tip of the day – alternative studio solutions

In a perfect world, every fiber artist would have a big, well-lit studio, complete with natural light, sinks, electrical plug-ins where ever we need them, custom-made sewing, cutting, ironing and work tables…

But since this isn’t a perfect world, and my fabric has to live in a separate room from my sewing machine – let’s talk about some options!

I used to cut out fabric on the floor.

In a house with five dogs, several birds and a variable number of cats.

It got a little frustrating when one of the dogs would run across a fragile paper pattern, or the cat dived head-first into the pin-dish.

And oh my goodness – my back sure objected to bending over for that long!

But I also didn’t have the space or $$$ for a dedicated cutting table (at least not at $200 from my local sewing shop!).

My options for sewing tables?

• Use a pair of sawhorses with a table or sheet of plywood on top.    This works great – but don’t try and move the sawhorses around with anything on the table top!  It’s very messy to have a full table slide onto the floor.
• Get an inexpensive cardboard cutting mat ($12 at my local fabric shop) and use it on top of a bed.  I’ve done this in a pinch – but it’s still low enough that I strain my back.
• Use a standard dining room table, with a mat on top.  This is my current table solution and it works great for me.  The table is sturdy and now that I’ve raised the mat (plastic boxes!), it’s the perfect height.

Design walls or photography walls:

• Make small photography boards from styrofoam sheets (cheap from the hardware or building supply store) and cover them with a neutral fabric.  I use an old ceiling tile, covered with natural linen as my photography background – which you guys have seen hundreds of times now!  I just pinned the fabric to the back of the board.  It’s small, lightweight and can easily be tucked away.
• If I need to photograph a large piece of fiber art, I hang a background on the outside of my house.  My studio just isn’t big enough to photograph a piece of art that’s 6 feet square – but going outside works.  I’d recommend photographing artwork on an overcast day – you’ll get the most even lighting that way.

Task lighting:

• My studio doesn’t get enough light in the mornings – especially in winter!  I like small lamps with built on clamps, so I can clamp them to my shelves, sewing table etc and place the lights exactly where I need it.  Don’t forget that florescent light bulbs are a better way to go for the environment

Feel free to share any tips or tricks you have for making your own studio more effencient!