Considering this topic I thought this would interest you and your viewers. The very 1st “cordless” electrical equipment was the “Kambrook cordless iron”. I worked for them at the time and they told us how it came to be. It started with the very frustrated wife of a manager. Apparently she got so frustrated with the iron cord getting in the way that she threw her iron at the wall. As he went to buy wall repair supplies he tasked the Kambrook engineers to devise an iron that could be used without the cord getting in the way. Everything else cordless- kettles, electric hand drills, toasters ect all came about from that original “cordless Iron” tech-knowledge.
I got a tip from another quilter regarding turning off the iron. She plugs hers into a powerbar along with a lamp. If she sees the lamp on so is the iron and it reminds her to flip the stitch. Good for glue guns too.
Oh boy! I made a queen size quilt with my daughter in the small dining area of a 450 sq ft apartment once. We had a sewing machine on each side of the kitchen table and we used the kitchen counters for cutting and ironing. Since me, my daughter and her friends have moved into a house together and share rent, my sewing area is now in my bedroom. To make space bigger and as I am a single girl, I bought myself a twin bed with a trundle. It sounds crazy but that trundle holds everything and I have a ton of space. I have an L shaped desk and a small Ikea table for my cutting and ironing and it works fabulously! I love it when it gets messy LOL I love to organize it! Have fun Karen!!
I have that iron. LOVE IT! One thing I found from another video was I have a water spray bottle (very fine mist) that I use instead of the steam. I was just tired of filling it; emptying it and making sure it was off when in the base. The fine mist from my water bottle is perfect and works just as well as the steam. Love there is no cord and you can go as far as you want with the iron. Yes, it is around $100, but worth it if you iron a lot. GREAT VIDEO! Thank you for sharing.
Oh my goodness I am so happy when vloggers show real world life situations. This room I can relate to (including the moving it around for family issues that arise.
Would you mind telling me what sewing table you have. It looks like exactly what I need. I’m using a folding table right now and it wiggles and wobbles if I sew too fast.
That's right, you don't have to have much room to sew. I have only had a sewing machine with cabinet all my life. 50 years. All my "stuff" is packed away. I have to drag it out and clean it up after. And I have made mountains and mountains of items. From couch cushions, drapes to bathing suits. Even make items to sell. I am getting ready to make an actual "sewing room"! I retired 8 years ago. I'm so excited. This room will still be multi purpose. Home office and murphy bed but it will be great to have everything stored in ONE room.
Good morning. I am sharing my ugly secret today. My sewing space has never really had a proper layout. With kids coming and going, my pile of stuff spread out over two room with never a proper place for anything. So today I'm starting a complete do over to make the room work for me and tidy up. And I got to take a new iron for a thorough test drive. So grab your cup of coffee and join me on PART 1 of my journey.
Good morning! Thanks for including the part about not expecting your sewing studio to look like a TV studio! I'm far from that, since the way I was finally able to restart my quilting life was by resolving to somehow, some way, do crafting in the little rented bedroom I share with my husband in a shared little house. I started doing some paper craft on the corner of the bed (where we also eat many meals), got the little desk decluttered, (you know, by cramming everything under😉), took my cutting tools and some stash out of storage, set out my sewing machine, and quickly overwhelmed myself with new ideas! I've noticed that I'm taking less time to move my stuff back and forth for work/play sessions, meanwhile I've made some progress on projects old and new, the credit goes partly to you! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I really hadn't watched any online quilting posts when this spring your Beginner mistakes video caught my eye, and I laughed so hard-- your first one was a bullseye-- too big! That was me, a big 2-sided t-shirt quilt. Since then I've scattershot binge-watched myself into a more selective state, and your videos set the bar for real-life quilting messages. I hope to meet you some day when travel is back on (and what's the old song say? "If I ever get my hands on a dollar again").
Lovely to see a realistic looking sewing space. It looks used and functional. I have fabric and yarn stashed around the house in a chest, bags and boxes. My cutting mat lives under the bed. However my sewing machine is kept in it’s bag on the deep kitchen windowsill. It’s too high for my little one to reach and my sharp things are up there too. When I sew it is in ‘stolen moments’ at the kitchen table either when everyone is asleep or rarely when I have a few hours at the weekend. I can only sew a few hours a month total. However I know as life changes I will have more time again and eventually perhaps more space! I will endeavour to use your advice when that time comes and vicariously watch your videos whilst cooking :)
@ecoquilting I have a lot of respect for you. Just making your space work. I feel like my problem is miniscule compared to what you are facing. I'm taking a lesson from you to make my space work. Thank you for responding. I have watched Karen's videos forever (before she got famous), And loving them still. 💕
Thanks Karen, for another thoughtful and comprehensive video. Your suggestions are all percolating in my head and I am already thinking of ways to increase my productivity through better organization. I do have a little suggestion about your videos. I often find that the volume of your voice drops off from time to time, and from location to location as you film. I sometimes need to go back and listen several times to catch what you're saying. Would it be possible for you to work on the audio element of your videos to get it to be more consistent? Thank you again for all that you contribute to the quilting and sewing community. I have recommended your channel to numerous quilting friends.
@@mary-annz.reynolds7778 That is so kind of you! Funny how it works: I too feel like my problem is miniscule compared to what others are dealing with, unless of course, I let the "poor me"s sneak in, but they pass when I remember how blessed I am. Have a fine day!
"I have what I have" will be my new motto! And I have a dining room table and an Ikea cube shelving unit. I iron in the kitchen but I enjoy the few steps into the kitchen, makes me walk a bit. This is another great video, thanks Karen!
Yes, for my over all health and my back health I do not twist to press but rather get up and walk those few feet away and press.........no blood clots welcome in my home and certainly no more back issues.
Thank you for honestly showing your quilting space. I'm always so embarrassed when people show their beautiful spaces off and mine looks like a bomb has gone off in it. I'm going to work mine as you put out these videos so I can be more productive. Stuff is just everywhere all the time. I'm always "cleaning" but I don't want to clean I want to sew, so it ne or gets organized. Thanks Karen for the help.
Kanday, I have to say, that is my sewing room. My dad made me a beautiful “large” table for cutting out of this massive table, I have less than 24 inches square. The rest is holding “sewing stuff”. My sewing room is at the back end of my living room. I am trying to get my basement Reno’s and until that is done, I refuse to take my sewing machine and fabric downstairs. But I am happy :)
@@christinebroeze1004 I'm not sure if you've heard of Pat Sloan, she has a word that she uses for a year. Last year I picked a word but with Covit and all, I did stick with it and now I can't remember what is was. This year my word is Order. I'll be working towards this word all year. Happy sewing.
I love the real sewing spaces, I’ve tried the Pinterest route and found they really didn’t work out . I like repurposing what I have on hand.Now it’s the KISS plan . The best part is that I have 2 rooms for my space. The dining room and what was once an office , now retired.
Karen, I've watched only the first two minutes, and already I'm just so appreciative of your attitude. Yes, we have what we have. I'm grateful for my awkwardly shaped room. And I'm so pleased to have you as my teacher. Thank you. Now on with the video...
“The first step is accepting is that you have what you have. I know it’s hard but stop comparing your space to fancy filming sets......”. That was helpful, I really should be focusing on the fact that I have a great sewing machine (Juki) and an understanding husband who never complains when I take over the dining room table. The up side is it can’t ever get too bad because I always have to pack it up so it never permanently takes over the room 😉. Thank you!!
