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and it's driving me mad. The 4 of us live in a tiny council flat and there is just NO space for anything. If I want to sew, it has to be at the kitchen table and everyone complains if I leave anything out, and I have to constantly move fabric and needles and threads around. It makes it really hard for me to get into a 'creative mood'. Plus everything else happens in the kitchen, like food being prepared, which again makes things awkward. I have to cut everything out on the living room floor and shift things about or 'book' (shout that I will be cutting in 10 mins) floor space.

Well today I needed to cut a large piece of linen out to make into a floor cushion. DP comes in and is annoyed because he wants to relax and watch TV for a while, which I can understand because he works hard, but I almost burst into tears. I really wish there was a creative sewing/craft cafe nearby where I could get away from everything for a couple of hours an work, but there's nothing like that around here.

Add to all that that I still have to cook, clean, go out to work in the mornings and look after DCs.

Any tips to help me remain sane? Or advice on how to organise my craft time between family expectations?

if you are near or around portsmouth, gunwharf, there is a little art gallery you can go to and work, if not there may be similar in or around your area.

Could you cut out on the bed? This is what my mum did lately to cut out a skirt she was making

I could have written your post OP, except I don't have a kitchen table!!

Could you get a large piece of hardboard to turn the bed into a work/cutting surface? Perhaps keep it under the bed when not in use (although if you are like us 'under the bed' is full).

Our home iMac has just died - very sad and inconvenient HOWEVER it will free up our small table which I am delighted about (will replace iMac with a laptop I think). So from this weekend I will have a tiny dining table (in living room) to eat off and use for sewing. I'm sew happy! (see what I did there ). Re cutting out I'm on the floor (oh my knees) or DD1's little IKEA table.

I feel your pain!
I don't do much sewing for similar reasons. I have been known to put the sewing machine on the ironing board and sew in the hall. I cut out after the baby is in bed and DH knows to stay out of the way, or help if needed. He is well trained.
Recently I have put all my sewing bits and bobs into a large tool box type thing, that way everything is in one place and I don't have to root around in drawers for stuff when I need it.

This is me too - I only sew once the kids are in bed. Which means I don't do as much sewing as I'd like, as I'm usually knackered once I've done the whole bedtime palaver.
One day I shall have a little studio (in my dreams...)

Thank you for your advice ladies, sigh... I do feel slightly less alone now. I realise I'm not the only one feeling my pain HipHop, Fumperina, Jjou But it still hurts! The using the bed as a cutting board was a great idea, but DP and I use a sofa bed in the living room so it's just a partial solution. I'm knackered by bed time too Jjou. I keep seeing my dream studio in other peoples house via Pinterest et al. One day...

In my old house I had a small drop leaf table that had a stool that slotted in it when not in use. I had it tucked in the corner of the lounge with my sewing machine on top. The first thing I did when we moved house was claim the box room for myself and would not be put off. It's mine I tell you, all mine...cue maniacal laughing.
sorry guys!

I'd be exactly the same SP0104 cue maniacal laughing!

Do you have the space for this little desk? It expands a bit. You can get a stool with storage space that slots right under it, keep your supplies in there, sewing machine on the top of the desk...

I do cutting on the dining room table but I don't usually do really big things. I cut everything at once, then get out the machine and sew. If I need to cut again I use the ironing board. But DD1 is in fulltime school and DD2 is in morning nursery so I have a bit of time when there's nobody around--that's what really makes the difference.

I have all these wonderful ideas & inspirations during the day (usually when I am at work) - and I am too exhausted by night!!! Once the DC are in bed, when the time is available to sew, I'm too knackered to do it.

I'd fight them all for a box room too!

SP0104... I have a box room as an office-come-craft space... and it really is as good as it sounds disclaimer: only because I've no kids yet!

It sounds really awkward OP, but there is no reason why DH should be more entitled to use the floorspace for TV than you for sewing. I like the board-on-a-bed idea, even if you have to bribe the kids to let them use their bed?

I use a former computer cabinet for Ikea. Photo of it here I still have to cut out on the floor but I can use the keyboard pull out for my machine. I don't sew massively often though, so tend to use it mostly for storage (it's not usually as tidy as in the photo!). I usually crochet, and do it in the living room, but can't leave anything around as DD2 helps herself! I also have a small wicker basket with a lid that I keep in the living room for storing my current yarn projects in.

It's tough not having space of your own, or being able to leave anything anywhere. I would definitely suggest Ikea for some inspiration. Check out the current catalogue. It's got lots of ideas for small living spaces.

Gosh-no special space here. Sewing machine on dining room table and when children not around. That said i do now have a dedicated storage corner-a four cube expedit unit (ikea) and woe betide anyone who wants to out stuff in or in that! Similar maniacal laughter and "mine, all mine" would ensue!

Could you maybe fit a little desk or table in your bedroom? Less traffic in there presumably, and certainly less cooking.

letsblow Yes, Yes that looks very nice! I just wonder where I could squeeze it though <looks around dismally> it might be alright though, I'm going up central on Wednesday, so I can pop in to John Lewis and have closer look. I've also seen several nice storage options in Ikea online, so I am feeling slightly more optimistic now.

Anyway, until I find a better solution I am going to try the board on the bed Idea. Kids never in bed on time anyway

HipHop Get yourself a creative diary (or make one) and draw your ideas in it, especially during boring work moments. When a less tired moment (h arrives you'll have lots of inspiration.

There definately is a need for more craft and sewing cafes.

I use the kitchen table for cutting and sit on the living rm floor to stitch. I do most by hand. I've got storage but no workspace <yearn>

<longs for kitchen table>. I cut out in shoe box on side of road!!

Creative diary is a great idea!!!

MORE sewing cafes? Are there such things as sewing/craft cafes?

Yes they do exist HipHop (although not near enough to be any good to me) there's one [http://sewoverit.co.uk/sewingcafe/ here] and another [http://www.themakelounge.com/workshops/category/sewing_cafe here] and an interesting article about sewing cafes [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/a-stitch-in-teatime-2226772.html here.] I think a place to go and sew and work, sort of like a crafty [http://www.third-door.com/ Third Door] setup would be great, as you could drop the kids off at the same time!

OOPS! Try Again. Yes they do exist HipHop (although not near enough to be any good to meenvy) there's one here and another here and an interesting article about sewing cafes here. I think a place to go and sew and work, sort of like a crafty Third Door setup would be great, as you could drop the kids off at the same time!

If you are going to John Lewis, have a look to see if they have a display of Horn sewing cabinets, www.hornfurniture.co.uk. I really hanker after one of these though they are ££££.

I'm always hopeful I'll find one on free cycle.

They come up in eBay quite often

I found a folding table at the charity shop yesterday but nowhere to put it!!! The anguish!

You do have a creative space - you just have to be creative to make it!

Perhaps the bedroom is the best place. It's away from the traffic of people going in and out the kitchen and in and out the living room too.

If you have a blank wall or a wall with only a picture in your bedroom then you can transform it into a picture/table! I've done it for a friend and it works a charm.

You can cut the lumber yourself or just use wide IKEA shelves. You basically want the "table" to be anchored by a hinge to the wall. The underside of the "table" has a picture and two of the pieces of the "frame" are also on small hinges so if you grab the "picture" from the top and pull it towards you then the legs come down.

It's basically a nicer version of this

http://www.cleverandeasy.com/Space-Saving/folding-table-hides-behind-a-picture.html

and this

http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/ez-lift-table-customwoodinccom-353382

The good thing about this is that you get double use out the space both as a picture frame and as a table.