Need help with sewing/stitching room design

My DH and I are just starting the exploration of building our dream retirement house and I am going to have a bedroom to use as my sewing/stitching room. Today, as we discussed some of the house plans in a book we are studying, we measure out one room that is 12 X 11 and decided that the Koala cabinet/cutting table I want would be a little big for this size room.

He then said, "Well, what do you want in this room and how big do you want it? We can tell a builder how big to make the room, but you need to know what you want." Is that carte blanche or what????

I need to be reasonable and a room a bit bigger than 12 X 11 would be a possibility, but I cannot get too carried away.

So, I am coming to the "experts" with my questions. I have a few ideas of must haves, but need some more ideas.

If you were designing your dream room, what is the one thing you cannot live without?

I will be using the closet for most of my storage and know that I will probably use a closet module for it. I want a couple of drawers for threads, notions, and small stitching items, and some drawers or bins for storing fabric. File drawers for charts and patterns, but I don't know what I want for storing miscellaneous items. I want some bookcases and shelves for displaying some of my collectibles.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Marianne T.

Reply to
Marianne Teubner
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First thought is why a bedroom? Unless you are building for resale. I like a sewing room near the kitchen/laundry areas, and I like to be able to hear and see what is going on.

Reply to
Pogonip

A billion electric outlets, with multiple circuits. Be sure to wire in the network before the walls are sheetrocked.

DaveJ

Reply to
Dave Johnsen

Last house when hubby finished basement he made me a sewing room. I had it about 12x16, did have a 'closet' but used an organizer to make it fo material storage. It helped resale as was nice big additional bedroom. But after got all 'stuff' and machines in room seemed too small. He put the room on its own electrical circut, and put in a couple of plug stirps half way up the walls to plug in multiple machines, devices, etc and not have to bend down. Also he built an area for my computer and room enough for a couple of ups (universal power supplies) so power surges or lightning does not ruin a very expensive piece of equipment. Also dont forget to wire for cable tv and phones on a couple of walls.

Newest house had been already studded at about 12 x 12, feels much too small. Hubby is putting in network circut. I will have storage under stairs. Last one we had a couple of half peg board walls, was great for holding thread racks, cutting boards, rulers, etc. Also handy are the accessable (sp) door knobs. We learn at each house what we want in next one. . There is a good book about desinging your sewing room, sprial bound (cant remember the name and have not found it in the movers boxes yet) Had to leave sewing station at last house, couldnt get through door and was way too heavy. A bit outdated for new bernina also.

If I were to build a house -- hope to in a couple of years when I retire -- would put it over a double+ garage, maybe 6-8 steps at most to get there, wide wide stair case, wide door, also would build a powder room adjacent to it. If you do any dying etc, would make room for that. Close to laundry room. The build in ironing boards that swivel are also great. Give your self room for a comfortable chair to sit in for hand stitching. Maybe an air purifier.

Sorry to go so long but have gone through this every house, (I get transfered around a bit) s

Reply to
GIS_Lady

Lucky lady. I just organized my sewing room and here are a couple of ideas.

- A comply chair for sitting and pondering (usually my mistakes)

- A good lamp beside the comfy chair for seeing those damn stitches that need to be removed.

- I hung a wire grid on the wall behind my sewing table for hanging all of my tools. They all sit on hooks and I also have a couple of small shelves hanging on it for my basting spray and water spritzer etc.

- A permanently set up ironing board. In fact better than that...build one that will handle the width of the fabric so 50" long and you will also want it a bit wider so about

24" deep.

- A computer area directly next to the sewing machine.

- If you have a serger...a permanent table to leave it set up.

- No carpet on the floor (of course), it makes dropped pins too hard to find.

- I personally like a table directly to the left of my machine. Comes in very handy for supporting quilts (if you do that sort of thing), otherwise it is nice to have an extra space directly beside you.

- Check where the sun shines. You don't want to set things up to find the early morning or late afternoon sun is shining either in your eyes.

Good luck

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

Yes...and especially a separate one just for the iron. That little baby pulls a lot of watts and you don't want it to blow a fuse when you are in the middle of a stitching a design. (Ask me how I know).

