I have a teeny-tiny studio space just at the top of the stairs.
There’s just enough room for me, my Elna sewing machine and some fabric. To the right is a bookshelf and further on down the hall is a cabinet and my vintage dress form, Letitia. You can read about the whole shebang in this post.
Here is my tweaking quandary for this week: How do I find space for this?
This is the ‘new’ Featherweight my husband bought me as an early birthday present. Featherweights were designed to be portable, so putting it in the case is always a possibility. But the case smells musty (I’m working on that) and besides, it’s too pretty to be tucked away. But when it sits on my sewing table, it’s right next to the other machine.
You see my predicament. Limited space. I can always use it on the kitchen table. Or on the desk in the den. But I won’t always want to do that and, again, it needs a place to sit.
I have an idea. This table is currently sitting in the den. Since we no longer have a lamp sitting on top of it (it died – in fact the shade was transformed into this) the table is just sort of there. There are a few books hanging about on the little shelf, my vintage child’s piano is on the top. It doesn’t really do anything, especially since we added the coffee table to the den.
I’m going to digress here for a moment. Did I ever tell you the story of this table? Years ago, and I mean twenty+ years ago, I was a faculty member at Boston University’s School for the Arts. I had my own office which was rather spacious. No windows, though, only senior faculty had the coveted offices with windows. But heck, it was my own space. Most of us furnished our offices with a combination of battered office furniture and old props used in student productions. I found this table, which was unpainted at the time, in the prop room and commandeered it for my space. It was a wee bit fragile and needed some gluing. There it lived for a couple of years until I found a rent controlled apartment in Cambridge and needed furniture. I couldn’t afford much, as I was woefully underpaid, so it moved to my apartment. And, somehow, it moved with me to San Diego. And then to New York. That little table and I have a long history which makes it very precious to me. It reminds me of the days in Boston where I was working my tush off and having lots of fun. I painted it a few years ago and it looks pretty nifty.
So, why not move this little table upstairs and place it perpendicular to the sewing table along the wall (under the mantle shelf)? It’s narrow enough, 13 inches deep, and it’s sturdy. I think it just might work. Or will I be trapped in there between the two tables?
I’m leaning toward using it. Any advice?
I’m posting this early so I can link to my pal Brenda’s Tweak It Tuesday.
Happy Tuesday.
Ooh first to comment :) I would put it a little further back, more under your inspiration board than the mantle shelf. It looks like you’d be constantly pushing your chair back into it otherwise. Which would be, if nothing else, annoying.
Unfortunately, Leanne, that’s right at the top of the stairs and I have visions of the Featherweight hurtling down the stairs. Or Don knocking it over!
First of all I love the little table! Second I agree with the others it doesn’t look like it would be safe for man,beast or featherweight. Any other arrangement you can think of?
I have 2 machines also—my 43 year old Kenmore and the newer Kenmore, which is about 2 years old. I love the old one because it just keeps on ticking but I love the new one for the variety of stitches. So what I do is put the old one on the floor next to the table and just switch them out when ready. The old one has the ruffler that can be used at a 30-second turnover. Very convenient. While I have a whole room, that room has dual functions so I try to keep everything close to the walls and have space in the middle for the cutting table when I need it. Could you put it under the sewing table? I know. It would be hidden but with limited space you have fewer options, sweets. Good luck.
xoxo,
Connie
The real estate under the sewing table is already taken!
I just love your little studio… sew darn cute. he he he Is there room behind you, up against the railing for that darling little table and it’s new friend? You may have to put a wee vintage mirror on the wall in front of your Elna so you can peek back at her while sewing. :) Maybe we could all just come over and help you decide. ;)
The area by the railing is already narrow because my big cabinet is on the wall directly opposite. Don wouldn’t be able to squeeze down the hall to his office/studio/guest bedroom!
I have a newer type sewing machine from about 1990 that was Charlyce’s, but I just moved it into a shelf. I only use the Featherweight. So if it were me, I’d put the other one away somewhere, and put the Featherweight in its place. You’ll find yourself using the Featherweight more anyway, because they’re so darned durable and dependable. And the Featherweight probably doesn’t take up as much room.
Brenda
I don’t think I have ever seen this space but I sure love it. Light and bright but so very cozy.
Claudia – I think the table and Featherweight would be darling there if you have enough space. The thought of your Featherweight hurling down the stairs is not good!!
