As the owner of a quilt pattern company, Nancy Martin of Bothell, Washington, needed a special studio. What she created is just like a fine quilt: a marriage of differing elements into a satisfying whole. There's space for three machines, a wire basket tower for storage, and plenty of shelving for books and collectibles.

The studio was designed for a serious hobbyist: Large windows and two tracks of halogen lamps provide ample light. Hydraulic lifts raise and lower the two sewing machines and serger. An ironing board is tucked away next to the sewing table (it's hidden from the view on the right.)

There's no need to bend or stretch when cutting material because the cutting table sits high atop a 15-basket island.

With the same creativity she devotes to her crafts, Carol Philbin designed an inventive work table and a sunny room to put it in.

Like many of us, Carol long pursued her projects at the kitchen table. But she says, "Working there was impossible - my daughters considered anything on the table community property. But, that's all changed now." She redesigned her home's traffic flow and added a 126-square-foot sewing and project room.

The craft room, right, found a home in Carol's bump-out addition. Besides the craft table, features include a window seat banked by bookcases, a small sofa bed, and 10 feet of cabinetry.

Carol came up with an innovative design to increase her work table's size. The tabletop is hinged, allowing it to fold up against the wall (right) or extend out for a bigger surface (below right).