My Small Space Dream Craft Room Tour 2018!

I don't know how time has gone by so fast, but it's been 4 years since my last craft room tour!  That last one has been one of my most popular posts, so it seemed high time to open the door to my little slice of crafting heaven again and let my crafty online friends in for a new visit.  Come on in!

A little historical background on my space: the room is a former laundry room/galley kitchenette that's about 8ft x 11ft plus a 4ft x 4ft alcove. When we moved in, the alcove was a louver doored closet (sized for holding a washer & dryer) on one side and along the other wall there were a bunch of basic cabinets and a small counter with sink and a stove.  Since we have a normal kitchen and our washer & dryer are in the basement, this room was sort of a question mark as far as usefulness.  Check out these old photos from before this was a craft space and you'll see just how lackluster it was:

I think this is much better, don't you?

This catch-all, wasted former closet got cleared out:  

I migrated my plastic bins full of fabric & sewing gear out of the basement and eventually bought myself an EZ View desk from The Original Scrapbox and a padded swivel chair from Ikea to create a sewing nook.  

There's a second taller desk along the same wall for more crafting space and storage.  I saved up for a while to splurge on both desks and they were totally worth it. 

The see through tops make all the small supplies normally hidden in bins & drawers easy to spot and add some crafty beauty.  The key to keeping things organized in my limited space has definitely been my desks. They're designed to have loads of places to store craft and sewing supplies.  With 4 years of constant use, I can definitely say they were money well spent.  I haven't outgrown them and they've held up to everything I've thrown at them. Literally.   A sewing machine fell on one from a high shelf a few months ago and not a scratch!  

To keep cleaning up minimal, I make sure to always put things away in the same place. With 4 kids and a husband that all leave stuff everywhere (and almost never put things in the same place twice), I need as much help as I can get.  It saves me loads of time since I don't have to dig around looking for things or struggle to remember where something is if I haven't used it in a while.  This is especially true for things like patterns & manuals:  

The Original Scrapbox recently came out with sturdier plexiglass tote bins for the desk shelves to replace the thinner fabric totes my desks came with way back when.  New desk versions all come with these clear totes now.  They were kind enough to upgrade my previously purchased desks to those and I recut card stock fronts to decorate & camouflage the contents.  I also made some vinyl cut labels to stick on them for easy at-a-glance sorting.  Things look more up to date and stay well contained:

I still do all my oven baking with the stove in the room and half the cupboards house various cooking and baking items I don't have room to store in my kitchen. 

I made a less-than-useful sink into a built-in ironing surface by removing the faucet and cutting a piece of MDF to fit the sink lip. I upholstering it with Insul-Bright™ and a layer of cute canvas fabric on top. Since it rests in the lip all the way around the sink it's perfectly lined up with the counter for extra workspace. This little DIY has worked great over the years, is the perfect spot to use my Cricut Easy Press for heat transfer projects and has saved me a bundle by not needing to get a new counter (not to mention no longer needing to drag an ironing board in & out of this tiny space). 

To maximize the remaining space (aka the one wall left), I added white bead board shelves for storing & displaying my smaller supplies like ribbon & beads:

I still have spool racks mounted to the wall next to my sewing desk:

and a big revolving thread rack to store all my other threads neatly next to my Brother PE-770 embroidery machine. Not only do they add some color & a bit of themed decor, but they make it easy to find exactly what I need for a project instead of digging through bins like I used to.  With baby #4 having joined us this year, saving time and keeping things as neat as I can is a must!

Another new thing is that I now share the space with my 9 yr old daughter these days - she's taken over the cabinet under the sink area to keep her own scraps, mini dress form and sewing machine in so she can "work" with me when I'm sewing.  We're still trying to organize her things a bit better, so details on that to come, but the new sewing machine she got for her recent birthday will fit right in decor wise:

We did a sewing themed birthday party for her this year, so many of the props I made have found a home in my craft space, like the DIY giant thread spool storage canister on this shelf.  It's also where I keep fabric and craft books in my sewing nook:

Another improvement to my space has been this little guy, a ScrapMaBox shelf that The Original Scrapbox gave me to try out:

Before I got this organizer, I kept small notions in a drawer of my sewing desk.  Over time the drawer got fuller & fuller and I was constantly sifting through stuff to find things.  If I kept them in containers it looked neater, but meant I had to dig through those instead just the drawer.  Now that I've got this helper, all my little things like pins, needles, marking pens and seam ripper have their own mini shelves and I can see and grab them in an instant.  It's sized so that I can also fit it inside one of the main shelves of my desk if I want, but I like having it right on top, easy to spot.  



