Sewing Room Makeover and Tour!

[@velvetvert9431]

Don't worry about empty spaces. Time will tell what you need there. It's a beautiful sewing space, and I am envious of that Juki.

[@ashbentley]

So true, I'm sure I'll figure it out in time. Thank you so much ❤❤

[@scholllla]

I started noticing that in each new upload there's that one phrase that makes me immedietely go like the video. This time it was "Why am I in charge of me?" Very relatable. Also, nice space. And it's nice to have some free space instead of walking into stuff very step you take. Somehow it tends to fill up anyways.

[@ashbentley]

Oh I love to hear that, that's awesome 🤗❤ Thank you! Yes you're right, the free space is actually lovely. Plus I have room to lie on the floor when I get overwhelmed 😅

[@r0ute66junkie]

For the blank space on the pegboard, Charlie (of The Stitchery) just posted a video about “embroidering” hers. It would be cool to see your take on that!

[@ashbentley]

I'll have to have a look at that! 🤗

[@annabentley4153]

I love what you have done with this room. It has given me looks of ideas about what I will do with my room when I finally get to it. Well done you! Loved, the video ❤❤❤

[@ashbentley]

Yay! I'm so excited for you to have your own creative space again ❤❤

[@regalrose3365]

So happy for your machine. The room looks great. 🎉 A full-length mirror would be good. I can't wait until i can have a dedicated space, too 😊

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! It's so exciting to be able to keep the mess contained 😅

[@cassafrass098]

Congrats on your move and your sewing room! Some additions that I think could be helpful are a full length mirror (I use mine all the time for sewing), some clips on your pegboard so you can hang sewing instructions in front of you or pattern pieces you don't need at the moment but don't want to put away yet, and some small/medium size baskets you can store works-in-progress in.

[@ashbentley]

These are such great tips! I LOVE the idea of baskets to store WIPs, I always just stack them around the place and loose half of them! Thank you 🤗

[@amiehamilton1840]

I put my wips' in tote bags, then stash them around the place. Urgent stuff gets hung in front of my face so I remember they exist, haha.

[@ashbentley]

@amiehamilton1840 haha good idea, very important to remember they exist!

[@ginaknight8314]

Listening to another Aussie is the best....... beautiful shirt.... enjoy the sunshine.... Winter is coming....🦘🦘💐🌹

[@ashbentley]

Aw thank you, I'm glad someone enjoys my accent 😅 I know right! I need to start making some colder weather clothes ❤

[@glittergoblin]

I’m getting Shazza vibes from that industrial!

[@ashbentley]

omg Shazza is great 🤩

[@pamkarickhoff7814]

I love your new space. I also really love pegboard. One year for Christmas, I asked my husband for pegboard. It's great for keeping things organized. Juke is a really good machine. I wish I "needed" an industrial machine. Naming a machine can be tricky. You can wait to see what kind of quirks it has and name if after a family member or character from a favorite show or book. Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. Hanging out with a goddess that likes to craft can't be a bad thing. Enjoy your new space and new toy. Hugs from Coastal Virginia, USA

[@ashbentley]

Oh I love the idea of Minerva, thank you! I will probably wait a while to see the quirks, that's a great tip. I did name my first camera for filming Jane (Austen) in the hopes we would tell stories together, then my upgraded camera is Emma, as she wouldn't exist without Jane being there first 🥰

[@lilyaitken4491]

obsessed with the backdrop! and I'm so happy you ended up getting the chair - definitely worth it!

[@ashbentley]

Yes you convinced me with the idea to tie in the blue frames too! I am very happy with it, just got to add some cross stitches to the wall now 😊

[@audralahrhpdoorks]

You could put your sewing thread 🧵 up in that blank space of peg board. Even if it’s just the standard colors you usually use like black, beige, white, or even green 😂. I also think maybe a basket could hang there with bets you may need in reach of the sewing machines like seam rippers, extra pins, hand sewing needles even, measuring tape, oh, and a measuring square. To make perfect corners and help with straight lines. Very useful. The space looks pretty! You could always have a mood board for the empty wall space that you switch up with each project to keep you going in the right direction. Good job organizing!🎉

[@ashbentley]

Haha there should definitely be some green thread there! A measuring square is a great idea, I was thinking about that just the other day! Thanks so much ❤❤

[@aileenbell6750]

Yayayayay! You have been my fave youtube find in awhile, and I have enjoyed catching up on your past videos. I heart Jukebox Juki. Or…Juki for short, lol. Surely someone else is better at puns. 😜 I truly love what you did for your room. And don’t worry about empty spaces…you will surely eventually feel the creative urge to fill them. ❤

[@ashbentley]

That is so lovely to hear! I really appreciate it ❤ And you're right, it probably is best to leave some empty spaces so the space has room to grow 😊

[@cozycasasmr4510]

I love these kinds of videos, algorithm please show me more

[@ashbentley]

Yay! Thanks for hanging out 🖤

[@WinnieCPT]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE ROOM!!!!! great job with the aesthetic and functionality! and yes please, do a "finishing projects i started years ago" video :D fun fact: i kept narrating the vid to my wife and we agreed that listening to the new album and almost drinking your paint water were the most relatable things in the world.

