Friday, September 9, 2011

Sewing Space

I dream of one day having a whole room dedicated to sewing and crafting. For now I'll have to work with what I've got. Not that what I have is all that shabby. I feel blessed to have as nice of a place as I do. I've never had to live the dorm life or share a room with a stranger. Missing out on the full college experience? Meh I'll take what I've got any day.


My modest sewing area:


Some of you have asked about the machine I use. It's a Kenmore model 43 cabinet style machine from the 60's (I think..) . This was a gift from my grandmother who had it for 20+ years before passing it down to me. I love it. It's certainly nothing fancy and in fact, it only has two stitches; straight and zig-zag. It might be nice to have a few extra stitch choices but I'm not sure I'll ever need the 200 or more choices that newer machines have.

We had our local handyman detach it from the wooden cabinet and construct this nifty little box for it to sit in. Now it's so much more portable and can sit right on my desk!



I don't have a full before picture but this kind of gives you an idea:



Found this pretty bowl at a thrift store. Serves as a perfect place to put my thread!



Maybe my favorite part of the space. A few hours and about 20 glue sticks later, I had this pretty book wreath.

Can't seem to find the tutorial I used for this. If you happen to know,  please let me know so I can give credit!


Can you guess which book I used?






My roommate's adorable kitty. Look at those pretty blue eyes.





How perfect is this? And it smells amazing. I haven't even lit it yet and the sweet lemon scent already fills the room. 



Double K for my room mate Karen and I.



Tutorial here!


Tutorial here!




So now you know! What's your sewing/crating space like?


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40 comments

  1. Rebecca @ My Girlish WhimsSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    i see a Jacob word.....so twilight?? lol

    Do you have an apartment off campus? much nicer than my digs haha. My "work" desk is often taken over by craft projects. I'm completely covered in felt, embroidery floss, and stuffing while typing this, haha! :)

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  2. ChelleySeptember 9, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I remember my crafting days at A&M. I lived in the dorms for two years and always had drawers full of supplies. I don't think I took my sewing machine until I moved into an apartment my Jr. year. I worked part time at Amber's Crafts which used to be in the Kroger shopping center. My Sr. year, I went to work at Crafts, Etc. in Bryan. It was near Joann's, but I don't even think the building is there anymore. Good times!

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  3. Iuliana@Hip2ThriftSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Twilight!!!!

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  4. courtneySeptember 9, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    What a beautiful room. My desk is about the same size but always piled with books and work. I love your bedding where is it from?

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  5. HellcatJillSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    My guess was going to be Twilight, as well. LOL

    I saw a similar wreath on www.theidearoom.net, but I think she singed the edges of her paper. But maybe you both saw the same tutorial? I've been wanting to make one of those for my bedroom, to hang above my reading chair. :)

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  6. JamiSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    My guess would be the wreath was made from Twilight, it very darling. I've wanted to make one, but I have no where to put the thing. I absolutely love your quilt!!! It is beautiful! Your entire room is so lovely and clean, I wish mine looked like that.

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    What a beautiful space! And so neat to have your grandmother's sewing machine. To think of all the creations you've both made on that shared machine...
    Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. MadisonSeptember 9, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    I was so sure I was going to be the first one to figure out the book, but it looks like not. It's totally Twilight, though. I see "Jacob" and "Desire to kill." Lol.

    Your sewing area is lovely! You've done a lot more with your small space than I've managed to do with my whole room! But we just moved here a month ago and I didn't used to have a sewing space at all. I just pulled my sewing machine out of the closet and plopped it onto the kitchen table when needed! So I guess I can give myself a little slack with the lack of decoration since we're still settling in here and I didn't have any decorations to bring with me! :)

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  9. Hot Mess HousewifeSeptember 9, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Wow, I wish I'd been so crafty and cozy in my college apartments! What a great room/sewing nook!

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  10. eni maiSeptember 10, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    oh such a wonderful creativ space!!!
    love all the colors around...and that amazing book wreath!!!

    have a crafty saturday!!!

    liebgruss from germany
    eni

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  11. Nykie DSeptember 10, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    I love the heart garland! This is possibly the book wreath tutorial you used: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/11/librarians-please-avert-your-eyes.html

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  12. JessicaSeptember 10, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    I never lived with anyone I didn't know, but I did do a dorm for 2 years. I'd totally take what you have, too!

    I have a big butcher block office desk that was my childhood dining room table. Sometimes I craft there, but it's usually covered with papers to grade, so instead, I'm usually at my dining room table. My only roommate is a cat, so we really don't need to reserve a table for six for eating!

    (Nice use of a Twilight book. You should read A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness....)

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  13. tousled daySeptember 10, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Thank you on your sweet comment :) It means a lot for me.

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  14. KatySeptember 10, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Hey I love your blog! And your apartment is really nice! You should do a tutorial on the book wreath I really like it:)

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  15. Meg HSeptember 10, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    You found a practical use for Twilight! I love those cute little hearts and the antique glass. I have my 1972 Genie sewing machine hidden in a corner of my room. Like your machine, it has very few stitches, but I don't feel any need for the fancy stitches of today.

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  16. madison avenueSeptember 10, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    i love it!!! i love the wreath and your bedspread too!

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  17. MarySeptember 10, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    I have the same sewing predicament too! Can't wait till I'm out of college and have my own home with a room dedicated to all things crafting!

