Yes, finally the day has come where I’m going to share some pictures of my new and improved Sewing Room with you… it won’t be a teaser post…It’s an actual one with pictures and everything! There are still things to be done… the light hasn’t gotten moved yet and so the cord is still “looping” down, the shipping boxes didn’t get moved upstairs yet, the tiles are still chipped and needing to be replaced, I haven’t gotten a topper for my new “cutting” table (the white dresser) yet, I still have to get some outlets moved, and I need to find places for a few more things… I have 2 tubs of Christmas things that are hidden over by my blue stenciled cabinet. So I have plenty to do, but I wanted to show you what it looks like so far and then I HAVE to get busy with some sewing! Do I hear an AMEN???
First let me show you what it looked like before… now granted… these pictures were taken mostly when Rebecca was helping me weed out things, but you can see how many tubs, and containers and little cabinets and file cabinets and bookshelves and pull out drawer containers I had… and it was always just too busy and junky to suit me. It was just too hodge podge for me…I wanted something classier and more professional looking. I never dreamed I had this much stuff and this is really “putting it out there” but if you see these pictures first, you’ll appreciate the “after” pictures in a minute… So here goes, in no particular order and a few of the “okay” phases my room has been in…
[If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.]
Now, I’d like to say how grateful I am to those bidders who bought my last few doll dresses and blessed me with enough money to buy the 2 new dressers and the white hutch. I wanted DRAWERS most of all instead of containers and I got drawers… 26 of them… and I’m very happy! I still don’t know where everything is yet… in fact a few minutes ago I was looking for my rubber bands to wind up a cord before I took a picture and I had to look in 4 drawers before I found them. I’m sure I’ll get used to where things are very soon, when I start sewing again… which will be very soon too! YAY!
Anyway, without further ado…here is my new and improved Sewing room. I have so much more floor space since I moved my big brown cabinet back in the corner and got rid of my big fold out cutting table…(well, actually, I’m going to sell it on Craigslist soon.) My room actually kind of has an echo-y sound when I’m in there now… AND I LOVE IT! I hope you like it…
First I wanted to show you a quick sketch I did of the layout of my sewing room. It’s not just a typical square room. It has bookshelves built in the wall in the middle of the room where the stairs go down into the basement on the back side. There is a door that I never use behind the dolly shelf. I always thought I had to keep it cleared, but finally decided “why?” so I decided to put something in front of it. The wall on the back side of the room, where the big brown cabinet is, is slanted, so it’s kind of hard to fit anything back there… Well, I think you’ll understand….
I lined up all my “drawers” in a row and even though some are painted white and some are oak, I don’t care… I love having a drawer for everything…
I like my drawers so much I had to show them twice..
I think it’s all pretty easy to see, so I’ll stop talking….
It’s nice and bright and pretty and clean and I’m very grateful to my hubby who helped me A LOT; Kristoffer, who drove me 2 hours to get the white dresser and hutch; Rebecca, who helped me weed out more stuff than you can imagine, my sister Cindy, who helped me decorate “long distance” by phone, my sister Deb, who prayed for me, because she thought I was too busy, and all of you, who bid on my things and encourage me every day to sew for your dolls. I love what I do and now I’ll LOVE WHERE I do it!
Tomorrow, I’m planning to show you the insides of some of my dresser drawers, if you’d like to see them?
Hallelujah… I did it!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
All I can say is WOW!!!
Thanks Joy,
It was worth every aching body part, every late night, every sleepless night wondering if it would ever be finished, and every penny I spent to have it look like this. I am thrilled beyond thrilled!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, Jeanne, what an improvement, a BIG improvement! I had no idea of how much stuff you had, and maybe you didn’t either! I see better now the layout of the room, boy, that is challenging, to say the least! I thought it was a big square room.
I am wondering how you plan on putting a different top on that white dresser and still make it fit, since it is right against the wall and right next to the adjoining cabinets. It already has a top.
Everything looks SO much better, and I am sure you will find things much easier once you get the knack of where you put it in the first place! I’m one of these people that has to have everything straightened up before I even start with anything! Always had to have the house in order before starting any craft or seewing, or I just kept thinking about the mess, and not what I was trying to accomplish! That was very hard when I had my children home, but now it’s a breeze—-sometimes!
