My Michigan Studio

In 1986 we built a garage on our “up north” property.  The second floor became our “garret” apartment that we used as our weekend and vacation getaway.

winter view of garage/studio

When we built our retirement house next to the garage the space above became my studio.   It was great to have so much space after working in a corner of a spare bedroom.  I learned how to spread out quickly but the 650 foot space wasn’t working as well as it should so in 2006 I took “Studio Makeover” with Myrna Giesbrecht on Quilt University.   Here’s the results that are still working for me.

The sewing table is a corner desk from an office supply store.   My machine sits on what was designed for a keyboard (reinforced) and my extension table fills the space so I have a large flat surface.  While I sew I face a window that looks out over the lake.  I now have a laptop on the desk and as I type this a pileated woodpecker has landed in the tree outside my window.   The bathroom is through the louvered door.

My cutting table is opposite the sewing machine.  There’s a handy holder for my rulers.

And the pressing table made from a door is also on that wall.  The small rolling cabinet hold scissors, rotary cutters, buttons and so forth.  The shelves the support the table hold bolts of fabric, batting. etc.

I also have a roll out  hamper that holds batting.

The north facing wall is mostly windows and my wood stove.  On the right is a large table for drawing, writing, etc.  Between the wood stove and table I have a shelf with a TV, DVR player, boom-box and my music and videos.  In the foreground is a large worktable that I used for dyeing, painting, printmaking, mounting quilts, etc.  There’s also a small table where I can set up my serger or embellisher or even another sewing machine if a friend is visiting.   My design wall is made from three big pieces of insulation board, felt and duct tape.

My fabric storage is a set of IKEA bookcases.  I love this set up.  I’ve left a few sections open for lighting and books.

A bookcase over the window for more books.  Can you tell I like books?

On the other side of the window is a handy dry sink.  My dyes and dye equipment are stored in it.   Another bookcase and then an old pie safe that is my quilt storage cabinet.  I love this purple wall.

I have an old entertainment cabinet for more storage.  I keep paints and supplies for batik in it as well as more books.

We put in some upper cabinets that help with clutter.  Not in this photo is my new black deep sink which I LOVE.

My favorite place to read.

The view (zoomed).

Is it always this neat?   No, but I do clean up after each project and it only takes a while to put everything away because there is a space for everything.

Thanks for visiting.