Sunday, July 22, 2012

Antique Wardrobe Turned into Sewing Room

I took an antique wardrobe I recently brought home and created a sewing room.  I have never had a place to create or store any of my sewing gear.  I always just pulled it out, had it in the way, and then put it away hoping the kids didn't destroy it. 

I tried to use only vintage or antique items to store everything in.  This side holds the hanging fabric that is ready to be made into something.  I have a cutting board folded up on the side and a serger in the bottom.  Above the fabric on the shelf, I have a vintage office basket holding my shipping envelopes and a antique punch bowl holding ribbon.

I really thought hard about what to do with the ribbon.  There are many cute ways to store ribbon.  This punch bowl is huge and it was perfect to do the job.  It also gives ma a great way to store the punch bowl and when it is party time I can still pull it out and use it.

Knowing how many beautiful work spaces there are in blogland I had to try to make this small sewing room a little bit fun.  So I created a mini doily bunting and a hand lettered burlap banner to give a little inspiration to the space.

This wardrobe is really huge.  When a whole sewing machine fits on a shelf, it gives you a feel for how much storage space there was to work with.

For a lot of things I create I really never use a pattern, but I had a few patterns I placed in this vintage hanging basket.  The only new thing in the wardrobe is the bulletin board, which I can use for inspiration pictures, fabric, or trim swatches.

The rest of the punch bowl set came in handy too.  The under plate is holding the twelve cups which make a nice place to store lace.  I am always throwing a pin or single button into the cabinet that holds my sewing equipment and I thought the under plate will be a great thing to use in this way as a catch all.

I thought this was a perfect place to show off a few treasures from some important sewers in my life.  This is a vintage Holly Hobby doll hand made by my Grandmother for me. 

Another treasure, on the left, is a china doll handmade for me by my mother.  A piece of art pottery holds some rope and a vintage Ball canning jar holds all of the scissors.

A zinc cloche holds a stack of thread, making it easy to see which color you need.

This shelf has vintage tins and canisters full of lavender to make sachets.  There is also a vintage sewing kit made out of a jelly jar, a white picket planter holding white lace and rick rack, and an antique toy Singer sewing machine.

And, here on the final shelf is the sewing machine, a vintage card file box, and a "Butts" pail.  The "Butts" pail still has the Woolworth's sticker on it and I found it for nothing at a yard sale.  It was a perfect place to store a bunch of buttons on cards.

Here the wardrobe is closed.  I keep a table right by this which will be the perfect work surface and possibly not too disturbed by my kids if I pull something out to work on it.  Possibly... I will get more made for my Etsy shop now!?  
  Sherry 
  I will join:
Sunday's Best Party  at My 1929 Charmer
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sundays  at Sunny Simple Life
Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick
Cottage Style Link Party  at Lavender Garden Cottage
Say G'Day Saturday  at Natasha in Oz
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage
Furniture Feature Friday  at Miss Mustard Seeed
Summer Cloche Party  at A Stroll Thru Life

29 comments:

Jan Hermann said...

Hi Sherry,

What a lovely wardrobe! I love thee way you store everything - in all the Vintage bowls, cups, trays, etc...great idea!

Jan ♥

Heirloom treasures said...

Sherry,your little sewing centre is wonderful. I love the idea,so clever and beautiful too. Happy Creating in your lovely space. xxoo

Micupoftea said...

So charming! Great storage~ How sweet that your dolls are there too, waiting to inspire you :)

Lynn said...

Looks like a great use of space and I love the way you have it decorated! Happy creating:@)

Debbie said...

Oh goodness, this is on of my favorite things I've seen in blog land EVER. I do not have a good place for my sewing stuff. I am just flat crazy about this and will now be putting an old wardrobe like this on the wish list. I LOVE this!!

Susan said...

This a great idea! I need to orgainize my craft room. I have so many supplies!! I just keep collecting!

farmhouse-story said...

love this, sherry! the banners are so cute!