[@ashbentley]

Aww thank you so much! That is honestly a great title for the video too, I am writing that down 😄 And 😂😂 I'm so glad ❤

[@stevezytveld6585]

Congratulations on the dedicated sewing space. That's a huge step up. Well done. My sewing is scattered through our living room. Le Sigh. I have two sewing machines - a 1915 hand-crank Singer 99K and a Featherweight. They are both named after the last woman who owned them - Patricia (also the name of my late Mum) and Star (Dad was a Hippy). Same for my turn-of-the-last-century silver thimble - Ethel. I figure it's a way to keep the history as intact as I can. Oh! And use a sharpie to write your name and the date that you got her on the underside of the table. The hankies would be lovely in a shabby chic skirt. I'd be tempted to pain the table a strong red... not sure why... just something that pops and won't be too loud for a filming backdrop? I have a table-top ironing board sitting on my Bertha Washington Sewing Cabinet - it sits right at my elbow when I have my machine set-up. Most of the time I don't even have to stand up to iron a seam. Think of it like a kitchen triangle work area - have everything you reach for and need on a regular basis in a close space. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@ashbentley]

I love that idea of naming the machines after the last woman who owned it! I just checked under my machine, no names yet. The table top ironing board sounds great too, very practical. In my last space I had to unplug everything (sewing machine, overlocker, iron) because of the set up. I think it will be a vast improvement to just not have to do that! But your set up sounds next level 😊

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@ashbentley LOL. Thanks. We're in a small one bedroom apartment so inches/cm's count... and I had lockdown to work most of it out. The Featherweight sits on one of those Ikea metal 6-drawer units that I switched out the wheels so it can do a full (and careful) spin. Top drawer is all the sewing feet (it was a rabbit hole) and the rest is small sewing supplies and trim. Power strips, attached to one-to-one connection extension cords, are literally my best friend. I attempted to make the working space into a U-shape and tried to make it so everything is a reach, a stretch or a short walk. Having the iron set up on the other side of the room would drive me nuts. I also wrote the names that I know who previously owned the machines into the front cover of the manual. Ta da - machine has it's provenance. Congratulations. Your room is fantastic. As is the Juki! Such fun!

[@ashbentley]

@@stevezytveld6585 That's quite impressive that you've created a set up like that in a small apartment, well done! I'm a human tornado, I'm not sure my partner could live with with me sewing in a one bedroom!

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@ashbentley Thanks & LOL... who says I'm not a human tornado, especially when cutting out. I've just wrangled the hardware into sitting in the smallest footprint I could. The stash storage is a challenge - and at the moment, largely taken up by wool I found at the second hand shop.

[@kellytroy7602]

Answering what questions I can remember, Judy or Yuki were two names I thought of, yes do a video on finishing projects, yes make a dress out of those embroidery things (Or a shirt because that might have been a small pile), other things for the sewing room; full length mirror, the mood board could be useful or a white board for some todo writing on projects, comfy chair for hand sewing time?, I like a footstool for use with desk chairs but I am a short ass gremlin ymmv, if you don't need the full closet bar some shelves may be more useful underneath it and may be sturdier for the fabric storage?

[@ashbentley]

Haha wow I did ask a lot of questions! whoops 😅 These are great suggestions! I do have a very comfy chair for hand sewing out in the lounge which I love. And some shelves in the cupboard is a great idea! The shoe rack thing is not the most ideal tool haha 🤗

[@crystallinedanit5975]

Looks nice and cozy ❤

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! 😊

[@Cordelia-again]

Ash, I would love to see you make a dress out of those embroidery bits. I think you sewing room is lovely and it will evolve over time (nothing is ever complete once you start using it. My thoughts on the new machine (so envious btw) is The Duke a good solid name for a adventuring companion.

[@ashbentley]

Yay! You're so right, I'll slowly add to it :) And the duke is a solid name!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Ohhhh your new (to you) machine is BEAUTIFUL!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Hi I'm new to your channel! I'm Gwen. Something I have learned about myself, is that I cannot put things in drawers that I can't see through, if I ever want to use that fabric again. You might want to keep an eye out for second (or third or fourth) hand china hutches that you can use for fabric storage. I have cats and they protect the fabric from cat hair (or cat puke) but also I can still see my fabric, so I remember it exists.