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

On the subject of power, look into various ways to protect your equipment from power surges and outages. Computers can be replaced in the neighborhood of US$1000, but computerized sewing machines cost five times that much. Some options are whole-house surge protection, uninterruptible power supplies and back-up generators that kick in automatically. A UPS will give you time to shut your equipment down graciously, while a generator would give you power to keep working.

Which combination of these (and some other options) you select depends on your own needs and pocketbook. And they all come in different "sizes".

We recently played with the idea of converting the garage (about 20x20) into such a work room. But the plans expand to fit the available space. I quote: "If we had that much room, we could put in a free-quilting machine ... if the room were just a little bigger"

- Herb

Reply to
Herb

Plug-in UPSes don't even claim to protect from the type of power transients that damage electronics. UPS connects directly to AC mains when not in battery backup mode. Nothing

- no blocking protector - exists inside a UPS between a machine and the AC electric.

Furthermore, more UPSes are computer grade. That means in battery backup mode, they can out electricity so 'dirty' as to damage small electric motors. Computers are far more resilient which is why this 'dirty' electricity is called computer grade.

If using a UPS (to continue work during a blackout), then the UPS should claim single digit THD numbers. A spec that many UPSes will not provide for rather obvious reasons. Many plug-in UPSes have double digit THD numbers. This one is an example. Unloaded in battery backup mode, it outputs (as 120 volts) two 200 volt square waves with a 270 spike between those waves. Again, to a computer, this will be converted to

120 volts equivalent. But to small electric motors, this square wave and spike can be destructive.

Transient protecti> Last house when hubby finished basement he made me a sewing room. I

Reply to
w_tom

Reply to
GIS_Lady

Thanks so much for all of the great ideas. I have printed them all out and will put them in my "sewing room" folder.

Of course, all of your ideas have sparked more questions. I have always had my sewing machine cabinet against the wall and sometimes when I have bulky fabric it is difficult and I have to roll the cabinet out from the wall. In my present room, that's is a real trial; carpet, not much room to back it up, etc. etc.

Do you guys have your machines against a wall or on a cabinet in the middle of the room? Do you know of any sewing cabinets where the opening/lift is large enough for embroidery machines?

Again, thanks for all of your help. I knew the "experts" would have fabulous ideas.

Marianne T

Reply to
Marianne Teubner

The protector is not really protection. 'Whole house' protector is effective because a 'less than 10 foot' connection to earth ground exists. That means earthing be adjacent to the protector (ie at breaker box). Earthing must meet or exceed post 1990 code requirements no matter who installs a solution.

When a utility installs a protector behind the meter, they don't check, don't upgrade, and are not concerned with earthing. Earthing is your responsibility - not theirs. If ground is not single digit feet from that utility protector, then effective protection is compromised.

Furthermore is the higher cost of that utility protector - typically a so profitable $4 or $5 per month. Less expensive are sufficiently sized protectors sold in Home Depot and Lowes. Either you install it AND upgrade the earth ground, or the electrician confirms earthing to post 1990 requirements. Either way (utility or your own protector), you must still verify earthing meets or (even better) exceeds post 1990 requirements. Earthing is the protection. Protector only makes a connection to protection - earthing.

Aga> Thanks for the info, will give it to my Hubby, Think our new rural

Reply to
w_tom

I keep my cabinet against the wall because when I'm doing a large quilt (and have done a King size by machine). I don't want it to hang over the edge. Then it would pull and throw off my stitches. I also don't like to roll them up (too bulky for me), I prefer the crumple and squish method much better.

The opening in my cabinet will not fit my embroidery model. When I finally retire and build my "dream" home I plan on building a custom table. Then I will cut the opening large enough so that I can use my embroidery module as a flat bed.

I have never quite seen what I want, so I built my own table to use an extension. Here is a great link of how someone had theirs done.

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is a link for more suggestions:
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are some studios to view:
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Love the ironing board here.http://www.sewmuch4retirement.com/sewingroom.htmlhttp://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/g-412.html Good ideas on ergonomics
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ideas should keep you busy for a while

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

All the UPSes I have dealt with have absolutely no connection between the incoming "grid" and the output synthesized power. I have not dealt with the power bar types however.

