So I wanted to know...do you sew facing a window or facing a wall? I've sewn in both situations but so much more prefer to face the window. How about you ~ window or wall and why? It's the question of the day folks, so talk back to me!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Where do you sew?
So I wanted to know...do you sew facing a window or facing a wall? I've sewn in both situations but so much more prefer to face the window. How about you ~ window or wall and why? It's the question of the day folks, so talk back to me!
I sew facing the kitchen on my dining room table which is no longer a dining room table. ;) My sewing area is still evolving.
ReplyDeleteI sew in a room with a big window facing out onto my garden. However due to extremely hot weather here at the moment I'm sewing with the curtains closed! I would love to sew with the curtains open but not just now ... lol
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall. My window is to the left of the sewing table. I live in a rowhouse and my sewing room looks out on a back alley so the view is not worth looking out. I'm happier with the sunlight coming in the window.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall. But I have a tv to keep me company.
ReplyDeleteWhen my children were little my machine was in the nursery due to lack of space and I faced the window. When I finally had my own space and sewed for a livlihood my machine faced the wall. I prefer facing the window, but, when it was necessary to produce without distraction in my business facing the wall was best! My wall had photos of the current project to keep me focused and my children to keep me inspired.
ReplyDeleteI have finally come to terms with the fact that I do not have a dedicated sewing room right now. My dad made me a long narrow sewing table that fits along the wall of the master bedroom. I am making the best of what I have and later on I will have a dream sewing room!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the walkout basement of a small townhome (aka bourgeois rowhome) & I face the inside of my Sauder craft armoire. To my left is the sliding glass door. Luckily there is a small wooded area that is nice to look at, I get to see the occasional deer family, squirrels & plenty of birds. but in the winter it's bare & sad & the door is drafty so I keep it closed.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing the window. My designated sewing room is also my library and childrens study area. So imagine sewing table under window, wall of books, inside wall large desk with kids computer and opening to my living room. Cutting table is in middle of sewing room. It the best layout I have ever had.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing the window and I cut facing the wall. I have just gotten a new sewing room in my basement and I so much love the huge space.
ReplyDeleteI have my sewing machine facing the window but most of my sewing is at night, so I guess it doesn't make much difference where I face! Love your blog by the way.
ReplyDeleteMy sewing room is my guest room, so I am set up to face a wall but to the end of my sewing table is the window which faces North and onto the neighbours brick wall so not much to look at but lets the light in. Here is a link to my sewing space http://petiteandsewing.blogspot.com/2009/08/sewing-room.html
ReplyDeleteSharon
My machines are on the north half of my dining table (a very LONG table!) - each faces a window, one directly to the back, the other across a room to the front. I wouldn't sew a tenth as much as I do if I had to do it away from the rah-rah-rah companionship of my family.
ReplyDeleteI had my sewing table facing a window with eastern exposure, but the wintertime glare (deciduous elm tree outside) became too much. The elliptical gathers dust there now and the sewing table faces the north wall now.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of my 12' x 12' sewing room are shown here:
http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2007/06/stuff-sewing-and-5s-seiri-seiton-seiso.html
Since I taught my daughter to sew, and gave her a box of scraps to play with, I walk in to find her projects lying around. It can be both cute and scary; she doesn't always wait for me to get home from work before attempting to use the sewing machine or serger. She won't go near the rotary cutter, thankfully.
http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2007/09/box-pleat-skirt.html
I sew facing a wall but I also have a tv to keep me company and loads of show tunes on CD. My ironing board faces the window which my cat definitely prefers for the best squirrel viewing.
ReplyDeleteI sew in the garage with the window to my right. My step daughter moved in and has my sewing room. I got moved to the garage! Good thing I live in California and the garage is insulated. Dear Husband put in lots of lights for me, too!
ReplyDeleteI sew facing the TV but I really have to stop doing that so much as it slows me waaaaay down.
ReplyDeleteI live on water, and sew facing a window which looks out on the water. I have a room that was built specifically to be my sewing room.
