Studio update
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 4:22AM Over the weekend, Jim and I discussed my future studio. Originally the plan was to build it in the backyard, off the corner of the house, but I was really struggling with that as while it would be extremely convenient, our land is long and narrow and I felt it would make the backyard feel boxed in.
So, we have decided to add another bay onto Jim’s shop. This doesn’t thrill me either, because it will make the shop 42’ x 68’… it will dwarf our house! But, not only will it be much less expensive to build, it will likely be better for resale should we ever move, as it could be turned into an apartment.
It can only be twenty feet wide, and earthbermed at that, as any farther and we start cutting into the hillside. So I’ll have a 42’ x 20’ wide studio… with a second floor! The upstairs will have a steep roof though, so standing space will probably be limited to the center ten feet.
I’m looking for ideas on what to put upstairs. I have problems with stairs now, so I’m sure it’s only going to get worse, so whatever goes up there will need to be such that I don’t have to be running up and down the stairs. I was thinking of storing all my fabrics, batting, stabilizers, threads, etc up there, with a cutting table, and retrieving what I needed for a project, but I’m not sure how well that will work, as I often design something with one eye on the computer screen and the other on fabric and threads!
It would also mean dragging a customer upstairs to choose batting and thread for their quilt.
It would be better to fit everything on the bottom level, and leave the upper level for something else, but so far I haven’t devised a layout that will fit everything in the alloted space… the narrowness is difficult because my longarm is fourteen feet long, and of course I need a few feet on either end of it, plus about nine feet of depth. That leaves a 20’ x 31’ space… and then I need a staircase, which takes up another six or eight feet… suddenly I’m down to a bedroom again!
I’m finding it rather humorous that if given an existing space to create in, I just go in and figure out the best solution for whatever I have to work with, but trying to design something from scratch has me absolutely paralyzed! The only thing keeping my studio from being built is ME! Aaaaggghhh!
Reader Comments (16)
we all need to figure out our space for ourselves - I know I and others would be in heaven to have the space you are describing and would be able to work on one floor - but you have a lot more sewing machines and supplies than I do. I would put the things I would use the least upstairs as you say you have a problem with stairs - don't forget some of your customers might not be able to use the stairs at all their handicap could be that severe - they might not be able to go up to pick out fabric and batting and then you would be left to be running back and forth getting things to show them to select.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I know this will seem extravigant but what about a home elevator for the upstairs. You and your guests could get upstairs and it might take up less space than the stairs. Good luck, I love to hear peoples plans for sewing spaces!
Do NOT have an upstairs for your supplies and stuff! trust me! I know from experience!!!!
You bring your supplies down 'cause you need to audition fabrics. Fabrics stay on the table. You don't feel like bringing them back upstairs. Oooops! a new project appears. You go back upstairs to grab more fabrics and then one morning, you wake up and you've got a REAL BIG mess on your tables and/or counters.
Cutting into the hill? Now, THAT perked my ears/eyes! What's wrong with THAT option?!?? You would probably end up working "in" the hill.... almost like being in a basement. With lots of lighting, you'd be okay, eh?
Anyhow, I can imagine what you're going through.... decisions, decisions.
Good luck!
Rosa
Arranging space before that space is actually built is hard. And, just a thought here, could you just have too much stuff?? Truth is we all do. Good luck figuring it all out.
If you are having problems with feet and legs now. You will not want to be running up and down stairs all day. If possible put everything down on one level.
I agree with Rosa. I have terrible knees and only getting worse as I get older. I would rather cut into the hill than deal with stairs. It will never fail, every time you want something, it will be upstairs. If you have to have an upstairs, I would only use it for storage (long term.)
My sewing room resides in a bedroom upstairs and at times, it is really a pain.
How exiciting to have a new studio just for sewing.
I would seriously either reconsider having usage of the second floor or put in an elevator. There is a quilt shop in our area that has fabric on both the first and second floor and I avoid it as the stairs are too difficult to maneuver, especially when I am carrying fabric.
Rosa's comment is right on as I have my longarm on one floor and sewing studio on second floor. I have gotten that I have duplicates of many things so I don't have to run up and down, but things still end up on the wrong floor.
When we built our garage/shop we put a loft in it for storage. My husband rigged up a retracting stairway that is on a garage door opener type apparatus. That would allow you more usable floor space.
If stairs are a problem I would only use the loft for bulk storage. Currently I have my sewing room in the second story of my house (former bedroom) and my quilting machine in the basement. Like an earlier poster, I am starting to duplicate some tools just so I don't have to do that run every time I need something.
