Ten Elements of a Great Sewing Station!

Hello Shiny Crafty People and welcome back!
Today I’m going over what I think are essential elements for a great sewing station.
In the video, I’ll lay out what you might want for flooring, lighting, tables, cutting surface, pressing surface, your sewing machine set up, and more!
I also reference several products in the video so I want to give you some suggested items that fit what I like. Feel free to reference these and maybe use them as a jumping off point to get whatever works best for you!
Adjustable Chair: amzn.to/3RQV814
Seat Cushion: amzn.to/3zwurIp
Anti-Fatigue Mat: amzn.to/4eKAvNS
Snap-Together Flooring: amzn.to/4cjKh84
Bed/Table Lifts: amzn.to/45NvFeC
Sewing Table: amzn.to/3L1qKgC
Sewing Machine Extension Table: amzn.to/3VL0VGD
Cutting Mat: amzn.to/3VMmPsN
Sewing Tape for Measurement: amzn.to/3W3pGza
Wool Pressing Mat: amzn.to/3VJnpYy
Task Light: amzn.to/3xtoJ9T
Power Strip Tower: amzn.to/4bBZHU0
Design Wall: amzn.to/3zgrD23
I hope you enjoyed this video and, until next time, Stay Crafty!! Bye for now!

[@marileetreat4403]

Great tips Timothy! Thank you! If I may, I’d like to expand a bit on the flannel backed tablecloth. Since they will have folds or creases when you open them, you can put them in the dryer on low (with a few clean towels to prevent wrinkling) for about 15 or so minutes. Remove & hang on the wall immediately. Happy sewing y’all!! 😊

[@louiseharlow1566]

You can use fleece blankets found at the dollar store or elsewhere. These wonderful little fleece blankets roll up neatly and tightly. We use them when we put on retreats. Everyone loves them. 2:01

[@kathleenprine7050]

Several years ago I attended a 3 day quilt retreat. I was popular because my power strip had 2 USB ports on it and would allow others to use it if their phone battery got low. It was handier when they did not want to go back to their hotel room to charge up. Now everything has ports on them.

[@timothytotten9409]

Good idea! Bring one with you and be the star of the retreat!!

[@dianehuntley2493]

Great ideas. Especially helpful for new sewists😊

[@timothytotten9409]

Glad you like them!

[@katespencer4038]

Many many years ago i took a series of quilting classes that took you from start to finished quilt. Long story short there were some retired ladies in our class who also brought their retired husbands with them. The gentlemen not only perfectly pieced and quilted their quilts but the colors they chose were stunning. By far best quilts in class

[@brendagriffin6437]

I purchased Husky worktables. Metal and butcher block top. They are adjustable in height, movable with wheels. I have a 24 x 36 cutting mat on one and a 24 x 48 removable ironing board on the other. I can adjust for cutting, ironing and, push together for a large work surface. The best part is the price. A fraction of the cost of the laminate tables. I have an Ikea peg board for every workstation. Cutting rulers and rotary cutters on one. Ironing sprays, etc. on the other. At my sewing station, I hang my pegged thread units, scissors, bobbins, etc. at my fingertips. I also use power strips for my workstations. One click and everything is off. Plus, it saves money on electricity as nothing is on "ready" mode.

[@timothytotten9409]

Great tips! I’ll check out those tables.

[@kathyandthedogs626]

The Husky tables are awesome.

[@lynnleipold2617]

Nope, they are really expensive. Ikea adjustable tables are cheaper.

[@janholman6192]

I put my first quilt into a major quilt show in Tucson, AZ some time ago, and one of the nicest quilts was a cowboy boot quilt sewn and designed by a man! I was much impressed! 😊

[@nancyguerrero6662]

I use a Home Depot Husky brand worktable that is adjustable. It has casters, two slim drawers perfect for rulers, scissors, etc. As short person I appreciate the adjustable feature.

[@timothytotten9409]

I have to check out that work table!

[@gailself8619]

Thank you for the tips. God bless you.

[@YochanaSbarger]

My great grandfather was a tailor in the late 1800’s -1900’s. To me it’s ok for men to sew. I also use chairs that do not have arms.