ReplyDeleteI have my sewing machine on a computer desk with castors on the bottom so theoretically, if I use an extension cord, I can easily move it around the room (I keep scissors, pins etc on the keyboard shelf which I pull in and out as needed).
ReplyDeleteIn reality since I usually sew in the evenings or at night, I have it pushed up against a wall with a lamp extending over my machine. But in the summer when evenings are longer, I may actually wheel it out onto the balcony over the garden....
Hatty
I sew facing a set of windows. The windows face my outdoor bird feeders, so it is nice to see the birds and squirrels outside while I'm sewing!
ReplyDeleteI share my sewing space with the computer. The sewing machine is across from the computer on a wide table, but I have a window to the right.
ReplyDeleteI sew in my studio, and the machine faces a wall and the door at the far end. I have large mirros on the wall, which actually allow me to see into the next room and up the stairs from the machine. My ironing board is at the window that has a ledge, so I (or the cats) can look out while ironing or pressing.
ReplyDeleteI have room in my house that I'm hoping to turn into a nursery,in the very near future, that I use solely for sewing and crafting. And I face the window. Never gave it thought like that but I sew more and better near windows.
ReplyDeletePeace
I have two residences; at my condo, I sew facing a wall (I keep my ironing board in back of me so I can turn around and face a window and the television). At my weekend/retirement house, my sewing table backs up to a wall but there's a window to my right that gives me a lovely view of my back yard (and great light).
ReplyDeleteI face the window in my current room.
ReplyDeleteCurrently in the dining room, using the DR table pushed up to the window. All I really see is the drive and neighboring house.
ReplyDeleteWindow. I live in an old house, where there are very few "blank" walls. The only relatively blank wall in my sewing room has book cases, the other wall has my cutting board, the the third wall has my closets (one built in, the other a PAX fitted with shelves from Ikea), that leaves the front wall with the big window for my sewing machine - the table it is on just fits under the sill. I like the location for the light I get.
ReplyDeleteDepending on which machine I'm using it can be either. Of course, I much prefer a window!
ReplyDeleteI sew at a dining room table set up in a bedroom that used to be my older son's. With the leaves put in the table it's large enough to lay out fabric and cut patterns. On one of the long sides of the table I have my serger and sewing machine. An east-facing window is to my right. This is the first time in my "sewing life" (40+ years)that I have had a dedicated sewing room. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I'll have a window. Right now my sewing area is in the basement, with "walls" of my own making, so I sew facing an idea wall. As you can see though from this photo, I do have sunlight that streams down from the high south facing windows.
ReplyDeleteI face a wall, but there is a small window above me and to the left. My space is in a finished basement.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to face a window, so my dream sewing room in my dream house will be above grade and have a couple of windows in it I can use for natural light.
My sewing space is set up in my basement (unfinished). The entire space belongs to me. I sew facing the back of a large closet. The back of this closet was set-up as an inspiration board with fabrics and fashion photos.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a window on one side and 90 degrees from that is the sliding glass door going out back. I only have a wall withing built-in cabinets (that was here when we bought the house).
ReplyDeleteI don't really care where my sewing machine is as long as:
1)I don't have to move or put it away ever!
2)My children leave it alone!
I sew in a loft with a half wall overlooking the living room and double height windows. I have my ironing table here. My sewing machines are on the opposite wall facing the wall. I do have a tv, large computer screen that I can turn around and play streaming videos on and great music from Pandora. This is a wide hallway basically that leads and is open to my studio. My drafting tables are next to the windows.(Work does have to take precedence, after all.) I have taken over part of this room for my sewing with a large cutting table that also looks out over the living room The whole space is lit by 3 skylights in the south facing roof.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a window in my current apartment. I love having the natural light in the room but because we face east and live in a highrise, I actually find I get too much light. I get blinded by the sun as I try to thread my needle so I've been drawing my curtain before I do any daytime sewing.
