I’m SEW Happy. . .Sewing Room Makeover

I am sew happy that I finally gave my sewing room a makeover!

I will be sharing my ‘happy space’ with Karen for her Where Bloggers Create party. Lot’s of inspiration there so please go visit!  I shared my Craft Room also if you’d like to check it out.

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Have you ever done something and soon after realized that “you made a big mistake?”  That’s exactly what I did when I painted my sewing room brown a couple years ago. (I’m saving the before picture for the end).

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It’s a small room just off of our master bedroom.  On our house plans it’s designated as the nursery/library.  No babies (thank goodness at my age) and not enough books to fill an entire room.  Perfect little sewing retreat!

Don’t you just love vintage sewing graphics?  My cousin gave me the old Butterick pattern book.  So sweet!  I had to display it.  And look at those darling buttons.

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I love vintage lace and these are two of my favorite pin cushions.

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Why brown?  I’ve never been a chocolate lover.  When it comes to cake and ice cream I’m white and vanilla all the way!  lol!  I know where the idea came from.  My sil, had just painted her craft room brown and I thought it was cute.  Decided it would look nice with all of my blue and pink accessories.  First mistake was that she gave me her color chip.  I thought I went a shade lighter than hers, but went a shade darker instead.
 
It’s much more of a ‘happy’ room now!  Caribbean Breeze by Benjamin Moore.  I also painted the moldings white.  They are a tan color all through our home.  Hope to change that gradually.

Mannequin

I modge podged fabric pieces onto my mannequin last year and gave her a fancy skirt.  The vintage hankies and linens are waiting to be made into a quilt that I pinned.

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This cabinet once housed dolls in one of my girls bedrooms.  Perfect for a lot of my sewing necessities.

Let’s take a closer look at the shelves.

The polka dot basket holds my unfinished projects.  (some of them, anyway).  A few small quilts stacked on top. The two aqua containers hold fabrics.  Aunt Gracies, Civil War, etc.
The five white baskets in a row house fabric scraps stored in zip lock bags and alphabetized by color.

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Quilt kits in clear containers.

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Thread and the little heart holds extra bobbins.  I love boxes with sewing graphics!

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A small drawer holds Aunt Gracie fat quarters.  Vintage jars with sewing items.

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Charm packs, a sweet vintage sewing caddie, another pin cushion, and tins holding my essentials.

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Books, rulers, and more kits.

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Tucked inside the basket are a boot  pincushion, a couple of old wooden spools , vintage sewing needles, a little wool sewing kit, a pair of old scissors, buttons, and a little bear given to me by one of my grands.

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The crowns remind me that in this room I am queen!  Hee-hee!

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This sewing box belonged to my mother.  Either I or my sister, Jeanne made it for her.  We’re not sure which.

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An old sewing machine sits on the floor by the white cabinet.  The sewing case was in pretty bad shape so I added bits of bird paper here and there letting some of the original case show through. The suitcase holds fabric.

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In the corner hangs a decorative chandy made from old garden wire fencing.  It holds little sewing notions.  When we first moved into our home the door bell rang and hubby answered.  When he came back into the kitchen he brought the little wires holding the buttons and beads hanging in the bottom right photo.  Some neighbor kids were selling them for .25 cents each.  He gave them $1 for the two.  How cute is that?

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I love numbers!  The little cubbies are perfect for bits of fabric.

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The paper, fabric, and ribbon garland was a gift from my hair dresser.  She just gave it to me one day when I went in for a cut.

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A couple of sewing themed wall decorations.  Bought the button heart at T.J. Maxx for $7.99.  I made the canvas one.

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A quilt that I recently finished.

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This tray holds projects I am (should be) working on.

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sewing goodies

On another wall I have this ladder shelf with more collections.  You can see that I am still painting the door frame around the closet.  Bye-bye tan!

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A couple of vintage aprons. . . polka dots and checks. sigh!

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The childs apron was a birthday gift years ago from my friend, Joyce.  The baby shoes wait to be made into a pin cushion.. Yes, I don’t have nearly enough!  The spools were a clearance item I bought a few years ago from Pottery Barn.

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A closer look at the ladder.  Love this childs sewing machine!  A $5 yard sale find.

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Thimbles in a jar.  I was thinking, bottled tomatoes, but some were too big for the jar., and a pieced watermelon pin cushion.

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Lots of food related pin cushions. A cute wool one, and an old sewing basket.

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Fun apron books, more needle cases, clips for holding binding, and a flower pot pin cushion.

