Where I Sew – Ashley Newcomb of Film In The Fridge
I’m Ashley Newcomb and I blog about quilting at Film in the Fridge. My sewing space occupies a third of our living room, so that I can take every opportunity to sew, yet still be with the family. My 2 year old son, Max, often plays with his toys on the floor nearby while I sneak in a bit of fabric cutting or some quick piecing.
Since I am most often making quilts, I like having my fabrics easily accessible – I keep many favorites stored in the cabinet you can see in the left part of this photo, and all my solid fabrics stored under the large sewing table. The table was custom made (a trade for a quilt, in fact!) and fits two large cutting mats on one side and my sewing machine and computer on the other. Despite the limitations of having my sewing space right in the middle of our home (mostly dust and lots and lots of threads!), I love how easy it makes it for me to sneak in a few minutes of sewing here and there throughout the day!
Ashley’s Links: Film in the Fridge Blog
Where I Sew is a month long celebration of the spaces we create in. Leave a comment and be entered to win one of 50 $20 Pink Chalk Fabrics Gift Certificates. Add your sewing room to the tour!
86 Comments
Lovely set-up! I really like that custom built table, Ashley. Wow.
Like you, I’m set up in “middle of things” – I’m in the family room which opens into the kitchen area and I love it.
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
Great custom table!
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
I also sew in the middle of things. I wish I could leave it all set up, but, alas, we have to sit down and eat dinner occasionally. 🙂
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
Love how you display your favorite fabrics and finished quilts on shelves to easily see. Also, love how you embrace sewing in the main living space. I sew in my kitchen, and I love the homey-ness of being where the living is.
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
That custom desk is stunning! What a wonderful way to incorporate your sewing space.
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
I love to hear that Ashley uses part of her living room as her creative space. It’s so nice to hear that not everyone has a huge house with a special room for sewing to create in.
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
So fun to see where Ashley creates her wonderful quilts! Maybe I should set up shop out of my basement!
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
Oh, that cutting table!! I want it.
View CommentJuly 13, 2013
I love your set up! Your fabrics look like “art”–really,,,I guess they are. Thanks for sharing with us all.
View CommentJuly 14, 2013
I am impressed that you have your sewing space in the family area. Being able to do what you love while the kids are playing is a great idea. Kudos to you for being in the middle of “life”!!!
View CommentJuly 15, 2013
I am fortunate enought to have a sewing room but it does make it hard to get away to sew sometimes. And, oh the mess I tend to leave out!
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
Congratulations on your new baby. I like how you make your space work
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
what a great table!!
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
I wish I could have a permanent sewing space! We live in a small apartment, so I set up my sewing machine on the dinner table. Not optimal, but it works for now. 🙂
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
I can almost identify with Ashley. I sew in my living room, too, but it’s not a third…it’s just right in the center of the room and everything has to be put away when we’re expecting company. 🙁 I like Ashley’s setup and enjoy her blog!
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
Great custom table!
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
It’s great to see what other people use as creative spaces. I’m working on designing a permanent space for my sewing, so this post is very timely!
View CommentJuly 17, 2013
Lovely space and a top exercise in keeping everything tidy!
View CommentJuly 18, 2013
I would love to be able to be more central in our house but I’m afraid it is handy being able to go to my sewing room and shut the door on the mess!
View CommentJuly 18, 2013
What a lovely set-up and a stunning sewing table. I also sew in the middle of things, in the family room off the kitchen (although more and more it’s called “Mum’s sewing room”).
View CommentJuly 18, 2013
Well from the photo you can’t tell it is in the living room!
View CommentJuly 18, 2013
What a fabulous desk!! And the fabric shelf is great! 🙂
View CommentJuly 18, 2013
I love Film in the Fridge — it was one of the first quilting blogs I ever followed. It’s amazing what she can produce in a communal family space.
View CommentJuly 19, 2013
I’m jealous of the table!
View CommentJuly 19, 2013
What a wonderful table! I know what you mean about being able to sew in the midst your family : ) Thanks for the chance to play!
View CommentJuly 20, 2013
Lucky you! What a wonderful multi-purpose table!
View CommentJuly 20, 2013
This is really inspiring. We are moving at the end of the month and there isn’t going to be any separate sewing land for me – but now I’m excited to share my space with the whole family! Thank you!
View CommentJuly 21, 2013
I love that big table! So much room to support quilting a large project!
View CommentJuly 21, 2013
That is such a clever option for a Mom to optimise her sewing time, such a brilliant & practical option. And for your kids to be happy playing while you sew in the same room is the best kind of win-win!
View CommentJuly 21, 2013
Having a space in common rooms can be so nice for when you find an empty couple of minutes. I sew in our “dinning” room and love it!
View CommentJuly 21, 2013
Love that your space is in the living room. I like being close to the “action” but am never able to keep things as neat as this! Thanks for sharing.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Can you sew with a toddler under the sewing table? He’s bobbing around and pulling on things, right? You can tell I only have to contend with stubborn cats, I guess.
View CommentJuly 29, 2013
Lovely desk, I need one of those.
View CommentJuly 30, 2013
So much creativity goes on there! I’m impressed that Max hasn’t tossed fabric everywhere, a problem I have with our kittens. 🙂
View CommentAugust 5, 2013
I’m glad you found a way to combine family and your sewing. My sewing room is in the basement and I was either by myself or just plain didn’t do any sewing when my kids were young. kthurn@bektel.com
View CommentJuly 11, 2014
I am a new quilter. Iam getting ready to start my third quilt. This will be my first king size. My daughter likes your Glimma crosses pattern. I need to know how to figure material needs for this size. Like your patterns and ideas
View CommentJuly 12, 2014