I recognize that Ikea table! I assembled one for one of my sister's friends and he used it as part of his ttrpg/board game setup. It seemed sturdy and overall assembly was easy. The only catch: if I recall correctly, the drawers are hard/impossible to take apart once assembled. I made sure to take my time with them so nothing went together backward 😂
Hi Karen, Since I began quilting I’ve changed my space three major times. Right now my walkable space has shrunk to a 4x4’ range between sewing machine, ironing, cutting table & fabric clutter. So I was relieved to see I am not alone 😳😉🤣 COVID changed the way I need to buy fabric. The demand for fabric went up & I found if I don’t buy immediately, I wasn’t able to get what I wanted at a later date. So here I am back to square one needing to re-design my sewing room again 😬. It’s a challenge. I am going to love this series. Thank you so much for all your videos, greatly appreciated, 💖 Chris-Raleigh NC
Me too. In September I rearranged my sewing room, but it's not working out. My sewing machine ended up against the wall in a corner, and I feel claustrophobic there. Time to try another arrangement,lol.
In my head now I keep saying Just get it done and this January I completed 4 Quilts. One I started in 2017. Sewing is messy. I got 4 days of your 21 day clean up done and things were looking better until I started working on my projects. My big thing now is books. I love your tips and tricks. Thanks. My first cordless Panasonic iron was great. I had it working for years. The next one is terrible as it takes forever to heat up and is not hot enough. A different model than yours. I will look for a solution.
I find it I put things just out of reach, a good stretch while sewing performs a bit of yoga and prevents pain if I am at it for long periods of time. My space consists of a buffet table in the living room. My ironing is in the kitchen. All the fabric is in the bedroom. This assists me with a bit more movement so the arthritis doesn’t remain silent, and then blare out of nowhere. I stand while sewing because my posture at a sewing table was not right for me. It took me years to figure this out. Kudos to those who have a studio. I know it can be magazine perfect only if you never use it. Keeping it real for all us! Love it!
Love your videos! For other Mavericks out there: In the distant past, when a cellist, I learned that thighs about 60 degrees below horizontal resulted in less back pain during long practice sessions. I tried to find where the “parallel to the floor” came from, because I had already learned it in my 1960s typing class. Never could find original research to support it. Anyway, being up higher puts my wrists in an advantageous position, too. I haven’t died yet, so feel safe if you want to try it out. I just got a cordless iron, too. Love it.
I use my Panasonic cordless on my longarm. When I advance the quilt, before I stitch the sides down, I iron it. Having the cordless instead of unplugging a regular iron and plugging it back in. What a help it has been!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have sewn voraciously since age 6 (I’m 73) and have finally decided to treat myself to a planned, efficient, functional sewing room! I’ve spent many hours viewing cute, fancy, sometimes huge spaces and, when ready to quit, happened on your video. As a retired PT, your ergonomic suggestions hit home. I won’t change the planned layout, but with this information, I know I can make it work - without having to make frustrating changes. You have made a difference and I’m grateful! P.S., I’m not a quilter. Garments are my passion.
Thanks for keeping it real. And thanks for the link to the iPad holder. I need one. I like my iron but hate the cord; my ironing board has an attached metal rack for the iron and the cord gets caught between the rack and board all the time. A cordless iron may be in my future. I’ve been tweaking my sewing space. Finally got it close to “right” and decided to add a second machine so more changes are happening. The yoga blocks are a great idea. I have a thick book on the floor with rug mat under it for my “passive” foot so that I keep my hips balanced on my chair. Still struggling with scrap organization. As a relatively new quilter, I don’t have any go-to piece sizes yet. I’m trying “by color” right now for all but 10” square or bigger.
I find organizing and cleaning to be very therapeutic. Thanks for the tips to make our spaces more productive and easier to work in. Omgosh shlepping stuff from one spot to another - probably a lot of us can relate to that!! It was funny watching you do it in fast motion. Having a scrap “system” and the benefits of a cordless iron were two key takeaways. Thanks so much. You are a such a good teacher and not afraid to share your logjams and struggles. It makes your videos highly relatable and fun to watch.
I had a sewing space, but I had to give it up when my husband had to start working from home more. Now I have some fabric bins and my kitchen table 🤷♀️. The biggest problem with that is keeping my 2 year old out of my fabric and notions 🤦♀️😬, but I’m glad I can still sew sometimes
I love love love my Panasonic iron! With kids and cats in the house, being able to throw that cover on while it's still hot I know that I can walk away to take care of dinner or something and not have to worry about curious fingers or noses getting burned. Not to mention I never have to ask myself "did I leave the iron on again?" anymore. 😁
One of my cats jumped on my ironing board the other day when I was far away from it. She was pretty annoyed by all my shouting and arm waving while I ran towards her but at least I distracted her from the hot iron, lol.
I enjoyed your initial words. . Meaning enjoy our sewing space and projects. It’s not only about having a beautiful space, “ we just need to be organized and confortable for us to create and enjoy.
”you have what you have“ so true - I live in a bed sit and do my cutting on the floor and my sewing on a leaf-fold coffee table 😅 still some good tips though.
I so enjoyed you video it’s not running out buying all new items there’s hope for us dyi people we can make a ironing table that does so much more can’t wait to see how you made your ironing board with the cubbies ,,, and you going to the dollar store you don’t have to be rich to have a nice efferent sewing room and on rolling wheels you can move it so many are taking over a bedroom and sometimes it has to go back to a bedroom how refreshing,,,,,, thank you so much
My cutting table folds down on both sides and out of the way when not in use. I'm in my dining area because I know soon as I use my spare bedroom family will need the spot. My tables are all portable. Have the same similar ironing table. You're a smart lady.
Thanks, Karen! Had to chuckle when you said "You have what you have." Too true! What I have is a sewing machine and storage area in one very cramped office on the second floor, an ironing table in another room on that same floor, and a cutting table in the kitchen on the floor below. I consider all the travelling to be part of my fitness routine. In any case, I'm grateful to have what I have.
When my daughter was in the tiny "no no" stage, I built a playpen for myself by angling my sofa and creating a corner sewing "room". It was what I had and it was fine!
I no longer waste precious time on other youtuber - you are one of the best ( I have found a couple others I appreciate) but you go into practical topics, smart, concise, thank you thank you.
I love my Panasonic cordless. I also have a longarm and I needed it to "tame" borders on some of my clients quilts and have found that it is one of the best investments I've made.
My 'quilter's ironing board' is wonderful! I bought 2 at a quilt shop years ago, made by the owner's hubby. It's plywood 55"x24" covered with thin batting and heavy duck fabric, and has slots underneath designed to fit over a regular ironing board. I originally gave one to Mom and one to Sis, who ended up gifting hers back to me. Mom has used hers so much she's recovered it 3 times! For mine, I wanted to better utilize the wasted space underneath. A local craftsman advertised his custom tables on Facebook so I upscaled and splurged a bit had him make me storage unit to fit under the board. If I ever stop sewing, the table is still a lovely piece of furniture. Looking forward to the next video!
Highly recommended. I have been using this Panasonic iron for about 17 years and still love it. I also got 3 more as a gift for my relatives and they all love it.
I appreciate how practical you were about this. I rarely watch these kinds of videos because my workspace is not a showroom. It's in a basement with lots of leftover pieces of furniture and storage solutions. But it works. I have pets, many pets. My cats are thieves. All my sewing and sewing notions must be covered or they steal it and make beds on my supplies. We do what we must to make our spaces work. I just can't look at one more magazine like sewing space. In addition, all my crafting is super messy. Sometimes when I am in the middle of a big craft project it looks like I am renovating! Also, I have several machines. I created my space with sitting and standing sewing stations. For a while I had my ironing board across the room to force me to change my body position. Not all because I am crazy but because my rheumatologist wanted me to change my body position every 30 minutes. Thanks for sharing!