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My inspiration board.

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Sweet little poem and some sewing themed jewelry.

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This sweet chair  was from Pier 1.  And look at that back.  Swoon!
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I have a comfy swivel chair at my sewing table.  The pillows came from a damaged goods store.  I plan on painting the table white, but still painting the closet and my cutting table.  Let’s face it. . .I’m sick of painting! That will be for another day.

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The table top lamp came from a thrift shop.  Love the extra lighting!  The wonderful topper was a gift from a friend.

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A sweet plate, a notepad for jotting down measurements and a little hobnob shoe holds pickers.  Although I never have to unpick!  (hee-hee)

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I painted this sewing box ages ago.

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I have to have a few healthy pin cushions to counter act all of the sweet ones!

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More pin cushions.  Hate to admit that this is not all of them.  I think some will have to go in the closet.  I love that I can look out into my side garden sitting area while sewing.

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Every sewing queen has to have her bling!

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Now are you ready for the before ‘brown’ room?

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What a difference, right?  This is a small space and really needed to be lightened up!

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Now back to painting that closet!  UGH!

hugs,
Jann
I will also be sharing with these fun parties:
Savvy Southern Style for Wow

The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday

Lavender Garden Cottage for Cottage Style Party

Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday

The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

40 comments

Laurel Stephens said...

Your sewing room is just enchanting. It makes me want to sew something!

camp and cottage living said...

My goodness, who couldn't get real creative in this craft room, Jann.
It is so pretty with all the happy colours and your sewing novelties.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jann! Your sewing room is just darling! I love the fresh blue color and how you've housed everything. You are one neat gal! I'm keeping some of your organizing ideas in my mind!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Creations By Cindy said...

Jann, your sewing room is BEAUTIFUL! I love every thing about it. The colors, the way you decorated it...well, just everything! Inspiration is what I need right now to change things up a bit myself! Who says a sewing room can't be BEAUTIFUL! Love it all. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I would love to walk around and peek in every bin and look on every shelf! I love your cute pin cushions and pretty vintage things. I'm showing a few vintage sewing things today, too! I just cleaned my room. I should take photos, too! Hugs, Diane

Salmagundi said...

The new color is perfect - so cheerful. In the middle of the night last night, I was thinking about doing a blog post about all of my sewing trinkets -- so I really enjoyed seeing all of yours. Guess I need to get my camera out so I can show off mine!!! Take care, Sally

Judys Lace Creations said...

Oh yes..perhaps the brown was a bit heavy.LOVE the transformation! I just HAVE to paint my brown shelving/bookcases one day BUT that means moving everything and not being able to work...sigh!!!
Thanks for sharing.Your room is so pretty and inviting.
Judy

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

I love your craft room! I am working on creating myself one.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

mimi_62 said...

Just beautiful! Love the way you decorate. There's only one of you. That's for sure. So-oooo talented!

cynthia lee designs said...

Love, love, love your sewing room...so pretty!!
~Cindy

Patti said...

Oh so pretty! You have the sweetest things, too. So much inspiration in your room. I love it all!

Kris said...

What a fabulous space to sew and be creative in Jann! I love the blue, but I also liked the brown. THat sewing machine...5 dollars...NO WAY!!!
Fun post!
xo Kris

Art and Sand said...

Jann - you have so many fun pieces in your work space to stimulate creativity.

I love all the color you surround yourself with.

suziqu's thread works said...

Hello Jan,
What a cheery and colourful creative space you have here.
Love your crazy patch worked dress form. It's so pretty!
Suzy

Anonymous said...

Love the blue, Jann!
All our bedroom walls are light brown.
It's livable but...

will view your craft room, too!

Nancy's Notes said...

I'm sitting here and thinking, now that is one sewing room! Jann, it's just wonderful! How great to have such a charming and fun place, must be such a joy to have such a sweet space to play!

Nancy

Fran. said...

Jann Olsen you jus amaze me with all of your lovliness!! The room is so much better lighter!! It is so pretty just like you!! THANKS for sharing both of your groovey rooms where you create!! And I love making pin cushions as much as you love collecting them!!! Tomatoes are my fav to collect and also make!! I am making some cool ones right now for my shoppe!! Keep on Keepin on!! XOXO Love Fran.

Anonymous said...

Your sewing room looks so much brighter and happier in blue! I am sure you will enjoy many hours creating in here happily whistling away. I think it's sweet your husband knew how much you would love those bead and button hangings and I am sure he was proud to give them to you...too cute!

