Sewing Space Redo

The not-so-pretty truth...this is where I sew.

Right now, I sew at the dining room table...nice for feeling in touch with everything that's happening in the house, but not nice for storage, neatness, ability to serve meals on a table, etc. I have a five-day weekend starting tomorrow, and it's on my to-do list to try to make some headway in converting the space at the top of the stairs into a dedicated sewing space.

The space at the top of the stairs, looking southish.

The other end of the space. Note there are two nice-sized windows...great light!

The usable floor space is about 5 1/2' x 9 1/2', so it won't be roomy, but I think I can make it work. This will have to be a long term project...this weekend I also need to edit a whole magazine's worth of patterns and quilt and finish the Valentine table runner. But I want to at least make progress.

So, I've been researching ways to thrift or hack a sewing table/cabinet. I know I'd love my Bernina even more than I already do if it was sitting flush with a nice big workspace. But there's no money in the budget for a professional cabinet. Craig's List has several good possibilities for under $50, but I'm still not sure how I'd retrofit a sewing cabinet or small table to fit my Bernina. Here are links to some potentially helpful articles in case you're facing the same challenge:

• Busy Bee No. 16
• Badskirt
• From Marta with Love

I also have a fairly large library table I want to use in this space, for a cutting and possibly pressing surface. And then there's the fabric...

Lots to figure out!