Recycled Sewing Workshop Tour

Someone suggested I make a "workshop secrets" thread after seeing my post in the upcycled jeans forum. This is my first time starting a thread so I hope I'm doing it right.
Please add your workshop hacks/secrets/tips and we can inspire eachother!

Our house is an open floor plan and I don't have an extra room to sew in so I decided to create my little studio right in the front hallway. Originally I had a small desk with my sewing machine and all my fabric stored elsewhere. It was not fun!

This project started when I got a pile of 3x4 oak boards that someone rescued from the trash.  I rummaged around the garage and had random pieces of IKEA furniture I saved so I came up with a design to fit in the space. I am utilitarian so I do not need to make my furniture pretty it just needs to work. I had a piece of plywood from another project and threw that on top. I did buy new wood to build a very fast wonky stool that I later painted and upholstered. I used insulation from a food shipment for the top cushion and thrifted fabric. I also built a small ironing board that I can move around and put out of the way by cutting an ironing board shape from a piece of plywood and using more of the insulation and an old tablecloth to staple onto it.

Then came the process of looking around the house for all kinds of bins and boxes to fit under the desk as storage. These photos are after 1.5 years of developing my workflow and moving stuff around. I have all of my tools hanging from the wall where they are easily seen and reached. I have various implements and notions sorted in specific places so I know where to grab everything. Some drawers hold smaller fabric scraps and some hold saved tissue paper, packing supplies etc. I keep patterns in folders in the lower cubby hole and have a long basket that holds current projects so I can just throw things into it when I need a clean surface. I have dedicated containers for saved string/ribbon, buttons, elastic etc. to repurpose. I installed a wooden rod to the left side of my workspace so that I can hang items up but also when I need privacy I have a curtain that can be pulled across. I use nooks and spaces to fit things in like the small ironing board on the left that can easily be placed on top of the worksurface. On the right side, I stash large cardboard templates and my longest t-square.

Adjacent to this space is what should be a coat closet but I have claimed it as my fabric storage since we hang our coats on hooks. I really like to have everything in plain view. A tension rod holds a hanging clothes thing and hanging shoe storage.  This is where I put most of my fabric that I thrift. I also hang clothes I am in the process of hemming/repairing here so they are in a safe spot. I have crates on the shelves (which were conveniently already installed) that hold lesser-used fabrics. An old wire trashcan holds upright rolls of fabric and paper. I have boxes with shipping supplies and lesser-used fabric on the floor.

I hope this gives someone ideas or inspiration! Thanks for reading

Sunny, thank you for sharing how you put together your sewing "nook".

You have it so well organized that I am envious.  

I like that you can sew and have a window to look out into the world.

I am not sure what I like best as you have created so many helpful things though I think it is the thread holder.  I sure wish I had something like that.

Fantastic use of spaces Sunny! Everything is organized, neat and easy to access. The small bins are easy to move and stack too.  Thank you for sharing all these ideas.