ReplyDeleteFacing the window was nice in my parents' place though where trees filtered the light.
Now that we are empty nesters, I have my sewing machine and cutting table in one child's room and my ironing board and serger in another's. I did face a window, but it faced south and the light was actually too intense to see well, so I've moved over to face a wall, but I'm lucky enough to have lots of natural light during the day. I also use an iPod in a docking station for company -- it sits on my cutting table.
ReplyDeleteI have a large open upstairs area that is all one room - bedroom and craft area divided by a low wall. I face sideways on one machine and can easily see out a huge arched window. My other machine does face into the room, but it is still quite open. I need to be able to see outside or I get claustrophobic.
ReplyDeleteIn the corner of the family room that I've eeked out for my sewing area, I face a window. But the curtains are usually closed so there's no glare on the big-screen TV I watch as I sew.
ReplyDeleteMy sewing room is in a small bedroom that has been converted to my dedicated sewing room. I definitely sew facing the window. Getting the natural light really improves my mood and helps me to feel more relaxed. When we were looking for this house my husband said "I'm not living with you in a house with no light". Need I say more?
ReplyDeleteJoan R.
I live in a small apt and use the dining room as my sewing room. It faces the wall which I used as my sewing inspiration wall. It is covered in pictures of clothes that I want to make. I can sew and plan for the next item all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I face a window because right now the whole rest of my "craft lounge" looks like a bomb blew up in it.
ReplyDeletehttp://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2009/11/multi-tasking-in-craft-lounge.html
The entire 3rd floor of our home is my sewing room. I sew facing a wall unfortunately. There are 2 windows in this room. One of them houses the window air conditioner in the summer and the other one is too high up and on the landing of the 3rd floor stairs. I have a lot of room in this area, but am horribly unorganized up there and need to get cracking and organize ASAP.
ReplyDeleteMermie
I sew facing a window that overlooks the gardens in front of my home. I know that I'm spoiled brat (at my age!!) and love my hideaway room. Your post and Karen's have me thinking seriously about doing some organizing there.
ReplyDeleteLike Gigi, that depends on which machine I am using. The machine a Bernina, always out is next to my computer in the laundry room/Mom's office on an extra long desk moved over from my Dad's house after he passed away. Window is at my back. If I pull out one of the portables I will sew on the dining room table or on a card table in the living room with window/door at my side. My sewing used to be in the guest bedroom but I found I couldn't sew if I was disconnected from the family.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a window. I love the natural light. That's how I figured out some of the thread I purchased really didn't match the fabric. LOL
ReplyDeleteFunny you should ask :). I just finished re-arranging my sewing room (again) yesterday , whew! Now I will be sewing with the only window to my right or left, depending on which machine I am using. My Christmas present from DH was a new sewing cabinet, hence the re-arrange -- yea! Loved reading everyone's comments.
ReplyDeleteNedra
I face a wall. The view from the room's only window is awful, so the wall is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDepends on which machine I'm using. The sewing machine and serger face the window...the embroidery machine faces a wall (but I can see out the window if I turn to the right. My studio is upstairs so I can see the whole front yard and if anyone is coming up the driveway.
ReplyDeleteI don't have much of a choice, I'm in the basement. But no worries, my husband built me a sewing palace, so no complaints here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm eventually an empty-nester, I will move upstairs to a guest bedroom with plenty of natural light.
My sewing table is L-shaped and tucked into a corner so the sewing machine faces a window; the serger the wall. My sewing room is also the guest room so my cutting table (on wheels) is in front of the wall with the Murphy bed. I just roll the table out of the room when we have guests (which is not often - I find if the sewing room always looks like a hurricane just hit it, then I'm less likely to invite people for a visit).
ReplyDeleteJulie in Seattle
Grin. I face the TV.
ReplyDeleteWindow. Definitely window.
ReplyDeleteDuring summer, with 110+ degrees outside, the shade is down and the slats turned enough to let in light but not much heat.
