Organized?? Who is?? And how did you do it??
02-24-2011, 09:26 PM
#61
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
First, sort and arrange what is already in your sewing space, then tackle one box or bag per day, or week, which ever works for you. Figure out where the extra furniture can live, then label things, then sort at will. You can do it. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself thinking of the whole project, break it down into manageable parts. Each part you finish will encourage you to continue. (Think of each step as a personal 'gold star'.)
02-24-2011, 10:09 PM
#63
Super Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,474
so sorry for your loss , i lost my mom on Dec 2nd, it was her birthday, and i recieved a lot of her things , but just take it a day at a time one day you might want to organize for a little bit and the next you might want to do it all day long , that is what i did and it got done in my own way and at my own speed
02-24-2011, 10:12 PM
#64
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington state
Posts: 4,303
I at first thought, that;s not all that bad, but then realized it was your dining room. LOL Still think there are others of us in the same boat or worse. I too, wonder just how to go about my own accumulation
02-25-2011, 04:48 AM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Salisbury, MO
Posts: 380
Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl
I am sorry for your loss. I know that this is a tough time for you & going thru your Mom's things to sort & organize them presents a challenge. Everyone here has offered great ideas and personal experiences. If I may add mine?
My dear Mother died Thanksgiving Day 2007. An avid sewer/quilter, she had shared with me that I could do what I wanted with her sewing things. Her only request was that anything I chose not to keep go for something good, not for someone to make a profit off of. After sorting everything and deciding what I was going to keep, I began searching for who/what to give the remaining stash to. I chose the local chapter of Project Linus for all of the flannel fabric she had for making baby bibs & baby quilts. I chose a local women's shelter for the rest of the fabrics, sewing notions, patterns, etc. This shelter, run by a church organization, had a "Sewing Room" where homeless women could come to learn how to sew, mend their clothes, etc.
It felt so good for me to pass my mother's things to these organizations, explaining to each why they were chosen and telling some about my mom & her request. I know in my heart that my Mom looked down and said, "Well done Daughter, well done".
My dear Mother died Thanksgiving Day 2007. An avid sewer/quilter, she had shared with me that I could do what I wanted with her sewing things. Her only request was that anything I chose not to keep go for something good, not for someone to make a profit off of. After sorting everything and deciding what I was going to keep, I began searching for who/what to give the remaining stash to. I chose the local chapter of Project Linus for all of the flannel fabric she had for making baby bibs & baby quilts. I chose a local women's shelter for the rest of the fabrics, sewing notions, patterns, etc. This shelter, run by a church organization, had a "Sewing Room" where homeless women could come to learn how to sew, mend their clothes, etc.
It felt so good for me to pass my mother's things to these organizations, explaining to each why they were chosen and telling some about my mom & her request. I know in my heart that my Mom looked down and said, "Well done Daughter, well done".
02-25-2011, 06:05 AM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Posts: 711
So very sorry for the loss of your mother at such a special time of year. Now take a deep breath, and realize it is going to take you a little time. First, I would start with getting some large boxes from somehwere and sort by craft---ex: quilting, painting, jewelry making, etc. Mark each box with a giant label on the outside. Don't try to decide on what to keep and what to get rid of, that will come later. Once you have done that, then take 1 box at a time and separate into 2 piles---keep pile and bye bye pile. I know it is going to be hard, but once you start, it will get easier and the good memories you have of crafting with your mom will come through. This will also help you with the grieving process. Once you are done, then organize your sewing/crafting room with what you want to keep. The rest you can either sell on here or ebay or just donate. Be patient and if you get overwhelmed, stop for a day. You will get through it and it will get easier. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
02-25-2011, 06:10 AM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Buried Under My Stash up in Canada!
Posts: 545
I have shelving all over my walls which in turn are loaded with plastic baskets from the dollar store. Each basket is designated by colour. Its kaos in my sewing room, but I'm creative not neat, besides I know where everything is when I need it. When I'm working on a project I have a large Rubbermaid tote that I dump all the fabric I need for the project into. When I'm done, I go thru the tote and put everything back in it's own basket. At least that's the theory...lol
02-25-2011, 06:59 AM
#70
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
I would first sort your fabric into groups. Then when you see how much of each you have, you'll have a better knowledge of what to put that pile in: a covered plastic box, on a shelf folded in a pile, in a drawer, etc.
I have my fabric sorted into colors. I also have plastic covered boxes of multi - brights, multi-darks, OBW fabrics, as well as boxes of each color: blue, teal/turquiose, red, pink, etc. I've also batting pieces with a slip of paper pinned on the corner w/ it's measurements, in it's own big box also. Another big box has muslin pieces in it, with the same scrap of paper pinned on the corner (if it's a large piece). i have all my fabric in transparent boxes, with a label on the side and on the top edge of the cover. This is so when they are stacked on top of each other I can easily see what color is where. If you will be stacking storage boxes, it's helpful to have the same brand - they fit together better, but this isn't absolutely necessary. Mine aren't.
Organizing a roomful of fabric, yarn, craft supplies is a daunting task. Take it slow and you'll get there.
So sorry for the passing of your Mom. :(
I have my fabric sorted into colors. I also have plastic covered boxes of multi - brights, multi-darks, OBW fabrics, as well as boxes of each color: blue, teal/turquiose, red, pink, etc. I've also batting pieces with a slip of paper pinned on the corner w/ it's measurements, in it's own big box also. Another big box has muslin pieces in it, with the same scrap of paper pinned on the corner (if it's a large piece). i have all my fabric in transparent boxes, with a label on the side and on the top edge of the cover. This is so when they are stacked on top of each other I can easily see what color is where. If you will be stacking storage boxes, it's helpful to have the same brand - they fit together better, but this isn't absolutely necessary. Mine aren't.
Organizing a roomful of fabric, yarn, craft supplies is a daunting task. Take it slow and you'll get there.
So sorry for the passing of your Mom. :(
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