You are so right! Its looks like I'm renovating during a creative year! Fabrics are flying, scraps dropping, iron hissing and then it's over... have to straighten up again.
I'm good at taking breaks but I found that I was too lazy for good ironing practice to have my iron far from my sewing machine, lol. Now they are plugged into the same power bar that I turn on and off so if my machine is on, my iron is also ready to use and right beside me. It's so interesting how different people have different strategies to complete the same tasks.
@@nataliestanchevski4628 yes asking me to get up and plug in my iron. Lay down a towel and to start ironing is a great way to get to not iron. I pin anything the needs to be ironed for seams generally and it comes out okay
I bought a new iron last year. I looked around and examined and researched the ones I was interested in. I bought the Panasonic iron. I felt the dual sided, cordless attributes would be really helpful and they ARE. And another reason is that they don't require any heavy duty electrical slots. My sewing area is large but compromised electrically. It has a number of outlets but when the house was built they put them all on the same breaker! I have lots of other electrical needs in my sewing room so I had to run some extension cords into other rooms. That's not fun! So this iron can easily be used in my sewing room without compromising anything. At first I was looking at some really whammy jammy expensive irons, but they needed extra voltage or wattage. Not sure which one, but one of those. This iron requires a bit less. And with all the other attributes you mentioned, it became my dream iron.
KB - I 'gave" myself the Panasonic iron 4 years ago after using it at my local quilt shop. I know it was a "splurge" but I think it has paid off in so many ways. You didn't show the detachable water tank feature, which to be honest I rarely use as I refill from my Brita pitcher directly into the iron. I too adore the shut off feature. Yay for that. I recently used a Rowenta cordless and was totally underwhelmed by it. I wanted my Panasonic!!!! I am thrilled your son is well enough to give you back your sewing room. WIN WIN... Thanks again for another fabulous video!
I’ve been pretty obsessed with watching sewing space videos lately! I’ve purchased a crank height adjustable desk from ikea. I can lower it for using my machine and I crank it up when cutting. One of the best sewing investments I’ve made. Looking forward to part 2!
I have a child's toy storage unit that I keep smaller pieces of fabric in. The large bins are for projects and the smaller ones hold different colors. It fits in the built in closet in my very tiny 2nd bedroom, aka sewing room. Luckily there are also four drawers built in under it, so the fabric is at a great height. I have my sewing machine, ironing board and two bookcases, for more fabric and supplies, in there, along with my flannel tablecloth design board. That's all the room there is, so my cutting table used to be the coffee table. Hard to fit a cup of coffee on there now. LOL
Never disappointing. Makes want to reevaluate my sewing room. The height of the cutting table made a lot of sense. Need to raise mine up. Now I have iron envy. 😆
I made your ironing table, however my ironing board top is larger, I love the storage shelves, with baskets for all my ironing accessories, I love that I can just roll it out of the way! Thank You so much!
I love reality, thanks so much for being real! My sewing space in my apt is my tiny dining space. My old apt size table is now sitting atop $5 bed risers from clearance aisle at "Big Lots", which turned out to be perfect pushed against wall, my old small computer desk holds my Juki, and my old regular ironing board completes my u-shape space. It's a good working solution although there is a storage issue, I will have to decide to give up on a place to eat or not and add some type of storage piece under the table. For now the dining chairs are there, and a second vintage machine for zigzagging. Lots of "stuff" in my bedroom (argh).
I got this iron from my husband at Christmas and every time I use it, I thank him and tell him this iron is awesome. Another plus of this iron is how lightweight it is.
I love my Panasonic cordless iron at my pressing station. It has been a game-changer for me in my quilting studio. I've had it for a couple of years now. I do still have my old one, but it stays in my laundry room and doesn't get used much. Great video! Thanks for some helpful tips!
Now I don't feel so bad about my tiny sewing room/office and the fact that my projects spill onto the kitchen counter and living room and bedroom. Maybe that's normal. That iron is very interesting...gonna research it. I know Panasonic makes good stuff. TFS
My cutting table is an old square grand piano from the Civil War era. So lots of space on top and hubby after taking out the 'guts' left me a storage area inside. I have a 6 drawer cart (4 small drawers and 2 bigger ones) that I store threads, stabilizer for machine embroidery and other carmaking craft supplies. Now if I could just get rid of all the stuff on top of the cutting table!
Love your honesty about your mess !!! Made me feel right at home !!! My favorite thing you said was to be satisfied with what we have. That makes a world of difference!!! Loved your video!!!
Hitting it out of the ballpark with this one. Keeping it real, covering room & movement strategy plus physical form to reduce neck back & shoulder strain, is all a huge help for me! Panasonic iron just hit my Christmas wish list!
I bought this iron a couple of months ago. Long before I saw your video. I have fallen in love with my iron. I wondered if I had purchased a good one. Since I've had it I couldn't imagine one being without it. Im delighted that I made the right choice and seeing your video confirms it by a "long time" quilter... I only started an 3 months ago. - Btw, I LOVE your videos! You seem authentic and very down-to-earth; with an enjoyable personality. Thank you... From one of your newest fans! - Sheri Foxworth
Thanks for this Karen. I also have a bedroom as my sewing room, and light was an issue, with just an overhead light fixture. I found a flexible neck LED floor lamp, with a step on switch. I was able to position it in the room so that I can flex it for extra light at my sewing machine, or to light up both my ironing surface and cutting board, which are side-by-side on a standing height table. I love my lamp! No more shadows over my work area. Oh, and I have the same Panasonic cordless iron, which I also love. And, with a standing height table, I have room for a short shelving unit below for fabric storage.
Hi Karen, how I envy your ironing table. My work space is spread between three areas, where my machine is, in the cloakroom (because it’s in its own cabinet), my kitchen, where I do my cutting, planning and other activities, and my living room when I can spread out quilt tops and fabric to photograph when I’m planning something. My iron is in my ‘cellar-head’, and I have a traditional ironing board which has to be put away after use and an ironing pad which I made myself, and fits in whichever room I need it. I have an ordinary iron, and have invested in a Duotronic mini iron, which I find invaluable. But I would love an ironing table like yours, with storage and is moveable. No room, sadly. Oh well .... 😊
I have watched designing sewing room videos all morning. But yours was the first one that said that what I already had was good enough and go get off Pinterest! Thank you. I really needed that kick in the right direction.
As this awful year winds down, I want to thank you for your encouragement, your instruction and making this misery a bit more comfortable for all of us. I learned so much and put into action so much of what you taught. May 2021 bring blessings, health and happiness to you and your entire family!
Ha ha. Love your honesty. You are a joy! Love your tutorial manner. I Love facts and helpful info. That sitting angle is just like the typist’s angle I learnt years ago. Just want to thank you for your inspiration. Was watching you early on in our first Lockdown in the UK. You’ve taught me sooo much, and eventually I stopped just watching, and got back to actually sewing myself. Sorted out my UFO’s from years ago. And now, I’ve even started my own channel. Your Colour, Scraps, Pressing, Sewing in a straight line, instructional type videos, and several others, have been such a helpful foundation for me, and I just want to thank you! So, Thank you Karen! Love all your quilts and your boldness at sticking them up in the stairwell of your condo! Wonderful idea 😄. Love it! Glad I found time too pop back in, lol x
The cover has a handle, so could you install a hook on your ironing table to hang it from? Then for travel maybe get one of those purse hangers that clip onto a table? Great information on organizing a sewing space!
Wow.. thank you sooooo much. all this tips are soooo useful. What i found wors for me best for my tea, is a Contigo west loop travel mug. It eeps my drink warm and if it top it, it does not leak. You see, my sewing space for everything is my living room table. Some day, hopefully soon, I will have a sewing space
I have what I have. I sew on a dog grooming table, that still gets used every other month. In between groomings, it gets vacuumed and I sew on it. I have an old 70s kitchen counter top with a set of bottom kitchen cabinets as a cutting table/storage unit. It is enough.
