Everyone who sews professionally or in their free-time knows how important a sewing room is. After all, no one wants to spend hours searching for their sewing accessories or looking for a big-enough space every time they want to sew.
In this article, I’ll share my top four sewing room ideas that are guaranteed to make your life a lot easier. Let’s get started!
Tip # 1: Get Yourself a Sewing Table
The first and most important step in setting up a sewing station is to get a sewing table fit for the job.
Surprisingly, there are a ton of things to keep in mind when searching for a sewing table. Although you can use any ol’ spacious table you already have on hand, I highly recommend purchasing a table that’s specifically designed for sewing purposes.
The “perfect” sewing table should have the following functions:
- Stands at an ergonomically friendly height
- Has enough shelves and/or drawers to store most of your sewing accessories and tools
- Has a built-in “leaf” drop arm for large projects
- Has rounded corners and edges to prevent the fabric from snagging on sharp corners
- Strong and spacious enough to accommodate multiple machines
Your hands and wrists should be at approximately elbow height when your work. Too low, and you’ll be forced to hunch forward. Too high, and you’ll have to raise your shoulders to work. In both scenarios, you might end up with a painful back, strained shoulders, and a stiff neck. Not fun!
If you can’t find a sewing table that best suits your height, consider getting one custom-made. Doing so allows you to ask for extra inserts, shelves, and lift mechanisms to be added. Tables with said extensions are perfect for quilts and dresses.
Baskets and trays can be added on top or under the table, so make sure you have enough space for both. And, although not part of the table itself, it’s a great idea to keep a waste bin nearby to keep your work surface as clean and tidy as possible.
Tip # 2: Use the Right Chair
It isn’t unheard of for sewing projects to take hours, sometimes even days, to finish. This is why you need a chair that lets you work for long periods of time without hurting your back, neck, and shoulders. No one wants to experience strained fatigued muscles, after all!
When buying a sewing chair, make sure the chair comes with ergonomic features, i.e., one that has a proper back and lumbar support. It’s best to search for a chair that has an adjustable height as well, so you can comfortably modify it to your body structure.
Finally, your chair should have a cushion that’s soft yet firm when sat upon. For that much-needed mobility, castor wheels should be a priority, too.
A personal favorite of mine is the Reliable SewErgo 200SE, as it comes with three adjustable functions, an ergonomic backrest, and an armless design that allows you the freedom to move your hands while sewing.
Tip # 3: Ironing Stations are Equally Important
Ironing stations don’t need to be elaborate or overly huge. In fact, a regular standing iron board in the middle of the room or backed into a wall does the trick. You can even turn a side table into an ironing board if you wish.
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when buying an ironing board:
- Has an adjustable height
- Can easily accommodate bigger ironing projects
- Comes with a relatively thick padding
- Is extremely stable and durable
- Equipped with an iron holder
Tip # 4: Consider Getting a Cutting Table
Most of my sewing buddies don’t believe cutting tables are a necessity. After all, they can simply use their sewing table to cut their fabric. For especially large projects, their dining room table gets the job done well enough.
However, these tables require you to twist, bend, and sometimes even contort your body in wacky (and frankly painful) positions just to accurately snip the fabric in question. Not only does this cause unnecessary stress on your back, but it’ll create painful tensions in your shoulders and hips, as well.
This can be avoided with a cutting table. The ideal cutting table needs to have the following functions:
- Has a surface height of anywhere between 34” to 39″, and is at least six feet long
- Comes with drawers and storage shelves to store cutting equipment
- Made with an extremely durable surface
Final Thoughts
Sewing is as fun as it is challenging. A sewing room is a convenient way to store and work on your projects comfortably without leaving scraps of fabric and thread all-around your house. Pair the above tips with sufficient lighting, and you’re going to ace your stitching and chase away the twitching. I can’t wait to see what you make!
