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Come behind the scenes at Christine Haynes Patterns for a #CraftRoomTour and see Christine's sewing room in Los Angeles.
I chose this room in my apartment for my sewing studio because it has a giant floor to ceiling window that looks onto a private balcony space that I have filled with plants. The window lets in a tremendous amount of indirect sunlight, making the space a delight to spend time in.
Tell us about your space
I work from home, so I needed to turn one of the rooms in my apartment into my sewing studio. Most people would have likely picked a separate room with a closing door, but I changed the original intention of all the rooms in my apartment to suit my needs. For example, my sewing studio is supposed to be the apartment's living room; my living room is supposed to be the apartment's formal dining room; etc. Since I spend most of the daytime hours in my sewing studio, I wanted it to be in the room that is best during daylight hours, which was the living room. I live alone, so reorganizing the room's intentions works just fine for me and it doesn't have to suit anyone else's needs.
What have you done to make your space cosy, beautiful or inspiring?
A workspace first needs to be highly functional, so the placement of the furniture is set up in a way that makes it easy for me to draft patterns, sew, write, and get to my tools easily. But after that, it should be filled with things that inspire and enrich your creative process. I have things around the space that I've collected during travels, images that inspire me, and things from friends and family members.
How do you keep organized?
Like many people, I use the shelving units from Ikea to organize my fabric, sewing patterns, and tools. I also have some vintage cabinets, but the bulk of my materials are hidden away in Ikea shelving. I like everything to be nearby, but out of sight.
Any tips & tricks for organising supplies?
My father once told me that when you set up a space, or move into a new space, you need to give everything a place to go, so it can always be put away. For example, at the end of each day of work, I put everything back in its drawer or bin or caddy. But if the tool or item wasn't given a place to be from the start, it will always be lingering around, which is how you end up with piles of things with nowhere to go. I do not do well with clutter, so putting everything away is key for me to get anything done.
Which are your favourite possessions and are there any of your own creations on display?
I actually do not have any of my own sewn creations on display in my space. I think this is because I'm always thinking about what's next, as opposed to what I've already done. There is a bulletin board over my work table, and that is filled with clippings that are inspiring my next sewing patterns. My favorite possessions are tiny crocheted dresses on display were made by my grandmother for my mom when she was a little girl, and my vintage pattern illustrations that hang over my cutting table.
How do you organise your inspiration and ideas?
I am pretty old school and have binders filled with magazine clippings that go back to the 1980's. But I also have a folder on my desktop for digital images as well as private Pinterest boards for things I find on-line.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I find most of the original inspiration for any new sewing pattern from my own life and needs, as well as from watching people engage in real life. I love watching the fashion shows each season, and I read fashion magazines every month, but watching how real people wear clothes as they pass through the world is the most inspirational to me.
If you had three wishes, what would you do to make it the dream space?
Oh goodness! Well, I love my space, but if money were no object, I'd absolutely move the space out of my home and into an off-site space. But as I live in a major urban city, that is not an affordable option. Second, I would probably hire a full-time assistant. That would be so helpful to hand them tasks I don't want to deal with. But honestly, my space is pretty dreamy, and aside from more room and more help, I love it just the way it is!
Whose craft room would you love to explore? Send us a message!
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