Anyway, I’m so glad to see your room so nice and you so happy! That means more new, darling dresses for us to ooh and ahh over!!
HI Linda,
I didn’t realize I had so much stuff either…not anymore! It feels good!
I’m still figuring out the top myself…but I’ll get it… I just need to make a trip to Lowe’s and do some looking around.
It’s so nice and neat in there, I might not want to sew and make a mess… NAH…. :o)
Thanks Linda,
blessings, Jeanne
You are going to be so happy working in your new space. I too have always pictured this as a big square room. This was a lot more challenging and interesting to deal with and is now going to be much nicer to work in and much easier to find things in. I continue to picture you and Cindy painting various cabinets and bookshelves one or two at a time as time goes by.
The top for the dresser — are you mostly thinking of something to protect it or something marked off in inches or something else?
You and everyone who has helped you have done a really splendid job. Now you can celebrate while you are thinking about what to do next. It’s going to be wonderful to look around while you sew and feel good about everything you’ve accomplished.
If you give us pictures of the insides of drawers and cabinets, you’ll have them to consult when you need to find something and are not sure where it is. Fun for us and useful for you.
By the end of the week, we’ll know what you’ve picked out for the next dress and which doll is going to be the one chosen to wear the first outfit made in this new, clean room. This is definitely a good week.
HI Marilyn,
I think you have me and Cindy figured out to a T! I’m sure we’ll be painting something… she wanted to paint my living room when she gets here on Thursday, but I think we’ll just visit…
It truly does feel different when I walk in there… I feel more at ease and like a few ladies have said… Calm! That’s what I wanted… Calm not chaos!
Yes, by the end of the week, and maybe sooner a new doll dress will be started! I can’t wait to see who it will be! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
It looks like the Ugly Duckling turned into a Swan! Congrats to all who helped. It’s a wonderful space now. Certainly worth all the work and worry. Enjoy it.
HI Susette,
Oh, what a sweet comparison for my new room! I love that!
I couldn’t have done it without any of the people I mentioned! It truly was worth all the work and so glad you like it! I will certainly enjoy it!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a breath of fresh air! Your room looks so calm and inviting! I know you will have wonderful inspiration creating in your new space. I know I would love to sew there!
Have fun getting back to what you love to do!
Hi Karen,
You are so right… it does feel calm and refreshing in my room now. Clutter can almost smother you!
I’ll be back to sewing before you know it…
Thank you Karen,
Blessings, Jeanne
I wish you many creative, relaxing, and happy moments in your new space, Jeanne. It looks so calming with everything in its place and a place for everything. Congrats on completing your project. Happy sewing today!
Hi Cindy and thank you for showing your sewing room to us before. I always loved looking at your room. It was always so neat and orderly and seemed so cozy and inviting in there. I wanted to have a nice room like yours…so you can take credit for inspiring me!!!
Thanks so much Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Aww, thanks Jeanne! I am happy to have inspired you. If you only saw my room now… it’s a mess. I think you’ll now inspire me to clean up.
It’s always nice to do a clean out and revamp your space. It’s almost like a refresher and starting new. 🙂
Hi Christine,
It’s not a new room but it sure does feel like it! I’m loving it…
Thanks so much for your comments,
Blessings, Jeanne
As I look at your finished masterpiece, perhaps there is hope for me. Our living room is still piled with dolls and accessories that need to be removed pronto. Now that we are done with our cabin project, I’m looking forward to decorating the dolls new home and then starting on weeding out the sewing collection. An inspiration you are.
Forgot. I’m glad you decided to ditch the door. Since it wasn’t being used, the space without access is amazing. And your ironing board cover is perfect.
So, maybe I missed something (I keep going back to get ideas), but where are you going to do your photography? Didn’t see a spot for that.
HI Joy,
There is ALWAYS hope for a better sewing area…whether it’s a room or a closet or a cabinet… YOU can do this… the hardest part is just getting started!