Judy
I think that would be a perfect place for the featherweight. Plus I think you would use it more if it had it’s own space. I have a friend who collects these.
I love the idea of moving that table under the mantle, Claudia, and *storing* Mabel on top. (And you could store some beautiful fabrics on the little “book shelf” underneath.) But when you’re actually going to use Mabel, I’d switch her out with the other machine because the other table (under the eaves) looks to have more room around the machine for fabric, and it also looks like your legs would fit more easily under that table than under the little side table.
I think it sounds perfect unless you think it would be unsafe in that area. I think it should be showcased to show it off.~Hugs, Patti
I too have two machines. My late mothers Kenmore which is 48 yars od and keeps on ticking, but I use the lighter and more modern Janome all the time. I put an unused cupboard door over the space where the Kenmore rises from its cabinet and put my Janome there. When I want to use the Kenmore, I lift the other off, move the “board” and pull up the Kenmore. Could you try this? Just a suggestion, I too have a space issue.
Gosh, Regina, I’m trying to visualize this but it’s not working. Oh, for a photo of your space!
I was reading along thinking you need to put a shallow table under the shelf, and lo and behold you have the perfect table. Go for it, Claudia.
Could you create something like an old phone alcove – between the 2×4’s like this: http://muchomuchobuenobueno.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html (scroll down to her last picture) or maybe like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamlori/4220663547/ except instead of a phone jack you could have electrical plug. Just a thought, yes it will cost a bit to do this but it will save time and energy and keep you creative not having to juggle machines. Also, you’ve got one of your machines covered, please tell me you at least throw a towel over your featherweight when we’re not looking… ;)
It’s just a week old. I haven’t even thought about a cover yet! The Elna didn’t get hers, sadly, for quite a long while!
Sorry, I’m sure you take good care of your things – – it’s that oldest child thing in me that makes me bossy.
Oh my goodness, me too! My mom used to say I was too bossy. She was right!
I love your little magazine table and all it’s history but it won’t work for sewing. There’s no place for your legs and the whole weight of the fabric will be hanging down. I’d move out the bookcase that is on the right and buy an old sewing machine cabinet. They go for next to nothing and have storage for notions, scissors, etc. The machine folds down inside, and Mabel would be safe from dust and damage. It might take a little modification to get a featherweight to fit but worth it for fold out top to lay fabric on and your comfort.
Hi Maureen,
I’m not planning on sewing on the table. I just need some place to put the machine. Some place to display it for those times when I’m not sewing. The bookcase works where it is because that space is narrow. We have to walk through there to get to the bedroom and the bathroom. A cabinet would take up too much space, unfortunately! If I sew on the table, it will only be for quick little things – maybe some quick piecing.
xo
Claudia
It is hard to tell from the picture…but would it fit on the bottom shelf of your two fabric shelves ? then you could stack fabric on it a bit….maybe a dumb idea / just asking :)
HI Debra,
The shelf is lovely, but it’s very old and a wee bit fragile. I love it but I’m absolutely sure that the Featherweight, despite its name, would be way too heavy for the shelf!
xo
Claudia
I don’t know Claudia. It looks like it would really be cramped there with the table. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try it tho. It might be more room than we can see from our screen. I know everything has its place in your small space but maybe you could clear a space on top of your bookcase or maybe a shelf in your cabinet.
I just keep my little featherweight in its case. I really don’t know why they call them featherweights because those little boogers are heavy!
I also want to tell you that I have that same Elna machine!
pam
It’s hard to give advice from afar, although you’ve got some good advice here. I’ll leave it up to the experts. :) I’m sure you’ll figure it out and it’ll be perfection.
I would just put it on the table in the den and display the thing. I have one on a table in my dining room and I love to walk by a look at it. Add a few artsy sewing things and move it up if you want to use it. You sew, so let all of your home reflect what you do. I collect old sewing machines so I seem to have one in every corner.
I’m a little late for this but because I love nothing more than rearranging other people’s homes, I’ll just dive in. Have you considered adding another narrow shelf under the aqua shelf you already have? You would be able to admire/use your new-to-you machine without giving up precious space to another table. Molly bolts would make it safe too. My only other suggestion would be to pull the existing table away from the wall just enough to add a shelf behind it the same depth as the featherweight (8 -10″?).
Maybe I should just drive over to your place. If I leave now I can be there by Saturday. :-)