Victoria said...

Always inspiring visiting here...and so beautifully creative !
Victoria

Unknown said...

Hi Sherry,
looks like you have the perfect set up to get creative. What a neat idea and so organized. I love your doll treasures. And they look perfect watching over you.Have a wonderful creative week..

Nanna said...

what a fantastic idea! I love what you did with it! Happy sewing to you!
Helen

Pura Vida said...

what a great idea! I have considered turning mine into a writing nook..with my computer and all

Maggie Ann said...

That is delightfully put to good use...in such a charming way. What a beautiful wardrobe!!! and I like how you used the punch set and hung your fabric on hangers. You've created such a special place to create, love it all. Surely I could do better with my sewing area....hmmm. Thanks for the inspiration &...have a nice day! Maggie

Anonymous said...

That is absolutely ADORABLE! I have been searching for a desk for my computer and stuff but I like your idea much better! :)

Mindy @ New Equus - A New Creation

Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance said...

This is so Beautiful!! What a wonderful and creative job!! I have a wardrobe and never saw that!! Sherry, that is so inspiring to see what you created out of something that usually just sits in room. You made it a room!! How Fantastic!! Thanks for sharing it it!!
Hugs and Blessings,
~Theresa

Tina said...

That is a great idea! Contained and hidden, but functional and pretty.

Sew a Fine Seam said...

NICE! What fun to have it all arranged so neatly and in such a beautiful way!

must love junk said...

What a gorgeous piece! And it's amazing how you've used it to be so practical!
Susan

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

Love the use of the punch bowls to help keep you organized!! Very clever!

xo Lynda

Bernideen said...

Very well done!

Chenille Cottage said...

How nice and neat, Sherry! Such a beautiful piece and such a tidy solution!
Very nice, my friend!
Blessings,
Carolynn

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

OMG, that is a lovely antique Wardrobe cabinet. Give you such great storage while looking so pretty! Love the way you displayed your thread and laces, gave me great inspiration! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best - you helped to make it a fun party!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherry! Oh, your wardrobe is gorgeous and I love how you've made it a wonderful little sewing area! You've been busy.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Genius!!! What a fabulous piece of furniture and you have it so beautifully done on the inside. I would leave it open to show everyone how pretty. Great job and you are right the storage is unreal. I also really love the use of the punch bowl. So clever. Your cloche with the thread is pretty and that tiny antique sewing machine is precious. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Gorgeous piece of furniture, so like the things my grandmother had for her cloths, long before walking closets, lol! You have lots of storage, I love vintage furniture, it's like you keep felling it and filling it with things as lovely as yours. I covet your wire cloche, I hope I can find one around here..or perhaps have one made! Darling sewing machine too. Thanks for sharing. Hugs,
FABBY

Geneva said...

Sherry .. this is a great idea, and you've organized it so well. This would be a perfect solution for a small home like mine. Great Inspiration! I'm visiting from Marty's Cloche Party today...and I love your little zinc cloche. So CUTE!

Sunny Simple Life said...

That is perfect. You always have the best ideas. I love how cute it is all opened and decorated with you notions and dolls and then when you need it tucked away you just shut the doors. So organized. Thanks so much for sharing it this week.

Sandi (Meme) said...

Love what you did with it. There's a lot of storage in that huge thing! Thanks for sharing! Sandi

Savannah Granny said...

Sherry, I saw the wardrobe when you first revealed it. I love how you made it to suit your needs. We are the keepers of the past but it is wonderful when we can make the past functional. It is amazing how much storage you have but I guess we have to remember, this was the closet!
Thanks for sharing,
xo Ginger

Unknown said...

It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy's blog! You are invited to join the party by linking up anything related to making your space a better place for you and your loved ones. Please join us at Making Space Mondays at www.debtfreemommyblog.blogspot.com. Link up starting at 9:00 (central time) tonight. Hope to see you there! -Tabitha