Graciously it's winter now and the shade is up with a beautiful view of the neighbors yard, and sometimes their dog. Nice dog.
I love all these responses!
ReplyDeleteI just acquired the spare bedroom as my sewing room and I put a large table right smack dab in the middle! I face the window when sewing and the mirrored closet and door to the hall when serging. It's a wonderful space! I've been cramped in corners and now have room to sew like mad!
If only I had more time...
After a few years on the second floor of our house between the laundry that needs to be ironed and my face to the wall, I recently claimed a room on the first floor as my sewing room. The main sewing machine is before a window :)
ReplyDeleteStill a mess, but at least it's only my sewing mess!
Will publish pictures sometime when painting two drawer sets is finally done.
Used to be a dormer window in that attic where I could keep track of all activity on my street :)! After I got an industrial machine I outgrew that little space. Still in the attic but now facing a wall with a TV in view.
ReplyDeleteI also sew in a walkout basement room. I face the window and a very nice view. One spring and summer, there was a bird building a nest under our deck (which I can see from the sewing room window).
ReplyDeleteI have my own dedicated sewing room with a closet with plenty of storage space. My Singer industrial faces the window and I use that often. My serger, and other machines share a utility table which faces a wall. The comments are inspirational.
ReplyDeleteMy table is directly under the window and I have another window immediately to my right. To the left is a large glass sliding door and there are windows in all four walls of my sewing room. The light is excellent all day long and even when it is rainy and overcast.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall, next to a window (my ironing board is there) in my (well, DH's and my) bedroom.
ReplyDeleteWe are finishing a basement remodel (this week, or next!), though, so I may be moving some/all of my sewing/knitting/craft stuff down there.
Window. I love sewing on a really rainy day when I can look out at the rain. I use to sew in a closet, so this is a great improvement.
ReplyDeleteI look out the window to sew. The squirrels in the trees keep me company.
ReplyDeleteI have always sewn in front of a window. I think it is a claustro thing. Whether it be in the basement of a few different homes or the dedicated studiette I have now, it is in front of a window. I watch the wrens, the turkeys, my chickens, the chipmunks, all come by the window and greet me. They bring a smile to my face and I wouldn't trade it for any other way.
ReplyDeleteMy husband made a sewing room for me in our otherwise unfinished basement. It doesn't have any windows, but I painted it bright yellow and love it! Here's a link to photos, but it's more crowded now since I bought an old treadle machine and more fabric for the stash...the shelves are now all fabric! Yea! My main machine is perpendicular to the wall, so I just face into the middle of the room.
ReplyDeleteOops, forgot the link!
ReplyDeletehttp://sewmanydreams.blogspot.com/2009/07/shelves-are-in.html
MY sewing machines used to be facing the window, but the bedroom that is my sewing room has rather high windows and I cannot see out of them when sitting at a desk or table, so I would have to stand up to look out. At the same time, the windows were in a corner with east and south exposure and the light was often blinding. Now I sew facing the wall, and I put up an inspiration board behind my sewing machines so I am always inspired.
ReplyDeleteThe ironing board is beneath the windows so I can see out when I am at the ironing board and I look out the windows when I am working at my cutting table. Although I would love to sew facing a window, this works better for me at the present.
Carolyn, what's funny is I have 3 windows in my sewing room - it's the small 2nd floor back bedroom so I have 2 in the back and one on the side - but the room is so cold in the winter that the windows are plastic-covered with 2 layers of curtains over top. I think of it as a sewing cave.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love my new space, even though I still sew most of the time at the end of the big table. It's nice having the machines spaced out.
I sew facing a wall but my sewing area is an L shape with a table also facing the window. However, there is a light-blocking roman blind there. I prefer facing the wall as I have a bulletin board there to which I attach my pattern instructions.
ReplyDeleteI face a window... in this house. Previously, I sewed in a converted attic space with two tiny windows, one at each gable... When I wrote up my wish list for the next house, the sewing room I "requested" had windows looking down into my garden so I could also see what the dogs were up to.. and that's what I got! (gothic arches in every single original window in the house!)
