hperttula123

I am so sorry for your loss. Clear totes would be a great to help organize. I seem to never have enough of them.

SEW

So sorry for your loss...it must feel overwhelming to have to go through and organize your mom's crafting supplies. She sure liked her crafts! You've received some real good advice here. Don't try to do it all at once, divide and conquer the various crafts. See through containers...lots and lots of see through containers! Integrating your mom's things with your own will help you move through your grief. Again, my deepest sympathies.

sueisallaboutquilts

Thanks for the topic! I am sooooooooooo disorganized!! Maybe I will get some help too :)
I remember you lost your Mom, honey.
More hugs, Sue

pocoellie

Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother. Not that I'm all that organized, but all my quilting fabrics are folded with a 4" ruler, then put into the appropriate drawer, according to the background color and stood on it's side, so that I can see a portion of the fabric print. The non cotton fabrics are all in large plastic totes, sorted by the type of fabric, fleece, upholstery type, etc.

I think what I would do is to go through the fabrics, folding as you go and decide if you want to keep it or not and do the same for the rest of the items. I used to sew clothing and had tons of zippers, which I had sorted into large zip lock baggies according to size, I did the same with elastic, seam binding, etc. I would do more or less the same with the craft supplies, like paint. I would check the paint to make sure it's a good bottle, since it tends to dry up after a while, even when it's shut tight. Whatever you decide you aren't keeping, donate that to a local charity, school or the like or have a yard sale. But, if you don't do a lot of garment sewing, for example, then I wouldn't keep most of the stuff. I have my threads sorted by color in the small plastic totes, the 100% cotton thread are separate from the regular thread by color also.

PaperPrincess

I agree with the plastic tubs/totes. See if you can find 2 sizes, one a shoe box size and the other a 12 to 15 gallon size. I would also suggest that if it's financially possible to purchase all the totes at the same time. It's sooo much easier to stack/arrange the boxes if they are all the same size. a 12 or 15 gallon tub can still be moved. I do have one 30 gallon one, but I think it's too big. Can't move it around easily. I am so sorry about your mom, and can totally relate. I was actually making progress on organizing when my mom passed. I got all her crafting stuff and even though I didn't do some of the crafts, I couldn't get rid of the stuff. It's been 3 years and I have finally been able to donate some. Logically, it makes sense to not keep everything, but emotionally, well, that's another story. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just get materials for the same craft together, like all jewelry, and put it in a box. I would also suggest getting some 2X4" labels and putting a label on the front and back of the box, this way a label will always be visible.

Whitney60

I feel your pain.. I lost both my parents this year. Mom,88 in April.. she taught me to sew, and my Dad 97, Nov. 12.. on my birthday. I want to wrap my arms around her old sewing machine, but can't get it where I live yet. I was blessed to have them so long... but back to you.. This will be emotional for you... You have lots of helpers out here for ideas & support.. use them and reach out to us as you go. Decide on the day you are going to start... get up early, shower, have a healthy breakfast for energy, a strong cup of coffee, kneenx and advil... and start your day with your Mom and talk to her.. she'll help too. You will feel really good about yourself. Maybe only 2 hours at a time.. but you have to make that first step. Keep us posted.. Good luck and God bless you. d

sewitseams

i am sorry for your loss. i lost my mom the day before Christmas in 2006 and think about her every day. we did not share the same hobbies, but she always enjoyed seeing the things i had made. she was an avid reader and would tell me about books she thought i would like. press on with your organizing, it will be worth it.

QweenBee

Wow, What alot of great advise! I have taken in each and ever persons pieces of information, and I promise to put to good use!I just don't want to feel like I'm treading in a mess! I do have a fellow quilting Sister but she now lives hours away.Thanks again for your heartfelt thoughts and prayers! Great friends are made right here!
Qweenbee

grann of 6

I am so sorry about you losing your mother. It is a very difficult adjustment when you shared so many things together. Take your time to mourn her. I lost my very dear neighbor a couple years ago and her husband gave me all her fabric and craft stuff, including her sewing machine. I piled it all up in my basement sewing room and just looked at and touched it until I was able to get it combined into my stash. I would get bins and put the various crafting things together, paints, crochet, etc. It took me over 2 years to be able to get rid of the counted cross stitch books she had. I knew I would never use them so they finally went to Good Will, and her kits. Just cherish all your memories while you are organizing, it will help with your pain.

suesembroidery

I would go buy the three drawer units at Wal-Mart and start around the room and fill them up. You can stack them two high. Easy to get in after you finish. Don't give anything away. I wish I had some of my mothers things. Some day I will learn to post pictures and show you my sewing room my DH had fixed for me for retirement gift. I have them along one wall and another wall I have shelves. Everything is easy to get to and my iron board, chair, and PR600 roll around my desk, shelves, and draws. I can watch TV and sew on my 4500D I love my brothers machines.