117becca

I have toyed w/ how to move my sewing area upstairs to my guest bedroom when I no longer need it to be a guest room....but then, I look at the space I have in the basement.....I'll stay in the basement!! I am thankful that it is dry down there - the only problem I have is to figure out how to keep it warm in the winter w/out it costing me 2 arms and 2 legs...

Chris Penna

I live in Northern California and have my sewing studio in the basement..................I do have some windows as it was originally a carport under the house......I did have to install good lighting. The plus side, is I have this hugh space which has allowed me to set up two areas, one for fusing, and collage work, the other for a cutting table. I also have room for two seperate sewing stations. The down side, it does isolate me from the rest of the house but I try to save my handwork for "upstairs"................

GwenH

It's was good to read all the coments from those of you who have your sewing rooms in the basement, because I have been thinking of moving my sewing room down to the basement bedroom which is is about the same size, right now it's in the spare bedroom on the main floor of our house and I do love it, but when we have company, which isn't very often I feel bad that they have to sleep in the basement, our basement is only partially finished with a partially finished bathroom at the opposite end from the bedrooms.
My other reason for thinking of moving my sewing room downstairs is because, my Dad just passed away this past winter and my Mom is still in her own house, which is about 1 hour away from me and I would love for her to be able to come stay with us for a week or more, but she is in her late 80's and it's hard for her to go up and down the stairs, plus I don't want her to have to go up and down the stairs.
I am still trying to decide what to do, and I have lots to think about before I decide, but I thank-you for all the coments, and good luck to you WA Vet and your decision on moving your sewing room to the basement.... also I'd love to see pictures of some of your basement sewing rooms.

WA Vet

We are thinking about finishing the basement and making sure to provide lots of light and whatever else might be necessary to make it work. For right now, I had just best enjoy the sewing room / office I have, until we move! We shall see what happens. I thank each and every one of you for you suggestions.

MaryLane

I live in a story and half log home with a walk out basement under it. I have my quilting machine in the basement and my sewing room on the second story of the house. I like it that way because I like the additional exercise it adds to my day.

However, I am claustrophobic and I can do okay in my basement. During the winter when hubby is in or while I am canning I move a portable machine down there if I am not quilting and sew just fine. I do have the added advantage of being married to an electrician. Lighting is never a problem.

My basement is dry and I never have a problem with mustiness. We do have a dehumidifier that runs in the summer. My basement floors are graded toward the drains (like all of them SHOULD be). We just leveled the frame for the machine on the floor where it stands. Mine is actually on rollers and stored against the wall but I pull it out to the same place always.

You really can make it work just fine. I am upstairs because I have room right now but I could easily work in the basement and do at times. Good luck with your new space!

quiltlonger

Mine is in basement too. Have a dehumidifier going all summer long (could be because have fish tanks down there to. Plus son moved back in with his ferret and 90 gallon tank. We heat with outside wood furnace and have radiant heat and lines running on cellar ceiling which keeps upstairs and down toasty This spring painted walls and all new shelves and arrangement. Love the get away and stuff like ironing board and projects stay in waiting....

Tothill

Not all basements are damp and or musty.

Even in the Pacific Northwest.

Our house is 45+ years old and has never had either a humidifier or dehumidifier running in it. The basement is about 4 feet underground with windows (ground level on the outside) on each side.

My sewing room is in the basement on the NW corner of out house. The window only gets direct sun about 3 months of the year. I have great lighting and am warm and dry in there. I have no worries about damp or mustiness.

natalieg

I have my sewing studio in our basement. It is the biggest of the four bedrooms in the house. I had to wait for the last kid to move out and I was in there! Course another one came back from college to finish school here....didn't give up my studio though....we stuck her in the other downstairs bedroom. Now another kid is home so we can help them to understand how to raise a kid....wow.....put them in the other room since the college kid moved back out. I have managed to keep the studio as mine. We just stick the kids in the guest room. I am using my rec room as the temporary guest room.
My studio is 11x18 and houses all my fabric, all of my sewing machines except the antique ones, my quilt frame, and all my extras; supplies and such. I also have an upstairs sewing area with a large sewing desk. It sits right in front of a large window that faces a field of cows....talk about relaxing!
I do most of my sewing upstairs as I like to be around the doors and such for when the dogs bark, someone knocks.....I do my quilting downstairs. I also have my "creative moments" (matching fabrics...TV watching) in my sewing studio.