Sewing room re-organizing Machine cabinet

I managed to buy this handmade sewing machine cabinet on EBay. It had been donated and was being sold by someone for charity. It has a removable solid top that reveals a air lift. Sadly my machines do not fit this so I leave the solid top on all the time.

Sewing machine cabinet.

The top is big enough for me to fit both my machines on except when I'm embroidering then one has to be moved. Behind the machines sits my daylight lamp, a mini dummy pin cushion and my sewing box for when I'm sewing on the go.

Sewing box

Daylight lamp and pin cushion

The pincushion was made using this tutorial from Debbie Shore.

As I don't use the air lift the inside cupboard space was being wasted. There was already a piece of wood across the back so I just added two more pieces across the sides (level with the back piece) and then added a shelf. This now holds my embroidery unit and my bobbins box (used Ferrero rocher box). I will also be adding another shelf just below this to hold my thread boxes. The ruler will end up being hung in the side of my bookcase (just need some hooks)

The table also has four drawers down the left. The top one holds my scissors plus machine items (tweezers, tape measures, etc ) the second drawer holds my machine booklets, etc. The third one has some storage boxes made using empty cereal boxes, these hold embroidery stabiliser, etc.

The fourth drawer is currently being used by my dad for his packing materials (he sells his old football programmes on eBay)

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Sewing room re-organizing - After

So it has taken the best part of 2 weeks to sort out my sewing room but finally it is finished and I can get back to actually doing some sewing.
Here it is

View from the doorway

View from just inside the doorway

The cot under the table will be staying. Once the other corner (not shown) is sorted the cot and cutting table will be going there with another junior bed going where the cot is at the moment (these are for when my nieces and nephews stay)

I have made myself a cutting table ( details of which will be in the next blog post)

Cutting Table

Cutting Table in use

As you can see the table is already getting good use. The mannequin at the back is a small one I made myself for quickly trying out ideas with draping. The silver box is for keeping the items I am working on in one place, the laptop is my old one that I have to empty and dispose of. The cardboard will be swapped for fabric once the wadding arrives. I am going to use these instructions here (from bee in my bonnet) to do my board.

I will just post quick pics of the rest with more details to follow


Designing table closed

Designing table open

Bookcase

 I will post further details of each section of my sewing room in future posts so that this one isn't pages long and boring.

Re-organizing my sewing room (before shots)

When I 1st started sewing my nan said that as she sewed as well I could set her spare bedroom up as a sewing room. It is the smallest room in her house but I still managed to get a sewing table, a old dining table for cutting out on, a chest of drawers for holding fabric, a computer table for all my books, magazines, TV and radio and a few other odds and ends of furniture. However over time I have purchased embroidery machines which have stayed at my house (which is only about 10 houses down the road from my nan's) The new machines being in a different place plus my nan passing away has meant that I spend less and less time in the old sewing room and things have slowly taken over my brothers old room after they moved out. I only need to go the my old room when I want to cut anything as I don't have a big enough space in my new room but this all about to change as my Mum has agreed for me to build a cutting table in my new room as long as it can be moved for the grandchildren to stay. I am planning one that will fit over the top of the cot and can be dismantled by taking the legs off.
At the moment I have roughly 2 sides of the room sharing with a cot and some other items. I have a sewing cabinet which I managed to get on eBay. It has 4 drawers one side and room in the other side for the sewing machine to be lowered. My machine is too big for this so I leave the flat table top on.

Machine table with  embroidery machines, grey bag currently holds scraps of fabric.

Machine table with door open. Boxes inside holds thread and quilting supplies.

I also have a work table which I use for patterns and making cards (which I don't do much anymore). This table also holds my radio and various magazines.

Work table closed. At the moment this has just become a dumping ground including my old laptop.
Storage underneath (in beige tub) holds my card making supplies.

Work table with section opened out for working on.

In the other corner I have a bookcase from Ikea which holds all my card making items but is slowly being taken over with sewing items. The grey drawer unit was rescued from a skip at a school who were doing a refit. It holds all my paper sorted into colours.

Bookcase holding all sorts. Grey drawers hold paper.

The other 2 side of the room holds a cot, a wardrobe plus boxes of football programmes that my dad is currently selling.

Cot and wardrobe.

Boxes of football programmes.

I also have a bit of storage behind the door, which you can see in the shot above and below.


Storage trolleys and filing cabinet.

The tubs hold more card making supplies, finished cards and items I have made. The storage trolleys hold various supplies like glues, etc. The filing cabinet holds all my business items plus embroidery items (hoops,etc)


I am hoping to get this room sorted and add the cutting table in 2 weeks time so keep tuned for after photo's.

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Long time no post

Belated Happy New Year to you all.
OK I know that I have said this before but I am a really bad blogger. It is something which just seems to get swept to one side with everything else that I do with regards Sirinadesigns business.
I am hoping that this year I will be better at it. I have a really good feeling that 2013 is going to be good for me both in business and my personal life.
I have already started the year in a more positive frame of mind and I think this is helping. I have made what I think are good changes to my website www.sirinadesigns.co.uk.
I have had a few ideas for a while but have been stuck on the mock up stage for a while and have now pushed myself to finish the mock ups. The next stage is to find some fabric that I feel is right for the designs.
I have also finished the dress for myself that I spoke about in my last post plus some items for the website.
I have started the personal year aiming to lose the weight I have been trying to lose for the last 2 years, I am doing zumba at home and so far this year have already lost 3lbs. Only another 2 stone to go.
I am going to sound like a stuck record but I am going to try to post more often.

Introducing Sirinadesigns

My last post was about me so I thought I would now introduce my company Sirinadesigns.
Sirinadesigns was started in January 2010. I have been talking about starting a business for about 5 years but never felt confident in my own sewing abilities.
I was taught to sew by my Nan when I was about 7 years old and have been sewing ever since. I then went on to do a GNVQ in art & design at college followed by two NVQ's in pattern cutting but still didn't feel my work was good enough to sell.
I made my best friends wedding dress in 2005 and had lots of lovely compliments about it on the day and I was happy with the results but then life got in the way and the business plans were put on hold.
Just after christmas 2009 my Nan fell ill and was taken into hospital at the end of January 2009. Sadly on Febuary 9th 2009 she passed away (the doctors informed us afterwards that she was riddled with cancer) and I couldn't face going into my sewing room as that was the space I shared with Nan.
Eventually towards the end of 2009 I had some sewing that just couldn't wait any longer which forced me back into sewing, which was actually a good thing. I have been sewing regularly ever since and feel close to my Nan when I am in the room.
In January 2010 I decided that I had been talking the talk for long enough and it was time to walk the walk so I launched Sirinadesigns. It is named after my Nan and my Mum (Iris and Tina)
I have got a lot more confidence in my own sewing abilities now and know that I have got what it takes to make beautiful clothes. I hope now that people also like my items and start to buy.
I am primarily a dressmaker but also do alterations and handmade cards.
Sorry for the long post but that is Sirinadesigns introduced.

Kelly (AKA Sirinadesigns)