Oh this made me realize I may be able to use some cabinets we removed from our kitchen for cutting and storage! Why didn't I think to measure for that possibility? I don't have room for the triangle idea anyway.
I'm so excited to watch this video, I can relate to much of what you've shared. I've had my sewing room 14 years "on and Off". I've had health issues through out this time, as well. This past summer I was home all summer due to covid. I started in on my room. I stopped half way through because I couldn't decide what to do about the storage and cutting table. I finally found a solution to this problem and I built a table with storage for myself with my husbands help. The categories you address are the same ones I needed to work on. I was so happy to learn all the details you offered. I put the iron on my wish list! I'm really looking forward to your up coming videos on finishing your room. Thanks for sharing!!!
Agreed. I've was using a part of our large master bedroom. Then took over a small bedroom as my son is away at college. But then I don't have space for him at Christmas. Since we don't own the house, we can't put in a Murphy bed.
I'm definitely purchasing the iron. I have a near perfect sewing room thanks to my wonderful carpenter husband but I've been wanting a cordless iron. Thank you for your videos. They're so professionally produced with awesome tips
Such great advice! I have recently upgraded my sewing space to a table that is the correct height, it made the world of difference. Thanks for sharing.
My sewing room was a screen porch. It's big, 12'x 20'. It is also a work in progress. Windows were added a couple of years ago and it's getting insulated, sheetrocked and painted in the next couple of months. Luckily, I live on the California central coast, where the weather is fairly moderate all year long. But I did add an electrical baseboard heater for those foggy & damp days. But I have made a quilted covers for my sewing machine and TV. A friend helped me make an ironing board almost like yours. Since space isn't an issue, the top is 24" x 48". I love it! I also use a wooden TV tray table with the reversible ironing/cutting mat on it for right next to my sewing machine to use while quilting. I set a time for 45 minutes, and when it goes off, I get up move around and stretch. I'm short, so I still use my dining room table for lots of cutting. Although I have room for a cutting table, I like the open space and I have a sitting area opposite my sewing machine.
I use my kitchen counter for cutting. It's the perfect height! I'm going to look into the ironing station. Looks like something that will work for me. Thanks Karen for the informative video!
Thank you for the tips, particularly the ergonomic ones. Good posture leads to longer hours for enjoying our “quilting indulgence”. Appreciate very much your practical tips. Christina from New Zealand
You can keep the iron cover inside your sewing machine traveling bag when not in use. You’ll probably use the bag and the cover at the same time or, not at all.
Karen, I love how real you are - sharing you not so perfectly organized space and then taking us on your journey to set things in order. It is definitely an ongoing process. I have "rules" to keep me organized, but I don't always follow them! I have the same Panasonic iron and I love it. I love that it isn't directional, no cord to deal with when ironing and yes, that it will turn itself off. Thanks again for your great tips, tricks and strategies.
Karen, thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate the first step being acceptance of what we have. It’s so true! I enjoyed your thoughts about dealing with small spaces, ergonomics and multiple stations. From a technical point, the volume of your video was great but for some reason when I listened on AirPods the sound only came out of one side, usually the left AirPod. Then it would adjust to stereo but return to mono again. It wasn’t a huge problem but I thought you might like to know.
This was so helpful as usual. I have a huge sewing space but it is a room that is also a huge walk through space. Not great design but oh well. I took a full four days to clean and organize my fabrics and other materials recently. Already an improvement. What I have learned here is that I need to improve my ironing space, get a better iron (yes cordless) and figure out how to store my small pieces like scissors, rulers etc. A big additional challenge for me is that I will eventually retire and leave the US. That means I don't want to buy anything I don't have to. In that regard, I really appreciated Karen's early video about shopping from one's stash. I wish I could build myself an ironing board like Karen did but I'm really not handy with wood and there is no way I'm letting anyone in my house until at least February. I'm also thinking ahead to my next and final house. It will be much smaller but I will have a sewing room. Finally, I knit as much as I sew so I have to get that part of my life in order too. Can't wait for the next installment.
Ruth Mendum I recently got a TV tray that is sturdy and put a heat mat and then my little wool square ironing mat. It's great for ironing beside my sewing, especially as I'm constructing blocks
Marlene Salamandyk i have been looking at ways to create a small, inexpensive and moveable ironing station. Your set-up zounds interesting. What is a heat mat please?
*I'm NOT even a quilter!* I'm a fashion sew'er. I'm even a fashion crocheter. How I came upon this video is a wonder of the RUclips algorithm! ♥♥♥ But looks like I've found a great source of information to keep my TWO+ sewing/craft studios (using 2 bedrooms and part of my home office) organized. And when you put me on game about that iron... well that pushed me right over the top! **New Subbie!!!** ♥♥♥
Hello Karen, I love your tutorials! You always have something for me to ponder and improve upon. I keep cleaning and organizing just to turn around and unorganized again. Never ending cycle. However because of your insight I have my scraps under control. Now to get my sewing room straight. I also want to say I purchased a Panasonic 360 a year ago when I was first learning piecing. I love love love it! So much I bought a second one when it was on sale. I use one near my sewing machine and the other when I do large cutting projects in another area (my kitchen island). I look forward to the rest of your series on organization. Thank you so much.
I have owned this iron for many years (originally bought it in Anchorage, Alaska, COSTCO. Couldn't live without it! Thank you for sharing this wonderful iron's features.
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Considering this topic I thought this would interest you and your viewers. The very 1st “cordless” electrical equipment was the “Kambrook cordless iron”. I worked for them at the time and they told us how it came to be. It started with the very frustrated wife of a manager. Apparently she got so frustrated with the iron cord getting in the way that she threw her iron at the wall. As he went to buy wall repair supplies he tasked the Kambrook engineers to devise an iron that could be used without the cord getting in the way. Everything else cordless- kettles, electric hand drills, toasters ect all came about from that original “cordless Iron” tech-knowledge.
I would imagine the first cordless iron was the cast iron ones that sat on top of a stove!
How interesting 😮
“Stop comparing your space to fancy filming sets”…..thank you for bring me back to earth.
I got a tip from another quilter regarding turning off the iron. She plugs hers into a powerbar along with a lamp. If she sees the lamp on so is the iron and it reminds her to flip the stitch. Good for glue guns too.
Good tip
Oh boy! I made a queen size quilt with my daughter in the small dining area of a 450 sq ft apartment once. We had a sewing machine on each side of the kitchen table and we used the kitchen counters for cutting and ironing. Since me, my daughter and her friends have moved into a house together and share rent, my sewing area is now in my bedroom. To make space bigger and as I am a single girl, I bought myself a twin bed with a trundle. It sounds crazy but that trundle holds everything and I have a ton of space. I have an L shaped desk and a small Ikea table for my cutting and ironing and it works fabulously! I love it when it gets messy LOL I love to organize it! Have fun Karen!!
I love when people keep it real and show their spaces how they really are and not picture perfect. Thanks for your posts.
I have that iron. LOVE IT! One thing I found from another video was I have a water spray bottle (very fine mist) that I use instead of the steam. I was just tired of filling it; emptying it and making sure it was off when in the base. The fine mist from my water bottle is perfect and works just as well as the steam. Love there is no cord and you can go as far as you want with the iron. Yes, it is around $100, but worth it if you iron a lot. GREAT VIDEO! Thank you for sharing.
I love when you say, "You have what you have". That makes me feel so much better!