Gigi @ Old World Patina

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Thank you SEW much for sharing this I CANdy today! Love x 18! All your handiwork and sweet touches are absolutely FUN and adorable.

Working in revealing mine soon... If I could just be HOME long enough to finish. :-)

Hugs and happy highways,
Kelley~

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

What a lovely place to create! I hope you get some time in there every day!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Rose L said...

Love the mannequin makeover! The turquoise color is definitely better!!

My thrift store addiction said...

Your sewing room is simply charming! Lovely! Blessings, Cecilia

Deborah Montgomery said...

Such a wonderful spot -- and you have a craft room too!! would love to come over and poke through all your beautiful things! I'm excited about getting my craft room together, and I am getting all kinds of lovely ideas. thanks Jann, and happy sewing. And yes, the blue is so much nicer.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Your sewing room is great!!! Love the blue, it's so much lighter than with the brown. You certainly have organized everything - isn't it great to be able to have everything in their own place.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Mary

maggie said...

Thank you for sharing that awesome sewing room. I loved seeing all of the charming details. I just adore all of the vintage touches. I see that you and I share a love of vintage. I have a long time collection of needle cards and I'm always on the search for more. They seem to be getting more difficult to find. I was thinking of a way to display them, as I love looking at them. right now they are in a glass front small china closet in my sewing room., along with my collection of antique & vintage pin cushions, spool holders etc. My collection has outgrown its home and I am having fun looking for ideas on displaying them. Your lovely room gives me ideas and inspiration. Thanks so much.
cheers,
maggie

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Jann, I "sew" enjoyed my tour of your sewing room. It is so you!! My sewing room is almost the same color as yours and I love it. Isn't it such a cheerful color? My late beloved hubby built me a a spot for my sewing machine inside the closet in the room. He also put together some cabinets and I have my cutting surface on those, with storage and drawers. What a dear he was to me.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Your new room color is my new favorite color! I can't get enough of all shades of aqua...I will have to remember the name of yours. Your room is so fabulous! Although I don't sew anymore I definitely could create something in such pretty surroundings!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Love, love, love the changes! I especially adore white trim! It just pops! I've got a ton of furniture to paint too. I'm dreading it but I know I'll be so much happier when I get it done. Your sewing room is just such a happy space now! So cute and adorable!

farmhouse-story said...

such a pretty sewing room, jann! love the new aqua wall color--makes the room bright and happy:) your new quilt is lovely and i love the aprons, too!

Julie said...

Wow, that wall color really brightens the room up! What a beautiful sewing room. I love that Pier 1 chair ;) This room must really inspire you!

Shabby Marilyn said...

So many goodies in your sewing room. Great place to sew! you have inspired me to get cracking on posting my sewing room I finished last year! Sew On!

Warratahstree said...

What a great sewing space. So many inspiring spaces to see on the Where Bloggers Create blog hop. I found you via another blog hop. I love the use of the thread spools.

Sandra Kaye said...

WOW!!! Love that your are a quilter:):) Became a follower:):) Thanks for sharing

Helena White said...

Such a great sewing room! I'm getting so much inspiration on this tour. Love your space
❥❥❥.¸¸¸ Helena

Cathy said...

You have a lovely creative space! I enjoyed seeing all of the treasures you have too!
Cathy
CraftyCat

Nanna said...

I know what you mean about wall color, I painted mine yellow & with a bay window letting in lots & lots of sun, what was I thinkg? lol! love your new color, it gives the room a soothing feel , a great palce to spend creating.

Helen

Anonymous said...

Coming from camp and cottage Living lovely sewing room indeed - I could spend all day in there... the pillows are fun and colorful - love all your added touches..
Hugs

The Charm of Home said...

It looks so functional and beautiful with all your sewing supplies so nicely organized. Wonderful!
Sherry

Tea in the Library said...

Beautiful and functional. I love vintage sewing 'stuff' which is strange because I am poor at sewing. I nearly flunked Home Ec. Maybe that's why- sewing is a skill and art I admire but lack. Aqua and turquoise are happy colors for me to live with so of course I love the color choice!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Ok, it's official. I'm stalking you.

This room is not only super functional, but beyond adorable! I love your dress form! I sold one years ago at a garage sale and I've regretted doing so. Someday I'll get another and pimp her up like yours.

I tend to prefer more subtle tones when decorating my home, BUT, when I put my craft space together I went hog wild with color! If your room and mine got together and had a baby it would look like Disney World on steroids. :)

Ok, I'm going to stop now before you call the blog police on me.

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