It's given me more storage room in my drawer now & doesn't look like a mess anymore:

It's also given me the perfect place to display my whimsical pincushions:

The shelf above my sewing desk is one I'd repurposed from a guest bathroom ages ago. It's still great for my sewing-themed knick knacks like a vintage Strawberry Shortcake figurine sewing, some My Little Pony sewing character figurines, my sewing machine USB drive: 

I'm trying to figure out a few ways to squeeze even more into my space now that I've got a junior crafter eager to join me, but overall I'm pleased that the set-up I've been using has worked so well for so long.  As much as I'd love a giant room for all my crafting endeavors, this cozy space is still a dream for me:)

I was not financially compensated for this post.  I received a ScrapMaBox & totes from The Original Scrapbox to customize as I desired and review.  All other items referenced were purchased by me.  The opinions are completely my own, based on my honest experiences.  

Getting Real About Craft Product Reviews

Sewing & craft blogging has changed a lot in the nearly 10 years I've done Sew Can Do.  A lot of it for the better.  Yet, there are some things I really and truly miss about the "old days" when blogs were less slick, polished and perfect.  When regular people didn't have perfectly staged photos and projects that make Martha Stewart look like she's slacking.  When reviews were really reviews.

These days, whenever something new hits the craft market or you're wanting to find out how a product actually fares when you use it, it's a challenge to really find out without sifting through a lot of hype or shiny marketing spin.  Sponsored posts and advertorial "reviews" are everywhere.  And I get it, sometimes I've done them myself.  If someone offers you a complimentary product and you're eager to try it, saying "this is terrible don't buy it" once you actually use it isn't ideal.  But realistically, is someone who's on a design team for a brand (and gets all the latest products for free) going to tell you that the new item is just mediocre....or that it's really a piece of crap?  Not really.

I've noticed that when it comes to crafty gear, there's a formula where a brand will round up a number of bloggers and at the same time they've all got "reviews" that are nearly identical.  There's stock wording and showcasing of a few specific things.  They're practically interchangeable.  It doesn't make it easy to find out what something is really like and a lot of time is wasted skimming through lots of posts to find one that's the real deal.   

Some of my most popular posts have been when I've shared my real life experience with something I've bought and been candid about, like last year when I got myself a Cricut Easy Press.

and when I shared my nightmare experience buying glitter vinyl:

There are also a lot of products out there that don't get the star treatment on blogs because they're inexpensive or have been around for a while.  Since they're not the latest & greatest or aren't well known, they don't get talked about much.  As well as the times when I've discovered, by trying a new product, that you can make your own DIY version - that works even better - like when I tried Mod Melts:

So last week I put feelers out on the Sew Can Do Facebook page about a new feature here I'm going to call The Real Deal Review.  My plan is to try out a product I've purchased and share what it's really like to use.  What's great about it, what's not, does it really do what it says and, most importantly, is it worth buying?

The response there was really enthusiastic and I got some great feedback on some things fellow crafters want to hear more about.  So I'm going to do it!  

Here's where you come in.  

- What kinds of items would you want to read about most?  

- Is there specific gear or crafty/sewing tools you want to see reviewed?

- Are you looking for product comparisons?

- Are there things you can't find and want?  

I've got a few items in mind already, but I'd love to hear what other crafters are most curious about or really want to know, so share your thoughts in the comments below.  I'm really excited to  make this happen and bring real reviews back to the blogosphere.  After all, being authentic and a real life person sharing, is supposed to be the whole point of a blog! 



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The Sewing Gear I Couldn't Live Without

As much as I'd love to be showing new tutorials & sewing up spring goodies, it's just not happening for me right now.  Man, is it hard to find down time these days!  This being my 4th newborn, this isn't a surprise, but while this little guy sleeps a lot, it's usually on me, which while super cuddly, makes doing anything else impossible.  I find I'm spending more time planning & thinking about sewing than the actual thing.  

This thoughts-only time got me to thinking about what sewing supplies are my absolute must-haves.  These are the things I use almost ever time and are so key to making things go well.  I thought I'd share the 5 items that are the Sewing Gear I Couldn't Live Without: 

I hate hemming, so of course 2 of my items are related to making that easier!

1. Clover Hot Ruler.  This tool is made for lazy sewers like me.  Instead of measuring slowly with a sewing gauge and pinning like crazy to get the hem just right.

You simply fold the hem up to the desired measurement line and press with an iron, since it's heat safe.  So much faster and more precise.

2. Paper Backed Fusible Tape.  This is a hemming favorite too.

Choice the desired width - I usually use the 1/2 & 1/4 inch wide varieties.  Apply it to the wrong side along the fabric edge and then peel away the paper, fold it over so the sticky side presses against the fabric (or iron it in place if it's non-adhesive), then sew.  No need to measure or pin.  LOVE how it kills two birds with one stone.