Saying basics in plain language in a straightforward manner- I like that. Sometimes we don't stop to think that way. Thank you, Karen. You motivate.
Oh my goodness I am so happy when vloggers show real world life situations. This room I can relate to (including the moving it around for family issues that arise.
Would you mind telling me what sewing table you have. It looks like exactly what I need. I’m using a folding table right now and it wiggles and wobbles if I sew too fast.
Thank you for starting out saying you have what you have!
That's right, you don't have to have much room to sew. I have only had a sewing machine with cabinet all my life. 50 years. All my "stuff" is packed away. I have to drag it out and clean it up after. And I have made mountains and mountains of items. From couch cushions, drapes to bathing suits. Even make items to sell. I am getting ready to make an actual "sewing room"! I retired 8 years ago. I'm so excited. This room will still be multi purpose. Home office and murphy bed but it will be great to have everything stored in ONE room.
Good morning. I am sharing my ugly secret today. My sewing space has never really had a proper layout. With kids coming and going, my pile of stuff spread out over two room with never a proper place for anything. So today I'm starting a complete do over to make the room work for me and tidy up. And I got to take a new iron for a thorough test drive. So grab your cup of coffee and join me on PART 1 of my journey.
Good morning! Thanks for including the part about not expecting your sewing studio to look like a TV studio! I'm far from that, since the way I was finally able to restart my quilting life was by resolving to somehow, some way, do crafting in the little rented bedroom I share with my husband in a shared little house. I started doing some paper craft on the corner of the bed (where we also eat many meals), got the little desk decluttered, (you know, by cramming everything under😉), took my cutting tools and some stash out of storage, set out my sewing machine, and quickly overwhelmed myself with new ideas! I've noticed that I'm taking less time to move my stuff back and forth for work/play sessions, meanwhile I've made some progress on projects old and new, the credit goes partly to you! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I really hadn't watched any online quilting posts when this spring your Beginner mistakes video caught my eye, and I laughed so hard-- your first one was a bullseye-- too big! That was me, a big 2-sided t-shirt quilt. Since then I've scattershot binge-watched myself into a more selective state, and your videos set the bar for real-life quilting messages. I hope to meet you some day when travel is back on (and what's the old song say? "If I ever get my hands on a dollar again").
Lovely to see a realistic looking sewing space. It looks used and functional. I have fabric and yarn stashed around the house in a chest, bags and boxes. My cutting mat lives under the bed. However my sewing machine is kept in it’s bag on the deep kitchen windowsill. It’s too high for my little one to reach and my sharp things are up there too. When I sew it is in ‘stolen moments’ at the kitchen table either when everyone is asleep or rarely when I have a few hours at the weekend. I can only sew a few hours a month total. However I know as life changes I will have more time again and eventually perhaps more space! I will endeavour to use your advice when that time comes and vicariously watch your videos whilst cooking :)
@ecoquilting I have a lot of respect for you. Just making your space work. I feel like my problem is miniscule compared to what you are facing. I'm taking a lesson from you to make my space work. Thank you for responding. I have watched Karen's videos forever (before she got famous), And loving them still. 💕
Thanks Karen, for another thoughtful and comprehensive video. Your suggestions are all percolating in my head and I am already thinking of ways to increase my productivity through better organization. I do have a little suggestion about your videos. I often find that the volume of your voice drops off from time to time, and from location to location as you film. I sometimes need to go back and listen several times to catch what you're saying. Would it be possible for you to work on the audio element of your videos to get it to be more consistent? Thank you again for all that you contribute to the quilting and sewing community. I have recommended your channel to numerous quilting friends.
@@mary-annz.reynolds7778 That is so kind of you! Funny how it works: I too feel like my problem is miniscule compared to what others are dealing with, unless of course, I let the "poor me"s sneak in, but they pass when I remember how blessed I am. Have a fine day!
"I have what I have" will be my new motto! And I have a dining room table and an Ikea cube shelving unit. I iron in the kitchen but I enjoy the few steps into the kitchen, makes me walk a bit. This is another great video, thanks Karen!
Yes, for my over all health and my back health I do not twist to press but rather get up and walk those few feet away and press.........no blood clots welcome in my home and certainly no more back issues.
Thank you for honestly showing your quilting space. I'm always so embarrassed when people show their beautiful spaces off and mine looks like a bomb has gone off in it. I'm going to work mine as you put out these videos so I can be more productive. Stuff is just everywhere all the time. I'm always "cleaning" but I don't want to clean I want to sew, so it ne or gets organized. Thanks Karen for the help.
Kanday, I have to say, that is my sewing room. My dad made me a beautiful “large” table for cutting out of this massive table, I have less than 24 inches square. The rest is holding “sewing stuff”. My sewing room is at the back end of my living room. I am trying to get my basement Reno’s and until that is done, I refuse to take my sewing machine and fabric downstairs. But I am happy :)
@@christinebroeze1004 I'm not sure if you've heard of Pat Sloan, she has a word that she uses for a year. Last year I picked a word but with Covit and all, I did stick with it and now I can't remember what is was. This year my word is Order. I'll be working towards this word all year. Happy sewing.
Yes I have heard and watch her along with Eleanor Burns. I enjoy them too. Down to earth.☺️
I love the real sewing spaces, I’ve tried the Pinterest route and found they really didn’t work out . I like repurposing what I have on hand.Now it’s the KISS plan .
The best part is that I have 2 rooms for my space. The dining room and what was once an office , now retired.
Karen, I've watched only the first two minutes, and already I'm just so appreciative of your attitude. Yes, we have what we have. I'm grateful for my awkwardly shaped room. And I'm so pleased to have you as my teacher. Thank you. Now on with the video...
Ppl
We have what we have. This was very informative as I am revamping my small sewing/spare bedroom space after downsizing.
Love the real stuff, not the fluffed up imaginary spaces that just make me wanna give up.
I love your wisdom! "You have what you have!"
Yes!
“The first step is accepting is that you have what you have. I know it’s hard but stop comparing your space to fancy filming sets......”. That was helpful, I really should be focusing on the fact that I have a great sewing machine (Juki) and an understanding husband who never complains when I take over the dining room table. The up side is it can’t ever get too bad because I always have to pack it up so it never permanently takes over the room 😉. Thank you!!
I recognize that Ikea table! I assembled one for one of my sister's friends and he used it as part of his ttrpg/board game setup. It seemed sturdy and overall assembly was easy. The only catch: if I recall correctly, the drawers are hard/impossible to take apart once assembled. I made sure to take my time with them so nothing went together backward 😂
Hi Karen, Since I began quilting I’ve changed my space three major times. Right now my walkable space has shrunk to a 4x4’ range between sewing machine, ironing, cutting table & fabric clutter. So I was relieved to see I am not alone 😳😉🤣
COVID changed the way I need to buy fabric. The demand for fabric went up & I found if I don’t buy immediately, I wasn’t able to get what I wanted at a later date.
So here I am back to square one needing to re-design my sewing room again 😬. It’s a challenge.
I am going to love this series. Thank you so much for all your videos, greatly appreciated, 💖 Chris-Raleigh NC
Me too. In September I rearranged my sewing room, but it's not working out. My sewing machine ended up against the wall in a corner, and I feel claustrophobic there. Time to try another arrangement,lol.
In my head now I keep saying Just get it done and this January I completed 4 Quilts. One I started in 2017. Sewing is messy. I got 4 days of your 21 day clean up done and things were looking better until I started working on my projects. My big thing now is books.
I love your tips and tricks. Thanks. My first cordless Panasonic iron was great. I had it working for years. The next one is terrible as it takes forever to heat up and is not hot enough. A different model than yours. I will look for a solution.
