A sewing nook makeover

Earlier this year, I took a little break from sewing. I needed a step away to focus on other things. I've only maybe half-stepped back into making sewing a priority, mainly out of obligation to the other things in my life. The kids and my job and keeping the house from being condemned are all pretty much non-negotiable duties.

But another thing holding me back? The mess that is my sewing nook. How can you feel creative and inspired and excited about spending time on your favorite hobby when the place you do it looks like...(prepare yourself!).... this?

Please, don't call Hoarders. Or Child Protective Services. This is really the only corner that is in total mayhem in my house. I'm not a neat-freak in any sense, but this the place that for some reason gets really out of control and messy. Which leads to total sewing shutdown.

My sewing nook is in a small, L-shaped, ugly corner of my basement. It's lit by a single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling, and it shares real estate with the water shut-off thingy. The only electrical outlet is located in the base of the light-bulb, so my extension cord for my sewing machine, table light and iron hangs in the middle of the space. The third picture down shows the opening in the back left of the corner that goes into my laundry room. I had a bookcase shoved into the opening to close it off and hold all my fabric. It's a hard shape to make cute. But I was also not using the space well. I wasn't making a point to keep things neat. I needed way more organization. The smaller the space, the more important being really organized becomes.




So on Saturday, everything came out of the space. Things were sorted, fabrics were refolded, stuff that didn't belong there was sent to the get-outta-here pile. And then everything went back in.

In progress....

It has to get worse before it gets better, right?

After a few hours of working on it throughout the day, I finally had it reassembled and looking better.

I like to see some of my fabric, so for now, I'm storing a bunch of it here on this bookcase. Along with some notions like fusible fleece and interfacing, and on the bottom shelf, a small box of works-in-progress.

 Here's looking into the nook. I have had the striped rug for about 10 years, since I lived in an apartment. Haven't found a use for it in my house until now! I also bought the painting almost 10 years ago at a coffee shop. It too hasn't had a home in my house for some time. I like how they brighten the corner up!

The table itself is from the 1950s. My mother-in-law wanted to get rid of it a few years ago, and I love it dearly. The chair is from my childhood, so my vintage factor is not bad here, eh?

I'd like to get my threads mounted on the wall. Other than that, I'm happy!

 We bought a new storage unit for inside the laundry room, and it's doing wonders not just for that room, but for creating a nice barrier here. Eventually, when we add more storage options to that room, I might use some of the shelf space there for fabric.

 As part of my cleaning process, I threw away my old sewing cover, which was ugly, stained, misshapen and even cut apart down the middle. Time to make a new one!

 Organized these shelves by getting rid of most everything but the sewing books. I might add some baskets here eventually.

Right now, a lot of my fabric is hiding until the table. It's not ideal, as I worry I'll forget about things if they're so hidden away. And I also won't be as motivated to climb under there to put things away. But it'll do for now.

What do you think? Better?

It's still not a Pinterest-worthy crafting space, that's for sure. And it's not done. But I'm feeling way better about it. Before, just looking over into that corner got my blood boiling. Now, I'm actually drawn in and feeling inspired to go sit and sew.

Does your craft space need some TLC? Go in there and spend 30 minutes tidying up -- it feels so good! 

Spring cleaning, take one!

I have never done a real "spring cleaning" before. Of course, I've never been on maternity leave in the spring either. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like being on maternity leave with a 2.5 year old and a baby is a vacation. I am busy still. But there is something about being home that, despite how frantic these two boys keep me, makes me want to fix everything in my sight up. Little corners of my home that I did not give a damn about are suddenly calling to me, insisting that I clean them. For the first time since we moved in more than four years ago.

Yes, Betty Homemaker I am not, not when it comes to cleaning. Want an example of what a slob I can be? When I was a teen, I used to take cans of peaches to my room and eat the fruit right outta the can. Then I'd leave the can in some corner or some shelf and go about the rest of my business (you know, strolling the mall for troll dolls, practicing my very important lines as a Salvation Army marcher in the musical Guys and Dolls). I'd leave the can there for days. I know... ew. Then I'd rediscover it when a cloud of fruit flies formed around it. Ew EW. My mom would just shake her head and tell me I needed to stop being a slop. I remember my defense: "But mom, this is just who I am!" I think in a way, I was right!

But I'm trying to clean up my act. And my basement.

Yesterday, it began. And it started with this icky corner of my laundry room.

Isn't it pretty?

Here's another look.

You're scared something dead is behind that door, right?

I decided yesterday I could not take looking at this ugly weird white-painted scraggly wooded wall anymore. So I opened up a can of yellow paint, a sample size I purchased in the fall when we were picking colors for our dining room.

I didn't even tell my husband. He was upstairs with Luke. J.J. was sleeping. I grabbed my supplies and just went at it, before anyone could stop me.

Here it is in progress. Getting better. I had to run to the paint store to buy a small brush to get into the corners. Once back, I made a decision.... This one wall would not be enough. I am going to have to paint the entire room. Of course, I don't have enough paint for that. And there is stuff (read: the mountains of laundry I ignore!) everywhere. I can't exactly tackle the rest right away. I guess there is a reason people usually plan their painting adventures.

Oh well. I did as much as I could with the paint I had on hand, finishing up during nap time.

And here is what I see today when I pull my clothes out of the dyer:

Better, right?

I am slowly going to tackle the rest of the room. Then? Maybe the floor. It's super ugly and stained and ick. I wonder if I could put something else right over it. Or paint it? Not sure. And eventually, a drop ceiling? Cute laundry-themed art for the walls? This is the problem with making one part of a yucky room look better. Soon you are renovating and redoing everything.

But for such an impulsive move, I have to say, I'm happy so far! Not bad for a slob, eh?

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