I doubt this level of protection is needed or even wanted for a sewing machine though.

Reply to
John Bengi

Numerous myths distort how UPSes work. A typical UPS connects AC mains direct to UPS output - as made obvious when viewed on an oscilloscope. (A small hint as to how extensive my technical background goes.) When in battery backup mode, then a clean sine wave from AC utility changes to become what is called modified or stepped 'sine wave' (an advertising gimmick). In reality, it is a square wave or trapezoid - that 'dirty' and potentially destructive to electric motors. Again, this is why a THD number is so important.

Another type of UPS is called 'line interactive'. Output is always powered from an inverter - not just during battery backup mode. They cost typically $500 and up. Myth purveyors will claim all plug-in UPSes work this way. In reality, most every UPS connects its output directly to AC mains via a relay.

Moving on to protection. Too many reasons why even a line interactive UPS provides no effective transient protection. #1 on that list is the safety ground wire that carries a destructive transient bypassing the UPS. Myth purveyors ignore this necessary human safety wire. Just another reason why plug-in UPSes do not provide transient protection.

Effective protection means the 'always essential' component of every protection system exists. Earth ground. Effective protector shunts. It makes a 'less than 10 foot' connection to earth ground. Any protection effective at the machine is already inside that machine. After all, if the $0.10 components inside a UPS were so effective, then those components are already inside the sewing machine. A plug-in UPS uses the same protector circuit found in power strip protectors. A circuit that is only as effective as its earthing. No earth ground means no effective protection. Earthing defines the quality of transient protection. So manufacturers avoid discussing earth ground. Its called lying by telling half truths.

All electr> All the UPSes I have dealt with have absolutely no connection

Reply to
w_tom

You have only dealt with one style of protection with your earth hype. Common mode transients. There are differential mode transients that are usually handled quite easily of course. You talk like a large electrical utility person. ground means nothing if it is different than your circuitry. I believe you really mean no potential difference...LOL

All the best to our "earth person"

Reply to
John Bengi

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 18:22:31 -0500, w_tom dilly dallied with the troll/s:

Not extensive enough tom :-< You have attracted the GymmyBob Troll with your o/t rant.

The Troll also operates under these nyms.

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Reply to
lê.ÞeemÞ

Serious manufacturers discuss this often in application notes. The destructive transient seeks earth ground. It is a common mode transient. Earth ground destructively through appliances. Same transient that is earthed by lightning rods must also be earthed before it can find a path through appliances via AC electric wires.

Appliances already have both common mode and differential mode transient protection internally. Anything a power strip or UPS is going to accomplish is already inside those electronic appliances. But common mode transients can overwhelm internal appliance protection - typically cause the appliance damage.

'Whole house' protectors shunt both types of transients - at substantially less money. Plug-in power strip and UPSes only claim differential mode protection. Plug-in manufacturers

*hope* everyone will assume protection that manufacturers don't even claim. Notice their markup. Take a $3 power strip. Add some $0.10 parts. Sell it for $15 or $50. No reason to be fully honest when a profit margin is that large. They routinely forget to mention why earthing is critical.

For pr> You have only dealt with one style of protection with your earth hype.

Reply to
w_tom

The woman just wants a sewing room and doesn't care much about transient protectors, UPSes or Warewolves. She needs decent lighting, lots of space, a view, a computer and a wireless modem.

Best of luck with your obsessions...LOL

Reply to
John Bengi

She has a UPS to protect her sewing machine and computer. However most plug-in UPSes have too much THD - can be destructive to small electric motors such as in sewing machines. Again, the UPS should have a single digit THD number. Most do not because they are only 'computer grade'.

That UPS also does not protect a sew> The woman just wants a sewing room and doesn't care much about

Reply to
w_tom

I do not know where you get your ideas from. I saw no such post telling of any UPS or electrical equipment whatsoever. The OP only asked about space, and physical constraints.

Maybe leaded walls for radiation and aliens attacking would be a good idea too.

Are you still wearing that tinfoil hat and is it "earthed" properly within

1.3 metres?
Reply to
John Bengi

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