How to Set up a Quilting Space

If you can't spare a room to dedicate to sewing, use a guest room. Here are pointers for stocking a full- or part-time sewing space and a travel kit.

Basic Equipment

• Create a sewing surface with an ordinary desk. Cut a hole in the desk to lower the sewing machine into the desk. Add a plastic template to create a flat sewing surface. Create a pressing surface with a section of board covered with batting and muslin; place wire baskets underneath to store fabric.
  
  
• Create a cutting surface with a basic table and raise it to an appropriate height with paint cans.
  
  
• Use Peg-Board for hanging quilt tools.
  
  
• Create a design board by placing plastic foam or insulation board on top of a piece of Peg-Board or wood and gluing in place. Cover the board with flannel, batting or any stickable surface and staple in place.
  

Guest Bedroom Studio

• Use baskets, trunks, boxes and drawers for storing quilting supplies.
  
  
• Cover an office chair with a slipcover for a favorite quilting seat.
  
  
• Fill a glass hurricane lamp with sewing notions for additional storage.
  
  
• Transform a 6-foot dresser into a sewing structure by placing both a cutting surface and a pressing mat on the dresser top. Store fabric and materials in the drawers, and store the cutting mat and pressing board under the dresser when not in use.
  
  
• Make a mock closet from two tall bookshelves framed out with bi-fold doors on either side. Use a drop-down table for a sewing surface. The shelves can hold fabric, books, a sewing machine and supplies.
  

Quilting-on-the-Road Kit

• Make a tote bag large enough to hold a personal-size pressing surface, a cutting surface and quilting notions.
  
  
• Use a small trunk to hold quilting tools, fabric and an iron.