I find it I put things just out of reach, a good stretch while sewing performs a bit of yoga and prevents pain if I am at it for long periods of time. My space consists of a buffet table in the living room. My ironing is in the kitchen. All the fabric is in the bedroom. This assists me with a bit more movement so the arthritis doesn’t remain silent, and then blare out of nowhere. I stand while sewing because my posture at a sewing table was not right for me. It took me years to figure this out. Kudos to those who have a studio. I know it can be magazine perfect only if you never use it. Keeping it real for all us! Love it!
Thank you for showing the “before” of your transitioning sewing room. I’m just beginning to watch this video.
Love your videos! For other Mavericks out there: In the distant past, when a cellist, I learned that thighs about 60 degrees below horizontal resulted in less back pain during long practice sessions. I tried to find where the “parallel to the floor” came from, because I had already learned it in my 1960s typing class. Never could find original research to support it. Anyway, being up higher puts my wrists in an advantageous position, too. I haven’t died yet, so feel safe if you want to try it out.
I just got a cordless iron, too. Love it.
I use my Panasonic cordless on my longarm. When I advance the quilt, before I stitch the sides down, I iron it. Having the cordless instead of unplugging a regular iron and plugging it back in. What a help it has been!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have sewn voraciously since age 6 (I’m 73) and have finally decided to treat myself to a planned, efficient, functional sewing room! I’ve spent many hours viewing cute, fancy, sometimes huge spaces and, when ready to quit, happened on your video. As a retired PT, your ergonomic suggestions hit home. I won’t change the planned layout, but with this information, I know I can make it work - without having to make frustrating changes. You have made a difference and I’m grateful! P.S., I’m not a quilter. Garments are my passion.
I like it when I hear you say you do your cutting on the Kitchen Counter, it saves a Back ache .Else Adams
omg you have NO idea how happy I was to see your room, I'm not the only one!
Thanks for keeping it real. And thanks for the link to the iPad holder. I need one.
I like my iron but hate the cord; my ironing board has an attached metal rack for the iron and the cord gets caught between the rack and board all the time. A cordless iron may be in my future. I’ve been tweaking my sewing space. Finally got it close to “right” and decided to add a second machine so more changes are happening.
The yoga blocks are a great idea. I have a thick book on the floor with rug mat under it for my “passive” foot so that I keep my hips balanced on my chair.
Still struggling with scrap organization. As a relatively new quilter, I don’t have any go-to piece sizes yet. I’m trying “by color” right now for all but 10” square or bigger.
I find organizing and cleaning to be very therapeutic. Thanks for the tips to make our spaces more productive and easier to work in. Omgosh shlepping stuff from one spot to another - probably a lot of us can relate to that!! It was funny watching you do it in fast motion. Having a scrap “system” and the benefits of a cordless iron were two key takeaways. Thanks so much. You are a such a good teacher and not afraid to share your logjams and struggles. It makes your videos highly relatable and fun to watch.
I have never, ever felt cleaning as therapeutic. But I do love an organized space and I like knowing what I have. Hats off to you! 💕
I cannot find Part 2. PLEASE direct me to Part 2. Thank you.
I have had the Panasonic cordless for about 2 years and I love it.
You have inspired me. It's now time for me to stop looking at the mess and saying tomorrow I'll do something. Thanks and stay safe.
I had a sewing space, but I had to give it up when my husband had to start working from home more. Now I have some fabric bins and my kitchen table 🤷♀️. The biggest problem with that is keeping my 2 year old out of my fabric and notions 🤦♀️😬, but I’m glad I can still sew sometimes
I love love love my Panasonic iron! With kids and cats in the house, being able to throw that cover on while it's still hot I know that I can walk away to take care of dinner or something and not have to worry about curious fingers or noses getting burned. Not to mention I never have to ask myself "did I leave the iron on again?" anymore. 😁
One of my cats jumped on my ironing board the other day when I was far away from it. She was pretty annoyed by all my shouting and arm waving while I ran towards her but at least I distracted her from the hot iron, lol.
I enjoyed your initial words. . Meaning enjoy our sewing space and projects. It’s not only about having a beautiful space, “ we just need to be organized and confortable for us to create and enjoy.
”you have what you have“ so true - I live in a bed sit and do my cutting on the floor and my sewing on a leaf-fold coffee table 😅 still some good tips though.
I so enjoyed you video it’s not running out buying all new items there’s hope for us dyi people we can make a ironing table that does so much more can’t wait to see how you made your ironing board with the cubbies ,,, and you going to the dollar store you don’t have to be rich to have a nice efferent sewing room and on rolling wheels you can move it so many are taking over a bedroom and sometimes it has to go back to a bedroom how refreshing,,,,,, thank you so much
I watched this in the morning and by the afternoon my sewing room was set up using things I already owned! Thanks very much 🧑🎓
My cutting table folds down on both sides and out of the way when not in use. I'm in my dining area because I know soon as I use my spare bedroom family will need the spot. My tables are all portable. Have the same similar ironing table. You're a smart lady.
Thanks, Karen! Had to chuckle when you said "You have what you have." Too true! What I have is a sewing machine and storage area in one very cramped office on the second floor, an ironing table in another room on that same floor, and a cutting table in the kitchen on the floor below. I consider all the travelling to be part of my fitness routine. In any case, I'm grateful to have what I have.
When my daughter was in the tiny "no no" stage, I built a playpen for myself by angling my sofa and creating a corner sewing "room". It was what I had and it was fine!
I no longer waste precious time on other youtuber - you are one of the best ( I have found a couple others I appreciate) but you go into practical topics, smart, concise, thank you thank you.
I love my Panasonic cordless. I also have a longarm and I needed it to "tame" borders on some of my clients quilts and have found that it is one of the best investments I've made.
My 'quilter's ironing board' is wonderful! I bought 2 at a quilt shop years ago, made by the owner's hubby. It's plywood 55"x24" covered with thin batting and heavy duck fabric, and has slots underneath designed to fit over a regular ironing board. I originally gave one to Mom and one to Sis, who ended up gifting hers back to me. Mom has used hers so much she's recovered it 3 times!
For mine, I wanted to better utilize the wasted space underneath. A local craftsman advertised his custom tables on Facebook so I upscaled and splurged a bit had him make me storage unit to fit under the board. If I ever stop sewing, the table is still a lovely piece of furniture.
Looking forward to the next video!
Highly recommended. I have been using this Panasonic iron for about 17 years and still love it. I also got 3 more as a gift for my relatives and they all love it.
I didn't know it's been around that long. I've had mine 4 years and LOVE it as well!
And it's never leaked?!!!
I appreciate how practical you were about this. I rarely watch these kinds of videos because my workspace is not a showroom. It's in a basement with lots of leftover pieces of furniture and storage solutions. But it works. I have pets, many pets. My cats are thieves. All my sewing and sewing notions must be covered or they steal it and make beds on my supplies. We do what we must to make our spaces work. I just can't look at one more magazine like sewing space. In addition, all my crafting is super messy. Sometimes when I am in the middle of a big craft project it looks like I am renovating!
Also, I have several machines. I created my space with sitting and standing sewing stations. For a while I had my ironing board across the room to force me to change my body position. Not all because I am crazy but because my rheumatologist wanted me to change my body position every 30 minutes.
Thanks for sharing!
You are so right! Its looks like I'm renovating during a creative year! Fabrics are flying, scraps dropping, iron hissing and then it's over... have to straighten up again.
Creative tear
Hi. I found that putting my ironing station away from work station, force me to walk a bit and stretch the legs
I have that in mind too. We need to use those joints or lose them
I’ve also done this!