I’m planning on taking my pics on the white cabinet when I get a bit more of a top to it… but I’m waiting before I do anything to see about my lighting. When the lights are directly above my dolls, sometimes it makes shadows under their eyes from their eyelashes. I have to get that all adjusted before I settle on anything permanently…
I’ll have to come up with something for my gray backdrop…just haven’t gotten that far yet…
Thanks Joy..and send me some pics of your sewing area when you get all done!
Blessings, Jeanne
Wonderful, wonderful transformation Jeanne!!
I’m impressed. Everything makes sense as to how you laid things out. It’s so creative because you place the furniture pieces strategically for their size.
It will be so nice for you to be sewing and working on projects in such a nice room.
Great job!! I’m happy for you!
Recently, I bought the Olympic outfit from American Girl. It is so neat and it came to my house the last weekend of the Olympics. AG did a good job on the entire outfit.
It has the swim suit and goggles but the neatest part is, it has s gold medal. I was thrilled with it. I wonder if AG had other outfits during the former Olympics that I missed?
Paula, I got one of those Olympic outfits too, and used it for Ivy. Love the gold medal!
HI Paula,
I can’t wait to make my first outfit in the new area… It just seems like it should go faster, don’t you think? :o)
The Olympics outfit sounds adorable… I wonder how many dolls besides yours and Linda’s were in them?
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow is all I can say too, Jeanne. What a magnificent change and airy feeling-I think you said that yourself. Wow, I’m so happy for you!
Blessings.
HI Becky,
In all my years of sewing, I’ve never had such a nice spot to do it in! It should be wonderful to make things in there! I’m looking forward to it!
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your room looks wonderful, Jeanne, and your drawers are the envy of every sewist! Love it! Where will your cutting mat and photo areas be now? It’s a shame you couldn’t fit the white five drawer dresser in there, too. I’m sure there were times you thought about taking out a wall to make your room another five feet longer, LOL. You did a great job! Hugs, Ali
HI Ali,
You don’t know how many times I’ve rearranged this room in my mind, trying to figure out the way for laying things out. I think I finally figured it out… at least for now. I love my new drawers and think they will make a world of difference in organizing things… at least I hope so.
My cutting table and pictures will be done on the same table top… I just have to get that figured out with the lighting… still things to do…
Thanks Ali,
Blessings, Jeanne
you *inspire* me. I picked up my new quilting machine, yesterday – and need to do some reorganizing of space, now, too! Yours looks grand!… and ‘peaceful’ to sew and create in!
HI Mary,
Let me know what you are “inspired” to make when you get it done… ooohhh a new quilting machine..that sounds like fun… I bet I know what you’ve been doing today!
Thanks so much Mary,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a tremendous improvement. You’ll have ” a place for everything and everything in it’s place”. My grandmother sewed in the guest bedroom and had a dresser for all her fabric and notions. She sewed mostly clothing and home decor with the occasionally doll dress for my mom and then for me! 🙂
I bet you’ll be so happy sewing in there now.
Hi Laura,
There’s no doubt in my mind how much fun I’m going to have in my new sewing area. It’s the same room but it doesn’t feel like it.
I guess your grandmother and I think alike… dressers make great storage for fabrics and stuff.
Thanks so much Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my, the butterfly has finally emerged from the cocoon! What a wonderful metamorphosis, Jeanne. Your hard work and patience has transformed your sewing room into a beautiful dream space where your creativity can take flight. I can’t get over how much floor space you have now! It really is a much bigger area than I ever imagined. Your drawer storage looks so nice lined up on one wall, and your colorful fabrics provide pretty inspiration so neatly stacked on the shelves. Safely tucked away in the back, even your “girls” can admire your design process from every angle, no matter where you are in the room!
Your blue stenciled cabinet has found the perfect spot under the window, and I love your sewing corner in the front, especially the bookcase with your threads. Everything is so neatly organized, and it’s quite nice that you have room to add a few “pretties” on the shelf, too. The decorative boxes are an attractive storage solution, and the photo of you and your children is so sweet! I also like the charming wall decor above the bookcase. It is a very well-balanced grouping that makes a nice statement about the room’s purpose. It will look very appealing from the living room, as well. In fact, everything in the room can really be seen and appreciated now. IT’S AMAZING!!!