I would consider building a new garage as the addition. You could build a covered walkway to the house. That might be far less costly and useful. You take over the entire garage as your studio. You could easily finish out the room, leave the garage door facade, build a fake wall for the interior. You would have all your space in 1 area and the garage/shop would have its area. For resale, just take out the fake wall and you're back to a regular, finished out garage. I think it would be far cheaper. Something to ponder.
How exciting to be planning your new stuido. I like the idea of an elevator. Maybe a chair lift would work better. Be sure and put lots of windows upstairs. I love looking at the new Stuido magazine. Lots of good ideas.
So, if you add on by making the shop longer, then you could claim the upstairs area above your husband's shop, eh? No? Yes?
Husband could possibly figure out a lift system to ferry your stuff up and down from storage.
I can't remember how your house is situated, but can you add on to the back of the garage?
I agree with those who suggested an elevator of some kind.
There was a quilter on yahoo who planned her quilting space using EQ. She pretended to do a quilt, but it was a floorplan instead.
if you didn't have an attic, then you could have really tall cabinets, and the old=fashioned ladder system on wheels to get to the shelves.
Also there would be really nice walls to hang quilts.
Sandy
I wish I had your problem..sigh...with my 10' by 12' sewing room...
CJ, are you moving your entire sewing room and long arm studio (everything) out of your home? Or is this going to be the long arm studio only? Personally, I could never function in a separate building away from the rest of my home. When the weather gets nasty, it's no fun trekking back and forth. I tried this once when I had my Hinterberg frame and machine. We put it out in my Dad's empty mobile home in the living room area. It lasted about six weeks, or I should say I lasted about 6 weeks, and I told my husband I couldn't stand walking out there in the rain and wind, and I felt so lonely away from the house. My suggestion to you is to "mock up" of working away from your house. Pretend play, if you will of having a studio or your complete sewing set up out in the shop area. You can duplicate this feeling by only doing your "hand work" projects out there, or only "reading" out there---only allow yourself to do those things in the shop area. Set up your space with a comfy chair, lamp, whatever it takes to duplicate being in this space for hours---alone. Maybe you love the quiet away from the house. I didn't. I have a very small sewing room and we keep the long arm at one end of our living room which we essentially don't use. Because the room is fairly large, we still have a nice seating area.
I know your concern is customers coming into your home, and the need for a separate studio to accommodate their entrance into your home. I don't know your customer base, but what few clients I have (very few) don't mind coming into my living room. It's not difficult to keep the sitting area neat. They are not there to observe my housekeeping skills anyway, they are more interested in discussing their quilts and the costs, and then they are gone. Usually 30 mins. max.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope you consider all your options carefully before you move into a new space.
CJ, you can put in a small elevator and this will allow you to bring up and down heavy things without having to climb up and down stairs. We live in a ranch and we have plans to do this to access our basement which we will begin renovations this winter.
CJ, my first thought was also an elevator... and it has already been suggested by several. I think it would be far better than a chair lift because you could transfer supplies much more readily in an elevator! I would either do that, or go for the one floor plan somehow. Besides, dogs can travel on elevators, but not chair lifts unless they are small. Maybe you don't plan to have your doggies in this space, but that too is something that may change.
I have two bedrooms as sewing rooms upstairs. The one has one sewing machine, one sewing/embroidery, serger, coverstitch and Laura Star iron. Some storage for books, all thread, fabric in the closet and some upper cabinets, TV, small fridge... it is too cosy, and I can mess it up in 10 seconds flat.
My second room is mostly pattern storage, more fabric! most of my books, magazines, embroidery blanks and my cutting table and press. It is about 12 to 15 feet from the door of one room to the other. I am constantly having to return things to the other room... which is doable, but it can be a bit of a drag... but doesn't compare to a trip up and downstairs!
Have you thought about hiring an interior decorator to help you? If you could find someone with a knowledge of sewing it would be grand, but even if not I am sure they would have some ideas... and some that would need to be tempered with your knowledge and specific wants and needs. I hired a professional to help me with two bathrooms and kitchen remodels and her ideas were wonderful.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with. We're facing the same thing. Without basements here in TX, pretty much any house we buy (IF we find a house to buy), we'll have to add a separate building for my studio. Different ideas play out over and over in my head. Like you, when given space, I can make it work but when I have the option of starting from scratch, I just can't figure out what I want to do. Good luck. Come up with a great idea and I'll copy what you do! :)