What My Sewing Room Really Looks Like (Behind the Seams)

I was recently looking at pictures on social media, in particular Instagram and Pinterest. My sewing room does not look like all those curated pics I see.

I’m always deep in my creative process when sewing, and it doesn’t look perfect. While I can easily crop and edit photos, I just show it as is.

I’ll share more behind-the-scenes and what I discovered about it all. You might relate, be inspired, or simply be entertained. 

What My Sewing Room Really Looks Like

On my blog, I always make it a point to show my real sewing room in its raw, real state. There’s something really cathartic about doing that.

By the way, I got the new iPhone 17 Max Pro last year. Ever since, I’ve been studying more about lighting and angles, and having fun.

My creative process is messy. 

I’m always working on something, whether it be sewing, cutting, or drafting. My room is a work in progress.

Or shall I say it’s a controlled mess? I guess that’s fair to say. 

It’s not messy to the point that I could be on Hoaders or some other show. As a friend once told me, it’s not messy, but untidy. 

On the daily, I might vacuum and pick up fabric pieces on the floor. But when I’m in the depths of a project, I don’t organize. 

That’s not how my brain works. What’s the use? 

I take sheets of notes, write and draw on scraps. There are folders and binders with fabric and other pieces. 

I’ve got mad scientist vibes going some days.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll try to show you the best of my finished projects. But I can’t keep up a facade about my workspace.

I have an organization system.

When the feeling strikes me, I’ll put stuff away. If it feels right in the moment, and I don’t want to look at it, I’ll do it. 

I have all the containers, cabinets, shelves, drawers, and more. I spent so much time looking at Ikea inspo and putting it all together.

Pinterest is what we all dream of having, right? It’s good for inspiration if you can find real photos of actual sewing rooms.

Some people naturally need a very organized space to work. But I’m not one of them.

Over the years, my stash has grown. I’ve had to expand outside of my sewing room to house it all.

I have fabric in my clothes closet and under my bed. There’s a whole library of sewing patterns upstairs.

There’s stuff I don’t use as often, but I want to keep. I ran out of room, but maybe my whole house has turned into a sewing room of sorts.

But to me, it’s all in an order I can understand and work with.

My sewing space is still clean. 

As I mentioned before, I vacuum. That’s because sewing and cutting can kick up lint like no other.

And if you have fabric allergies like I do, you need to clean. But the dust is crazy.

Even when I cut, there’s a coat on my furniture. And well, my furniture is black, so it shows up really well.

But I make sure my space is at least clean. I don’t have glue and gunk spilled all over the place—well, usually not.

A sewist from a church I attended invited me to her house one day. I thought my sewing room was messy until she showed me hers.

My first impression was that her craft room was a complete disaster. I didn’t know how she sewed like that. 

She had fabric, paint, glue, dust, and plaster all over. But she was able to work very well in it, and very proud to show it off!

But that got me thinking, how many people’s workrooms looked like that versus the ones on social media?

I usually know where everything is.

That’s why it’s a controlled mess. Is there such a thing?

Anyway, I know where I mainly put stuff. But I’ve nearly lost my mind looking all over for that button that was in my hand!

Or any of my 5 seam rippers that magically disappear. That’s exactly why I have so many, and when I need one, I can’t find any!

But I can tell you where stuff usually is. I maintain a system only I can understand.

I’ve always operated like this. Don’t get me started on my desk, where I write, plan, and blog.

It’s got a tad bit of everything I’m juggling, and I need it all in plain sight. Overwise who knows if I’ll get around to it.

Maybe this gives me a sense of comfort too. 

I keep my camera close by.

My camera usually sits next to me while sewing. I’m a blogger, and I’m always taking pictures.

Not only do I want to show you those nice finished projects I make, but I also want to capture the behind-the-seams. 

There’s something nice about seeing the raw, authentic stuff. Nice memories happen at the least expected moments.

I’ve been taking pictures of my sewing for the last 20 years. The construction that didn’t turn out, the wayward stitches. 

When I look back at all that stuff, it makes me smile. And I like sharing it with others too.

My history is a long road of imperfections and mistakes.

Golden hour makes it look magical.

Throughout the day, I get natural lighting in my sewing room. As the sunsets, I get a pretty golden hue. 

When the blinds are pulled, I get nice lines on the wall. The shadows are amazing, and really make it all look aesthetic. 

It’s beautiful, because it’s real. It’s lived in and worked in.

I don’t have perfect LED lighting with professional cameras. I’m using what I’ve got.

And frankly, golden hour makes everything look magical. It sets a mood and sparks a feeling that nothing can replicate.

Final Thoughts

My sewing room might not look Pinterest pretty, but it works for me. It’s got its own aesthetic, and that’s beautiful in itself.

Whether yours is untidy or full-blown messy, be proud of your space. And take some pictures of it during golden hour, and it’ll look really cool!

More About Sewing

I have many other related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.

• Find out how I used sewing to cope with some hard times.

• I’ll give you mistakes to avoid that caused me sewing stress. 

• I finally dealt with my unfinished sewing projects, and find out how. 

• Let me tell you some good, bad, and ugly sewing comments I hear.

I’d love to hear all about your sewing journey!

Originally published: February 25, 2026