How to Set up a Quilting Space

Everything you need to know about creating and stocking a work 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.

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.

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.