What do you say???

What do you say when your spouse asks, "Why do you need a sewing room, how many quilts are you going to make and what are you going to do with all of them???" Mind you, he is not being mean, he truly wants to know, he didn't ask in a sarcastic tone. I've told him I need the room (he has no clue how much fabric I have), I said I don't know how many I'll make, we have grown kids and no grandchildren.....yet. The last question, I have no clue what I'm going to do with all of them once I've given away what I need to give away. One more thing I did say, "I enjoy it so much I just keep making them!" The reason for the questions is we are getting ready to start an addition and renovation to our retirement home so I'm wanting to incorporate a sewing room. I even tried comparing quilting to his hobbies of rebuilding an old truck and his pottering around in his huge workshop that was built a year ago. Anyway, have any of you ever gotten this question???

I would just tell him that it keeps you happy and occupied. And that if you DIDN'T have your own little place, you'd just have to nag him in HIS :).

My fabric has overflowed to the living room-in plastic boxes at least. My DH is always asking me-why don't you put it in your room instead of here? I try to explain to him that I have no room. He looks in my room and smiles and walks out. I think he just likes teasing me about it.

Can't say I've actually gotten this question but it seems that you comparing it to your dh's workshop was a good comparison. I would just tell him that it is a hobby just like his rebuilding old trucks are and that you will know what you are going to do with them after they have been created and speak to you. It's your hobby (I might even say maybe a passion?) and you should have a creative space where you can go and not have to keep cleaning things up and put everything away at dinnertime, bedtime, guests, etc. He has a place for his stuff and you should too. Also, remind him that it isn't just quilts that you can be creating; there are other smaller projects that can be made quickly for gifts and spiffying up the house.

Lobby hard for that sewing room! You deserve it.

Ginny B

Absolutely... we moved to our retirement comm. 9 yrs ago... my DH's hobby is and was cars... when we moved in we had 5.. people used to say... why do you have so many?..LOL,,
We have 3 bedrooms... at the time he was still working, so we each had our own sleeping space...:)
first. i had the master with the "sewing room" in the walk in closet... looked neat, but would not function.
second, we incorporated a TV/sewing room... worked, but don't like an audience.. and always messy (don't let him hear me say that, i'm not the neatest of the family,,that would get a big... HAH..)
finally.. we have gone back to "bunking togethr again", got a temperpedic (good for old poops), king size.. honestly we could share it with another, but lastly,,, it feels safe to be together, some issues have made it a blessing, and yes, God gives you what's best..
Anyhoooooo.... I now have a room to myself, which i have piled high, by adding all the MSQC fabric i'm addicted to buying along to the huge stash i've had for years... it makes me happy,,, and he understands that for me, it's like his "tools" and "stuff" he just can't get rid of.... it all works out.... hope this helps... enjoy your retirement... we moved here... oakpointhomes.com... and i've never looked back!!:) Barbara

He has a workshop, makes me wonder why he even had to ask you that question. Maybe show him some of the photos of peoples sewing rooms posted on here.

Absolutely followup on the "workshop" concept and having a "creative outlet" that keeps you happy! I know I don't need quilts just to have something to throw on a bed...that's not at all what it is about for me. SO if your hubby is thinking a quilt only has a "functional" purpose you should educate him on the concept of satisfying your creative soul and the joy that brings into your life. If your retirement home renovations are intended to make your golden years happier, hold your ground on getting a special sewing space you can call your own! It sounds like your hubby just needs to understand more how much quilting means to you! I bet he won't give you any grief about your sewing room especially if he has his own project areas. :)

I like everyone's answer to your question, Martha! I would think it's pretty obvious why you need a sewing room. Especially he has his own workshop. He should understand why you want your own space without expecting you to come up with reasons for why you need one. Personally, I'd be a bit annoyed with that question.

I have posted at one time the question DH (a woodworker) asked: "When do you think you will use up all that fabric?"

And I calmly replied: "When your last scrap of wood is gone . . . "

He hasn't said a thing again.

"When your truck disappears into rust and ruin."
"When you break your last Craftsman."
"When you've exposed your last roll of Kodachrome."
"When you've used our last quart of oil."

Ladies, you have made me laugh and realize I'm not the only one who is posed the question! All of the answers will be used! I've just taken the drawings of our addition and included a sewing room, it'll work and look natural in the scheme of things! Now, to present it to my hubby on Wednesday when I next see him! That's another thing, he travels a lot, what else am I supposed to do while he's away.........quilt!!!! :)

Tell him you plan on practicing til you get so good you can sell them for $500 each, that ought to motivate him to give you space to create! It's going to be a business, yes, someday a business.....that's what I keep telling myself as I add inventory to my stash and equipment. But first I need to practice....yeh, like for about 10 years!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by twnkeyes

Ladies, you have made me laugh and realize I'm not the only one who is posed the question! All of the answers will be used! I've just taken the drawings of our addition and included a sewing room, it'll work and look natural in the scheme of things! Now, to present it to my hubby on Wednesday when I next see him! That's another thing, he travels a lot, what else am I supposed to do while he's away.........quilt!!!! :)

---

Absolutely! The best answer yet!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

I have posted at one time the question DH (a woodworker) asked: "When do you think you will use up all that fabric?"

And I calmly replied: "When your last scrap of wood is gone . . . "

He hasn't said a thing again.

Right on, Sandy!

"When your truck disappears into rust and ruin."
"When you break your last Craftsman."
"When you've exposed your last roll of Kodachrome."
"When you've used our last quart of oil."

---

You tell him, Sandy! And keep that stash a growing!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by debinmalaga

I would just tell him that it keeps you happy and occupied. And that if you DIDN'T have your own little place, you'd just have to nag him in HIS :).

---

BINGO! And being happy and occupied keeps the mind sharp. It really is all about health and wellness.

OMG, you all are too funny!

Mine has always been into Classic Cars. Not exactly a cheap hobby. I've never been a shopper, don't get excited about Norstroms, etc. Now Frye, Apple Store, ok...I'm a techie geek. Now a days...fabric fine.

But if your DH has a garage with tools and cars...he would have been sleeping in the dog house with that question. LOL

When I was looking to upgrade my machine...he's like "How Much?!?" I can flip a car for that much and make $. What's this thing going to do?" Me "Make me happy and keep you alive." :) Really... I've worked 14 hour days - 6 days a week for the last 22 years, give me a break!!! I think I'm liberated enough to make this decision myself in 2012. LOL But I'm with Rebecca, it annoyed me, eventhough I know Don thought I so called deserved it if I wanted it.

You should also go to PinInterest.com and search under sewing room and sewing studio - great photo ideas there. I've been collecting a folder there if we move to a bigger place. A girl can dream right?

Pintrest is another obsession of mine! I have searched the sewing rooms and have it in my head exactly what mine is going to look like! You all keep me laughing. I obviously hit a nerve with the question so I'm comforted that I'm not the only one. Thanks for all the suggestions!

I am reading everyone's responses and could not add one thing---I agree with it all whole heartedly. I have my own sewing area and love it. It was the kid's play room, then the family play room---now it is my room. They all like to grumble at times--but I say too bad. You are all growing up and leaving me---so I am taking this room now. I left the big tv in there, my husband comes in to watch his games and keeps me company when I sew. He gets it.

I tell my DH it's what I do rather than go to a psychiatrist! I don't drink, smoke or do drugs and it makes me happy to be creative. In the end he always says that if I'm happy, he's happy....:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bubby

I tell my DH it's what I do rather than go to a psychiatrist! I don't drink, smoke or do drugs and it makes me happy to be creative. In the end he always says that if I'm happy, he's happy....:)

---

Now, there's a smart man!

I would tell him in my sweetest way to just go with the flow. And if he has a really good sense of humor, I would whip out a pair of these and tell him to suck it up and put on a pair of these. He's gonna need them once he sees all your stash.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ivvR1RHS_f.jpg

Blondie! That's hilarious! My DH is a gem, he knows it makes me happy he just doesn't understand WHY I need a whole room. But, I think I've solved the problem. I've drawn it into our addition at our ranch/retirement home and it will be perfect! Of course, I just haven't shown him yet! He'll be here Wednesday. Cross your fingers!

Talk about your Big Girl Panties - WONDERFUL!