I have a thought. I wonder if your hubby could add a hinged top to the white dresser for your cutting table? With a hinge in the front, the top could fold out for double the cutting surface, but fold back on top of itself when not needed for cutting, similar to some dining tables. That would preserve all that lovely floor space you have gained, while not cramping you at the ironing board or walking across the room to retrieve dolls, fabrics and notions. It would also maintain easy access to your amazing drawer space. Above the dresser/cutting table, perhaps you could hang that framed inspiration board some of the ladies suggested. A French-style memo board with fabric and criss-cross ribbons would be lovely. The top could also be folded out for doll photographs, giving you plenty of room for props, and any background or scenery could be hung from a decorative rod over the memo board. Whatever you decide, I know you will find the solution that is perfect for you and your new room!
Jeanne, you are such a caring person, always thinking of others. I am so thrilled for you that you finally have a space you love where you can continue to create things that make others happy. No one deserves it more! It’s a beautiful room for a beautiful person who makes beautiful things, and I can’t wait to see what comes out of this beautifully transformed space. Your “girls” are excited, too! Blessings, Jeanne!
Anne, I was thinking the same thing. A top on the dresser with a piano hinge in front that would fold out. Love your decorating ideas too.
HI Anne,
Oh my, you have lots of ideas…and I’ll have to take my “handyman” with me to Lowe’s and we can look at things… that piano hinge sounds pretty good… hmmm…
I like the fact that my room can be “pretty” from the living room too… that was one of my goals in redoing my sewing room.
I also so a hinged wall board that rested on top of a dresser and then folded back up when not in use… sort of like a Murphy bed… That kind of intrigued me…
You are just too full of compliments for me to comment on each one, but I thank you very much for your kind words…
Blessings, Jeanne
Let me add a vote for that idea. It definitely sounds worth investigating.
How nice everything looks! I’m sure you’re relieved to have everything (almost) done and organized. Having all those drawers for storage is awesome! I have some of the same wall art you do–one of the same pictures and the big scissors. I was always hopeful I’d find some big buttons or a needle to go with the scissors, but so far I haven’t. You are lucky to have such a large room to work in, and I’m sure you will put it to good use.
HI Carolyn,
When we bought this house 11 or 12 years ago, I saw this room, off the living room and claimed it as my sewing room. That’s what it’s always been. I’m very grateful to have such a nice place to make my doll clothes in. I’m truly blessed!
Thanks so much Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I have really enjoyed all the pictures of your sewing room. We tease our youngest son (#6) that when he moves out my sewing room is going to expand into his room, giving me half the upstairs. I was wondering what the small white machine next to your sewing machine was and how you use it in the making of your doll clothes.
HI Susan,
Thank you so much for your kind words about my sewing room makeover and I HOPE you get your dream sewing room when things become available…
The white machine beside my sewing machine is a blind hemmer. That’s all it does… hems things very quickly. When I have a long piece of fabric that needs to be hemmed, it is my go to machine. It just takes a small “bite” out of the fabric and doesn’t leave a big stitch of thread showing… I love it! I won it off Ebay…
Thanks so much Susan,
Blessings, Jeanne
Looks Great!
Am I the only one that’s thinking you need to paint EVERYTHING white, to kind of make it uniform? (I’m thinking Cindy DEFINITELY is thinking PAINT!!
Looks like a lot of HARD work, congratulations!
On a side note, I’ve been working my way thru ALL your blog posts. YES!! ALL OF THEM! and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do when I get all caught up! Ha Ha. Maybe I could go clean, de-stash, cull, or whatever Rebecca did to MY sewing room. I’m sure it would make my room much more inviting, not to mention efficient to use!!!
HI C,
I thought about painting all the pieces in my room white, but I needed to get it all organized first. Maybe next year I can paint everything, but now that I’ve been in it a while, it really doesn’t bother me…some are white an some are oak!
I’m glad you are enjoying reading through my blog. I might miss a comment or two of yours and it’s not intentional…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne