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It’s a brand-new year, and that means a brand-new chance to finally do all of the things you said you were going to do in 2015! For me, one of those things is getting organized. My workspace is always clutter central, and I think my biggest problem is that I have so much stuff, I don’t even know where to start when it comes to organizing it! Fortunately, here at Seams and Scissors we’re spending a whole week getting down to business when it comes to organization. We’ll walk you through how to organize your supplies, how to plan your sewing space, how to keep your bags organized, and how to use up your leftover scraps from 2015 – it’s a new year and that means it’s time for some new fabric! Plus, we’re having a giveaway that will help you even more – scroll down for more info!
All this week, share your organization progress with us on social media using the hashtag #SewOrganized – we want to see your craft space, before and after decluttering photos, DIY organizers, and anything else you think would add to the spirit of organization!
Here’s a schedule of the week’s posts! Each day will be updated with links as the posts go up, so if you want to make sure you didn’t miss one, don’t forget to check back here throughout the week:
Day 1 (today!)
#SewOrganized: Organization Week 2016 + GIVEAWAY!
Day 2
#SewOrganized: Our Best Organization Tips for Your Sewing Supplies
Day 3
#SewOrganized: DIY Diaper Bag Organizer from Swoodsonsays
Day 4
#SewOrganized: Inspiration for Your Sewing Space
Day 5
#SewOrganized: Clear Out Your Stash with Scrapbusters
Plus, all week long you can enter to win this fabulous prize package! One lucky reader will win a Coats and Clark tin, five spools of thread, and a copy of Sew Wild by Alisa Burke to jump-start your sewing in 2016!
OFFICIAL RULES
- There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post, answering the question below. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- Winners will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post.
- Winners will be announced here on this blog post January 25, 2016, as well as contacted by the email address provided.
- You have until January 22, 2016 at 11:59p EST to leave your comment. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
- Contest open to anyone 18+ in US and/or Canada.
This giveaway is closed! Congratulations to our winner: Robin!
What do you to do stay organized?
Seams and Scissors
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I like to be organized and do so by keeping on top of cleaning, tidying up, and staying on task. Often I keep a list of reminders to stay on track and check them off or cross them out as things get done. I also have set schedules to do certain tasks and this helps me keep organized.
First I like to make a list of what I want to accomplish during the current week. I check off things as they are completed. I keep my thread in a container made especially for it. I like to keep buttons in small mason jars so that I can see them. For other items I buy small clear containers to keep them together and tidy.
Im an organizational freak, so staying organized is just a matter of making sure to return things to their home when im done using them. Everything in my sewing room has a place, all bins, buckets and totes are labelled and stacked so i can see them, whether thy be projects or supplies. Its an evolving process to get everythng organized, but once it is, its just a matter of cleaning as you go to stay that way. I make good use of tins for smaller supples and fabrics are all on shelves stacked tmthe celing to maximaize space. My rulers are handy at the cutting table and other supplies are placed near the most used spot. I definately make the most of my space by utilizing wall space that is rarely used (way up high) and keep the lesser used items at the highst point.
I keep my threads in plastic bins, my fabrics grouped by project or color in clear bags, and my patterns in baskets. Books are in three shelves organized by subject. I agree, tidying up after each sewing session helps keep sewing on track. I like to only work on a maximum of three projects at a time, one on the sewing machine, one on the quilting machine, and one for hand work during TV time, so I always have something in progress and lots of finishes.
i like to have all sorts of pretty containers to keep myself organized. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
I have only been quilting for a year, and so am fairly new to all this. I shopped IKEA for 2 large tables with adjustable legs. One is for my sewing machine and the other is raised higher and is set up with my small ironing pad and large cutting mat.
I also got a 4 drawer chest and extra draw dividers to keep my notions organized. Having the right bins, drawers etc doesn’t have to be expensive, but it sure helps to have a place for everything.
What I do to keep myself organized may depend partly on what I learn this week! I have a small room with closer in which I have an eight foot roll top desk, my cutting table, two sewining machines set up and one serger, a small cabinet, chest of drawers and a bookcase. This room is my office, sewing room, knitting room and painting room. So far I am just barely holding on to my sanity. Help. Lol
I follow our routine, including naps for the babies!
I lack space so I have to be creative so I try to make a point to pick up as I go or clean up every night. That way it never gets too out of control…..well. not too horribly out of control. Haha. It’s not easy and every time I say “I’ll do it tomorrow” seems to lead to total chaos and WAY more work than if I had just done it.
I am always buying containers to hold all of my miscellaneous sewing notions. I have found clear plastic containers to be the best. Tins are cute, but you can’t see what is inside, and after a while, I forget just what is in it.
I keep myself organized by keeping everything in categories. My spices are organized by savory ^ dessert. My closet is organized by type of clothing, then color, then sleeve length. It makes it easier to find something that matches. Books are organized by type, the author. Crafts by type, etc.
I try to keep down the clutter, have designated places for things, and put things away where they belong when I’m done with them. I use all kinds of empty containers to organize supplies, such as empty plastic food containers, popcorn tins, cookie tins and even cookie jars.
I keep my fabrics in a cupboard, threads on a rack on wall, projects in clear plastic bags in a bin. I also list my projects in book and tick them off when complete. This helps to keep me motivated and I have a record of who received finished items. I still need work on organizing my time. I love sharing ideas. Thank you for blog.
I put things into 5 pound clementine orange crates and label them it works well as they easily stack one on top of the other taking less room and a quick look at the lables tell me what is in each
I’m just starting out and I have seen my mom struggle for years with sewing clutter. I love her..but resolved myself to the fact that that’s not going to be me. I have magnetized all my working areas…use clear totes…all sizes..and store those out of everyone’s way..best I can.
You can never go wrong with toy boxes for crafting storage!
I have out grown computer paper boxes,. baker rack, plastic milk delivery containers, and plastic storage containers– a well as my husbands wood scrap bin in the garage! I fill antique mason jars and antique sewing cabinet drawers etc- 25 years of crafting brings out the ‘what can I make out of that’
I just bought a metal bakers rack to hold all my fabric stashes so I can find what i want and inspire mysel by visually seeing what I hve
I have two storage cupboards full of shelving that hold labelled cardboard boxes full of fabric. Everything has a designated space and putting things away when I’m done using them keeps things tidy and organized. My desk holds all notions, scissors, rulers and threads… Although I think my thread is the hardest thing to keep organized.
I keep all my thread in a small 6-drawer rolling storage cart. I put plastic bins in the drawers. I’ve divided my thread by ROYGBIV. In the top drawer I have red, pink orange and yellow. Next drawer has all the green thread and sew on. It keeps all the similar colored threads together so I don’t have to search for a particular color.
I like organization very much. Sewing is the one place that my level of organization gets in the way. I have a BIG project on the burner (lined curtains for three bedrooms with big windows) and I hate leaving a project unfinished so I end up not starting as opposed to letting it remain lie around unfinished. I need to work on this!!
I bought a special cardboard
box that hold all my threads, needles, buttons, etc and
I put other smaller jars in the box to separate buttons, fasteners, etc.
I try to package up projects so they are ready to go and I just pick up the bag when I’m ready. Only downside is I have lots of bags sitting in my project room.
I keep organized by storing related items together. Could always use more storage items.
I am an extremely well organized person…maybe to the point that I have a little OCD…but it cool because all my housemates love me for it…they never have to search for anything in the main parts of the house…sometimes they even get me to organize their bedrooms…so as you can see…this prize would be amazing for me!
Lots of clear storage tubs, label sort of, big one small ones deep ones shallow ones, depending on whats in them and current fiber projects in a basket or fabric toe bag
I try to stay organized by bundling color-liked items together, but it doesn’t always work. So I can honestly say that I am not really organized. ;(
I use plastic shoe bins to hold my supplies. I can stack these up and have everything in one place.
I make lists to keep me organized!
I stay organized by putting things away when I am finished sewing for the day. I also use plastic bins to store my supplies-a large one for fabric and smaller ones for thread and cutting tools. And then a medium size one for works in progress so all the pieces, etc are together.
