taken forever, though it has only really been a few weeks. What turmoil we have gone through in the house, living with dust and rubble in everything from my make up to the boy’s cornflakes – it gets everywhere. We all sound like we have a severe case of asthma, gravelly voices and non-stop wheezing, I never realised how much havoc a build can create.

So that will be our last home extension, ever! We did have a conservatory built on a few years ago, but there was nowhere near as much upheaval. I felt like I was living with 10 men at some points, they were there when I woke up and I was shoo-ing them out the door sometimes at 7pm so I could have a quiet glass of wine before it all started over again.

Although it was fraught, I have to say now it has definitely been worth it.

I now have huge runs of storage behind doors along each side of the studio – this is lucky because obviously we lost the loft for storage and we still have a lot of junk to store, including excessive Christmas trees and decorations, 200 years of family photographs, 80 paintings from previous artistic family members which I am waiting to posthumously gain in value (unlikely to happen really) and more suitcases than you can shake a stick at.

I have moved most of my sewing paraphernalia in now, though I am still trying to get it set up properly and find everything a proper home, but I thought it was time to show you how it looks now compared to where we started 10 weeks ago.

The windows are large and airy and can be opened up both sides so I can feel the breeze blowing straight through (or an icy gust of wind, depending on the day) I planned the position to allow in the most light into the centre of the room where I do most of my pottering around.

I planned worktop with desk spaces along one whole side, with nothing built in on the other side to allow for my cutting table, and a bit of room to breathe.

We used Ikea Kallax units to fit out everything with Ikea worktops. I wanted lots of open shelving so I can see all my fabrics – it gives me constant joy and inspiration (Maybe I’m a bit sad)

We constructed a long thin cutting table to fit the space (from more Kallax units) which is narrow enough to walk all the way around without bumping your head on the sloping walls, well, it is for me anyway as I am a bit of a short-arse, I have a friend however who is 6’5” and it wasn’t quite as accommodating for him as the big bump on his head can testify.  Sometimes it’s good to be short.

My main feature was my ‘Wonderwall’ at the back which is designed to show off glass jars with my trims and haberdashery – a bit like an old fashioned sweetie shop, with a large open shelf in the middle for photography. (I’m actually finding it very useful to prop my iPad in there and watch TV at night if the boys are all out, it’s so very cozy, especially if the fire is on.

I purchased a lovely patchwork chair and footstool from Ebay which sits beautifully in the corner and is exceptional for watching Stranger things 2 on a dark night when the rain is battering on the Velux windows.

The lighting in the ceiling is LED and very good, but I have bought task lighting for the desks as, I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but I am allergic to any lights that flicker – which include LED and fluorescent – which yes, is an absolute nightmare in today’s world.  I had loads of electricity points put everywhere. I think 16 sockets in total, and I am already wishing I had more. I had accounted for machines, but not for phone/tablet chargers etc.

Along the long shelved wall I have my sewing machine and computer. I have a separate desk for my embroidery machine by the stairs. This little spot also handily fits my ironing board as if it was made for it.

Anyway, my Spencer Ogg decal has been applied so I am now well and truly installed and working every day from my new haven. It’s the best present I could ever have. A total joy to work in. I just have to keep it tidy – unfortunately I am a bit of a messy worker, but it’s too nice to be untidy so I will be trying really hard to keep everything in its place.

In the morning I don’t go off to work any longer, I go up to FIBRESPACE.

So many friends have been around to enjoy a bit of crafting and Prosecco, I now have a permanent wine cooler up there, and Mr O has put a sign on the door –