Yes absolutely
I'm good at taking breaks but I found that I was too lazy for good ironing practice to have my iron far from my sewing machine, lol. Now they are plugged into the same power bar that I turn on and off so if my machine is on, my iron is also ready to use and right beside me. It's so interesting how different people have different strategies to complete the same tasks.
@@nataliestanchevski4628 yes asking me to get up and plug in my iron. Lay down a towel and to start ironing is a great way to get to not iron. I pin anything the needs to be ironed for seams generally and it comes out okay
I bought a new iron last year. I looked around and examined and researched the ones I was interested in. I bought the Panasonic iron. I felt the dual sided, cordless attributes would be really helpful and they ARE. And another reason is that they don't require any heavy duty electrical slots. My sewing area is large but compromised electrically. It has a number of outlets but when the house was built they put them all on the same breaker! I have lots of other electrical needs in my sewing room so I had to run some extension cords into other rooms. That's not fun! So this iron can easily be used in my sewing room without compromising anything. At first I was looking at some really whammy jammy expensive irons, but they needed extra voltage or wattage. Not sure which one, but one of those. This iron requires a bit less. And with all the other attributes you mentioned, it became my dream iron.
I've had my iron for about two years now and love, love, love it. It's everything you say it is.
KB - I 'gave" myself the Panasonic iron 4 years ago after using it at my local quilt shop. I know it was a "splurge" but I think it has paid off in so many ways. You didn't show the detachable water tank feature, which to be honest I rarely use as I refill from my Brita pitcher directly into the iron. I too adore the shut off feature. Yay for that. I recently used a Rowenta cordless and was totally underwhelmed by it. I wanted my Panasonic!!!! I am thrilled your son is well enough to give you back your sewing room. WIN WIN... Thanks again for another fabulous video!
I don’t use the steam much anymore...prefer to spritz
I’ve been pretty obsessed with watching sewing space videos lately!
I’ve purchased a crank height adjustable desk from ikea. I can lower it for using my machine and I crank it up when cutting. One of the best sewing investments I’ve made. Looking forward to part 2!
I have a child's toy storage unit that I keep smaller pieces of fabric in. The large bins are for projects and the smaller ones hold different colors. It fits in the built in closet in my very tiny 2nd bedroom, aka sewing room. Luckily there are also four drawers built in under it, so the fabric is at a great height. I have my sewing machine, ironing board and two bookcases, for more fabric and supplies, in there, along with my flannel tablecloth design board. That's all the room there is, so my cutting table used to be the coffee table. Hard to fit a cup of coffee on there now. LOL
Never disappointing. Makes want to reevaluate my sewing room. The height of the cutting table made a lot of sense. Need to raise mine up. Now I have iron envy. 😆
It's amazing when you have the right tool for the job
I added blocks to my cutting table to raise it (38 years old now, in perfect condition, my ols 'change table' when my kids were babies!
My daughter raised her dorm bed with cheap and ugly 4” risers you can buy as a set...guess who’s using them now! Happy sewing!
Nicely done. My husband let me make the master bed room my sewing room and we sleep in the smaller bed room. I do have a great husband
I made your ironing table, however my ironing board top is larger, I love the storage shelves, with baskets for all my ironing accessories, I love that I can just roll it out of the way! Thank You so much!
i am glad someone is like me i have a shed
I love reality, thanks so much for being real! My sewing space in my apt is my tiny dining space. My old apt size table is now sitting atop $5 bed risers from clearance aisle at "Big Lots", which turned out to be perfect pushed against wall, my old small computer desk holds my Juki, and my old regular ironing board completes my u-shape space.
It's a good working solution although there is a storage issue, I will have to decide to give up on a place to eat or not and add some type of storage piece under the table. For now the dining chairs are there, and a second vintage machine for zigzagging. Lots of "stuff" in my bedroom (argh).
Yup, I use bed risers under a card table!
I got this iron from my husband at Christmas and every time I use it, I thank him and tell him this iron is awesome. Another plus of this iron is how lightweight it is.
I love my Panasonic cordless iron at my pressing station. It has been a game-changer for me in my quilting studio. I've had it for a couple of years now. I do still have my old one, but it stays in my laundry room and doesn't get used much. Great video! Thanks for some helpful tips!
Now I don't feel so bad about my tiny sewing room/office and the fact that my projects spill onto the kitchen counter and living room and bedroom. Maybe that's normal. That iron is very interesting...gonna research it. I know Panasonic makes good stuff. TFS
Right on time! I painted the walls of my new sewing space this morning!
My cutting table is an old square grand piano from the Civil War era. So lots of space on top and hubby after taking out the 'guts' left me a storage area inside. I have a 6 drawer cart (4 small drawers and 2 bigger ones) that I store threads, stabilizer for machine embroidery and other carmaking craft supplies. Now if I could just get rid of all the stuff on top of the cutting table!
That sounds so cool
Love your honesty about your mess !!! Made me feel right at home !!! My favorite thing you said was to be satisfied with what we have. That makes a world of difference!!! Loved your video!!!
I have what I have!!! so what I needed to be reminded of!!!!
Hitting it out of the ballpark with this one. Keeping it real, covering room & movement strategy plus physical form to reduce neck back & shoulder strain, is all a huge help for me! Panasonic iron just hit my Christmas wish list!
I bought this iron a couple of months ago. Long before I saw your video. I have fallen in love with my iron. I wondered if I had purchased a good one. Since I've had it I couldn't imagine one being without it. Im delighted that I made the right choice and seeing your video confirms it by a "long time" quilter... I only started an 3 months ago. - Btw, I LOVE your videos! You seem authentic and very down-to-earth; with an enjoyable personality. Thank you... From one of your newest fans! - Sheri Foxworth
Thank y you
Thanks for this Karen. I also have a bedroom as my sewing room, and light was an issue, with just an overhead light fixture. I found a flexible neck LED floor lamp, with a step on switch. I was able to position it in the room so that I can flex it for extra light at my sewing machine, or to light up both my ironing surface and cutting board, which are side-by-side on a standing height table. I love my lamp! No more shadows over my work area.
Oh, and I have the same Panasonic cordless iron, which I also love. And, with a standing height table, I have room for a short shelving unit below for fabric storage.
Hi Karen, how I envy your ironing table. My work space is spread between three areas, where my machine is, in the cloakroom (because it’s in its own cabinet), my kitchen, where I do my cutting, planning and other activities, and my living room when I can spread out quilt tops and fabric to photograph when I’m planning something. My iron is in my ‘cellar-head’, and I have a traditional ironing board which has to be put away after use and an ironing pad which I made myself, and fits in whichever room I need it. I have an ordinary iron, and have invested in a Duotronic mini iron, which I find invaluable. But I would love an ironing table like yours, with storage and is moveable. No room, sadly. Oh well .... 😊
Thank you! This is so timely for me. My firstborn just moved out last week and I’m designing my sewing room. Painting tomorrow!!!!!
I have watched designing sewing room videos all morning. But yours was the first one that said that what I already had was good enough and go get off Pinterest! Thank you. I really needed that kick in the right direction.
As this awful year winds down, I want to thank you for your encouragement, your instruction and making this misery a bit more comfortable for all of us. I learned so much and put into action so much of what you taught. May 2021 bring blessings, health and happiness to you and your entire family!
