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.
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.
Next Up
How to Make a Shining Star Quilt
Make a Shining Star quilt with these simple steps.
How to Create a Quilting Shadow Effect
Use this discharge process to transfer shapes to fabric for a dramatic effect.
How to Bind a Quilt
Follow these simple steps on how to birth or bind a quilt.
How to Prep for Whole-Cloth Quilting
Mark and trapunto your motifs with these step-by-step instructions.
How to Use a Quilt Ruler
Follow these four simple steps on how to use a quilt ruler.
How to Make a Textured Flower Quilt
Use creative tucks and other techniques to create a textured flower quilt.
How to Make a Traditional Mennonite Quilt
Make a traditional Mennonite quilt pattern with these simple step-by-step instructions.
How to Make a Confetti Naturescape Quilt
Turn scrap fabric into an oil painting-style quilt with these steps.
How to Embroider a Cyanotype Quilt Block
Follow these techniques to quilt, embroider and stuff a cyanotype quilt block from scratch.
Craft Area From HGTV Green Home 2012
An open and airy space perched above the barbecue courtyard offers a haven to concentrate on artwork.