[@pammammo]

Since my machine is against a wall, my son the electrician, suggested a 4’ electrical bar that he mounted just below my window sill so it’s easier to connect/ disconnect electric products.

[@timothytotten9409]

Great tip!

[@UniversalEngineer]

Creating a pressing station near the sewing station! Great idea! It encourages me to “sew-press-sew-press”. 🙂

[@lynnm.johnson5755]

My physical therapist, who sews, said it's important to get up and move throughout our sewing time.

[@dianec1712]

Ty. Great tips. I have a table top light with magnifying glass. I would be lost without it. It’s great when I have to use my ripper on dark fabric.

[@timothytotten9409]

Ooh, that’s one I need to add to a future video. Great idea!!

[@dianec1712]

I bought it at office max

[@choochoo405]

thank you

[@wilycat5290]

Great tips. Thank you for the video 😊

[@kathyandthedogs626]

This video is so timely as I’m in the process of setting up a true sewing room! Thanks, Tim!

[@susanbranchepoteet3175]

I keep a small fabric bowl by the machine to catch scraps and thread to use as stuffing, or mail to the fabric recycler.

[@dianeroy1378]

Very helpful video!

[@joanspence5836]

Thank you so much for this. I am finishing up a building for my she-shed, books, camping, exercise and of course sewing and crafts. Any suggestions for organizing fabric on wire shelves? Maybe a way to organize all the different kinds of thread? Thanks in advance. Love your videos, you really make my day brighter!

[@kimjohnson5742]

Feet reaching the floor is important. I'm very short. Not even 5 ft. Had a needle go through my foot when I was younger. It was a new house for us. Apparently, previous renters had sewn and dropped in carpet. It's not fun.

[@timothytotten9409]

Oh no!!!

[@eepsers1]

I had a needle go through my SHOE into my foot and got a nasty infection despite going to a clinic right away.

[@kimjohnson5742]

@eepsers1 I was barefoot. The tiny eye of the needle was outside of my foot, and I was able to pull it out. There is no infection. Thanks to God's protection. My hubby was in war at the time. So by myself and 2 little kids.

[@nocobirds]

Good tips. Appreciate the links to the products you recommend!

[@timothytotten9409]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cathydavis9259]

This is my first video of you. I looked and didn't see anything of an ironing video. For years I've had bad luck with Walmart $35.00 iron not taking out wrinkles, so I gave up ironing. I just purchased a Rowenta pro steam iron, what a difference! It has a large water tank and get very hot. I no longer have problems with wrinkles The problem is the iron turns off if it sits about 2 1/2 minutes. The direction to extend the time are little pictures I'm not sure what they want me to do. Do you own one or do you know what to do?

[@katmd405]

Great idea for the design “wall”. I’m live in a very small house and don’t have room for a design wall. But I can hang that dollar tree fabric backed plastic table cloth to my curtain rod were I sew in my dining room area. That would work and I never would have thought of it without your video. So thank you so much. P.S. I do see on my kitchen/dining table.

[@timothytotten9409]

I’m so glad it helped!! Enjoy.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Sewing is hard work. Cooking is hard work. Three days of prep for thanksgiving or for a formal dinner has you on your feet and constantly moving.

[@timothytotten9409]

So true!

[@normatulloch376]

I love your videos. This has a lot of great ideas.

[@lizgoble1]

I began watch you through Covid and have enjoyed every video

[@timothytotten9409]

That’s so sweet! I’ve had a lot of fun making videos. Thanks for being along for the ride!

[@ForgetU]

4:40, I use a roofing magnet to find the needle/pin that I drop on the floor.

[@timothytotten9409]

Wow! I’ll have to Google what a “roofing magnet” is.

[@ForgetU]

@@timothytotten9409 There are 2 types I know of, one about a foot or so with wheels on each side of magnetic bar, and the other is about the size of a hockey puck. Each are attached to a handle about 3 feet long. for your shop the one with wheels would be good, or several of the puck type so each station has one.