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  18. Katie {Always, Katie}September 10, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Cute Cute Cute!!! I love it all! I'm a complete sentimental goober, so I teared up that your use your grandmother's sewing machine. Ah, heirlooms!!

    I was trying to decide which book of mine I might be able to bring myself to tear apart to make a wreath and/or flowers... and remembered I have one that was a lousy print--missing 50 pages for no apparent reason. It also happens to be Eclipse, lol, so we may end up with sibling wreaths :-)

    I'm insanely jealous of your workspace... my dorm was about the size of your desk. :-P I'm all "grown up" and married and STILL don't have that kind of set-up. Kudos!

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  19. RhadondaSeptember 10, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Your space is so beautiful with a great balance of white and color. The only reason i have a newer machine is not for 200 stitches but for the buttonhole making! (my machine is 15 years old) I make little girls dresses. I love your blog and my 21 y/o college daughter (education too!) loves it too.

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  20. Krista & TylerSeptember 10, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    totally appropriate use of that book for a wreath! haha Love the sewing space! Mine is a very transitional space, so I know what you mean about loving what you have! Thanks for stopping by my blog & for the comment! You're a doll :)

    Keep 'em comin! But, school always comes first! haha

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  21. The MilloysSeptember 10, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    I have a very similar machine! Only mine is a lovely avocado green :] I helped my grandpa clean a shed one summer and we found it among his paintings (he was an artist) and so he had it toned up and gave it to me as a "thanks". I love it! (however, i don't think it was his to give away, but my grandma has never said she misses it ;) ) thanks for all the wonderful and simple tutorials!

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  22. lifewithlivSeptember 10, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    twilight!!

    although its quite a shame that book got ripped up .. I hope you didn't use your original copy!

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  23. EleanorSeptember 10, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    HA! <- that's exactly what I said when I figured out what book you used x] man, I love the heartstring decoration! it's so cute :)

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  24. Rebecca (SakuraDreams) September 10, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    All I saw was JACOB.. so immediately I'm thinking.. TWILIGHT? :p

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  25. MeaganSeptember 11, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    Thanks for sharing! Very pretty space!

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  26. From Where I StandSeptember 11, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Love it - I'm waiting on larger craft space too! I saw this tutorial on Jones Design Company a while back so it may be the same book page wreath. Enjoy!

    http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/5-days-of-favorite-projects-day-4/

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  27. RobinSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Adorable space, so chic! I love those candles too, they smell heavenly. Twilight huh, but not a RED ribbon- haha! Wish my creative space looked so neat, I mostly end up creating in chaos (three kids):-)

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  28. DonnaSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    I have almost the same machine but it's a Singer and bought in the early 70's. It's not my grandmothers's though...it's mine...I'm the grandmother! Haha

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  29. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Love your sewing machine! The story behind it is so sweet:) Plus newer is not always better so hang on to the heirloom as long as it works! Love your blog, it is very inventive and adorable

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  30. MelSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I'm guessing twilight too.. LOL! Lovely wreath, I have that project on my todo list along with the other gazillion projects. I also have a Sears Kenmore (pics are in my blog). I can do different stitches if I drop in different types of dial cams in the slot up top other than that it also only does straight and zig-zag. Is your machine low shank or high shank??? I actually have 2 of the same machine, one is a table nested machine and the other is in a portable case(which seriously needs to be replaced). Awesome idea to make a nested machine more portable. My grandparents gave me my table nested machine about 17018yrs ago as a leaving home/being on your own gift. They found it at a garage sale for about $30. I paid just over a $150 for my 2nd machine. My grandmother's machine which is probably about 60-70yrs old is still going strong and if i'm not mistaken it's also a Kenmore. Love to see old sewing machines going strong.

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  31. Melody StrayerSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I am guessing Twilight, too. Best use of that book ever, by the way! ;) Great space!

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I adore your bedding - did you make it? If not, can you please tell me where you got it from?
    Maybe I should try to make my own...

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  33. LibertySeptember 13, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    I LOVE your blog and all of your fabulous tutorials. :) I'm so glad I came across it.

    I am so thankful that I have a room (ahem, 2 rooms) dedicated to my sewing endeavors. I love to sew/create... it calms me in the midst of my chaotic life.

    Hope you have a great week!

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  34. DorrieSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    I just found your blog and I must say, I LOVE IT!!! So awesome and so many great ideas. Thank you!

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  35. Nate and Valerie LoucksSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I also love your bedding! So, bright and cheerful. Please do tell if you made it or where you got it!

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  36. KatySeptember 14, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Thank you all! I love reading all of your comments (:

    The bedding is from Anthropologie. Purchased a couple of years ago, so I doubt they still make it, but they always have the best bedding. Expensive, but so soft and always so cute!

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  37. reddhoustonSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. reddhoustonSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    My goal in life right now is to make enough $$ to move into a 2 bedroom so I can have a sewing/craft room!

    - Erin "Redd"
    Texas A&M: Class of '0

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  39. Ruby lane wivesOctober 11, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I would LOVE a tutorial on your quilt!!! I love it and would like to make one for my self!!!

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  40. UnknownOctober 20, 2013 at 10:30 PM

    Thanks for sharing sach a beautiful and amazing stuff.online bed sale UK

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