An amazing new sewing space

I love so many things about the house that we purchased a couple of years ago, but one of the biggest downsides is that I had no space that I could dedicate to sewing/crafting.

To be honest, I thought that at age 24 & 20, one of my girls may have moved out to their own place by now, but they are still very much rooted here with us so no sewing room for me as of yet :)

For the past couple of years I’ve been using a little corner in the bedroom. It was so cluttered and disorganised. It totally put me off doing any crafting at all. It’s been a real challenge as at my previous house I had a large sewing room so had accumulated so much stuff over the years.

I’ve been saving for some time for a little garden space that I could use for sewing (as I also love to be out in the garden). Last month I finally reached my goal. Well, when I say reached my goal, I decided to move the goal posts and go for a lower cost alternative that I can upgrade later if I need to (I honestly would need a mortgage to cover the cost of some of the garden rooms out there!!).

I’d managed to save £2k which was enough to buy this cute 8m x 8m summerhouse (including installation! Bargain I’d say!). I love that it looks like a garden room/part of the garden rather than a “house extension”. I didn’t want to go any bigger as I didn’t want to lose any more of the patio area. At this size we still have ample space to relax on the patio and have a BBQ.

This weekend we will be adding drainpipes and a water butt to avoid it getting rotten where the rain hits the ground (especially with all the rain we are having just lately).

Once I’ve saved up more funds I will be getting it insulated and plastered/cladded inside to ensure that I can use it all year round, but for now I’ve been making it look lovely inside using what I already had in the house.

Storage is one of the most important things in a small space like this. Luckily I had 2 amazing lockers from Mustard Made (from the previous house) and they fit perfectly either side of the Horn height adjustable sewing table. I purchased the table second hand for £150 a few years back. It’s an amazing sewing and cutting table and the best bargain I ever got. We drove all the way from Stoke to Brighton to collect it (any excuse for a day trip).

You can fit so much stuff in these skinny lockers! When I emptied them to move them outside I couldn’t believe how much came out of them.

As I wanted this little space to feel like part of the garden, I just had to add loads of plants, combining them with storage and vintage sewing accessories (including a gorgeous vintage Singer).

The other essential piece of kit in this little room is of course a speaker! Although it is also nice to sometimes just listen to the birds sing and the sounds of the water fountain.

Many years ago I stumbled across a vintage french picture frame that I turned into a beautiful mood board. It’s so useful but also looks amazing in this little space.

One of my favourite things in here is the mirror. I love how it matches so wonderfully with the wood on my vintage Singer 215G. I paid a few hundred pounds for this gorgeous machine but its been fully refurbished with a new engine and electrics. It sews so well, the most beautiful stitches you will ever see (even through thick leather) although it seems to take me ages to remember how to thread it and wind the bobbin.

I also love how the garden and views reflect into the mirror, again bringing the garden inside and adding so much more light.

I’m over the moon with this little space. I know that I will need to keep it well ventilated etc.. to ensure that condensation doesn’t cause any dampness issues. I may have to put the electric heater on from time to time to keep it warm, but it’s definitely got me back in the mood for sewing,, in fact the first project is already on the cutting table!

Oh and the best thing, I can nip out in between sewing seams to dead head (or just admire) the flowers.