[@toniahowell3213]

Me too! Long handle, telescoping and easy to keep in reach. It was a Northern Tool find (one among many) that I use almost daily. I also use gloves I picked up there to keep myself from being stabbed by my seam ripper when I'm tearing down an overly enthusiastic seam on my hypalon boating patches.

[@ForgetU]

@@toniahowell3213 Yes, I also have others in the house that spill my pen pack.

[@lindarosenthal6835]

I use magnetic knife holders from IKEA to hold my scissors and other cutting tools. And an IKEA magazine rack to hold my plastic rulers.

[@marypeterson8158]

Hello Timothy ... Thank you for your caring enough to help. You were detailed info on the cutting table ... but how do you determine the correct height for yourself? I mean, for example, where should the height reach to on your body? At hip level ... what point of the hip ? Waist level ? And then ... if a person 'craft sews' frequently we need to have pull the body off for using the 'free arm'. Would it be more advisable to keep your machine free? And what is the ideal height/angle is the most advisable for sewing on a machine that is not bedded in a table. These are issues I have long wished for instruction on. Thank you again for sharing your unlimited knowledge.

[@SusieMonk-jh8tj]

Thank you for a really helpful video. I need to inset my sewing machine somehow because I find the extension table on my Janome catches the quilts and gets hooked up if I am moving it around. As a front loading bobbin I need access so some designs don’t work. My favourite thing is the stop start button. It has been a complete game changer for me. I only found out how to use from a Janome video by a young lady with multi coloured hair who I will love forever. No foot pedal after sewing for 65 years! In fact on my first computer lesson I was looking under the table and feeling around with my foot. Mary asked me what I was looking for and when I said the foot pedal , luckily as a sewist she understood. LOL🤣🍺

[@RoseOriginals]

Thank you for sharing those great tips!

[@sheilastamps853]

Great ideas thank you so much. Love your videos.

[@joycecrosby4000]

A few years ago, I purchased an adjustable cutting table and want to trade it out for a draftsman table. My current table, because of the design, you cannot store items under it and think I have it set too high to use for long periods. I know I can adjust it, but seems to be a hassle to do so. The draftsman table is a glass top and can convert to an awesome very large light box! I also have two portable cabinets with 4 drawers that I got at Michaels. They are easy to put together. So I know what is in each drawer, I created labels - makes it easier to find things and help in putting things back.

[@timothytotten9409]

Love the idea of using a glass table for a light table. Do you use it that way often?

[@mio.giardino]

I have my iron on the same power bar as a desk lamp so even IF the light on the iron burns out I’ll know it’s on.

[@kathyandthedogs626]

This video is so timely as I’m in the process of setting up a true sewing room! Thanks, Tim!

[@timothytotten9409]

Glad it was helpful!

[@temi-twistedzones]

Good 🌄 morning Tyvm Hugs ❤🤗

[@timothytotten9409]

Morning!

[@zormier2002]

Love my extensions table on my sewing machine

[@kathleenkumiega1092]

NO, NO, NO, you should never switch the switch off on a power strip. That defeats the purpose of it. A power strip works to safe guard anything that’s plugged into it. If you switch it off a power surge will kill what ever is plugged into it.

[@mishkalarsoncreations]

There’s a difference between a surge suppressor and a power strip. Turning off a power strip doesn’t do anything except turn off the power. But if you’re using a surge suppressor, yes, it does need to be left on in order for it to actually suppress a power surge.

[@elizabethskabernicky2497]

You can use PVC piping from a hardware sore, my hubby got them to cut it in 10 inch lengths en he brought it home he turned the table in its side, slipped the piping on, pushed it up to the bend in the legs, as it was a folding table. Now I can cut fabric for a long period of time without having to sit because of back problems, because he took the time to measure correctly I’ve never had to adjust the heighth.

[@timothytotten9409]

Awesome! A great idea. Thanks for the tip!

[@paulachapin7081]

Thank you!

[@LifeHappens-xu8pg]

You did Not link to the power strip tower that you were showing, the crappy link you provided take you to one that has No switches on it!

[@timothytotten9409]

You’re right! Here’s the right one with switches: amzn.to/4bBZHU0 And I’ve updated the video with right link. Thanks for letting me know!