I use clear plastic totes and patterns grouped by types in large 3-hole binders.
Cleaning up when I’m done for the day helps. Also trying to have a place to keep everything so when you go back to get it you know where it is. Plastic storage boxes are great for this.
I put the wrong email on post.
Dmac5958ataoldotcom this on is right
I’m very organized. I keep a project in it’s own bag or basket, with everything I need for it. Then when I want to work on it I’m ready, If I’m going out I can just grab the project and go.
Because I have 2 curious cats, I have to clean up and put things away when I’m done working as they get into everything.
I have all my supplies in Plastic containers and baskets that are stored in a big closet in my sewing room and my art work area.
I also have a rule never to leave a room empty handed. I always look for something that does not belong to a room and take it with me when I leave.
I make my bed as soon as I get up. I get rid of the newspaper and clear the table as soon as I finish breakfast. I keep a dish pan full of soapy water and put the dirty dishes in it. Then after supper I rinse all the dishes and fill the dishwasher, take care of the kitchen floor and set the table for breakfast.
I like to be organized but my sewing gets in the way a lot. I have my fabric carded on shelves by colour so it makes the job of picking for a quilt easy. My fat quarters are also sorted by colour. I am always in the process of sorting scraps by colour as well. I use them for the charity quilts that I make.
If I was as organized as I should be, I would not get as much sewing done. I usually keep each project in a separate plastic container. I like the 12 x12 ones. Sometimes it is a bigger container. I have way too many ufo’s.
Thanks for the chance to win.
My husband used to say a place for everything and everything in its place. To me this is the key to being organized.
I have lots of pretty containers to keep me on track. Differnet ones for threads, fabric, notions,ect..
I keep t-shirts stacked horizontally instead of on top of each other so that it is easy to see which shirt I want. I do the same with my fabrics. I fold them to stack them so I can see the fold of each fabric and choose the color that I want instead of having to dig through them. I use multiple zip close bags for saving project work in groups.
My craft room (also my bedroom) is an organizers nightmare. I have stuff everywhere. I have totes and containers all over the place, I can barely walk. I need some serious help
Try to keep everything in its assigned place.
I’m a single parent of two kids. I just managed to buy my first home this summer. My little family is slowly getting organized as we unpack and find all our craft supplies. I’m trying to find a system to help us and that is kid friendly as well. Hopefully I can win this to help me on my way
Thanks for a chance to win! I like to organize by type of item and then by color. I live in a small apartment so space is an issue. I’d love to own Sew Wild! Good luck to all!
I stay organized with containers: plastic bins and drawers, shelves, storage boxes.
I always put things away as soon as I am done using them. Everything has to have it’s own space so I don’t have to take time putting it away or finding it.
I stay organized by having drawers, cupboards, folders and boxes and keep each on a theme, ie one cupboard for paper crafting with folders with related colour groups, boxes of cutting dies, another with embossing folders, all Christmas things in a separate cupboard. I have drawer towers with fabric separated into plain, patterned, batik and heavy fabrics, another with all bits in colour groups. Same idea for other crafts I do. This way I can almost always find what I’m looking for.
I try to put my things up when I get finished using them.
Everything has a place and everything in its place. I pick up and return things to there place each day. I use a lot of containers to keep everything organized. It makes cleaning easier and allows you to find the things you need quickly.
Skirt hangers are great for storing extra cutting mats. The four or five skirt hangers are useful for keeping pressed fabrics for each project ready to go without having to re-iron the fabrics before cutting.
Each day when I have finished sewing I put everything away. I have a new sewing table my husband built and have all the drawers organized for thread and bobbins in plastic containers, a large plastic tote under the table with a board in bottom with spindles for serger thread. Fabric is kept on shelves in closet so I can see what I have.
Thanks for a great giveaway – would look great on my new sewing table.
Keeping organized is the only way I can find what I want when I want it! I like clear plastic bins to keep my fabric clean and visible and projects are in clear plastic bags so that everything needed is together. Always on the lookout for new organizational ideas.
I’m not very organized but am working on it. Currently go through my supplies and getting rid things that will never get used – why have them taking up so much space?
My Mom always said a place for everything and everything in its place; words I try to adhere to. However, starting too many projects can lead to not knowing where anything is, but I would never give up crafting; just the frustration.
I use boxes to keep my supplies in. I like the boxes to be translucent so I can see clearly what a box contains. The boxes stack nicely so they don’t use a lot of room.
I try to keep all materials for a project together, when possible. I like to take time to cut scraps from clothing projects into quilt block size squares for future quilt projects; these I store in zip-lock bags, each fabric in a separate bag.
Patterns go into an old filing cabinet , two abreast, threads sorted by spool type, goes into baskets, reference books on the shelves close at hand and serger threads by color in large lidded baskets. The assorted bits and bobs like zippers, elastics, underlinings etc in two sets of plastic pull out drawers tucked under the top of the sewing machine cabinet when opened. Makes for a very compact, and neat space to work in. The cutting table and ironing board are open all the time, as they then become extra surfaces to work on. The beading is done at the serger cabinet with the serger and the bead mat sharing the top. The fabrics folded and stored on shelving with the yarns in bins and boxes and stored on the other side of the storage room. So lucky to have that space!!
I use bags for my yarn. medicine bottles for needles, buttons, snaps, etc. , jars and boxes for knitting needles and hooks.
i try to organize not very good at it lol i put my crafts in containers that are marked i also have a bag to keep the things i am working on at that time so i can carry that around with me my problem is i start more than one project and pulll things out and forget to put them back
I keep my threads in a mini tabletop set of drawers
I like to purchase rubbermaid style bins to put things in to.
What I take out I put away when I am finished working on it. Everything in its’ place and a place for everything.
Organization and I have a love-hate relationship. I am really good at small scale organizing, but when it comes to the big picture, my house is a disaster. If something doesn’t already have a place it gets set aside and other random things get added to it until it’s a big pile of junk. I wish I knew how to change this pattern.
Organization is tough for me – I really have to work on it. I can get a tad distracted with a new fun project! But this year I have started a campaign to purge, declutter and clean. With that comes organization – I have found several excellent pins on pinterest related to Organization and Declutter. Plus, freeing yourself from excess clutter is like removing weights from your body and mind. It’s a liberating feeling.
Always like to be organized just as long as I remember where I put it!
I’m not very organized but I love to make lists and try to stick to them. Sometimes life gets in the way and clutter begins, that’s when I take 20 minutes and put things where they belong. I start collecting things that go together and by the end of the day they get to their proper places.
Containers, Containers, Containers, perferably stackable ones
Part of my goal for this year is to complete some of my UFO’s. I finish a LOT of quilts, but there are always some that don’t get done as soon as I start them. I actually submitted 30 UFO’s to my guild challenge and have completed 5 so far this year. I need to work on finishing the BOM and some of my other quilts.
I implemented a 10 minute clean-up frenzy. Everyday (or almost, nothing is perfect) I set 10 minutes on the microwave timer and we clean up anything out of place we can see. Once the timer goes off, it’s bedtime. It’s not enough for deep cleaning but helps to keep things tidy between big cleanups. I found this idea online.
I like to be organized as much as possible especially with my crafting and sewing supplies. My husband bought a new tackle box last year and gave me his old one which is great as its still like new, fairly big and has lots of compartments and drawers. I made it my sewing box and it works perfect. In general I find keeping on top of things and having a dry erase board on my fridge, helps a lot!
Organization is an absolute requirement in order for me to live in my small square footage of 800 one bedroom. I have so many hobbies of sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafting that I need to do it better. Right now I use shoe boxes, cups, mason jars to get me by. This case is perfect and will not have such an huge impact of clutter. I’ve been wanting a case like this for some time but the price has always been the issue. I would love to put all my hobbies in one case and be able to easily pull it out when needed – I call it the super organizer.
I stay organized by having seperate containers, bins or totes for all of my supplies. I clean up as I go and when I finish working in my sewing room each day. Everything has its place an I try to keep everything where it belongs.
Nothing. If I don’t do anything, there is no clutter. In real life, I have too many projects going in too many directions and not enough time to work on any of them to completion. I’ve used cardboard boxes for fabric storage for ages-and can’t remember what is in each box, despite the label. I’ve used sheer plastic totes that never get pulled out because there isn’t enough room. I have knitting and crochet projects in tote bags and plastic grocery bags so they are ready to take along. I need more space, more time, and more energy to be able to organize properly…And to have people leave my stuff where I put it!!!
I have a pegboard and a couple of shelves for all my sewing items which is labeled where things go! I have to be organized or I can not work!
Since most of crafts that I make are intended as gifts, I would start making a list of friends and relatives, their birthdays and anniversaries, and other important occasions at the start of each year. Next to their names/occasion, I fill in the blank with what I want to make and where the directions and materials needed are located. Since our children have all grown up and moved away, I could use one of their old bedrooms as a storage room for my projects which are labeled by name, occasion and date. I would archive pictures of my completed projects, directions (with notations on lessons learned along the way) so I can repeat the ones I loved (or they loved) as needed. This should keep me on track while I indulge myself by creating gifts that we all love. That’s what would happen in my fantasy world. In the real world, I troll craft sites, locate projects that inspire me and try to shop the sales. It’s complete and utter chaos! I could use a little help with executing the organization end of this hobby.
Notes to myself is the best way for me to stay organized
I keep organized by using a work bench for tools. They have so many small drawers and it’s perfect for supplies. I keep all my craft items in small containers that fit inside the drawers. So it’s easy access and I see everything I have. Without having to dig
Lots of bins + labels!
I have two fairly large tins full of buttons, a small clear, plastic container with needles and empty bobbins, another with filled bobbins, and a larger one for Zippers, Bric-a-Brack, etc. My thread is kept on a thing I have with dowels that the spools fit on. It’s made in several layers. I hand-quilt but use my sewing machine for all other sewing (blouses, slacks, hemming, repairs, etc.) It is all kept in my second bedroom which I have made into a craft room, but still has a bed and night stand for guests.
I try to stay organized, but sometimes, “stuff” just creeps out of the drawers and boxes and throws itself all over my sewing room!!! Any thing that will help me corral it all is much appreciated.
Nothing I’m sorry to say.
stay out of the sewing room, unfortunely that results in me not getting anything done. Am trying to get onto of everything, and start sewing again. Which means start spending 30 minutes a day in there putting things away and sewing one project a week.
I only organize after i’m done with a project. I need to pull out fabrics to see what goes with what, so I have stacks of fabric on the table. I can leave my sewing room at the end of the day so don’t really organize until I am done or until I trip over something and then I stop and put some things away.
My best advice to stay organized in the sewing room is to pick up and put things away after every sewing session. I don’t function well in chaos and it drains my creative “energy” to walk into a mess. If it takes 10 minutes or a half hour, I always get my supplies and clutter cleaned up so I can let my inspiration take flight the next time I enter the room!
I hang my PDF patterns, use clear storage containers and baggies to see everything, and use shoe holders on the backs of doors to hold patterns and other notions.
Good luck to everyone!
I try & clean up after every project. Sometimes it gets hairy when I have several projects going at one time. I also precut projects and put them in plastic bags with the instructions, so when I am ready and I have the time, I can sew, sew, sew.
I have finally realized that I am not going to do all of the things I wanted to do. So my word for this year is LESS! I am purging as much as I can, while making sure I have the things I need.
One of those things is an organized sewing kit instead of three boxes of jumbled sewing things. This is perfect for that.
I keep like items sorted into uniform, labelled containers as I get them. Specific projects are placed in small totes, with all the relevant materials in one place. Since I use my tools for varieties of project, they are kept within reach right on the back of my desk!
I try to stay organized by sorting and putting away my supplies at least once a week. I have totes with different types or colors of fabrics. I still don’t have a good system for my threads and supplies, as I have collected more of them than my original design plan can hold.
I use lots of clear plastic totes and shoebox-sized bins. I definitely need some help! My problem is I have too many types of things to organize – sewing, quilting, smocking, jewelry making, bows, etc and have an embroidery/vinyl/digitizing small business as well. My goal this year to go through my stash and cull out things I am not ever going to use – and resell/donate/share things that I do not need.
Having a very limited space for supplies, I try to put things where they belong as soon as I’m done using them. Doesn’t always work, of course, but I try!!!
I try to stay organized by keeping like things together. At least I have a pretty good chance of finding it when I start looking. lol!
I keep my holiday decorations in colored totes to match the color associated with that holiday. Example: red for Christmas, Orange for harvest/Thanksgiving, green gor St.Patrick’s Day, etc. I.just have to grab the tote and putbout/ up the decorations gor the upcoming season.
Absolutely nothing, and it drives my sister, who is my roommate, INSANE!!
I am not organized at all, but I am trying. I just moved and have my own craft space now. I ordered a sewing desk and hope to get everything organized, right now everything is in big bins and I just pull out what I am working on.
I clean up as I go. And everything has a place 😉
I try keeping organized by having a place for everything and everything in its place. With storage space limited, it’s important to put things in it’s proper place. If I don’t, I end up with mounds of various items and it takes twice as long to do anything or clean. Which is what I have going on in my craft room now. With Christmas gifts, a craft show and the addition of three new babies in our family this season, I have been incredibly busy. I ran out of time to put things away. So now…I have a mess. I am involved with several crafts, but my small craft room is so packed it is hard to get anything accomplished. I am so glad you are dedicating this week to organization. I need help!
I try to clean up as a go – sweep once a week to catch the fabric and threads, fold and put away fabric when a project is complete, have a stack of new fabric or odds and ends and try to prep it for my next projects, etc. Keeping the area clean and neat helps me be productive! 🙂
I use pretty boxes, upcyled dresser, pantry cabinet, bakers rack, plastic drawers for storage a lot of storage items were about at thrift stores and upcyled to fit m decor etc. I clean up and straighten up every time after done for the day.
I admire all these organized people! It’s been hard to stay organized since we have had our house for sale for over a year…..and with interested people going through my workrooms had to stay fairly organized since we’ve primarily staying at our cottage in another state near our grandchildren. Recently we gave up the lake cottage for a small house.And, I always need my craft and art supplies.
I purchased an old dining room china cabinet at an antique sale that was already “shabby chiced” and I loved it…..distressed white, and I put it in the room off our bedroom and we call this room “my studio”. Everyone loves it. I made the curtains and pillows from sheets that matched wallpaper in my former home. Still loved the colors and it matched these walls…..lime green and lavender. Found more of the same sheet material on EBay by the yard THAT MATCHED…lucky break! Made sliding door tie-back curtains and they matched the already triple wide curtains on the windows and the love seat pillows..
It has been my “everything room:, art easel with paint supplies on ladder shelves beside my easel. The cabinet is great with all my yarn inside top doors that I leave open so I can see exactly what I have and how much of each yarn color and style. I can close the glass doors but it looks nicer open.
The lower drawers are scrapbooking materials and painting supplies and extra fabric.. I have a work table, also “shabby chiced”, where I keep my sewing machine. One wall shares my desk with a single file cabinet, mostly filled with paper and assorted craft supplies, my printer and scanner.
Fabric in some of the drawers in the cabinet. I also fit a wicker book shelf with CD player, family pictures and speakers and most of my craft and painting books. Next , a love seat under the triple wide window…..next to which sits my tiny TV on top the lateral file cabinet and beside that a sliding door out to the deck and pool. This was “Heaven” to me when we moved in. Now, we need to sell our house. My craft things are going to our smaller home in another state and gradually I am moving and beginning a new “studio” here!! It is going to be hard since I can’t fit everything in here. Decisions to downsize and still be able to do it all as I grow into my senior years and this one is on a second floor with mountain views instead of a pool and not nearly as big. Hopefully, this is temporary BECAUSE in my big house I have another workroom in my basement with all my flower supplies for arrangements for the house. It has two big work spaces I share with my husband and another round rattan table and four chairs. Lots of stored fabric and yarn here also. I have to be organized…my husband doesn’t think it is but I know it is. Everything has it’s place. Not like a quilter, of course, but of a lady who has done this collecting all my life. I totally love sharing my workspaces with you. I am not going to take a few more lessons and begin to work on my calligraphy next. My friend does amazing calligraphy work and finally beginning a new session. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. Oh…were we only allowed so many words?? Oh dear! . .
Since organization is definitely not my strong suit( believe me, it’s not) I have learned to keep my projects in see thru plastic totes-the ones that are about 14″ square and I prefer those with handles. I add a label to let me know what’s in each case. I use slim line thread cases as well. I have a case for each project, I use a different size came for patters as well as a case for my rulers. Everything can stack neatly in a closet. I do use the dresser in one bedroom( my kids are grown and out) to stare fabric.
It seems to work for me!
I am about to move into a new home that has a 14 x 11 casita that will be my sewing studio. I am going to get cabinets on one wall to help with organization, will use space bags for my fabric collection. Attractive baskets on shelves as well as a couple of vintage thread cabinets Wil also be used. I have 4 machines, an embroidery machine, mid-arm quilting machine, a serger and a travel machine. I am about to learn how to get 500 square feet of machines and fabric into 150 square feet of space. I want it neat and tidy. May have to purge a bunch and store in main house!
I am not an organized person. In my sewing room I have a thread teepee that holds 30 threads and bobbins. An entable with 2 drawers for miscellaneous items. 2 shelf hutches I made to look like bird houses that hold books, patterns, crafts, and things I need to grab quickly but not immediately. I have a sewing basket, 2 tub’s, and a Sterilite 3 drawer tower with material in them. A card table is my sewing table which has my scissors and threader on it, and of course my sewing machine.
I have crocheted baskets to keep all of my yarn in. It makes it so easy to see what I have.
I am not very organized. Sometimes it’s just beyond me.
I don’t have a great way to stay organized; hence never being able to find what I need. 🙁 I have projects in plastic boxes similar to those mentioned by other commenters but no good way to store the boxes themselves and still allow me to access the project I need at the moment. I’ve always got to move a number of boxes to get to the one I want because they’re stacked one upon another. Then the boxes wind up in a different order when I restack them.
I don’t.
I am reorganizing my sewing room in 2016. I first pulled out all works in progress putting all parts in a decorative “hat box ” type container. Be sure and label with removable sticky labels. I quilt also so all cuts from a project go immediately into net laundry bag. I have a sewing embroidery basket I keep my scissors and rolling cutters. Also I have just learned Pinterest has downloadable prints to make labels and tags ( ok here I go adding s project). Thank you for your blog.
I like to combine my crafting abilities so many times I either sew or create something that serves to organize my supplies. It’s very satisfying to immediately put a project to use as soon as it’s finished. And it’s pretty too!
i have limited space and at one point was getting over crowded by material and not able to find things. Like my scissors. Drove me sew crazy. I put in shelves, bought clear boxes for zippers, buttons, etc. Put all my rulers, pens , scissors etc. in a carousel on my table. And finally reorganized my fabric by type. Now Everthing has its own place. It’s made a world of difference in enjoying my time while sewing.
I TRY to put things back in their place after each project. I use labeled plastic bins for supplies and fabric. I also rework how items are stored if it’s just not working for me.
Clear plastic containers, homemade storage bins and cubicle furniture are my best friends. I organize mostly by fabric size. Putting away items when they are not being used is a must.
I need to put everything away as soon as I’m finished. Otherwise it all piles up!
I just moved 2 yrs ago to a new house. Not as spacious as the old farm house. I have shelves to put my fabric and notions on, and a small cabinet for the smaller items. Another item to help me stay organized would be a treat, that’s for sure.
I use a pencil cup holder to hold my seam ripper, sliding measure guide, small ruler, scissors, etc. In my sewing table drawer, I’m using a silverware tray to keep pins, scissors, and other sewing notions clearly visible and accessible. They stay put and don’t slide around in the drawer.
When I’m done sewing for the day, I put all the items back where they started so it’s a fresh start each and every time and I know where everything is.
I love all things organizing and crafty and would love be able to win something to help me do both!
I made a unique find at a garage sale where there had been an avid quilter. Not only was I able to purchase a load of assorted fabrics and notions, there was a beautiful wicker rolling cart in which I could store them. My sewing machine sits in a nook in our den so I can participate with my family while sewing. It’s sitting on an old marble top on top of an old treadle machine table. The rolling wicker cart allows me to pick up my creative area quickly and stay organized. Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas and tips! I always learn something new!
Clear plastic storage boxes, photo boxes, storage drawers and shelving, all full of crafting materials. I don’t just sew, I do many types of crafts, so organization is hard for me. I do try to keep each project in its own container, or bag, and I have many projects.
To be honest I don’t have a plan I guess you’d say. I just moved from Illinois to Virginia.
I was able to bring my sewing machine some quilt patterns, material and some supplies. My ironing board is the top of my dryer and the iron sits on top of a shelf with the laundry supplies. When I do work on a project there is no rhyme or reason to anything, yet. Thread is in one tote, rulers along the wall, scissors in a box, the material in another tote and the patterns in a pile I have to go through each time I start something. I do have some space but I’m not sure what to do. Back in Illinois I had shelves and more shelves. I just joined your website so I hope to get some great ideas that will work for me. Thank you!
I have a small sewing room also. I try to clean as I go. I have my fabric organized by color, at least most of it, that way I can try to find a color I need before I buy more.
I try to tidy up as I go instead of having a big mess to clean up after a project. I also use a few different type of plastic organizer bins for sorting & storing extra fabric & notions.
I am fairly new to quilting and am not organized at all! I would love to win to get me started! I should be featured on one of the HGTV shows where they come in and organize and clean out! Not quite to the Hoarding Show so must get this stuff straightened up before I reach Hoarding level!
It’s just the little things such as planning out the next day’s things to do.
I think about being organized, I read about being organized, I visit web sites about being organized, I guess It is a work in progress, Some day I’ll get there.
I am in the process of getting organized. My “studio” is a wreck and I am reading and watching all kinds of things for ideas on the best way to organize and set up a great sewing room.
I try to stay organized, but since I don’t have a sewing room in this house and probably won’t have one for some time I keep a small sewing machine in a travel case and in that case I keep my sewing supplies. I have to put away everything whenever anyone comes over, but as soon as they leave my machine case comes upstairs to the dining room and I’m set to sew again! Now about yarn and other craft supplies…I wish I was more organized! I definitely need more containers.
I have my fabrics sorted according to types – whites, blacks, prints, fancy fabrics. I am the queen of unfinished projects and I have recently sorted these projects into carryalls and shopping bags with handles. I work on each project now until it is finished (hard to do – I have wonderful ideas racing through my head every time I enter my craft room). Trims, zippers, buttons, patterns are in decorative boxes and labeled. Bookshelves for crafting books. A comfy rocking chair and TV in the room for sitting back and doing the hand finishing.
Clutter is stuff without a home! I try to have a place for everything and then try to always return it when I’m done with it. Doesn’t always work………….but I try!
I like to use some of the plastic boxes with snap closures from the fishing department. I have one with dividers that I store my sewing machine needles in to keep them sorted out. I have other tools grouped together in the larger ones. Rotary cutting tools, snap setting tools, and the like.
Two things:
1. Music is key for me. A good beat helps keep me on task.
2. I follow the two minute principle: If a task will take two minutes or less, do it right NOW!
Organization only works if you do it all the time…. 😉
Just like a shoe room I have a sewing closet
Keep things simple and ready for the next project..
I place all of my scraps in a bin. When the bin is full, I sort the scraps & cut them into usable shapes, ready for my next quilt. I also pick up my sewing room at the end of each project, & clean my sewing machine then too.
I went through all my fabric, and purged. Then I gave that fabric to a quilting program at the state women’s correctional center. As I purged, I organized my fabrics by color or theme.
I try to stay organized, but I fail! My crafting space looks like a tornado went through. If it’s clean than you know I’ve not been crafting for quite some time!
To stay organized, I have a place for everything and try my best to put things back where they belong. I have a desk for my machine, one for my embroidery machine, and one for my serger. I use some of the same things at each station, but that is where I try and put things back where they belong and it makes it quicker for me to locate it for whichever job I am working on.
I wrap all my fabric on cardboard “mini-bolts” for more compact storage.
I love my scrap tote box. After each project I place all remaining corrordinating pieces together in a plastic bag into that box. Any later project that uses scraps is sure easy to coordinate!
Shelves are the way to keep organized.You can place many items on one shelf and also hang hooks on it
for hanging small cloth bins and such..
I have both of my Grandmother’s old singer sewing machines in their cabinets for all of my threads, elastic, presser feet, etc. They are both still usable, if I want, for a project also. My other “organization” space is the bottom bunk area that has been converted into shelving for containers of all sorts of material. This room is my small cozy get away for my sewing projects.
I use lots of drawers.
I use lots of drawers for all my stuff.
To stay organized I like to keep supplies sorted in labeled bins and totes. I also keep patterns organized in a file cabinet for easy access.
It is very important to stay organized. It is easier to know what you have and how to find it if everything has a space. When I am working I try to put everything back in its place when I am finished. If I don’t then at the end of my project I make sure that everything is back in its space before finishing for the day. Specific ways I do this is that I have cubbies with baskets and clear container. I also label the containers so I know at a glace what is in each container. I also have jars for buttons and other little items so I can see what I have.
I love my sewing room..I store fabric in two dressers with the drawers labeled – “Christmas”, “animals”, “fall”, etc Placed in between these dressers is my sewing machine with drawers underneath for thread and miscellaneous supplies.. At the end of the dressers is a narrow shelving unit where I keep my project queue. In the middle of the room I have a wonderful cutting table that my husband has put on notched blocks which raised it to the proper height so I can cut without having that awful back ache. At the end of the room I have a second sewing machine and a small unit to hold books and patterns.
The other side of the room consists of two large, floor to ceiling shelving units. One holds tubs of fabric sorted by color and the other stores various sizes of scraps that have been cut into squares and strips to be used in scrappy quilts, bags, purses etc.
There is a place for each item and when it begins to be too much, I make more quilts and get it back to a manageable size.
I do try to be somewhat organized at least in my sewing room. I have 18 gallon plastic totes that I store my fabric in ( this happened because I once lived where there were lots of mice and they ate through the cardboard boxes). I try to organize my fabric by type then color. I store buttons on old 35 mm film containers, I have lots of tins I have collected over the years that I store my notions in, most are labeled with what is in them. For Christmas one year my husband bought me gorilla shelves to hold all my totes and supplies so they are easier to get into. I do have totes and supplies in 3 different rooms because my sewing room is not really very big. When I cut a project out it goes into a ziplock bag so all the pieces are together as I will cut several projects at a time. My main sewing table is a huge wooden desk with big drawers on both sides, I got it 30 years ago from an older lady when she had to give up sewing because of her eye sight. I store the sewing supplies I use constantly in those drawers so they are in easy reach. I keep a basket beside my sewing table that holds the bags with the projects I am working on beside my sewing table. I am hoping to set up a small sewing business in my home this summer as I am having to retire from my full time job due to some changes they are making, so am hoping to get more organized so I can find what I need when and if I get orders.
My husband mounted 4 shoe cubbies from Lowes on my sewing room wall to organize my fat quarter & stabilizers embroidery and added storage cabinets underneath
I like to keep my projects in individual bags that one uses to bring to the supermarket. they are there and ready to go with me when I am traveling especially my knitting or crochet projects. My sewing I keep at home. My scissors and spools of thread go into clear plastic boxes so I can see what is in each box. My yarn and fabric are also placed in big plastic boxes.
I do my best to keep organized. quilting, sewing, knitting, crochets, all have their separate spots.
I have a huge cabinet with shelves, where I keep all of my fabrics, by color. Another shelf is purely for solid fabrics. On the wall above my sewing machine are threads, a small plastic cupboard holds many miscellaneous items, organized alphabetically.
I keep all my quilting projects separated in 1 gallon plastic ziplock bags so when I am ready for the project, everything is together for me to start it.
I keep my crafting organized by type. My yarns have sub categories. Weight and color. My sewing is also subdivided into types of fabric and then into color and amount I have on hand. Kids crafts are divided by age and season. My standard household chores are listed on the fridge and are assigned by need and ability of the doer. The house rehab is slow in moving, but stays organized by necessity, money allotted, and time of year. Hope this covers it, but I can’t see how it can .
I put a lot of things that are the same together then by color or number helps a lot
I try to put things back where i found them
No matter how tired I am, I straighten my sewing room before I am done. To aid me in this, I have dozens of labeled tin containers, (some of these were my greatgrandmother’s). I use small ziplock bags to organize buttons, thread containers to hold my spools and cones of thread. I have wire cubbies on my walls to hold my fabric, that if they are prewashed are in ziplock bags, if not are folded and then placed in the cubbies according to type and color. I use file folders to hold my patterns, and binders to organize what patterns I have. I take my pattern envelope and cut it apart keeping a information about the pattern. I tape this to the front of the file folder. I put the instructions, tissue pattern, and my traced pattern pieces inside of the file folder. I first staple the sides of the file folder to make and envelope. I file these in a file folder according to number. Before filing, t print out a copy of the file envelope with the picture of the pattern to put in my binder. My binder is divided into Knits and wovwens, then by apparal piece. This prevents me from buying multiple patterns that are basically alike. Before I started doing this, I had a pattern from each major company of the same blouse. I also do this with my fabric. I taken a copy of the fabric, and in a separate binder I divide them by type of fabric then color. I make notes at to size, care, what the fabric is made of, and if I have CD anything made from it. I also indicate what notions I have to match. This enables me to shop at home, or if I want, I take my pattern binder with me to the store and pick fabric. All of these help me to stay organized, with more time for creating clothes, and less time spent finding things. I also have pegboards for my tools, and those small plastic drawers to hold my notions for up to 6 UFO at a time. Never more than 6 UFO at a time. Hope I gave an idea to someone
My work room is very small so one of the best ideas I had was to simplify. I realized that I just had too much fabric and most of it I would never use. I couldn’t enjoy sewing. Digging through the same old fabric that I was tired of looking at, was a big turn off. I tried to organize it in many different ways. The thought of getting rid of it seemed sinful but I had to do something. I finally decided it was time to toss and donate! I went through all of my fabric. I gave some away and tossed some that not in good shape. Downsizing my fabric stash was wonderful! It made it easier to find what I did want to use, and made sewing enjoyable again. Donating your fabric to a place like Goodwill or to a school’s art program, can free up space so you can organize what you love. Whether it’s on a shelf by color, or in a drawer by type, or however you choose to organize it, don’t bury yourself. Occasionally pick out an old piece or two and donate it. It makes you feel good knowing you are helping others, while helping yourself.
Each project is in it’s own bag. Of course all my thread is in a container, as are buttons needles etc. I hope to one day have a separate craft room. I am a new quilter. My grandmother and mother-in- law were quilters. I have been sewing since I was in Jr High. Coming from a family of nine children, that was the only way I got anything new to wear. I even made my Jr Prom dress.
Clean up as I go, and if something has been hanging around unused for years, give it away!
One of my first bookstore jobs we got some training advice that has been quite useful in the real world. We were told to never move through the store empty-handed. What was carrying a book to reshelve it has become carry coffee cup to the sink. I even have a little table in the hall that is the temporary home for items midway to their correct home. Of course the real skill is actually doing it and not just thinking its a good idea.
I keep ideas and instructions organized in plastic page protectors then filing them in 3-ring binders according to topic or method.
I was given 26 peach crates that stack on top of each other. I separate my fabric into colors, type, projects, and sizes. There is a place on both ends for a label and I can look for what I want to use next easily.
I group like things together by using lots of storage drawers and containers.
I stay organized by putting each of my projects in a separate zip top bag (some require the really big bags). I also use cleR plastic bins to sort by fabric. I like it sorted by cut- fat quarters, charm squares, 10″ squares, and so on. Then I can sub-sort by color.
One way I keep my yarn neat is a with a closet sweater holder. I just stack them in each cubical according to color, which makes it so easy to find what each yarn I need.
I am a work in progress I have totes for different accessories, bins for different fabrics and scraps , and drawers for different tools somehow I am always looking for something still
I am intuitively an organizer and I get discombobulated when chaos reigns around me. I use to carry around two Daytimers with me to keep my calendar and make my daily notes. Now I use my smart phone to keep many of my notes & lists.
For my sewing, I find my need to keep organized continues to grow since I do not seem able to sew up all of the fabric I to keep accumulating. I have purchased more clear bins for fabric/scraps storage. IKEA will soon come to my storage need rescue. IKEA take me away…… 🙂
I take my leftover fabrics from project, cut them into sizes I would use for quick projects, (Charm Squares, 2 1/2 inch strips, ect). Then I store them in clear plastic bins. But I love reading how others manage organization!
I have so many commitments that keeping a planner to list daily meetings, tasks etc is mandatory. I go day by day during busy times and crash in between the busy times. I need a more steady even paced life, so I can enjoy every day not just rush hither and yon and fall down exhausted in between<
I live in a one bedroom apartment an I have limited space. To organize my sewing, quilting and craft supplies I purchased 5 large bookshelves and different size plastic containers. Two bookshelves hold all my fabric an scrap materials. Using a plastic shower curtain, velcro and small curtain rods, I covered the front of the bookshelves. This allows me to see my fabric and having long hair cats the curtains protect the fabric for cat hair. The third bookshelf is used for sewing and quilting books and supplies. Using he labeled plastic containers to hold scissors, thread, sewing machine accessories, small rulers, rotary cutters, pin and needles and other tools.The fourth bookshelf is used for jewelry making supplies and books. It also holds cross stitch supplies along with Go! Baby cutter and dies. The fifth bookshelf hold crocheting supplies and tools, craft paints and plastic canvas supplies. Using the labeled plastic containers with labels, helps me keep things organized and keeps me from spend to much time looking for a certain tool or supply. To keep from having to move my sewing machine from the bedroom to the dining room, I purchased a 6′ folding table. It gives me plenty of room for my sewing machine and cutting mat. I also purchased a office chair that swivels. When sewing all I have to do is turn to reach my ironing board an plastic containers.
The first thing I do is write notes into the computer…very detailed, so I stay on top of what I am working on. I also use Hefty storage bags for storing any materials and notions needed for each project (No more than 4 projects can be going at any one time!). Finished projects remain in their bag, and leftover stuff is returned to storage for future projects.
‘stay’ Organized? No such thing! Part of my creative process is that it’s all One Hot Mess, but also that I get to rediscover forgotten/misplaced bits & bobs as I go along! 😀
Organized? I am the queen of “un” organized! I WAS NOT BORN ORGANIZED! This is a real handicap.
There is nothing I love more than petting my fabrics (well, besides my two cats) and dreaming what I will make them into..
I try to put my projects neatly away, where they belong, But, alas, these fabrics seem to escape their bins or bags, migrating through the room and into the rest of the house house.
I try to keep most of my fabric stored in plastic bin containers, by color. Other bins hold flannels, and another primitives, etc. I keep my projects in zipper bags or the plastic pouches that sheets or blankets or curtains came in. Those work well, until they get misplaced, or “hide” among the bins, or the closet or a suitcase or a box or a drawer . . . . I have many not quite finished projects
I turned a small drab desk into a sewing table. I painted it ivory with an antique glaze. I gave the chair a new seat covered with a matching fabric. Now my sewing machine sets on top with a small lamp and I have plenty of drawers for my sewing notions and patterns. I love quilting and my daughter uses it to make costumes for cosplay.
Start over. I empty both rooms completely and vacuum and wash everything down. Start by putting the desk, computer, and printer where I want it. Then I rearrange the tables.I have an old wood table that actually folds up and down and you can insert the leaves and it goes to about 7 feet. I like that one as it holds a lot and is pretty easy to move around when it is folded up. I have a glass picnic table that I brought in and put it up on lifts and I use that to do applique work or anything else I need to do. I just put a regular lamp underneath it and let the light shine thru. I can cover the glass if need be, One sewing room is 10′ x 20′ and the ceiling goes on a slant so I have one big wall that is and stays as my design wall. I hung two table clothes on it side by side and that with pins holds everything I need on it,however I do need to use a stool to climb to the top from time to time. I have accumulated 2 sets of three plastic drawer bins from yard sales and I use boxes that fit in both ways as dividers. You might be able to use the little long baskets from the dollar store as well. I keep everything sorted in those boxes and drawers. Spray starch, magic sizing, wax paper, freezer paper, pin covers, extension cords, all the old sewing machine parts-I collect any parts I can get my hands on, Scissors, sewing machine needles, hand stitching needles, crochet hooks, tape measures rulers, glue guns, glue sticks, gloves, sewing notions of all kind are right there and easy to locate when I am on a hunt. I have pens, pencils, colored pencils, mechanical pencils, straws and even eye glass hangers stored along with empty toilet tissue rolls. You ask why toilet tissue rolls? If your doing binding after you stitch it together and press it, you roll it on to the tissue holders put the eye glass rope thru it and around your neck and you can very easily roll your binding off and onto your project and you don’t get it pulled or all tangled up. I collect baskets that cost less than a quarter to purchase. Most times I find them for free. I have all sizes shapes and textures. I will toss projects into plastic bags and store them in the baskets and stack what I need to stack. Right now I am on a hunt for tension rods as I am going to put the rods in and hang the baskets on the rods over the water heater in the closet which is just wasted space I have collected tins and pill bottles which are homes to buttons along with divided cases that has embroidery floss of tons of colors and embellishments. The threads that I use all the time has bobbins wound in every color of thread, except for whites and creams. I try to keep at least 5 bobbins of each at all times cause sure as I go to do something I will run out of bobbin thread and its just easier to grab and reload the machine than tear it down to wind a bobbin.
I have dowel racks that I can keep a lot of thread on. I have a lot of cups with cute holders stuck into them and keep one by each sewing machine that is in use. It holds all the supplies I need when I sit down down at that machine. I keep more than one or two sets of things like that so when I have to do a sew in, I just have an extra cup all ready to go. I have tons of books and magazines. When I go thru the magazines I take sticky pads, turn them upside down and when I see something I like in the magazine I mark it with the note and let it hang out the top. Some are specific like “Bethlehem Star.” Some are just “applique” , birdhouses, flying geese, or if there is an article on say “Threads” I will mark it as” Threads.” This way when I am looking for ideas I can pull down a handful of magazines and just read the sticky note labels until I find what I am after, sort as I go, then restack after I’m done looking. I have an old metal bookshelf that has 6 shelves and I keep finding stackable filing holders and I have those stacked on the top shelf 9 units in one and 11 units in the other and three on the desk and two or three on each table. This makes sorting easier if I get that far. I learned how to do sticky notes on the desktop of the computer and when I think of something, I make a sticky note and when I get on the computer the next time I can remember what I wanted to go and look at or research or even order. I have a three drawer wood cabinet I keep excess supplies in and two cabinets with sewing machines in them., I don’t use the sewing machines very much, but did find some 1 drawer files cabinets and I stack them on top of those machines and if I need the machines, the units are easy to move. I use napkin holders for rulers that don’t hang up. In my other room 12′ x 12′ I have a big wooden table set up on the lifts in the middle of the floor for a cutting table and all the mats and most rulers are in there along with all the material. I use the plastic shoe boxes and the next size up to store things in. There is paints, yarn, and pot holder makings, looms, fat quarters, scrap, strips, triangles and lots of assorted materials in different sizes colors. I try to sort some of that by Animals, kids, fleece, calico, blues, reds, greens, batting and so on. I also have larger totes that hold some colors that we all have excess of likes Christmas, reds, greens, and blues. I mark them and tape labels on but that doesn’t always work as good as I would like. I have magnifying ring lamps hooked to the tables to add extra light to the sewing machines. The only glass jar is a small mayonnaise jar that I keep for putting broken or dull needles and pins in, and rotary and exacto blades when they go bad. It takes a long time to fill one up but no one will get hurt on the contents. I keep a waste can with a bag for garbage and a basket for material scraps. I cut up the scraps and they can be made into pet beds. I keep notebooks with project information and I am trying to chart the time spent in making a quilt or a project. I am finding new ways to do things all the time. Hope some of the things I do helps others get organized-I have good days and bad days for organizational skills but I do find that when things are in their place it is easier no matter what you use or how you do it. I am also finding that like many of you out there, more detailed writings are much more useful later on down the road especially if you have to make a label for a quilt and need dates or your trying to price one out for sale. Sometimes knowing what time and money you have put in helps you for the next project. Also those old details and information might be at your finger tips for another project later on. There are so many methods of doing things that when you find one that works really good for you , then having it handy is better. Thank you for reading and have a blessed and safe day
Hi Linda,
Thank you for sharing your sewing room process with us! There’s a lot of really great advice in here, and we love that you have two rooms dedicated to your projects! Happy sewing!
To stay organized I keep my my buttons in Mason jars, my thread in bins and my WIPs in a wicker basket beside my sewing machine. I have two large bookshelves that are cluttered. I really need to organize them. But my sewing table is neat and tidy! 🙂
I try to put things away when I am done using them, clean up when I am done for the day. Put things in there place as soon as I bring them in. My craft room is soon to be going through an overhaul (I pray) so hopefully that will help!
I store my seam rippers, markers, scissors, rulers in a carousel behind my sewing machine for easy access. My threads and bobbins are sorted by color on wall mounted holders above my sewing machine. I have a lot of buttons, so they are sorted by color in zip lock bags and put into a larger clear bin. The most important thing is to purge things you will never use, especially outdated crafts and fabrics.
My stash is sorted by theme – season, baby, general – the general is sorted by color and then in clear totes. My patterns are on a spread sheet with title, number, size, manufacturer and then in numbered photo boxes. My future projects are stored in big zippered storage bags and then in clear totes. My current projects are in reusable shopping bags (crocheting and knitting) and zippered bags and/or smaller clear boxes (quilting and sewing projects).
Organization is an acquired skill that takes practice and commitment. I have clear covered 16 quart plastic boxes for my fabric. They are organized by color and have a label on the front side and top. I also use labeled clear shoe boxes to store notions. I usually have several projects going at a time so I keep all the items for that project in a separate plastic box. All boxes are stored alphabetically in my craft closet.
Lots of totes, all sizes, all labeled
I am much more organized at work than I am home. At work everything has a place and stuff is in that place. I don’t leave my desk out of order when I leave for the day.
At home, I have 4 kids that help keep the disorder alive! In my sewing and crafting area, I usually do pretty good keeping things put up. One of the best things I do is to process my scraps immediately. Bigger scraps, I sort, fold and put away that day. One of my future projects is a scrap 9 patch. So smaller pieces get cut either into 3.5 or 4.5 inch blocks. Each size has a clear plastic shoe box they are stored in. Random size scraps or pieces too small to do this are pitched.
my stash is in marked tubs, my rulers and grids in an uprite holder, my patterns in colorful plastic boxes marked for childrens, women, craft and the rest i still need to work on!
I keep ongoing projects in 14″ x 14″ plastic cases – easy to pick up and take along with me. Fabric is folded and sorted according to colour and kept in a cupboard. I also have a plastic organizer with 8 drawers and it’s perfect for keeping thread, sewing accessories, and craft supplies.
I take care of things immediately as they come up. I don’t wait for a later time.
For sewing and craft supplies I like to use baskets as much as possible. They come in all sizes and are attractive.
My sewing room is a section I walled off at the back of our finished garage. It is about 9’x9′ but of course it is a high cielinged room. I attached shelves up above my work areas and on those I put plastic storage drawers of various sizes. Some hold thread, each small drawer has a different color thread, some hold buttons, again labeled as to color. Some hold various items with a label on the outside as to what is in them.
On the walls above my cutting table is a pegboard with room for my rulers. On hooks on the bottom of the shelves hold my machine embroidery hoops.
Under my cutting table are tall trash cans with interfacings on cardboard rolls left from wrapping paper.
My fabric is along the wall in our garage. My quilting fabric is in plastic drawers. Each has a different color in it…I put all my scraps in there too. My yardage quilting fabric has it own drawer. My garment fabric is in under-bed plastic size bins on shelves. I take a swatch of each, write on a piece of paper the size of it and the number of the bin and pin these on a pin and hang them on a decorative thread holder.
My serger threads are in plastic storage drawers under my cutting table. Each with similar colors. I don’t have these labeled yet.
My books are on shelves in the garage also.
I have a stack of plastic drawers just the right size for my patterns arranged by number….I put the envelope of the patterns in plastic protectors in a notebook.
I keep ongoing projects in their own plastic storage bin so I can just pull it when I am ready to work on it.
A couple of years ago I thought I had too many ufo’s so I packed them up in the motor home with the needed tools and headed out away from everything for two weeks. My husband flys model planes so we went where he could spend the days doing that while I finished my 15 ufo’s. It was a great retreat for both of us.
I reuse paper boxes and write on the outside what inside . great prize to win . God bless
One hack I’ve used for 40+ years is to store small, loose items – snaps, hooks and eyes, bra fittings, d-rings, belt buckles, beads, and all the tiny stuff that falls to the bottom of bin organizers and is lost to the world (or me at least) – all these go into a multiple-drawer small parts organizer like you would use for nails and screws in your garage. You can buy a small one with a dozen drawers or a larger one with more than 50 drawers, or anything in between. Some have different sized drawers, I find these to be the most versatile.
I am not really good at organization. I lump everything together and then dig out whatever I need. I need help with organizing.
I am not an organized person in my craft/sewing/computer room so I hope I win these prizes to give me a kick to get started in organization!!
I stay organized by spending 20 minutes before I go to bed prepping for the next day and putting things back in their place. This sets me up to have an easier morning and I don’t have to be rushed looking for stuff.
I’m organized by nature, but because of small spaces, I must be extremely aware as I work. I start with a very clean room, and make sure to put everything away after I am finished working. Then I fold up my table, put it in the closed, close my sewing machine and put it away. I do this even if I am planning to work the next day. If I don’t clutter surely gets the best of me.
i use a desk and a bookcase to stay organized. for me the key is to put things away right away once I bring them into the house.
Current projects are housed in clear plastic storage boxes, that way I can grab and go, often working on multiple projects at one time. Fabric stash is also in clear plastic boxes, by color stashed behind my closet doors which also house my batting and interfacing bolts. I use Mason jars for small items, buttons, snaps etc. as well as smaller spools of thread (sulky) and ribbon. Embroidery thread finds it’s home in thread organizers (plastic) by color. Bins and cubbies contain embroiderystabilizers, yarn, fabric scraps.
Having a place for everything makes it easier to clean up, stash and go when I’m not using my sewing space which is shared with “exercise” treadmill, grandkids toys and play space, and my own office area.
I try to keep everything put away.
I like to keep all ongoing projects in separate boxes, bags, or trays so I know where everything is and that I have all the necessary pieces.
I had a dream to quilt, knew no one that did or ever had, so I started with library books. Organizing: fabric wrapped on 17″ x 7″ sturdy cardboard, secured with vertical rubberband. Stand up beautifully on shelves, organized by color, all flannels & fleese are at the end. Thread & bobbins, on June Taylor thread pegs (found on 5 dollar clearance), rulers on circular hanging ring, have small desk with one lap drawer holds all rotary cutters, blades, loose small items, fancy big cup for marking tools, seam ripper, sissors, pens, 1/4″ guide tool, favorite item are plastic 3&4 drawer rolling or stackable wIth wheels removed little dressers, drawers labeled by size of cut pieces to be used for whatever project comes along. Current projects in 12 x 12 clear plastic project cases (2). Cutting mats stored upright between the China cabinet & wall, rotate to side every mo or so to avoid a permanent curve. Lost my sewing room to baby several yrs ago, as a young girl, I finally had to take them down from hanging so she could decorate her room to her liking, strange how she didn’t find large green cutting mats very fashionable, she didn’t mind them when she was little. Go figure. Lol. About to claim the dining room for official sewing room. No one eats in there anyhow. There will be backlash I am sure, but I am too old to care @ 65 I shall claim that room for myself ……. well that’s my plan today.
I am sooooooo not organized 🙁 and I hate it! My son gave me a Christmas Gift of a professional Organizer (who happens to be an amazing quilter) for as many hours as is required to get me organized. I am so grateful for that gift! We start working on it the first week in February so right now I am sorting through papers and stuff that can be thrown out. I suspect I have duplicates of many sewing tools — the duplicates will go to my daughter-in-law who likes to sew but has very little time for it at this period in her life, but will in the future. So the tin would be a nice addition to the organizational things I will be needing 🙂
i clean out my work space once a week. i also use bins for things that need to be orginized
As the saying goes: “A place for everything and everything in it’s place”. It saves me LOADS of time, NOT having to search all over for an item I need.
I put everything away once a project is done and, once a month, I turn up some good tunes and do a major sort, stack and stash with items for future projects.
Two other helpful hints: Labeling and color coordinating!
I usually use plastic totes to organize all my crafts.
A place for every thing & every thing in its place.
I file every thing immediately. No clutter.
I have a problem trying to organize. That is my New Year’s resolution this year. I am going to starrt small with eliminating paper that is not necessary.
I try real hard to put things away when I am finished with them. We have several plastic containers we use for different items.
You all have a ton of organizational tips. I have to go back and read them all. I put things away after I use them. I also have a label maker which really helps out ! I use clear storage bins and plastic organizing units. I put like with like and purge often. Kids are always willing to have hand me downs. I even organize my fridge so food is used in a timely manner (plastic bins and labels). I use binders to l hold important documents and the projects I want to make. The plastic inserts are perfect for instructions manuals and warranties. I have a sewing room I called CREATE that i love. Spend 5 minutes a day or see 5 things each night before you go to bed and clean them up or put them away. You will be amazed at how organized you will be and feel better the next day. Don’t procrastinate organizing !!!!!! Be proactive. Good luck to all those that entered the contest and thanks for all the tips .
Being more organized is my New Year’s goal but like always LIFE gets in the way! It’s an uphill battle but I will keep trying.
bins
I try to keep things “somewhat organized” as I go through each day. However, I also do a periodic tidy up of items that are already organized. By never letting things get out of hand — clean up is so much easier.
Sorry, but I am not organized! I wish I were.
I stay organized by practicing the “one touch” rule. I get to touch something one time and then it must be put where it goes.
I have bins in my closet in my sewing room.
I try to keep everything clean around the house.
I use fishing tackle boxes, both the flip-up and pull-out ones for storing many of my threads and notions. I use the Plano brand because they are made so well.
Organization, something I’ve always found terribly difficult, has become part of my life through my crochet, sewing and jewelry -making addictions. I love keeping WIPS in lovely hat boxes, or crochet baskets. I enjoy seeing the beautiful beads all separated by size and color. I find that organization as an art itself, keeps me interested and creative.
To stay organized I don’t. My crafts have crowded me out of my sewing room, the rooms of each child that has left, and now my dining room has all 4 of my sewing machines and my serger. I have an old pattern cabinet from a fabric store, I have build-it-yourself cabinets. I have canisters from potato chips, plastic ice cream containers, baskets, multi-drawer rolling stack, and plastic tubs upon plastic tubs.
I use totes with labels to keep my stuff organized. thank you
I make lots of notes. Thank you
I try to put things away when I am done with them. I label storage containers and group like items together. Sometimes I enjoy the organizing as much as the projects!
I try and make sure I clean up when I’m finished so I can walk into an organized room the next time I want to craft.
I stay organized by having baskets, drawers, bins, mason jars, and containers to fill. I have a peg board for my rulers and scissors. I always tidy/clean up after each sewing/crafting session.
I put everything away after using it.
I keep organized by keeping everything in the same place all the time, so to develop a routine type environment. Trying to do things on time keeps organization as well.
I never start a project intill my space is clean. Every container, drawer, shelf or location is labeled in one way or another. Every project is in a container with a label or picture of what it is. If I need to switch projects all I have to do is return the unfinished project to it’s place and go to another container in snap!
I have a place for everything and I try to keep everything in it’s place.
I clean up everything every night so it stays nice.
I like to organize with containers that have compartments.
Working in a small space forces me to not leave items out of place. And I do not start to many projects as once.
I’m lucky enough to have a huge room dedicated to my sewing/crafting. My husband calls it my “crap” room. Lovingly, of course. I am not a naturally organized person, so am making my way thru the process. I have a large folding table that houses my machine and various other clutter, and I’ve accumulated an assortment of small cabinets, plastic bins and baskets that I’m still playing with to figure out how it works. My problem has been that when I go to organize my fabric (I think I probably need to “weed out” some of it, but can’t bring myself to do that yet!), I get sidetracked by inspiration to make things, so the organization takes a back seat to creation!! My favorite piece in my room though is an antique metal & glass medicine cabinet from the hospital my husband was actually born in. I use it decoratively & practically, as it has beautiful glass shelves and sides on the top, and metal drawers below. I repainted it yellow & turquoise because I like that combo. Sigh! None of these days maybe my room be inspirational enough for a blog. Thanks for all the great ideas & motivation!!
Being a little OCD helps in the organization department, lol, everything has a place and a label on it. I love boxes, all shapes, sizes and colors. Thanks for allowing me to enter.
I have two bins in the closet. One is for material and the other notions, lace, thread etc. Easily accesible and there when I need it.
Well, honestly, some vision problems on top of decades of chronic health problems while raising 2 kids has interfered with a lot with my organizational efforts. But a few things have helped me keep my sanity (ok, that point may be debatable) a long the way. Sorting and labeling certainly help. And setting up a laundry system which includes multiple hampers for presorting and different colors for each family member of bath towels (saves washing), sock-locks and clothes hangers (for putting away). Those all help the family to pitch in so they had/have no excuses for helping which means less time and energy on laundry, more time and energy for other things. Now that I finally had my cataracts taken care of last summer and the kids are almost out of the house (last if college sr.), I have a lot of sorting and purging to do so organizing is going to involve a lot of garbage bags and trips to a donation center.
I’m not…I’m a mess. I need help! LOL!!!
I try and clean up as I go
I have a planner and I make a lot of lists.
well i keep all my knitting and sewing tools in a big box i got at michaels. but my yarn is all over the place, i could really use some cubbies to organize it!
Lists and labels are my best friends! Everything has a place so even the kids can know where things go!
To be honest I am not very organized and really need to work on this.
I try to eliminate as much clutter as possible 😀
I use manila folders and a file cabinet to stay organized.
I try to keep notes on how I do projects to remember when I do them the next time. Generally, it’s written notes on the pattern, but I’m trying to keep better records on ravelry.
My wife stays organized by keeping everything in containers.
I attempt organization weekly. Every Sat/Sun I take the project working on and bag it and shelf it and then Monday I grab bag and get that out, may not be what I worked on last.
I make a list of what needs to be done. I make a point of putting things away after using them.
Preparation and lots of lists work best for me.
I use lists to stay organized.
I keep everything in its place and label everything.
I keep organized by project…for each project I am currently working on, I keep everything related to that project in one large plastic bag(if it’s fairly small) or in a storage box (if it’s a large project). That way, whenever I am in the mood to work on it, I simply take that bag or box and I am ready to go.
I want my Sewing Room to stay organized, I am busy making crafts and need the organization.
I have a clean-up session daily. It’s a scheduled organization!
I’m in the process of completely revamping my organization, starting with finding good functional furniture, shelving and more. It’s amazing how much variety there is! I’m trying my best to develop a system to control all my crafting chaos 🙂
I try and organize my crafts and before I know it I’m unorganized and have 2 start over again.
I keep organized by craft. Could use help occasionally. Do an overhaul once a month.
I’m not the most organized person, but I like lots of little jars or cans. Then I can find the little things,which is what I lose the most.