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Giggling as I sit on my bed staring at all my piles of green and blue clothes. 😂

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

It looks so cozy!

[@ashbentley]

Hi Gwen, welcome! I'm so happy you're here ❤ The China hutch is a GREAT idea, so much more likely to use fabrics if I can see them.

[@ashbentley]

Oh thank you so much! I love her 🥰

[@thegirlwhoeats8863]

Congrats on your new home! I hope you'll create great memories there 🤗

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! We love this place, so green and quiet 🥰

[@-miekeb-]

Ohh the unfinished projects.... 🙈 Good idea!! 😄👍 also the dress! Congratulations with your new craftroom, looks good!! Thanks and Greetings 👋

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! I think I'll have to do both videos soon 😊 And thank you, I'm very happy with it ❤

[@music_YT2023]

7:20 it's such a bright and happy orange, can't wait to see what you make with it (one day!). Also, "Why am I in charge of me?" is such a big mood. I think that often of myself when I have to trudge up to my partner to ask him to help me find my phone since I find a new place to lose it each time (still haven't left it in the fridge or freezer yet!).

[@ashbentley]

I am CONSTANTLY losing my phone, but I can tell Thomas where he can find his glasses, his hat, and a hair tie in a cupboard I saw months ago 🤷‍♀️

[@music_YT2023]

@@ashbentley It's easier to find their things because those items never move! I believe my items just need to take a scenic trip once in a while, can't have my keys get too bored if I store them right by the door every day.

[@ashbentley]

😂😂😂 The amount of times I've had to search the pockets of every pair of pants I own trying to find my credit card 😅

[@Wildflowerkat]

Love it! You have become one of my favorite channels to watch since you keep it so real lol!

[@ashbentley]

Wow, thank you! That's so lovely to hear ❤🥰

[@whoviangirl3878]

Ooh yes to the folk dress thing

[@ashbentley]

Yay! I'm keen to try!

[@whoviangirl3878]

@@ashbentley It would be really cool to see how all the bits get mixed together and stuff to make something cohesive!

[@susanflawn1588]

I love your videos, your energy is amazing! Definitely a creative buzzy brain! Keep going 🎉❤

[@ashbentley]

Aww thank you so much!! That's really lovely of you to say ❤🥰

[@AndreaHee]

a) Even though it was impractical for painting, the outfit was very cute. b) A folk dress, why not - I'm pretty sure there isn't much I would not watch you make :D c) Green is a very pretty colour ;) d) Yes to finishing the unfinished projects - it sounds like that would be entertaining to watch ;) e) I think Juki sounds cute as a name. Ich think your sewing room turned out great. Staining the table is probably a good idea but other than that it looks really cozy and inviting. If you have the space, a full-length mirror might be a good addition.

[@ashbentley]

a) The sleeves were possibly the worst for painting but thank you very much! b) That is lovely of you to say! I really appreciate it c) 💚 d) Yay because I really do need to get around to finishing them e) I agree Thank you so much! I am thinking about the mirror situation 🤗

[@whoviangirl3878]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH the new sewing room is so prettyyyyyy

[@ashbentley]

Aww thank you! ❤❤

[@whoviangirl3878]

@@ashbentley 💙

[@yoghertpak]

Congrats on the new sewing machine!

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! I love her 🥰

[@ginaknight8314]

What a great use if recycling..... love your new roim

[@ashbentley]

Thank you! 😊

[@rthwrms]

judy the juki! and i love ur channel

[@ashbentley]

Thank you!! That's lovely to hear. And also thank you, I am very excited to get working with her

[@squidypoo]

Hey Ash, I also live in VIC and I'm renting. As long as you return the room to its original state, you can paint, you can change the light fixture as well, you just need to put it back later. 😊

[@ashbentley]

That's a good point! I've put the light fixture in the top of the cupboard so I don't accidentally take it to the op shop one day 😂

[@Wekia]

At the start of the video I thought you were casting a spell into your wardrobe and I was... confused :'D Also you didn't blow your budget! You Invested into your Sewing Career 😤

[@ashbentley]

Haha I can see how you would think that 😂 And you're right, it is an investment!🤗❤

[@tashacano3324]

You can use fabric starch to put fabric on your walls. It stays up for as long as you want it too then when you take it down the clean up is super fast & easy.