Ha ha. Love your honesty. You are a joy! Love your tutorial manner. I Love facts and helpful info. That sitting angle is just like the typist’s angle I learnt years ago. Just want to thank you for your inspiration. Was watching you early on in our first Lockdown in the UK. You’ve taught me sooo much, and eventually I stopped just watching, and got back to actually sewing myself. Sorted out my UFO’s from years ago. And now, I’ve even started my own channel. Your Colour, Scraps, Pressing, Sewing in a straight line, instructional type videos, and several others, have been such a helpful foundation for me, and I just want to thank you! So, Thank you Karen! Love all your quilts and your boldness at sticking them up in the stairwell of your condo! Wonderful idea 😄. Love it! Glad I found time too pop back in, lol x
The cover has a handle, so could you install a hook on your ironing table to hang it from? Then for travel maybe get one of those purse hangers that clip onto a table? Great information on organizing a sewing space!
Wow.. thank you sooooo much. all this tips are soooo useful. What i found wors for me best for my tea, is a Contigo west loop travel mug. It eeps my drink warm and if it top it, it does not leak. You see, my sewing space for everything is my living room table. Some day, hopefully soon, I will have a sewing space
I have what I have. I sew on a dog grooming table, that still gets used every other month. In between groomings, it gets vacuumed and I sew on it. I have an old 70s kitchen counter top with a set of bottom kitchen cabinets as a cutting table/storage unit. It is enough.
Oh this made me realize I may be able to use some cabinets we removed from our kitchen for cutting and storage! Why didn't I think to measure for that possibility? I don't have room for the triangle idea anyway.
I absolutely love my cordless iron. Glad to see Karen is now a happy member of the cordless club.
I'm so excited to watch this video, I can relate to much of what you've shared. I've had my sewing room 14 years "on and Off". I've had health issues through out this time, as well. This past summer I was home all summer due to covid. I started in on my room. I stopped half way through because I couldn't decide what to do about the storage and cutting table. I finally found a solution to this problem and I built a table with storage for myself with my husbands help. The categories you address are the same ones I needed to work on. I was so happy to learn all the details you offered. I put the iron on my wish list! I'm really looking forward to your up coming videos on finishing your room. Thanks for sharing!!!
I love my cordless Panasonic iron. I have had it for a number of years. I will always have a cordless Panasonic iron. It is wonderful.
I am so excited to see this. How did you know I am emptying a room for a sewing/craft/guest room! Perfect timing for me. Thank you!.
we can be a support group
Ditto!! Such perfect timing!
Agreed. I've was using a part of our large master bedroom. Then took over a small bedroom as my son is away at college. But then I don't have space for him at Christmas. Since we don't own the house, we can't put in a Murphy bed.
I have a 24x28 pole barn. Except it has been the dump spot for everything! Carpet, insulation, coolers, etc...
I'm definitely purchasing the iron. I have a near perfect sewing room thanks to my wonderful carpenter husband but I've been wanting a cordless iron. Thank you for your videos. They're so professionally produced with awesome tips
I love this lady! Thanks so much Karen!!!
Such great advice! I have recently upgraded my sewing space to a table that is the correct height, it made the world of difference. Thanks for sharing.
My sewing room was a screen porch. It's big, 12'x 20'. It is also a work in progress. Windows were added a couple of years ago and it's getting insulated, sheetrocked and painted in the next couple of months. Luckily, I live on the California central coast, where the weather is fairly moderate all year long. But I did add an electrical baseboard heater for those foggy & damp days. But I have made a quilted covers for my sewing machine and TV. A friend helped me make an ironing board almost like yours. Since space isn't an issue, the top is 24" x 48". I love it! I also use a wooden TV tray table with the reversible ironing/cutting mat on it for right next to my sewing machine to use while quilting. I set a time for 45 minutes, and when it goes off, I get up move around and stretch. I'm short, so I still use my dining room table for lots of cutting. Although I have room for a cutting table, I like the open space and I have a sitting area opposite my sewing machine.
Thank you so much for sharing. I wish I could sit out side and quilt
I use my kitchen counter for cutting. It's the perfect height! I'm going to look into the ironing station. Looks like something that will work for me. Thanks Karen for the informative video!
Once again...I had to write you and thank you! A great video and I loved your quote....” you have what you need”
Thank you for the tips, particularly the ergonomic ones. Good posture leads to longer hours for enjoying our “quilting indulgence”. Appreciate very much your practical tips.
Christina from New Zealand
You can keep the iron cover inside your sewing machine traveling bag when not in use. You’ll probably use the bag and the cover at the same time or, not at all.
Karen, I love how real you are - sharing you not so perfectly organized space and then taking us on your journey to set things in order. It is definitely an ongoing process. I have "rules" to keep me organized, but I don't always follow them! I have the same Panasonic iron and I love it. I love that it isn't directional, no cord to deal with when ironing and yes, that it will turn itself off. Thanks again for your great tips, tricks and strategies.
This is why we all love you so much!
Could you do a review on the rolling sewing machine cases (ie. Everything Mary, Tailor, Tutto, and BlueFig?)...that would be awesome! thanks!
One of the best thing about you that I love is that you are so Real
QUESTION - SERIOUSLY
CAN you discuss quilt kits
You mentioned them... much thanks
Karen, thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate the first step being acceptance of what we have. It’s so true! I enjoyed your thoughts about dealing with small spaces, ergonomics and multiple stations.
From a technical point, the volume of your video was great but for some reason when I listened on AirPods the sound only came out of one side, usually the left AirPod. Then it would adjust to stereo but return to mono again. It wasn’t a huge problem but I thought you might like to know.
I have a Panasonic iron like that. I love it! Before I make the quilt sandwich I put a quilt top on my design wall and press it with my cordless iron.
This was so helpful as usual. I have a huge sewing space but it is a room that is also a huge walk through space. Not great design but oh well. I took a full four days to clean and organize my fabrics and other materials recently. Already an improvement. What I have learned here is that I need to improve my ironing space, get a better iron (yes cordless) and figure out how to store my small pieces like scissors, rulers etc. A big additional challenge for me is that I will eventually retire and leave the US. That means I don't want to buy anything I don't have to. In that regard, I really appreciated Karen's early video about shopping from one's stash. I wish I could build myself an ironing board like Karen did but I'm really not handy with wood and there is no way I'm letting anyone in my house until at least February. I'm also thinking ahead to my next and final house. It will be much smaller but I will have a sewing room. Finally, I knit as much as I sew so I have to get that part of my life in order too. Can't wait for the next installment.
Ruth Mendum I recently got a TV tray that is sturdy and put a heat mat and then my little wool square ironing mat. It's great for ironing beside my sewing, especially as I'm constructing blocks
Marlene Salamandyk i have been looking at ways to create a small, inexpensive and moveable ironing station. Your set-up zounds interesting. What is a heat mat please?
Renee Gosselin it's the wool mat
Renee Gosselin sorry, under the wool mat is a tabletop ironing pad - that shiny silver coated mat. My mother in law got it to iron on her counter
*I'm NOT even a quilter!* I'm a fashion sew'er. I'm even a fashion crocheter. How I came upon this video is a wonder of the RUclips algorithm! ♥♥♥
But looks like I've found a great source of information to keep my TWO+ sewing/craft studios (using 2 bedrooms and part of my home office) organized.
And when you put me on game about that iron... well that pushed me right over the top! **New Subbie!!!** ♥♥♥
Welcome
Hello Karen, I love your tutorials! You always have something for me to ponder and improve upon. I keep cleaning and organizing just to turn around and unorganized again. Never ending cycle. However because of your insight I have my scraps under control. Now to get my sewing room straight. I also want to say I purchased a Panasonic 360 a year ago when I was first learning piecing. I love love love it! So much I bought a second one when it was on sale. I use one near my sewing machine and the other when I do large cutting projects in another area (my kitchen island). I look forward to the rest of your series on organization. Thank you so much.
I have owned this iron for many years (originally bought it in Anchorage, Alaska, COSTCO. Couldn't live without it! Thank you for sharing this wonderful iron's features.