ReplyDeleteThe right edge of my cabinet is against the wall on my right. I face the window end of the room, and there is a chest with a TV on top that I watch (with my ears mostly) while I sew. The machine itself sits in the middle of the room so that I can put a table behind the cabinet when I have a quilt top and am doing machine quilting. (not often)
ReplyDeleteI sew in a space I "liberated" from my daughter while she resides in an apartment during her final year of college. I have set the room up so that I am facing the window and can take advantage of the natural light given off during the daylight hours. Lately, being consumed with sewing gifts for Christmas, it has been wonderful to look up and see the snow falling while looking out toward the forest. Very peaceful...
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall, but just to the right of me is my backyard where I can see the snow prettily falling, or the green of summer. But, I tend to daydream...lol..
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading all other's posts..!!
Our apartment is very small. I sew facing my flat screen computer monitor. When I need to do computer work, I set the SM down on the floor next to me.
ReplyDeleteI envy those with dedicated sewing rooms!
I watch (with my ears mostly) while I sew. The machine itself sits in the middle of the room so that I can put a table behind the cabinet when I have a quilt top and am doing machine quilting.
ReplyDeleteWork from home India
I sew facing a wall but have no idea why. I am going to move the machine so that it faces a window after the holidays calm down. Why did I never think of this before?
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall with a big window that goes all the way across above my sewing machine. I have another machine on an adjacent wall but mostly, I sew under the window. My arrangement bothered me a lot at first because I have a phobia about turning my back to the door of any room I am in. But, my room is only 8x11 so I had no choice if I wanted to fit machines, ironing board, cutting table etc
ReplyDeleteMy space is in a vaulted loft in a cabin. Little peak a boo windows in two directions and windows down below in the main living area. One wall with a cork board for ideas and whatnots. Having a little bit of window action is relaxing when I hit a difficult patch and the natural light is nice for color comparison.
ReplyDeleteIf it's window versus wall, I'm all for window. At this moment, my table is perpendicular to the wall so that I face the rest of the room.
ReplyDeleteI sew in a loft, on a big butcher block table that used to be in my old kitchen. I face the room, with tv on the other side. I can see my stash wall, and over the half wall into the living room. There are also windows letting in sun from the cathedral ceiling. I need to spend more time up there...K
ReplyDeleteI've had my machine facing the wall, window, and middle of the basement, at various times. I like the window for the light, and the fact that I'm not turning completely around to use the table. In the past, when I had my machine in a basement corner, I liked that I had a lot of room for the item I was sewing to move around. I wish I could figure out a way to have my machine at a right angle to the wall next to the window, and the table in the middle of the room, but that would leave no room for walking around easily. I guess I'm trying to put 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag! I'm just happy I have a room, not in a basement anymore. That was cold, damp, and dark, even with the shop light I hung up. Photos of my room are at http://justgail.wordpress.com/category/sewing-room/
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a window, but serge facing the wall. Like many others have mentioned, the light brightens my mood and my aging eyesight.
ReplyDeleteWell...my sewing table is actually facing a wall. And apparently I hate it because I always drag my 3/4 machine down to the kitchen table (which faces the rest of the room & 2 huge windows) to sew instead!!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 windows in my sewing room, one to my left & one to my back. If I'd placed my sewing table in front of one or the other it wouldn't allow me to properly position the other furniture. So I opted for the wall and mounted a tv there.
ReplyDeleteI sew facing a wall in between two windows. One window is to the left of my sewing table and can look out when I want. I would prefer not to face the wall as my back is to the door leading into the room. Yet I have limited space in the room and that is the only way to get everything to fit into the room.
ReplyDelete. I live in a rowhouse and my sewing room looks out on a back alley so the view is not worth looking out. I'm happier with the sunlight coming in the window.
ReplyDeletejapanese kobe beef