Yessssss…finally. Reorganized my sewing room yesterday and it feels like I just won Extreme Home Makeover. Well, almost. If you’ve been following my blog for a bit, you might remember that I redid my sewing room back in March, when I moved it upstairs to the office instead of in the cramped not-so-family-friendly basement, but this time I had to take things to a new level!
I was thinking IKEA would be the game-changer for this redo, but it turns out I only found 1 thing there that worked it’s way into the space- this neato wall cabinet of little bins for all my small notions. It’s the Trofast wall storage unit. Oh yeah, and my pre-cuts found a little home up their too. Decided to forgo rules and hang it right in front of a window to utilize space best. I love how the light still shines though!
Ironing/Cutting Table REDO!
I skipped the $200 IKEA cubbies & countertop idea and sprung for this $20 Craigslist find! Check out the transformation!
Started with a basic kitchen/bistro table with a nice medium sized rectangular top. The uglier and cheaper, the better, since it was just going to be covered anyway. Sturdy’s good though. This one’s solid wood.
Next, taped off the edge (just cause I hate messy paint jobs), and spray painted the bottom part white. Took like 10 minutes to paint and 20 minutes to dry- super quick.
Next, took 2 layers of 100% cotton batting & a piece of cotton dec weight fabric I picked up a thrift store awhile back (I knew it would come in handy someday!) and pulled it taught over the top, pinning it down under the edges with thumb tacks. Think of it as wrapping a present…which is pretty much the truth- a rad present for your sewing room!
Voila! Custom, super cute counter height ironing table! Ahhhh! I’m in love!
I’m gonna cut here too! No need for a separate surface- I can just slip the mat behind the table when I’ve gotta a bigger ironing job that requires the whole thing.
Fabric all IN VIEW, making my creative juices go crazy nuts…nothing hiding away in bins or baskets except for my small notions, scraps and my vintage sewing pattern collection (that’s for another post!). This setup is eye candy to the max for me. Thankfully I already had this bookcase in the basement so cost was $0.
Oh, one other thing I was going to share, in case this comes in handy for any of you. Did you by chance notice that beaded candle holder deal that I always have sitting behind my machine?? It’s not because I love candles. I mean, I do, but that’s not why it’s there.
I’ve discovered that this makes a fantastic holder for my huge cones of thread, since my machine is older and doesn’t accommodate them. See what I mean…
I just set it inside, and have the thread run behind the spool rod, and then into my normal threading loops. A glass jar would work great too, but I just happened to have this votive deal so figured I’d put it to good use.
So, how’d I do?? Ok for a crazy stay-at-home mom in a small house with a tiny budget? Well I’M in love with it and I know that’s all that counts! Have you redone your sewing space recently? I’d love to hear about your favorite features!
Dear Amy, I am probably late with this name but I was just looking at your latest quilt (which I like greatly).I read what you were saying and I came up with a name perhaps “Merry-go-round” seeing your world now resembles a playground of babies and young children. So what child does not like a merry-go-around!!!!
I love your table-turned-ironing-board!
Also loved you in the 2012 quilt block of the month…I’m almost done with mine…finally!
I love that you use quilt blocks on your windows, my sewing room faces south so I need to block direct sun but I like to look out too. There are lots of deer and birds. So your idea would adapt well.Thanks for the inspiration.
Love the redo. My sewing room is still in my cramped not-so-family friendly basement but hoping to spruce it up this Spring. Thanks for the inspiring ideas.
I just stumbled upon this, and love your ideas! Thank you for sharing!
I love your studio and your ironing board re-do! Have you had any bleeding from the colors in your board cover onto you quilt fabric? You probably don’t steam or use Best Press… I cannot wrap my head around colors not bleeding onto my precious blocks and fabrics.
Oh my! I am so ashamed at what my sewing room looks like. You are so clever.
Absolutely Love your ironing table, thanks for a great idea!
Absolutely amazing! You inspire me.
thanks for all the inspiration! i just converted a similar table we had in the garage into an ironing/cutting station. Brilliant!
Love your sewing table. Your sewing room is great and gives me inspiration!! Thanks!
Love your sewing room. I (We – daughter & me) are in the process of turning a room in our house into a sewing/crafting room. Loved the idea of the ironing table. . . . I have a table/shelf (former TV stand) on wheels that I am NOW thinking about turning into an ironing surface. Can roll it ‘up’ when needed and then set it aside when not. As I am limited on floor space now that we have all the walls covered with shelving holding fabric, books, patterns, threads, ribbons and many, many other support items. Presently, I have my small portable ironing board set up on it – but it seems to get kinda high sometimes so I think I will ‘steal’ your idea and make it an ironing surface all on its own. THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATIONS. . . .
I’m going to copy your idea for the ironing board top. I already have an old changing table/dresser in my mini closet and will cover the top for ironing. You did a great job on you sewing room ! My area is 6′ x 6′ but its all mine.
love your sewing room, it’s my dream to have one and devote time to this craft. Love the ironing table to. Enjoy!
Love your old machine!! New Kenmore’s suck! Can’t even stay in one spot when sewing!
My lightweigt (cottage machine) has the same issue….trying to run away…cut a piece of shelf liner…from walmart..rubbery type. Works like a charm, also cut a piece for my foot peddle who also wanted to scoot away on a hardwood floor…perfect now. I just put them away right with the portable machine…
I so love your pressing table!!! and your sewing room looks so comfy and enjoyable. I was thinking one time about covering my ironing board with a padded piece of plywood. AND NOW! I plan to get a chrome metal storage shelving unit and fix a new pressing table. You did such a beautiful job and it is eye-candy. :D
No joke, just found the exact same table on FB marketplace for $20.00, but in pink. I am turning my newly spare bedroom into my sewing/craft room. I thought this would be perfect to use as a cutting table and for ironing larger pieces. It’s very sturdy and the perfect height and width. I haven’t painted yet. I was on Pinterest and stumbled upon your post and was shocked when I saw the same kitchen table used for the same thing. Lol I had other ideas to build my cutting table but I stumbled across this piece, and it was cheap, yet sturdy, so I bought it. Great minds think alike! Lol
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j just started my sewing room you gave me some great ideas for my room
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Love new sewing room. Definitely looking for the table you covered, and like your sewing table. Do you have tutorial?
Nicely done. however, I cannot imagine that you can cut on that padded surface…doesn’t the mat sink into the ironing board when you press down?
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