[@marywilson2843]

Redone my sewing room recently and took carpet out. I have a mat that I got at Walmart at my cutting/ironing station. Don't have all of my sewing room back together yet due to health issues. Hoping to get back to getting stuff back in there soon.

[@timothytotten9409]

Keep at it and do what you can! There’s no time limit.

[@ds5436]

These are really great tips. I have my space set up probably about as well as I can get it considering it's just a part of my dining room, but there's definitely room to improve. I actually really like that power tower. I'll have to check Ikea to see if they have something similar.

[@timothytotten9409]

I think the 12 plugs was a bit much for mine, but I like that it had four separate sides so I can turn off individual things like this if I can’t reach their own switches.

[@SparkyOne549]

I sew in a small bedroom, no room for a good sized cutting table and a sewing station. So got a good sized dining table on which I sew and cut on( not ideal for me, I would prefer a large cutting table) I sew on the right side of the table and have the ironing board lowered to my right, I can turn my chair and iron as I sew. I don’t like the setup like I said, but for sewing and ironing it’s perfect.

[@timothytotten9409]

Sometimes it’s not fun to make do, but I’m glad you still have a space to sew.

[@pamsury3969]

Thank you so much! I already do a few of those things, but I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a table with son. She will go down on like you said. How would you estimate the height of the table like the one you’re sitting at or your cutting table so that your back doesn’t hurt how would you figure out I’m 54, so what height table would I need? I have that crafting table from Joannes but my back still hurts and it’s pretty tall, thank you thank you thank you, Pam

[@martaaberg3330]

I'm 5'5", and find that vintage sewing machine cabinets work well for me. Except for my serger, all my machines are vintage Singer slant shanks, and as such, do not have an off/on switch. You have to unplug them to remove power from the machine. I get around that by using a surge suppressor with a power switch. I've never seen the four-sided one you use, and am now counting the days til I can get one. It would be awesome to be able to turn on just the machine I'm using at any given time. My cutting table is an old Mission Oak desk inherited from my husband's great grandfather. He was a retired merchant marine carpenter from the old days, and used it to build beautiful wooden model ships on. It had red vinyl linoleum glued to the top. I removed the whole top, and built a 5'x3' top at a woodworking class to replace it, and raised the whole table by putting in on large casters to make it easily movable. I recently redid my sewing space, and put up Ikea pegboards with a lot of the great organizers they make for them. It made a big difference in getting everything off the flat surfaces and making them super easy to find. I bought a cheap 4-cube storage unit, and put it on casters so it's the same height as my main sewing cabinet and put it to the side where it serves as an extension to make it easier when sewing bigger items. I also mounted the surge suppressor at one end so I'm not scrambling on the floor to reach it. The cloth bins make great project storage. You really gave some great ideas on making things not only more workable, but more comfortable as well. Thank you so much!

[@timothytotten9409]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Since you have a few machines make sure you label with side of the tall power strip so for which machine. You’re gonna love it!

[@elena3831]

Great video. Love the surge protector. Will need to get one.

[@timothytotten9409]

I had to link a slightly different one but they all seem to work the same.

[@encarnacionada2]

I have a sewing station the way I have it set up is my sewing brother machine it's in the middle of my table.on my left side is my ironing station and in my rights of the sewing machine is my cutting. Does it really make a difference on how one setup The cutting and ironing ??❤

[@timothytotten9409]

Oh, I think it’s totally personal preference. Although I tend to use my cutting surface as my overflow for any large things I’m sewing, so I always put it to my left of the machine so I can lay out big items.

[@encarnacionada2]

@@timothytotten9409 is the way I can send you a picture? Okay I understand is personal preference is all about what works for me I'm comfortable with my setting

[@RhianNewton1]

Love your videos. You have great ideas

[@maryviti6799]

Timothy, Thank you! M🍀

[@timothytotten9409]

You are very welcome

[@nancypeplau9747]

Thank you!

[@timothytotten9409]

You’re welcome!

[@earthdogpj1]

What are you sewing for the funeral business?

[@timothytotten9409]

Finalembrace.com