[@ashbentley]

I hadn’t heard of that! I’ll have to have a look, thank you ☺️

[@tashacano3324]

@ashbentley my mom put some up in her entryway that's been up for over 10 years already. I promise it stays up. And we put some up on the windows for privacy too. The cats peeled it off to see out so I know it doesn't leave a residue too.😁 fair warning it was messy to put on lol.

[@lesleyharris525]

Hi, next time you cover a lampshade use narrow double sided tape on the outside and trim with velvet ribbon, love your new space. ❤

[@ashbentley]

Oh that sound so much easier 😅 And I have so much thin double sided tape! Thank you ❤

[@emrobson606]

Dame Juki Bench? New sewing room looks great!

[@ashbentley]

That is EXCELLENT 😂

[@catthestitchwitch1200]

It’s gotta be Suki the Juki 😂❤

[@ashbentley]

I love this!

[@Lady_Nana_Benedetti]

Loooove iiit

[@ashbentley]

Thaaaaaanks 🤗 It's so messy now 😅

[@lizmarin9568]

Bertha or Gerda or Gertie! They're old fashioned names but when I think of those names I picture someone who is solid and dependable!

[@ashbentley]

I love it! I was also thinking something like Bertha or Helga 😄 She is an older machine so an old-fashioned name suits I think

[@amiehamilton1840]

I checked where the juki was built, thinking I could suggest a cute Japanese old-woman name. But, in 1988 juki headquarters moved to North Carolina. So, you obviously need to go with 'Ashley', the top name in North Carolina from 1988.

[@ashbentley]

@amiehamilton1840 😂 😂 That is very funny. Ash with a sewing machine named Ashley. Good news though, as my Juki’s model number starts with DDL, that means it was made in Japan! PS I love that you did that level of research ❤️

[@Allomancer389]

The unfinished part of the wardrobe could be “The Tortured Sewer’s Department”

[@ashbentley]

😮😮😮 Link you are a GENIUS 🤯

[@ameliegifford1477]

I am also an ADHDer who has a mildly intense obsession with green (my hair has green in it too lol) and also I was just at an op shop and bought stuff for a project I'll hopefully get to soon Edit: also seeing a random Coles bag in a KZbin video is weird (in a good way) cause I'm so used to KZbinrs being American 😂😂

[@ashbentley]

omg you've just reminded me that I put all those thrift flips in my cupboard and immediately forgot about them. Out of sight out of mind! 😅 And I was planning another trip to the op shop 😂 And lol for the Coles bag, I completely get what you mean 😊

[@janethopper3462]

Well its not my taste, but you are amazing and really patient, I would have probably given at around the half way count.

[@ashbentley]

Haha thank you! It was a lot of fun except for the overwhelm lol

[@PandoraSummer-d9v]

Hercules!

[@ashbentley]

Ooh good one!

[@stennalane3951]

Do it. The Folk dress.

[@ashbentley]

It's on the list! 💗

[@kaytemnorwood]

Kookie the Juki 🍪

[@ashbentley]

OOh Kookie is cute!

[@sallieb6435]

"that's not a sewing machine ... THIS is a sewing machine!!! " enter "shazza") .... "Mum, what do you call that?" ... " it's a sewing machine ..." oh, it's endless!

[@ashbentley]

I feel like I also need to make a reference to scooping it out of the punnet or it going straight to the pool room 😂

[@dianneb7490]

Judy the Juki.

[@ashbentley]

I like it!

[@SantaCruz296]

name the new machine “sew” (pronounced sue) also for some reason the name Doris felt appropriate, do with that information what you will

[@ashbentley]

I knew you'd come through with the pun ❤❤

[@kaytemnorwood]

Do you have a mailing address? I would send you like art or decor.

[@ashbentley]

That's really really sweet!! I actually do have a mailing address I use for work! Its PO Box 5047, Laburnum, 3131, Victoria, Australia. Shipping costs to Australia would be RIDICULOUS though, I would never expect anyone to send me anything. But art or decor does sound lovely, I appreciate the thought ❤❤❤❤❤

[@twoflower7621]

well U must name her Thelma. obviously or Louise

[@ashbentley]

Strong willed women 🙌

[@whoviangirl3878]

Wait have you mentioned your ADHD before or did i just... guess correctly lol. ADHDdar?

[@ashbentley]

Hahaha surely I've mentioned it before? Although I don't remember (probably because of the ADHD?) 😂😂

[@whoviangirl3878]

@@ashbentley I dont remember either 😂😂 Adhd gang haha.

[@whoviangirl3878]

@@ashbentley I swear like half of sewing youtube has ADHD its great fun seeing everyone be chaotic and relatable

[@ashbentley]

@@whoviangirl3878 You are probably right lol