It also stabilizes the fabric so it won't pull or stretch while sewing.  I've found it to be a lifesaver with knit hems and for minimizing tunneling (when the fabric sticks up between stitch rows) with twin needles.

3. Rotary cutter.  Since I first bought one when I began sewing 9 years ago, I've never looked back.  It takes a little getting used to, but it makes cutting much quicker, easier around curves and to do perfectly straight lines (against a yard stick).

I also love being able to cut through several layers at once - even thick fleece, which is nearly impossible with shears.  The only con is you have to be VERY careful to keep fingers out of the way and get in the habit of clicking the button to retract the blade.  All it takes is one time not paying attention to give yourself a wicked bad cut.  That blade is sharp!!  

4. Walking Presser Foot This is usually an add-on accessory you buy separately from your sewing machine, but boy is it useful.  

It's handy with knits since it grips fabric from the top (instead of just the feed dogs underneath), so the even hold keeps layers from creeping or stretching while you sew.  

It's also great for quilting, heavy weight and fabrics like laminate or silky synthetics that can easily shift.  The photo below was a mix of fleece, metallic bias tape and chalkboard fabric for a chalkboard gift bag and the walking foot kept it all in place beautifully.  I use mine on nearly every project.

Heck, it even works on crazy materials like plastic feed bags. It was a lifesaver when I made this feedbag tablecloth:

5. Mini Clips.  They are key for holding fabrics together when pins won't do.  I know there are some that are sold in craft stores, but really any small clips will work.  These were bought at a hardware store and have the rubber tips.  

  

Like doing small, folded bits like this drawstring for a pleather duffel bag:

Perfect with laminates that would show pinholes, like this pocketed laminated wallet project:

Or loads of layers like this insulated oven mitt project:

What are your favorite sewing tools?
Share them below!

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Product Review: CHI® Electronic Retractable Clothing Iron. Is It A Winner?

Good supplies and gear are a crafter's best friend.  Finding the right ones can be tricky though.  I'm sharing the low down on a brand new iron on the market and my experience determining if it really stands apart from the rest.

I bought CHI G2 flat iron years ago and have loved it.  I've never been good at styling my hair, but their flat iron has made it so easy to do, even for someone clueless like me.  And after many years of use, it's still like new.  When the lovely people at CHI reached out and offered me the chance to try out their new CHI® Electronic Retractable Clothing Iron, I thought it would be worth seeing if this new clothing iron could work the same magic on my fabric projects as the flat iron has on my hair.  

The CHI clothing iron has the same signature feature that make CHI's hair irons so popular, their non-stick golden titanium-infused ceramic soleplate, but has the addition of 400 steam holes for a much more even steaming option than most irons:

It also has a very handy retractable cord.  This is one of my must-have iron features, since my craft room is small and I need to quickly move my iron out of the way often, even when it's still hot.  My previous iron had one but it tended to stop retracting about 4 inches from the iron, so there was a frequent tug of war trying to get it all back into the iron.  Not with this one.  One quick press of the button and it all disappears inside every time. 

A plus for already strained sewing eyes is the large fabric selection display.  My old iron has a teeny digital display which wasn't the easiest to read, even though I don't usually have problems with reading or fine print.  I can't imagine how someone needing reading glasses could see them.  The CHI iron is nice & clear and the selected setting lights up bright red (even brighter than I could capture in the photo):

The fabric settings are selected using a nice big dial below the handle and there's a level for choosing from many settings for how much steam and a useful self-clean button too.  As someone who uses a lot of stabilizers and things like spray adhesive in projects, keeping my iron nice & clean is key.

Another cool feature is this hidden slide open area to add water.  My previous iron had a big flip up lid (hence the tiny setting display).  The CHI also has a red leak guard that automatically swivels closed to prevent water drips or leaks.  It holds twice as much water as my old iron, so less refilling is nice, although it does make the iron a little heavier.

So how does it iron?  The CHI heats up really fast and beeps and lights up when ready.  It's also got the much needed automatic beeping turn off that I've come to rely on (with 3 kids, I frequently have to walk away in the middle of a project).  I've found the temperature to be nice and even.  No more hot in the center, but cool around the edges like my old irons that made fusing things a bit of a chore because I'd have to make more passes to make sure things were really fused together.  This knit shirt became smooth in no time:  

This evenness has been great when I've been doing small details like hemming where it's easier to use the pointed tip of the iron and it's just as hot as the rest of the plate: 

My verdict? The CHI Electronic Retractable Clothing Iron is a great quality iron.  It's also got the Good Housekeeping Best in Test rating, so I'm not the only one that thinks it's tops. Thanks to CHI for this wonderful iron and the opportunity to share this find at BedBathandBeyond!


I was not financially compensated for this post.  I received this iron from CHI and Bed, Bath & Beyond, to review & use as I desired.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.   For my complete disclosure policy, click here.